Over 40 years ago, I remember as a pharmacy student that my lecturers kept 'drilling in my ears' information that certain herbs, including lemon grass, otherwise called fever grass, cymbopogon citratus, will cause liver damage, and that I should not encourage anyone to drink them 'teas'.

My elders assured me that the tasty scented tea from lemon grass has been in vogue for many years with no ill effects. This became a challenge for me as a young pharmacist and so, as the years added to my knowledge, I decided to investigate 'herbs' for safety and their health benefits.

For many years, this plant has been used in popular decoctions for cold remedies, and as a bath for fevers in adults and children. The rhizomes and leaves, when prepared as a tea helps digestion, promotes perspiration and expels gases and intestinal worms. A small amount chopped very fine is excellent to use on fish as it removes the odour of raw fish.

Kills cancer cells

Citral is the essential oil and the key raw material used to manufacture Vitamin A. Recently, researchers in Israel discovered that citral, the main ingredient in lemon grass, causes 'cancer cells' to commit suicide using a mechanism called 'programmed cell death'. A drink with as little as one gram of fresh lemon grass steeped in a cup of hot water and drunk several times during the day kills cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed. The findings were published in a scientific journal and the popular Israel press. Today lemon grass is considered safe in scientific reviews.

This is one of the most beloved herbs of the Greeks used especially for 'remembrance'. It was formerly made in a wreath with bay leaves and placed around the heads of victorious athletes during the era of the Greek Olympics. Parts used are the flowers and the needle-shaped leaves.

Preparation: Infuse one teaspoon of the dried herb into a cup of boiling water and allow standing for 10-15 minutes. When taken as a tea, it is said to cleanse the stomach of excess mucus, improve digestion and alleviate congestion of the nasal passage. It is also a promising herb for stimulating the memory. Please note the oil is not to be ingested.

The infusion is also excellent to use as a hair rinse, especially for falling hair (alopecia) and for strengthening the roots. Researchers believe that rosemary stimulates liver enzymes which inactivates oestrogen hormone. The two key ingredients in rosemary are potent anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agents which help to protect the body's cells from free radicals. It is also known to be a rich source of Vitamin E.

Lemon grass tea is reported to be a cancer cell killer.