What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are organic compounds extracted from the bark, flower, fruit, leaf, seed or root of a plant or tree and have several healing properties. The oils in the plants are made up of very small molecules that can penetrate your cells, and some can even penetrate the blood-brain barrier. These oils are highly concentrated and have a strong aroma and can be used in aromatherapy and their benefits range from mental to physical healing.

What Is Lemongrass Essential Oil?

Lemongrass is also known as Cymbopogon and is an herb that belongs to the grass family of Poaceae. It grows in dense clumps that can grow 6 feet high and 4 feet in width. It is native to India, Southeast Asia and Oceania which are warm tropical regions. In India, it is used as a medicinal herb while it is most commonly used in Asian cuisine. In South American and African countries, it is mainly used for making tea.

Lemongrass essential oil has a light and fresh lemony smell with earthy undertones and it comes from the leaves or grass of the lemongrass plant. In aromatherapy, Lemongrass essential oils are mainly used for its stimulating, relaxing, balancing and soothing properties. 

Benefits of Lemongrass Essential Oil

Stress and Anxiety Reducer

Lemongrass is one of the top essential oils used for anxiety and the calming and mild aroma is known to relieve anxiety and irritability. You smell the oils directly from the bottle, or create your own massage oil or body lotion. Add a few drops of high quality, therapeutic grade lemongrass essential oil to your tea at night right before bed to experience a calming sensation.

Headache Relief

The calming and soothing effects of lemongrass essential oil has the power to relieve pain, tension or pressure that can cause headaches. This is why it is one of the most recommended oils for headache relief. Try diluting lemongrass and rubbing it on your temples and breathe in the relaxing lemony aromas.

Natural Muscle Relaxer

If you are experiencing sore muscles, muscle spasms or cramps, lemongrass can help alleviate them. By rubbing diluted lemongrass oil on your body in the affected areas, you can help relieve the pain and increase circulation.

Reduces Inflammation

Most of the diseases that are around now have inflammation as their root cause. So, bringing down inflammation is a big deal when trying to combat these diseases and illnesses. When used both internally and externally, lemongrass was shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory abilities.

Menstrual Cramp Relief

It’s that time of the month again and those annoying and painful menstrual cramps are back at full throttle accompanied by irritability. Oh joy. Try drinking 1-2 cups of lemongrass tea a day to relieve the pain and symptoms. Although there is no scientific research on this, it is known that lemongrass is soothing internally and stress reducing which is why it may help.

Fights Flu and Colds

Lemongrass essential oil has the power to fight bacteria that causes colds and the flu. This is mainly due to the antimicrobial and anti-bacterial properties of this essential oil. Add a few drops to a vaporizer to help get rid of airborne illnesses.

Fever Reducer

Lemongrass has cooling properties and substances that are believed to reduce a fever and also relieve swelling and pain.

Improves Skin Health

Lemongrass essential oil is known to have skin healing properties. Its antiseptic and astringent properties make this oil great for getting even and glowing skin and is an effective cleanser for all skin types. It can sterilize your pores and serve as your natural toner, so it is the perfect oil to add to your natural skin care routine. You can also add lemongrass essential oil to shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, soaps and lotions. By simply rubbing this oil into your hair, scalp and body, you can alleviate muscle pain and headaches.

Improves Hair Health

If you are struggling with hair loss or an itchy or irritated scalp, massage a few drops of lemongrass essential oil into your scalp for about 2 minutes, then rinse. Lemongrass essential oil can help strengthen your hair follicles. You will leave your hair shiny, fresh and odor free due to the soothing and bacteria killing properties.

Bacteria Killer

You can use lemongrass essential oil to help you get rid of infections such as ringworm, athlete’s foot and other types of fungus. This is mainly due to the anti-bacterial and antimicrobial properties of lemongrass essential oil.

Natural Bug Repellent

Lemongrass essential oil has a high citral and geraniol content which is great for naturally repelling insects such as mosquitoes and ants. It can be sprayed directly on your skin and has a mild smell. If you add about 5 drops of oil to water, you can create a spray and apply it to your fur baby’s coat to kill fleas.

Natural Deodorizer and Cleaner

If you are looking for a more safe and natural way to clean and deodorize your home, you can opt for lemongrass essential oil. Add a few drops of oil to water and use it as a mist or add it to your oil diffuser or vaporizer. You can also customize your own natural fragrance by adding other essential oils such as lavender or tea tree oil.

Lemongrass Essential Oil Precautions

Some people have experienced negative side effects such as lung problems after inhaling lemongrass essential oil. When used as aromatherapy in a diffuser, it is important to remember that a little goes a long way.

If you choose to use lemongrass essential oil topically and have sensitive skin, you may encounter side effects such as a rash, discomfort and even a burning sensation. Remember to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil such as coconut oil or jojoba oil and perform a patch test before full body application. If irritation occurs, stop use immediately and speak to your healthcare physician.

If you are pregnant you may want to stay clear of lemongrass essential oil. Lemongrass is known to stimulate menstrual flow and there may be a slight chance of a miscarriage. Lemongrass essential oil should not be used while breastfeeding and it should not be used topically on children under the age of 2.

Speak with your healthcare physician before using lemongrass essential oil if you are being treated for a medical condition, or are currently taking medication, especially if taking internally. 

Did you learn anything about lemongrass essential oils? Let us know in the comments below.