Lemongrass Essential Oil

Lemongrass essential oil is best known today as a mild herb added to foods and beverages, especially in Chinese and Thai recipes, but it has deep historical roots in the Asian and African medicine cultures. Ancient Indians referred to Lemongrass as “Choomna poolu” or “Indian Verbena” and found it valuable for bringing down fevers and treating infectious illnesses. Distillation and exportation of Lemongrass began as a secretive and selective practice in the Philippines, and the first commercial cultivation of Lemongrass oil was not established until 1957 in Florida and Haiti.

Lemongrass is an herb that grows naturally in the tropical and semitropical parts of Asia and Africa, and it is now cultivated commercially in India, China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Lemongrass grows slowly and yields next to nothing in its first year. It isn’t until the fifth and sixth years of growth that the plant can be utilised to extract oil. Pure Lemongrass essential oil is obtained by steam distilling the leaves and blades of the plant.

With a light, mild, and sweet lemon aroma, this pale yellow oil is often described as refreshing and earthy. Lemongrass essential oil is celebrated for its many properties including as an analgesic, antidepressant, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, deodorant, fungicide, insecticide, and tonic.

Emotionally, Lemongrass is known as an oil of energetic cleansing. It’s useful for letting go of negative energy and improving the energy of a room or home. As a mild sedative and antidepressant, the scent of Lemongrass also relieves anxiety, irritability, and insomnia.

Physically, Lemongrass essential oil is very valuable in cosmetic, muscle, and immune system applications. Lemongrass essential oil is actually found in a number of lotions and perfumes because it is a natural deodoriser. Just a few drops of Lemongrass oil into a shampoo, conditioner, or lotion can strengthen skin tissue and hair follicles while killing bacteria. Lemongrass can also reduce muscle pain when added to a carrier oil and rubbed into aching areas of the body. Finally, since it can kill bacteria, it makes an excellent addition to a diffuser to fight a flu or cold.

Thanks to its high citral and geraniol content, Lemongrass essential oil can even naturally repel bugs likes mosquitoes and ants. Unlike bug sprays laden with chemicals, Lemongrass is a safe and mild options that can be added to water and sprayed onto the skin to keep unwanted pests away.

Lemongrass blends nicely with Eucalyptus, Geranium, Tea Tree, Lavender, and Rosemary essential oils.