Wapine

Wapine is a common tropical medicinal and culinary plant also known as Lemongrass or Fever Grass. It is native to Southern India and Sri Lanka. Other common names of this plant are: Ti Varani (Cook Islands), Moegalo (Samoa), Tanglad (Philippines), Sakumau (Malaysia), Capim-santo (Portugal), Remon gurasu (Korea) and Capim-cidrao (Brazil).

Wapine is a perennial grass with rough-edged long leaves. The tapered spikes can grow to 3' in height. The light green leaves have a lemon-scent to them. Flowers are rare.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• Culinary: lemongrass is used to flavor soups, roasts, sauces, make tea, etc.; roots have a ginger-like flavor
• Medicinally: used for toothaches, throat, stomach and nerves
• Used in post-partum rituals (Philippines, Malaysia)
• Used in tea to lower blood pressure (Cuba)
• Made into essential oils
• Properties: diuretic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neurobehavioral, insecticidal