Lemongrass essential oil is famous for aromatherapy, personal care, and natural cleaning products. It has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, and its refreshing and uplifting aroma can help promote a sense of wellbeing. It is a versatile essential oil and can be used in many ways.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to use lemongrass essential oil safely and effectively:
Lemongrass Essential Oil is derived from the leaves and stalks of the lemongrass plant (Cymbopogon citrates) by steam distillation. The oil has a refreshing citrus-grass aroma and an array of health benefits.
It has antifungal, antibacterial, antispasmodic, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
The oil blends well with basil, cedarwood, citronella, geranium and jasmine essential oils. Lemongrass essential oil is commonly used in aromatherapy to aid muscle fatigue and pain relief. Massage therapists sometimes combine it with other massage oils for its soothing properties. Because lemongrass essential oil contains calming properties, it may help alleviate anxiety and reduce stress.
In addition to therapeutic purposes, Lemongrass essential oil can be used in cooking to give dishes a distinctive citrus flavor or as fragrance addendums in perfumery applications.
It can also be applied to the skin daily as a moisturizer or mixed into lotion bars and body soaps to add a pleasant aroma.
Benefits of Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass essential oil is a popular oil with a wide array of uses. Extracted from the lemongrass plant, the oil has intense citrus aroma, which boosts mental clarity, among many other benefits.
Also referred to as Cymbopogon citratus, it is believed to have originated in India before spreading into parts of Asia, Africa and South America.
The therapeutic use of lemongrass essential oil is wide-ranging, making it increasingly popular among natural health practitioners and aromatherapy enthusiasts.
Here are some of the most commonly cited benefits of lemongrass essential oil:
- It has natural antibiotic and antimicrobial properties, which can help relieve bacterial infections and wounds, providing antiseptic support for conditions such as athlete’s foot and staph infections.
- It can be used as a natural insect repellent due to its sharp scent.
- It may alleviate symptoms of colds, including congestion, coughs and fatigue.
- It acts as a natural sedative when diffused or used in massage; it can bring a calming quality to overactive minds by soothing muscle tension caused by physical or mental stress.
- When inhaled regularly, it can help regulate hormones, helps reduce inflammation, promotes healthy digestive function.
- Has uplifting effects on mood due to its refreshing citrus smell.
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How to Use Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass essential oil is one of the most versatile essential oils you can use. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. It can help relieve stress and headaches and can also be used in aromatherapy to improve sleep.
In this article, you’ll learn how to use lemongrass essential oil to achieve the most significant benefit:
In Aromatherapy
Lemongrass essential oil can be used in various ways to benefit your health. It is most commonly used as an aromatherapy tool to help reduce stress, boost energy, and improve mood.
When inhaled, lemongrass essential oil has a stimulating effect that can help clear the mind, ward off fatigue, and create a sense of overall wellbeing. You can use it in diffusers, inhalers, and other aromatherapy delivery systems to enjoy its benefits.
Lemongrass essential oil can be topically applied for various skincare and beauty purposes. It may help reduce the appearance of blemishes and cellulite while providing antiseptic qualities that promote healing and protection against eczema or other skin conditions.
Additionally, its calming aroma decreases anxiety while improving sleep quality when rubbed into pressure points or inhaled before bedtime. This refreshing oil is often added to massage oils for its soothing effects on strained physical muscles and tension stored in mind.
In Skin Care Products
Lemongrass essential oil can be used in skin care products to help reduce inflammation and the presence of bacteria. It is a great natural solution for skin ailments such as eczema and psoriasis, as it helps to soothe irritated skin.
- Add 2-3 drops of lemongrass essential oil to an unscented lotion or cream that you can apply directly over the affected area up to three times daily.
- You can add 5-6 drops of lemongrass essential oil to a warm bath and enjoy its calming scent while bathing.
- Another option is to mix equal parts of lemongrass essential oil with a carrier oil (e.g. fractionated coconut oil) and gently massage it into your skin for a relaxing experience.
Lemongrass essential oil also boasts moisturizing, antifungal, antiviral, antiseptic and astringent properties that help boost the health of your skin and hair by stimulating cellular activity in the body.
Regular use of this powerful but gentle potion can protect from harmful bacteria on your epidermis that could lead to certain skin disorders such as acne or premature aging.
