Are Basil and Cymbopogon Citratus in the same botanical family?

No — Basil is Lamiaceae and Cymbopogon Citratus is Poaceae.

Can you substitute Basil for Cymbopogon Citratus?

They come from different families (Lamiaceae and Poaceae), so direct substitution is uncommon.

Compare · per-herb profile

Basil vs Cymbopogon Citratus

Ocimum basilicum · Cymbopogon citratus

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

D No Clinical Evidence

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Ocimum
Primary use: culinary

Basil, also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae (mints). It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide. In Western cuisine, the generic term "basil" refers to the variety also known as Genovese basil or sweet basil. Basil is native to tropical…

Cymbopogon Citratus

Cymbopogon citratus

D No Clinical Evidence

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Cymbopogon
Primary use: culinary

Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as West Indian lemon grass or simply lemon grass, is a tropical plant native to South Asia and Maritime Southeast Asia and introduced to many tropical regions.

At a glance

· Different families — Lamiaceae vs Poaceae.
· Both are primarily culinary.
· Evidence tiers — Basil: D; Cymbopogon Citratus: D.