Lemongrass, a cooking herb promoted against cancer, is untested in cancer patients; any anticancer benefit, from cell and animal studies, is speculative. Its best-supported human benefits, less gum inflammation and less anxiety from its scent, concern comfort, not tumors. In one small study without a comparison group, daily tea lowered kidney function; the oil is a skin allergen; the largest documented hazard is indirect: replacing standard treatment for curable cancer. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Serum creatinine | 0.7–1.3 mg/dL men; 0.6–1.1 mg/dL women | Kidney safety check |
| eGFR | No established target; track change from own baseline | Kidney safety check |
| Hemoglobin | 13.5–17.5 g/dL men; 12.0–15.5 g/dL women | Tea raised it in volunteers |
| White blood cell count | 4.5–11.0 × 10⁹/L | Safety check; tea lowered it in volunteers |
| ALT | 7–56 U/L (varies by laboratory) | Liver safety check |
| Tumor burden (imaging, tumor markers) | No established target; track against the oncology team's response criteria | Claimed outcome; no human data show change |
Cadence: Baseline before regular tea or extract; kidney function at 4 weeks, then every 3 months while daily use continues; blood count and liver enzyme every 3 months; tumor assessments on the oncology team's schedule. A sustained fall in eGFR, rise in creatinine or liver enzyme, or new rash is a reason to stop and review.