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- How Do I Use Lemon Grass Stalks?
- Can You Use Lemongrass Leaves?
- Can You Use Lemongrass Cuttings To Grow More?
In Hair Care Products
Using lemongrass essential oil in hair care products is beneficial for several reasons. It has antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help treat hair problems like dandruff and scalp irritation.
In addition, lemongrass oil can promote healthy hair growth and improve its texture.
When using lemongrass essential oil in your homemade hair care products, it’s important to dilute it with a quality carrier oil (e.g. olive oil or coconut oil) depending on the desired strength of the product.
For masks, add 3-5 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil; for conditioning treatments, use 5-10 drops per teaspoon; for deep conditioning, use 10-15 drops per teaspoon.
Besides adding lemongrass essential oil directly to products, you can also create your unique blends by combining it with other similarly beneficial oils such as cedarwood or rosemary essential oils to get even more benefit from your homemade treatments.
No matter how you choose to use this great essential oil, you’re sure to see the benefits, whether it’s improving your scalp health or restoring moisture and shine back into dull locks!
In Cooking
Lemongrass essential oil makes a great addition to many recipes. Because of its citrusy flavor, it pairs nicely with several ingredients, including fish, rice and chicken. You only need to use a few drops at a time.
The key is using just enough to complement the rest of the elements in the recipe without overwhelming them.
When using lemongrass in food preparation, dilute it first with other carrier oils like olive oil or sunflower oil – mixing 1-2 drops of lemongrass essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil.
This will help prevent skin irritation and ensure your dish’s flavor is not overpowering. You can add this diluted essential oil to salad dressings or marinades or sprinkle it into your dish if desired while cooking.
Safety Considerations
Lemongrass essential oil is a very powerful and must be used with caution. Most essential oils should be used with a carrier oil to reduce the risk of sensitization or irritation. It is also important to dilute the lemongrass oil in carrier oil, creams, and lotions.
Additionally, lemongrass oil should never be applied directly to the skin and never ingested.
Before using the oil, constantly research the safety precautions and be sure that you are responsibly using the oil:
- Always dilute lemongrass oil in a carrier oil or cream/lotion.
- Never apply lemongrass oil directly to the skin.
- Never ingest lemongrass oil.
Possible Side Effects
Although lemongrass essential oil is generally safe and well tolerated when appropriately used, possible side effects include skin irritation, nausea, headache, vomiting, and allergic reactions.
Never take any form of lemongrass oil internally unless directed by a doctor or through aromatherapy applications supervised by a qualified aromatherapist.
Lemongrass essential oil may provoke photosensitivity because of its citral content. This means that it increases the risk of sunburn when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Therefore, it’s essential to avoid sun exposure for up to 12 hours after topical application on the skin or after inhalation or ingestion.
It may also irritate people with sensitive skin or allergies to plants in the grass family, such as lemon balm and citronella grass.
Additionally, this essential oil should only be used externally; ingesting oils like this can result in severe toxicity, which is why using it alongside professional advice from an experienced healthcare practitioner is highly recommended.
Allergies and Interactions
When using lemongrass essential oil, it’s important to be aware of any allergies or interactions with other medications or supplements.
Lemongrass can cause an allergic reaction in people allergic to other plants in the same botanical family (such as verbena and lemon balm). Some people may experience contact dermatitis when they come into contact with lemongrass.
Additionally, lemongrass may interact with certain medications, so you must speak to your doctor if you take any prescription before using lemongrass essential oil.
Beyond allergies and interactions, there is a risk of toxicity if you ingest too much lemongrass oil. Ingesting too much can lead to abdominal cramping, vomiting or diarrhea.
For safety reasons, never take it orally without consulting a health professional first. Additionally, remember that these oils should always be diluted before use on the skin; high concentrations of essential oils can cause skin irritation for some individuals.
Please pay attention to your body when using essential oils, and always use them cautiously and responsibly for best results.
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Precautionary Measures
When using lemongrass essential oil, it is crucial to take specific preventive measures.
If you are pregnant, have a pre-existing medical condition, or are taking any medication, consult your healthcare practitioner before using lemongrass essential oil, as its medicinal properties and/or concentration may be unsuitable.
