What is lemongrass essential oil?
Lemongrass is one of the most popular essential oils in the world. The plant is a stalky grass with a fresh, zesty scent and flavor that could be described as smoky citrus and is also known as silky heads and citronella grass, among other quirky terms.
In the past, lemongrass was mostly used in Asian cuisine, but its purpose now extends beyond the culinary arts and has made its way to aromatherapy practices because of its powerful antioxidants and other health benefits. Lemongrass is often found in beauty products, soaps and personal care products.
Lemongrass essential oil - quick facts
💚 Latin name: Cymbopogon flexuosus, Cymbopogon citratus💚 Also known as: East Indian lemongrass, cochin grass, silky heads, citronella grass
💚 Country of origin: 🇮🇳 India, 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, 🇲🇲 Burma, 🇹🇭 Thailand
💚 Scent note: Top - Middle
💚 Popular uses: Mood booster, Anxiety, Depression, Skin, Hair, Headaches, Pain, Cleaning
How is lemongrass essential oil made?
The oil from lemongrass is extracted through a steam distillation process. After the fresh or partly dry leaves have been steamed and distilled, the water and oil portions are separated, and the oil is collected. The crude oil is manufactured into what we know and use as lemongrass essential oil. The oil color ranges from yellow to amber and exudes a fresh, grassy and smoky citrus-like aroma.
Benefits of lemongrass essential oil
Lemongrass essential oil has a wide range of benefits, which is why it is one of the most popular essential oils in the world.
Some of the main benefits of lemongrass oil include:
💚 Antibacterial properties
💚 Antifungal properties
💚 Hair care and skincare
💚 Headache support
💚 Pain relief
Let's look at each of these benefits of lemongrass oil in more detail.
Lemongrass essential oil for stress, anxiety & depression
Life can be stressful, and if you find yourself saying, “I wish there was something that would take my stress away…” we may just have the remedy you’ve been looking for. Inhaling the scent of lemongrass essential oil calms and relaxes the mind and body and reduces stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression.
Lemongrass essential oil’s antibacterial properties
Lemongrass essential oil contains many antibacterial properties, and this makes it great in fighting off bacteria, whether on your skin or in your home. You can choose to add the product to your home cleaning products, skin care or hair care products while enjoying the lemony fragrance.
Lemongrass essential oil’s antifungal properties
If you have a fungal infection of the skin and are looking for a home remedy, lemongrass has amazing antifungal properties. The oil has been found to be effective against various types of fungi. You can dab some of the infected area to treat it, but if the area is highly infected you will need to consult a physician. NB! Do not add the oil to an open wound.
Lemongrass essential oil for skin care and hair care
Because lemongrass essential oil contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties, you can reduce redness, inflammation, fungal infections and itching of the skin. Not only will your skin feel refreshed and soft, you’ll also smell amazing and get the aromatherapeutic effects of lemongrass throughout the day!
If it's a hair washing day, then you’ll want to get your hands on lemongrass essential oil. The oil promotes hair growth and strengthens the roots. Dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil and gently massage the combination into the scalp. You can also ward off dandruff and scalp itchiness because of the properties found in the oil.
Lemongrass essential oil for headaches
There is a compound in lemongrass called eugenol that has similar powers to that of aspirin. For headaches, either blend a few drops of lemongrass oil with a safer carrier oil and dab some on your temples, or you can try the inhalation method which we will unpack further in the article.
Lemongrass essential oil for muscle pain
Lemongrass contains citral, a compound known to relieve pain and inflammation. If you’ve been exercising and arms day or legs day was a little tough on the muscles, you can give yourself a gentle massage by diluting the essential oil with a carrier oil and rubbing it on to help relieve muscle pain.
How to use lemongrass essential oil
Lemongrass essential oil can be used in a variety of ways, depending on its intended purpose.
Here are some of the most common ways to use lemongrass essential oil:
💚 Topical application
💚 Bath
Let’s look at each of these uses of lemongrass essential oil in more detail.
Inhalation or aromatherapy
Experience the wonderful benefits of lemongrass essential oil as an aromatherapy treatment. Add 5-10 drops to a diffuser and allow the smoky citrus-like aroma to fill your space. The fragrance itself is grassy, lemony, earthy, and sweet and will help boost your mood and create a peaceful and stress-free zone.
Alternatively, you can add a few drops to a bowl of warm water and inhale the steam. This is a great method to help alleviate a headache or migraine.
Topical use
Aromatherapy massage is a great way to help reduce stress, anxiety and depression or ease sore muscles. The scent alone will help you feel more relaxed, but massage also promotes relaxation and relieves pain from sore muscles. You can also dab some on your wrists, neck or temples to soothe the mind, soothe headaches or use the oil as an alternative to perfume.
If you do choose to use lemongrass essential oil as a massage oil, be sure to dilute it with a safe carrier oil. A safe carrier oil includes jojoba oil as this absorbs easily into the skin and doesn’t clog pores. You can also use sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, and fractionated coconut oil. Before using it topically for the first time, always do a patch test.
When diluting lemongrass essential oil with a carrier oil, you can use 1 teaspoon of carrier oil to 1 drop of essential oil. Before massaging the oil into the skin, make sure the solution has been mixed well. Pour some of the mixture into the palm of your hands, rub your hands together to warm up the oil and then massage the oil into the skin to enjoy the soothing benefits of lemongrass.
Rub a dub dub, add lemongrass essential oil to the tub
There’s nothing quite like relaxing in the bath. Try adding some lemongrass essential oil to your bath water and soak up all the benefits already mentioned. If you have a headache after lengthy meetings, dealing with the kids or it’s just “one of those days”, allow the lemongrass to get to work in every way while you relax in the tub.
