scored 83/100
Also known as cymbopogon citratus, citronella grass, fever grass
Lemongrass is an aromatic grass rich in citral and citronellal, offering antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
These are the scored components, not a sum: the published score also reflects normalisation across the catalog, so the parts above will not add to 83.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tall, fibrous aromatic grass whose bright lemony scent comes from citral, a blend of the terpene aldehydes geranial and neral, along with citronellal and geraniol. Raw it provides about 99 kcal per 100g and a surprisingly dense mineral profile: roughly 5.2 mg manganese, 8.2 mg iron, 60 mg magnesium, and 723 mg potassium, plus folate and modest vitamin C. The volatile terpenoid fraction is the functional headline—citral and its companions exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal activity, and lemongrass essential oil is widely studied for these effects. Mechanistically, citral scavenges free radicals, inhibits inflammatory mediators, and disrupts microbial membranes, while traditional use centers on digestive comfort and calming, fever-reducing infusions. Used as bruised stalks in Southeast Asian curries and soups or steeped as a fragrant herbal tea, lemongrass delivers its aromatic bioactives best when the tough stalk is crushed to release the oils and gently heated rather than boiled hard.
Citral and other terpenoids scavenge free radicals and inhibit inflammatory mediators
Citral and citronellal disrupt microbial cell membranes and inhibit growth
Aromatic terpenes ease digestive discomfort and the calming scent supports stress relief
Lemongrass has no circadian dependency; a calming infusion can be pleasant in the evening.
Fasting-compatible
As a culinary herb or unsweetened tea it is negligible in calories and fasting-compatible.
Per 100 g of the default form. Bars show how much higher or lower lemongrass is than the average across 76 peer foods in this category. Green means a favorable direction; amber means the opposite.
Lemongrass is classified as a herbs & spices. Lemongrass is an aromatic grass rich in citral and citronellal, offering antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Lemongrass scores 83/100 in Formulate, making it a great choice. Its strongest contributions come from Manganese, Iron, Copper. The score blends nutrient density, fiber, healthy fats, protein quality, bioactive compounds, and glycemic impact.
Not particularly. A 2 g serving provides about 0 g of protein (~0% of the 50 g daily value).
Not really. A 2 g serving provides about 0 g of fiber (~0% of the 28 g daily value).
Yes — it fits comfortably in most keto plans. A 2 g serving has about 0.5 g of net carbs (0.5 g total minus 0 g fiber).
Best any time of day. Lemongrass has no circadian dependency; a calming infusion can be pleasant in the evening.
A typical serving is around 2 g (~2 kcal), based on the FDA's Reference Amount Customarily Consumed for this food category. There's no fixed daily target — most adults benefit from rotating lemongrass alongside several other herbs & spices sources.
Lemongrass pairs nicely with: Pair with coconut milk and ginger because the fat carries lemongrass's fat-soluble terpenoids in curries and soups; Combine with lime and chili to brighten and balance its citrus-herbal aroma.
Encyclopedia entries that supply the same signature nutrients lemongrass contributes. Click through to see clinical dose ranges, evidence quality, and bioavailable forms.
These are the nutrients lemongrasscontributes meaningfully toward (≥10% DV per 100 g serving). Click one to see what it does in the body, which supplements concentrate it, and which other foods are top sources.