Lemon grass

Lemongrass traces its fragrance heritage to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, where ancient civilizations recognized its aromatic power. Archaeological evidence points to its use in the Indus Valley civilization. Ayurvedic texts document lemongrass for therapeutic applications spanning millennia. The plant spread across tropical regions, establishing itself in South Africa, Australia, and throughout Southeast Asia. By the 12th century, aromatic plant cultivation fed growing European perfumery demand. The Greeks and Romans incorporated Cymbopogon into ointments and cosmetics. Today, two commercial varieties dominate: East Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) from India and Sri Lanka, and West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) from Burma and Thailand. The United States, Japan, and Europe remain the primary buyers of this tropical treasure, which continues bridging ancient aromatic traditions with contemporary fragrance formulation.