Lemongrass essential oil for stress and anxiety - 2015
In 2015, a study was done on the benefits of lemongrass and aromatherapy massage in reducing stress and anxiety and it was found that the combination of lemongrass essential oil and sweet almond massage oil lowered blood pressure and stress levels and had a harmonizing effect on the nervous system.
Antibacterial properties of lemongrass essential oil - 2012, 2016
A 2016 study found that lemongrass could potentially fight off a bacteria known as Acinetobacter baumannii, a type of bacteria that causes urinary tract infections (UTIs), blood infections and pneumonia. In 2012, lemongrass essential oil also stopped the growth and activity of Staphylococcus aureus, the bacteria that causes most skin infections.
Antifungal properties of lemongrass essential oil - 1996, 2014
A study in 1996 found that lemongrass oil is an effective deterrent against four types of fungi, and 2.5% of the solution you use must be lemongrass oil for it to be effective in treating the area. Another study conducted in 2014 found that the oil is effective against Candida albicans, C. tropicalis and Aspergillus niger fungi. But more research is still being done on its effectiveness and fight against fungi.
Lemongrass essential oil for hair care - 2015
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study tested a lemongrass essential oil hair tonic on people with dandruff. They used it twice daily for 14 days. The tonic with 10% lemongrass oil showed the greatest benefit, reducing dandruff by a whopping 75% by day 7 and by 81% at day 14.
Lemongrass essential oil for pain - 2017
Topical application of lemongrass has been found effective in relieving pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients, says a 2017 study. The oil decreased the pain levels by 50-80% within a matter of 30 days. More studies are being done to determine its long-term effects.
Side effects of lemongrass essential oil
- Avoid broken and damaged skin
- Rash or itchiness
- Blistering
- Redness
- Drowsiness
As with any essential oil, lemongrass is highly concentrated and should be used carefully. Some may experience stronger side effects than others and some may not experience side effects at all.
You may experience an allergic reaction or skin irritation when used topically, and this is why a skin patch test is essential before using it topically for the first time.
Lemongrass has a high in citral content and is photosensitive. This means that once you have applied the oil topically, it is best to stay out of the sun for a couple of hours as lemongrass oil may sensitize the skin to UV rays.
It is wise to consult a medical practitioner before using lemongrass essential oil for therapeutic purposes.
Contraindications of lemongrass essential oil
Avoid lemongrass essential oil if you:
- have diabetes or low blood sugar
- have asthma
- have liver disease
- are undergoing chemotherapy
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
It is advised to consult your doctor if you want to use lemongrass essential oil.
Be sure to keep lemongrass essential oil away from children and pets, as essential oils can be toxic when ingested.
Pregnant and nursing women and those taking prescription drugs as well as those with liver or kidney disease are especially advised not to use the oil without medical advice.
Lemongrass oil must never be used near the eyes, inside the nose and ears, or on any other particularly sensitive areas of skin.
Where to buy lemongrass essential oil
Lemongrass essential oil is widely available online and in stores. When purchasing lemongrass essential oil, be sure to look for a 100% pure essential oil and not an extract. This ensures that you're getting an authentic product with all the therapeutic benefits of lemongrass. If it’s organic, even better!
Here are some of the places where you can purchase lemongrass essential oil.
Volant
At Volant, all our essential oils are produced using only the highest-quality plants, which are harvested and distilled with the utmost care. You can rest assured that when you purchase lemongrass essential oil from volant, you'll receive 100% pure and organic essential oil with no additives or synthetic ingredients. This ensures that you receive the greatest possible benefit from your lemongrass essential oil.
Amazon
Amazon is a popular place to shop for essential oils. It's important to note that Amazon is a marketplace rather than a store, so there are many different businesses selling essential oils through Amazon. For this reason, we'd recommend checking the ingredients and reviews of any essential oil that you choose to purchase through Amazon, as not all essential oils sold on the platform are pure, organic, and trusted.
Pharmacies
If you prefer in-person shopping, holding the product in your hand to get a better idea of what you’re buying, then you will find that your local pharmacies may have what you’re looking for. Always check that the oil you're buying is an essential oil rather than an extract and that it is 100% pure.
doTERRA
doTERRA is a company that manufactures organic essential oils, including lemongrass essential oil. If you’re looking for a 100% pure lemongrass oil, purchasing from doTERRA will ensure the high quality you want.
Lemongrass essential oil FAQs
Can lemongrass essential oil be used in cooking?
Lemongrass essential oil certainly can be used for cooking, and some people also add it to beverages. However, at volant, we do not recommend ingesting essential oils to err on the side of safety.
What does lemongrass oil kill?
Lemongrass oil can potentially repel some pests and insects like mosquitoes. It is also known to kill various microorganisms carried by pests as well bacteria and fungus that cause infections of the hair and skin.
Does lemongrass make you sleepy?
Lemongrass essential oil has calming properties and can be used to induce sleep. If you suffer from sleep difficulties, diffusing it or using it for aromatherapy massage before bed may help.
Does lemongrass reduce belly fat?
It is suggested that lemongrass tea can increase the metabolism and aid weight loss, although the evidence here is not solid. You might want to consult with your physician or dietician if you want a good weight loss plan.
In summary
Lemongrass essential oil has a variety of benefits and is a powerful antioxidant. The scent alone will freshen your home and boost your mood and the atmosphere in your home, lowering stress and anxiety levels.
There is more than one way to use the oil and still access the abundance of value the oil provides. It can be inhaled to boost your mood, used topically for enhancing hair and skin health, added to your bath or used as a cleaning agent to kill germs. It can also be used as a natural remedy for headaches and sore muscles or joints.
We’re here to help if you have any questions about lemongrass essential oil. You can contact our support team at support@volantaroma.com and we will be more than happy to assist you with any queries you may have.
