Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle

Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) is an erect herb up to 1.5 meters tall of the Poaceae family, native to South and Southeast Asia, widely cultivated in Indonesia, Southern India, and Sri Lanka. Its citronella content makes its extract effective as a natural mosquito repellent, besides being traditionally believed to maintain body fitness. Citronella grass is also commonly used as a remedy for colds and to promote sweating.

This plant can live in hot or cold climate regions, up to an elevation of 1,200 m above sea level. Average rainfall of 1,300-2,000 mm/year, optimum temperature of 18-25 °C, full sunlight intensity without shade. Favors fertile, loose soil rich in organic matter, soil pH ranging from 4.5-6.

• Roots fibrous with a short rhizome.
• Stem erect, forming clumps.
• Leaves simple, cylindrical leaf sheath, inner surface red, ligulate tip, up to 70-80 cm long and 2-5 cm wide.
• Flowers compound, stalked, generally white-green in color, with 3-6 stamens, and 2 stigmas.

• Propagated using rooted shoots or offshoots, taken from a mature plant clump (at least 1 year old).
• Harvest time after 4-8 months of age.

Essential oil (limonene, eugenol, methyleugenol, citronellal, geraniol, citronellol, α-cubebene, camphene, myrcene, sabinene).

Treats sinusitis or respiratory disorders; acts as a diuretic; promotes sweating; acts as an expectorant; used as a mouthwash; warms the body; treats colds; stimulates appetite.

• Separate the citronella grass root and leaves.
• Wash with clean water, then slice thinly.
• Air-dry the sliced citronella grass root and leaves until the moisture content is 10%.
• Once dry, grind the material into a powder.
• Pack the powdered material in a closed, airtight container.

Sere mongthi (Aceh), Sangge-sangge (Batak), Serai (Betawi, Minangkabau), Sarae (Lampung), Sereh (Sunda), Sere (Central Java, Madura, Gayo, and Malay), Sare (Makasar, Bugis).