Lemon grass can be your source of income

Jun 16, 2015

For many years Christine Nambi, a farmer in Katadde village, in Wakiso district had one lemon grass plant behind her house, from which she used to pick leaves to spice her tea.

By Umar Nsubuga and Evelyn Murungi

For many years Christine Nambi, a farmer in Katadde village, in Wakiso district had one lemon grass plant behind her house, from which she used to pick leaves to spice her tea.

However when people started flocking her home to ask for some lemon grass to spice their tea, she decided to go commercial.

Today she has over 80 plants in her banana plantation, from which she regularly harvests leaves for sale.

Some of her neighbours have followed suit, by inter-planting lemon grass with bananas and maize in their backyards.

Lemon grass is a tender perennial plant with a mild melony fragrance and a lemon-citrus type taste.

The stalks are too tough to eat, but they can be chopped and pounded to add flavour to fish or poultry sauces, and stir fry.

Lemon grass has long, thin, sharp grass-like gray-green leaves, and a spring onion like base.

Under ideal conditions, it can grow up to six feet.

Locally referred to as "ekisubi" (grass for tea), the bush aroma emitting plant was in the past mainly grown for domestic use.

Of late however, a number of farmers have started growing it on commercial scale.

Doctor Twaha Kakooza is among the people who grow lemon grass and according to him nothing treats a cold like lemon grass, it also cures common health disorders".

"Aside from its sweet aroma, many people make use of lemon grass to alleviate health complications. Many homesteads in villages have the plant lodged somewhere in the compound. This grass has amazing medicinal properties and has been used time immemorial", he says.

Lemon grass can be included in diet in many ways. Many people make use of lemon grass oil to add flavour to food.

It can also be used as a tea flavour.



Benefits of lemon grass

Dr. Kakooza, says lemon grass cures cough, a cold and fever.

"Studies have shown that lemon grass has antibacterial and antifungal properties. When mixed with pepper, it's a home therapy for menstrual troubles and nausea",  he says.

He also says that Lemon grass is a good cleanser that helps detoxify the liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder and the digestive tract.

"It cuts down uric acid, cholesterol, excess fats and other toxins in the body while stimulating digestion, blood circulation, and lactation.

It is said that lemon grass also helps improve the skin by reducing acne and pimples and acts as a muscle and tissue toner.

It can also reduce blood pressure.

The leaves and base of this tender perennial are used as a flavour, particularly in fish and poultry dishes, and its essential oils are used medicinally.

Prepare cough medicine

Take some strands of lemon grass, two or three cloves, a small piece of cinnamon stick and turmeric powder and boil with milk or water.

Drain and cool.

Drink the mixture to relieve cough and a cold.

Growing lemon grass

Lemon grass can be grown on almost any kind of soil countrywide.

When planted, it is ready for harvesting in eight months.

Nambi explains that from her few plants she earns at least sh1 million a year.

"You must only harvest it during the dry, season because during the wet season, the aroma becomes diluted," she says.

Market

Kisubi tea is now available in Uganda's supermarkets, but also in big shops abroad.

Challenges

Nambi says:  "The biggest challenge comes from dealers who counterfeit this product.

 
 

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