Lemongrass oil has a host of benefits and uses, from improving mental clarity to boosting immunity. In addition, lemongrass essential oil can be used in a variety of recipes, from skin care products to household cleaners. Keep reading for more information on lemongrass essential oil uses and some recipes to get you started!
If you're looking for a versatile essential oil to add to your collection, lemongrass is a great choice. Lemongrass essential oil can lessen feelings of stress when diffused or inhaled from the bottle. It is deodorizing, antibacterial, and makes an effective insect repellent as well. Its purifying properties make it a desirable oil for massages.
Lemongrass Essential Oil Facts
Lemongrass is a well known ingredient in lots of culinary delights especially in Asia. It adds a distinctly authentic and refreshing flavor to soups, teas and main dishes. Additionally, it also has very powerful and highly therapeutic oil that has countless functions in natural health.
The lemongrass plant has long, aromatic leaves that are used to produce lemongrass essential oil. This oil works on the body and mind to refresh and stimulate. It is often used in perfumes, deodorants, detergents, and soaps.
Main Constituents: Geranial, neral. See Essential Oil Safety for a complete list of constituents.
| Botanical Name | Cymbopogon flexuosus |
| Botanical Family | Poaceae |
| AKA | N/A |
| Note | Middle |
| Aroma | Sweet, lemony, green, and slightly fruity |
| Extraction Method | Steam distilled |
| Plant Part Used | Leaves |
| Shelf Life | 2-3 years |
| Kid Safe? | No |
| Safety Concerns |
May irritate skin and mucous membranes. Tisserand and Young recommend a dermal maximum of 0.7% (about 4 drops per 1 oz of carrier oil). May be skin sensitizing. Tisserand suggests the use be restricted to 0.5% maximum on the skin during pregnancy due to citral which could affect fetal development in high topical doses. Avoid old or oxidized oils, they may cause skin sensitization. Store oil in dark, airtight container. Not phototoxic. Do not ingest. |
Lemongrass Essential Oil Blends Well With
Lemongrass and lavender go well together. There are many oils that lemongrass blends well with, this is not an exhaustive list, just some suggestions:
- Lime
- Geranium
- Lavender
- Basil
- Sweet orange
- Clary sage
- Yang ylang
- Grapefruit
- Lemon
- Patchouli
- Cedarwood
- Clove
- Coriander
- Tea tree
- Rosemary
- Ginger
- Peppermint
Therapeutic Uses:
Muscular aches and pains, gastrointestinal disorders, indigestion, colitis, diuretic, detoxifying, cellulite, fever, nonspecific infection, physical and mental exhaustion, acne, pimples, insect bites, insect repellent (from The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Wormwood, page 599).
Lemongrass Essential Oil Uses and Benefits
Lemongrass oil has a host of uses and benefits, from boosting your immune system to improving your mood. It is also effective at soothing muscle aches and pain. Here you will discover all the ways you can use and benefit from this powerful essential oil.
1. Safe and Natural Deodorizer
Lemongrass oil is an excellent deodorizer in the home due to its antimicrobial actions. It also has a very bright and clean scent that can create a healthy and natural air freshener. This powerful oil can be used on strong or offensive body odors as well.
Lemongrass Air Freshener: Make a simple and natural air freshener by adding 15 drops of oil to a 2 oz spray bottle and then fill the rest with water. Spritz around the house to naturally deodorizer the air. Can use in a diffuser as well.
2. Relief from Headaches
Lemongrass essential oil provides soothing relief of pains and pressure as well as keep those headaches away from you. It was voted as a top 10 fan favorite essential oil for headaches.
Headache Massage Oil: Add 4 drops of lemongrass and 1 oz of carrier oil (like jojoba oil) into a 1 oz dropper bottle. Massage a few drops of blend into temples and back of neck for relief.
3. Perfect for Digestion
Lemongrass oil is known for helping to maintain healthy gastrointestinal function. It possesses the amazing power to take care of a variety of digestive problems – such as gas, stomach discomfort, indigestion, etc. Also acts as a natural appetite stimulant.
Digestion Support Belly Oil: Use 2 drops of lemongrass and 2 drops of peppermint with one tablespoon of jojoba oil blended in a recycled 15 ml essential oil bottle. Massage a few drops onto abdomen to support healthy digestion.
4. Uplifts Mood
Lemongrass uplifts and relaxes, assisting in both reducing fatigue and energizing the mind. Can be used in blends to calm the mind and reduce agitation.
Try blending Lemongrass with Lemon, Palmarosa, Ginger, or Frankincense to promote well-being. Check out our Happy Inhaler recipe below.
5. Helps With Inflammation
Lemongrass oil is proven to have anti-inflammatory components which enable it to help in treating a variety of aliments.
Use lemongrass to reduce inflammation, boost circulation, and bringing relief to overused muscles and joints. Try 2 drops of Lemongrass and 2 drops of Sweet Marjoram in one tablespoon of carrier oil for a soothing rub.
6. Reduces Menstrual Cramps
Lemongrass oil does a great job in easing menstrual cramps. Try lemongrass blended with black pepper to reduce menstruation pains. Be sure to dilute well with carrier oil.
7. Powerful All Natural Cleaner
Its antimicrobial and antifungal properties make lemongrass the perfect oil to add to your natural cleaning routine. Help purify and reduce the presence of unwanted bacteria, microbes, or fungus. Add to all purpose cleaning sprays or add a few drops to your laundry detergent for an extra cleaning boost.
