Insecticidal Properties of Lemon Grass
Lemon grass (Cymbopogon marginatus), also referred to as citronella, is used to flavor foods and as a fragrance. In addition to safeguarding plants, a study by A. O. Oyedele, et al., in "Phytomedicine" found lemon grass offers protection from mosquitoes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Description
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Native to tropical areas of Asia, lemon grass is an aromatic grass with tall, thin leaves that grow 35 inches high but are only 2/10 inch wide. Both fresh and partially dried leaves are used to create essential oils. The entire lemon grass plant, leaves and roots, is used to create insecticides.
Insecticidal Uses
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In the garden, use ground lemon grass mixed with water to spray onto carrot, lettuce and tomato plants as protection from leaf blight. In addition, ferment a mixture of lemon grass, madre de cacao, chili, tobacco and tinospora extract, and then add to water and soap to create an insecticidal spray that is effective against most agricultural pests. A study published in "Phytopathology" also found lemon grass combined with kaolin-based particle film was as effective controlling tomato spotted wilt and thrips on tomato plants as conventional insecticides.
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Tips
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Only use healthy lemon grass plants to make insecticides and store the plant extract in places inaccessible to children and pets.
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References
- PAN Germany: Lemongrass
- Drugs: Lemongrass
- India National Horticulture Board: Lemon Grass
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Plant Essential Oils and Particle Films for the Management of Tomato Spotted Wilt on Tomatoes
- PubMed: Formulation of an Effective Mosquito-Repellent Topical Product From Lemongrass Oil
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
