10 Health Benefits of Lemongrass Essential Oil

Lots of people know lemongrass for its uses in cooking. But did you know that lemongrass is more than just a nice-smelling addition to your kitchen?

As an essential oil, lemongrass has been used to improve physical and mental health conditions. Lemongrass essential oil was found to be useful for curing fevers, stomach pains, skin infections, and irregular periods.

This article will cover what lemongrass essential oil is, its origins, its benefits, how to use lemongrass essential oil, and how it's made.

What is lemongrass essential oil?

Lemongrass essential oil comes from the leaves and stalks of the lemongrass plant. Because it has a powerful citrus scent, it's found in soaps and a lot of personal care products. It's really popular in aromatherapy too. People use the scent of lemongrass essential oils to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.

Known by its botanical name, Cymbopogon citratus, the lemongrass herb is native to Southeast Asia and India. And today, it's also grown in Africa, Australia, and North and South America.

10 Lemongrass Essential Oil Benefits

Lemongrass oil is full of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. They are rich in antioxidants and useful for protecting your body. If you're wondering, “What is lemongrass essential oil good for?”, you'll be glad to know that this plant and its oils have lots of potential benefits.

1. Cleaning

Limonene and citral are chemical compounds found in lemongrass essential oil. These compounds make the oil smell fresh and citrusy and also kill or stop the growth of bacteria and fungi. Lots of people use lemongrass essential oil as a natural and safe air freshener or deodorizer. They add the oil to water and use it as a mist, vaporizer, or oil diffuser.

2. Protection against bugs and insects

No one likes bugs and pests hanging around inside the house. A study done in 2015 has found that mixing lemongrass oil with a vegetable-based carrier oil can protect your skin from house mosquitoes. Aside from mosquitoes, lemongrass essential oils also get rid of ants and fleas.

You can try it out by adding 15-20 drops of lemongrass essential oil to a glass spray bottle filled with distilled water. Spray it on flying bugs and see what happens.

3. Minimises inflammation

When used both inside and outside of the body, research has shown that lemongrass oil has powerful anti-inflammatory abilities. Most diseases and pain come from inflammation, so when researchers found out that lemongrass has the ability to help with this, it was huge.

The presence of compounds like citronellal and citral stop the production of inflammatory substances in the body. It helps reduce swelling and pain and is useful in conditions like muscle aches, arthritis, or sprains.

4. Gut health

Traditional medicine used lemongrass anecdotally to treat aching stomachs, gastritis, and gastric ulcers. There was a study published back in 2012 that discovered lemongrass essential oil's ability to protect the stomach from gastric damage and stop ulcers or other irritations from forming.

Others also believe that lemongrass essential oil can be a natural remedy for diarrhea. This benefit is thought to be linked to the herb's anti-inflammatory qualities.

More research is needed, but this anecdotal evidence and past research points to lemongrass oil improving a person's gut health.

5. Muscle relief

A study published in 2011 discovered that lemongrass oil can help ease muscle pain. When applied topically, they discovered that it was an effective treatment for soothing sore muscles and muscular spasms. Later studies agree that it's the anti-inflammatory properties in lemongrass that give this benefit.

6. Skincare and hair care

Lemongrass essential oil also works wonders for how your skin and hair looks. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, the oil has been used to soothe irritated and swollen skin. It also minimizes redness in the skin and protects the pores from harmful bacteria.

The oil also strengthens your hair follicles. If you're dealing with hair loss or an itchy and irritated scalp, it is recommended to massage a few drops of lemongrass oil into your scalp for two minutes, and then rinse. The soothing effect of lemongrass essential oil leaves your hair shiny, fresh and odor-free.

7. Stress and anxiety relief

Lemongrass has a calming smell that helps relieve anxiety, stress, and negative emotions. In 2015, researchers put subjects in anxiety-causing situations. The participants that smelled the scent of lemongrass essential oil experienced a decrease in anxiety, unlike the other group who didn't get this same treatment.

There are lots of popular ways of using lemongrass essential oil to relieve stress. You can add lemongrass oil to your body lotion, or try having a cup of lemongrass tea at night before bed.

8. Menstrual cramp relief

Drinking lemongrass tea is traditionally used to help women with menstrual cramps. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, the herb reduces pains and discomforts associated with menstruation. It also helps with nausea and irritability.

9. Eases headache pain

Some researchers have discovered that lemongrass essential oil can be helpful for calming headaches. It's the eugenol compound found in lemongrass that has similar abilities to aspirin. And aside from helping with headache relief, it also releases serotonin — the hormone that regulates sleep, mood, appetite, and cognitive functions.