Additionally, do not use this essential oil if you have skin sensitivity or allergy. A patch test should be performed before using lemongrass essential oil by putting a few drops on the inner part of the elbow or arm and checking for any irritation or reaction in that area.
Lemongrass essential oil should not be ingested internally in any form. As some individuals may be sensitive to its scent, it is best to avoid inhalation and diffusing close to the face if there are concerns of allergic reactions.
Additionally, please exercise caution when applying topically so as not to cause skin sensitization due to its powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Individuals new to aromatherapy should use one drop of lemongrass essential oil at a time and gradually increase this once they find out what works best for them physically and psychologically.
Finally, keep all unmarked bottles away from children’s reach at all times, as these products may contain compounds that could prove detrimental if taken in large amounts by small children.
Conclusion: How To Use Lemon Grass Essential Oil?
In conclusion, lemongrass essential oil is a powerful tool that can be used to promote overall health and wellbeing. It can be used in various ways – from diffusing to massage – and can be an invaluable addition to your home health and beauty regimen. Make sure to use it safely and responsibly, and always follow the directions on the bottle.
With these tips, you can now confidently use lemongrass essential oil for its myriad of benefits:
- Promote overall health and wellbeing
- Use in a variety of ways, such as diffusing and massage
- Follow directions on the bottle
Summary of Benefits
Lemongrass essential oil has many beneficial uses, both internally and externally.
It can assist with digestion, reduce stress and anxiety, alleviate respiratory problems, boost immunity, revitalize skin and hair, reduce inflammation, alleviate pain and cramping, improve circulation and nerve health, purify the environment and even repel insects.
This unique, essential oil has powerful properties that detoxify the body from within to help promote healthy digestion and absorption of nutrients.
It is also a natural aphrodisiac that can create feelings of well-being. Perhaps most impressively, lemongrass essential oil is antimicrobial and antifungal, which means it helps to fight off harmful microbes in your body and is an effective insect repellent.
In addition to its many internal health benefits, lemongrass essential oil has several external uses. It can be used topically to help treat acne, while its antiseptic properties make it beneficial for minor wounds or cuts.
When used in aromatherapy, lemongrass essential oil energizes the mind while helping improve focus and concentration, making it ideal for use during yoga sessions or meditation.
Whether internally or externally, Lemongrass essential oil offers fantastic potential for health promotion.
To maximize its potential, add a few drops of this therapeutic grade oil into your favorite bath salts or beauty products for added health benefits.
Always check safety warnings before beginning any aromatherapy practice—or ingesting any herbal supplement—to ensure there is no interference with medications or underlying conditions you may have.
Final Thoughts
Evaluating essential oils for safety is an important factor in any aromatherapy use. Lemongrass oil is generally considered a safe and effective option for adults when used in moderation.
Always seek advice from your doctor or health care practitioner before using essential oils, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have a severe medical condition.
One of the most significant advantages of using lemongrass oil is that it can help boost vitality and improve mood.
Its naturally calming properties are known to help relieve anxious feelings and help promote relaxation. When used aromatically or topically on skin, lemongrass oil can act as a natural antiseptic to help cleanse and protect against possible infection and irritation.
Overall, lemongrass essential oil is an excellent option for individuals looking to promote cleaner skin and mood improvement through natural methods.
Whether you want to ease tensions or refresh your senses, this versatile oil has many benefits when used correctly. Start by choosing high-quality oils and testing them out in small amounts, then adjust your schedule depending on how they make you feel!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the benefits of using lemongrass essential oil?
A1: Lemongrass essential oil is known to help reduce inflammation, reduce pain, improve digestion, prevent infection, and help with skin conditions. It can also help reduce stress, improve sleep, and boost energy levels.
Q2: How do I use lemongrass essential oil?
A2: Lemongrass essential oil can be used aromatically, topically, and internally. To use aromatically, add a few drops to a diffuser or inhale directly from the bottle. To use topically, dilute with a carrier oil and massage into the skin. And to use internally, add 1-2 drops to a glass of water or tea.
Q3: Is lemongrass essential oil safe to use?
A3: Lemongrass essential oil is generally safe when diluted and used correctly. However, it can irritate sensitive skin and should be avoided in individuals with kidney or gallbladder issues. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before use.
