Lemongrass (Tanglad) A Natural Mosquito Repellent
Dengue cases have been growing in number day by day. It is becoming rampant lately. The daily news on tv reports and shows numerous Dengue patients, mostly children lying in hospital beds, folding beds and even in chairs in government hospitals here in Metro Manila. Two to three children patients are sharing a common bed already, most of them came from different areas within the Metropolis. It is very sad to hear and see that some of them died and more of them are still fighting for their lives in the intensive care unit.
I am very much involved in spreading the Dengue campaign. This is already my third post regarding this disease. This time I will be sharing another way to repel those mosquitos.
Some plants around us can repel mosquitos and one of these plants is the Lemongrass or commonly known as Tanglad. Its scientific name is Andropogon citratus DC. This plant emits oil and lemony scent that is hated by mosquitos.
I have planted this Tanglad in a big pot 5 years ago, for I use it as a herb in my cuisine not knowing that it is also a mosquito repellant. I usually use it as a filling in broiling chicken. I used it also in cooking fish pangat instead of ginger. My Mom makes a tea out of its leaves for health benefits. The subtle citrus flavor can be used dried or fresh.
I did some researching and found out that it also contains citronella oils used to make the mosquito repellent candles. One of these days I will begin to do a re-planting of my Tanglad and surround my home with it. I think it will not be hard to grow as it is classified in the grass family.
I also intend to visit the Manila Seedling Foundation to look and buy for other mosquito repellent plants. I will feature them in my next posts. So stay tuned!
Yep we have lots of these plants around our house too. I also have another plant that can be used as a mosquito repellent called CATNIP. My mom bought the seeds in Canada – I planted it and fortunately it grew 🙂
Ooh, I have a small patch of lemongrass in my quaint herb garden but never knew it was a mosquito repellant as well, I use it for cooking and tea too! 🙂
Wow! I never knew that. I just know Tanglad as one of the ingredients for my favorite Thai food, Tom Yum Goong. What an informative post. What other plants are mosquito repellent? We use Neem at home (I am not certain if that is the correct spelling0