10. Nausea relief

For hundreds of years, lemongrass has been used as a common ingredient in herbal teas for nausea. Lots of herbal products use dried lemongrass leaves, but using essential oil can give you the same benefits. The refreshing citrusy smell of lemongrass helps with calming the stomach and reduces feelings of nausea.

How to Use Lemongrass Essential Oil

Lots of scientific research on lemongrass essential oil has been done on animals — not humans. That means there is no standardized way to use the herb to treat any condition. Here are some common lemongrass essential oil uses.

1. Aromatherapy

Drop some lemongrass essential oil into your diffuser to fill the space with a refreshing scent, or add a few drops into a bowl of hot water to inhale the steam. You can also inhale the scent of the oil directly from the bottle.

2. Topical Application

Add up to 12 drops of essential oil to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Carrier oils like sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, or coconut oil are ideal. After that, you can:

• Mix the diluted oil into a warm bath.
• Massage the oil into your skin for a relaxing experience.
• Add the oil to moisturizers or body butters to enjoy the potential skin benefits.

To be safe, remember to always do a patch test before applying the diluted essential oil into your skin. If you notice redness, irritation, or blistering after 24 hours, stop using the essential oil immediately.

3. Other Uses

Lemongrass essential oil properties are good for other things too, such as:

• Cleaning: Add tiny drops of lemongrass essential oil to your cleaning solutions to create a natural deodorizer or disinfectant.

• Insect repellent: Lemongrass is good for getting rid of mosquitoes and other insects.

• Hair care: Before you rinse your hair, use a few drops of lemongrass essential oil to enjoy a refreshing scent and the potential scalp benefits.

How is lemongrass essential oil made?

The extraction of lemongrass essential oil is a process known as steam distillation. It involves passing steam through plant material to separate the essential oils from the plant matter.

We’ll break it down step-by-step.

• Step 1: Lemongrass plants are harvested by cutting the stalks near the base.

• Step 2: The harvested lemongrass is often dried or wilted to reduce its moisture content. They do this before the distillation process.

• Step 3: Lemongrass is placed in distillation equipment. Steam is then passed through the plant material, carrying the essential oils with it.

• Step 4: The steam and oil mixture is cooled. This causes the essential oil to separate from the water and float on top.

• Step 5: The lemongrass essential oil is carefully extracted and collected.

The result is a pale yellow or amber-colored liquid with a strong, citrusy aroma. As mentioned several times above, lemongrass essential oil is rich in compounds, like citral and limonene. These compounds add to the oil’s refreshing scent and potential health benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best carrier oils to use with lemongrass essential oil?

Popular carrier oils that are best used with lemongrass essential oil are:

• Coconut oil: This oil is very versatile and has moisturizing properties. It’s a popular choice for people who want to use the blended oils for skincare.

• Jojoba oil: This oil is similar to the skin's natural sebum. It easily absorbs into the skin and will not clog your pores.

• Sweet almond oil: It’s a popular, gentle, and nourishing carrier oil that is used in a lot of wellness products.

• Grapeseed oil: This easily absorbs into the skin and feels lightweight.

• Olive oil: This is a classic choice and it has moisturizing properties.

Aside from your personal preference, finding the best carrier oil for your skin also depends on your skin type.

Can lemongrass essential oil be blended with other essential oils?

Yes, you can blend lemongrass essential oil with other essential oils. This lets you create unique fragrances and even enhance the oil’s therapeutic benefits.

Here are some popular blends that you can try.

• Lemongrass and lavender are good for relaxation and stress relief.
• Lemongrass and peppermint delivers a refreshing and invigorating scent.
• Lemongrass and tea tree creates a natural antiseptic and cleansing blend.

When you’re blending essential oils, it's important to consider each of the oils’ complementary properties. For safety reasons, avoid combining oils that may have reactions that contradict each other.

Is lemongrass essential oil safe to use around pets?

Lemongrass essential oil is not safe around your pets. The oil is naturally toxic if it’s consumed in large amounts. It causes upset stomachs or impacts internal organs. In extreme cases, it has life-threatening effects. Make sure your pets do not come into contact with it.

How should I store lemongrass essential oil?

To preserve the quality of your lemongrass essential oil, make sure to tightly seal them and store them in a cool, dark place. Keep the oils away from direct sunlight and heat, and use amber or blue glass bottles to protect the oil from light.

Final Thoughts

Lemongrass is truly a plant of many benefits. It’s a natural solution that can improve your daily life in many ways. If you're looking for something that boosts your well-being, freshens up your space, or takes care of your skin and hair, lemongrass essential oil is a great choice.

If you're interested in experiencing these benefits for yourself, you can easily find high-quality lemongrass essential oil at Africa Imports.