Try our "Fridge Refresh" Spray recipe below to clean and deodorize your refrigerator. You can also use lemongrass on wool dryer balls to freshen clothes in the dryer.
8. Boosts Your Immune System
Lemongrass can support the immune system which ultimately guards your body from illness and helps to keep it working perfectly. It also has antioxidant properties that deal with free radicals that can cause disease.
Use for support by place one drop of oil on a diffuser necklace and enjoy the fragrant aroma throughout the day. Read more about benefits of using diffuser necklaces.
9. Beautify Your Skin & Nails
Lemongrass contains purifying and toning benefits for the skin. Use in your skin care routine to help promote clear and toned skin. Consider adding a drop to your daily cleanser or moisturizer to help tone and purify skin.
Similar to Tea tree, Lemongrass oil can also help promote the appearance of healthy fingernails and toenails.Try combining 1 drop lemongrass and 2 drops of tea tree to a roller bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with jojoba oil. Apply the mixture to fingernails and toenails to help them look and feel clean.
10. Helps with Detoxification
Lemongrass oil detoxes the liver, digestive system as well as the pancreas and other organs. This detoxifying property of lemongrass oil could very well be linked to its diuretic nature.
Diffuse lemongrass by itself or with one of our diffuser recipes below to take advantage of its immune boosting properties.
11. Can Enhance Hair Health
Lemongrass oil is capable of helping your hair by improving the hair follicles. The oil’s anti-bacterial qualities can actually help keep your hair healthy.
Healthy Scalp: Add 1 drop of lemongrass and 2 drops of tea tree to a tablespoon of shampoo and massage into scalp. Let sit for 2 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
12. Great Muscle Relaxant
Lemongrass oil enhances blood flow, in so doing reducing muscle spasms, pains and cramping. It can help soothe the body after exertion during physical activity.
Try our Muscle tension Roller Blend recipe below.
13. Assists With Fever Reduction
Lemongrass oil carries great antipyretic properties which help in reducing high fever significantly. It has a cooling effect, and its anti-inflammatory actions reduce heat.
Dilute 1 drop in 2 teaspoons of carrier oil and rub on chest, neck and down spine when febrile.
14. Perfect for the Nervous System
Lemongrass oil plays the role of a highly important tonic to the nervous system on the whole. The oil helps with the therapy for a number of nervous conditions by fortifying the nerves and stimulating them.
Inhalation: Place one drop in the palm of hand, rub hands together and inhale the aroma slowly and deeply.
15. Makes an Excellent Sedative
Lemongrass oil offers superb calming and soothing effects on the mind and body. It has been proven to act as a sedative on the nervous system.
Try our Spa Escape Diffuser Blend recipe below for a calming effect.
Lemongrass Essential Oil Recipes
Did you know that lemongrass essential oil can be used as an effective anti-inflammatory, to help improve circulation, and is even known to be antimicrobial. If you're looking to incorporate this powerful essential oil into your (wellness) routine, check out these recipes!
Alert Inhaler Recipe |
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Promotes mental clarity and energizes when feeling fatigued.
Directions: Add essential oils to cotton wick and insert into inhaler. Read more about using aromatherapy inhaler blends. |
Spa Escape Diffuser Blend |
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This blend offers a sense of complete calm.
Directions: Add essential oils to diffuser with recommended water. Read more about diffusing essential oils. |
DIY Fridge Refresh Spray |
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Freshen your refrigerator/freezer with this disinfecting and deodorizing recipe.
Directions: Combine ingredients into bottle, shake and spray onto surfaces of fridge and freezer to cleanse and deodorize. |
Fruity Pebbles Diffuser Blend |
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This essential oil blend is from our Grapefruit Diffuser Recipes post.
Directions: Add essential oils to diffuser with recommended water. |
Migraine Helper Diffuser Blend |
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This recipe is not a magic cure all but this blend of essential oils can offer some assistance and support in your time of need.
Directions: Add essential oils to diffuser with recommended water. |
"Pick Me Up" Massage Oil Recipe |
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This recipe is from our 22 Aromatherapy Massage Oil Recipes post
Directions: Add all ingredients to glass bottle, shake to blend together. Massage on full body or on chest, neck and arms for uplifting effect. |
Muscle Tension Roller Blend |
Directions: Add oils into 10 ml Rollerball bottle and fill rest of bottle with jojoba oil (or favorite carrier oil). To use, roll on neck and shoulders to relieve muscle discomfort. 3% dilution. |
Happy Inhaler Blend |
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Promotes emotional health and wellness with this aromatherapy inhaler that you can take on the go!
Directions: Add essential oils to cotton wick and insert into inhaler. |
General Essential Oil Precautions
Never use essential oils undiluted, in eyes or mucous membranes. Do not take internally unless working with a qualified practitioner. Keep out of reach from children.
Use essential oils with extreme caution on children, be sure you have researched the oil and that it is safe for use on kids. Plant Therapy clearly labels their oils "KidSafe" on the bottle if the oil can be used for children ages 2–10.
If applying an essential oil topically (on your skin), you may perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body, use 1-2 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil like jojoba oil, read more here.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, epileptic, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician.
Newbie to Oils? Get our guide below or read more here: Essential Oils for Beginners
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