No Spanish American's herb garden was complete unless it contained te-de-limon, or lemon grass. Then, over the years, the plant, like so many other sources of natural drinks and "cures," slowly faded from use and cultivation. Today's renewed and still-growing interest in herbs and herb teas, however, is now bringing te-de-limon back once again.

Although there seems to be little scientific basis for the claims, Mexican folk medicine holds that the benefits of lemon grass include: aiding digestion, calming nervous disorders and helping in the treatment of high blood pressure. Cymbopogon citratus - as the plant is known to the botanist - is also cultivated and distilled in Java, Ceylon, Malaysia and Central America for its oil (which is used in pharmaceutical preparations and skincare products). Lemon grass contains vitamin A and is good for "those who wish to have bright eyes and a clear skin." 

Well, I can't vouch for those claims ... but I do know from firsthand experience that Cymbopogon citratus is a perennial grass that can be grown either in the garden or as an indoor  potted plant. It thrives in warm weather (it does not do well in extremely cold climates), grows from two to four feet tall. Lemon grass seldom bears seeds and is almost always propagated from a section of root. That propagation, however, is easy: The plant thrives on nothing more than a sunny spot and good nutrients.

 The fresh leaves can be brewed into a refreshing tea while the dried leaves make a wonderful addition to potpourri blends. The lower, bulbous portion of the leaf stalk are either thinly sliced or crushed before being added to culinary creations. The crushed stalk needs to be removed and discarded prior to serving the meal. 

Lemon grass leaves are best used fresh, as they lose most of their flavor and aroma when dried. However, the stalks can be processed for long term storage in either the refrigerator or freezer. To store in the refrigerator, for up to 3 weeks, simply place the stalks into a plastic bag. Or place the plastic bag full of lemon grass stalks in the freezer for up to 6 months.