Palmarosa
Profile
| Latin Name | Cymbopogon martini |
| Chinese Name | Not Known |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Note | Top |
| Aroma | <Moderate> Lemon/Rose-like |
| Color | Pale-Yellow |
| Parts Distilled | Grass |
| Regions | Africa, Brazil, Comoro Islands, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Pakistan |
| Taste | Spicy, Bitter Nature: Cooling |
| Affinity | LU/LR |
| Major Chemical Constituents | Geraniol |
| Skin Type | All, hydrates the skin (esp. good for inflamed conditions) |
| Dosage | 6-8% dilution |
TCM Categories
Functions
- Release wind-Heat
- Regulate Liver qi and clear damp-heat fire toxins on the skin
Indications
Topical Applications
- Apply in a liniment for stiff muscles.
Specific Protocols
- Apply direct to jing-well and sinew confluence points to clear heat in the sinews, upper orifices, and skin.
- Apply 6% dilution of Palmarosa (40%), Nutmeg (30%), and Clove (30%) at BL-67 for difficult delivery.
Actions
- Antibacterial/viral/fungal (boils, shingles)
- Antipyretic
- Analgesic (especially for neurological conditions, such as sciatica, facial neuralgia)
Contraindications & Cautions
- None
Notes
- Made from grass
- Safe for pregnancy
- Fast moving wind heat, like a prairie fire
- Upper body affinity
- For herpes simples
- Dry heat skin cancer
- For nerve pain
Additional Comments
From Class
- Palmarosa: Substitute for sage in stomach cancer; skin cancer, skin abnormalities, cellulitis. (Yuen)
- Palmarosa: Good for calming the Shen; fine in a blend if you resonate with it. (Yuen)
- Sage: Stomach cancer; high ketones — contraindicated with internal wind/yin or blood deficiency; estrogenic, so avoid in yin-stasis/estrogen-driven cancers. (Yuen)