What is Lemongrass Essential Oil?

Lemongrass Essential Oil has a sharp, spicy and intensely lemon-like aroma with a light grassy scent. The Latin name is Cymbopogon Flexuosus, and the oil is steam distilled from the dried and cut grass of a tropical grass species that mainly grows in India and Southeast Asia. The color is light yellow to colorless.

Contrary to what the name suggests, lemongrass is not a citrus plant, but a grass. The characteristic lemon aroma comes from the very high content of citral (often 65 to 85%), the same substance that also gives lemons their scent. The oil is botanically related to citronella and palmarosa.

Lemongrass blends beautifully with other citrus oils like May Chang, with spicy oils like basil, with woody oils like cedarwood, and with floral oils like lavender.

How is Lemongrass Essential Oil made?

Lemongrass is obtained through steam distillation of the dried or fresh grass. In this process, the volatile aroma molecules are released, which are captured and condensed into oil.

Because lemongrass is not a citrus plant, the oil contains no furocoumarins and is therefore not phototoxic. However, it is a citral-rich oil, which means it is powerful and can cause skin irritation at higher dosages.

Benefits of Lemongrass Essential Oil

Powerfully purifying and refreshing
Lemongrass has a strongly refreshing and mildly purifying effect on the air and is a popular addition to homemade cleaning products and air fresheners.

Mental clarity and focus
The clear, refreshing scent can help with mental chaos and at moments when you feel restless or overstimulated. An excellent choice for a study room diffuser.

Versatile in household products
The purifying action and fresh aroma make lemongrass a beloved ingredient in DIY all-purpose cleaners, floor cleaners and air fresheners.

Insect repelling
Like its relative citronella, lemongrass has a natural insect repelling effect and is gladly incorporated into DIY anti-mosquito sprays.

Not phototoxic
Lemongrass is not a citrus oil and contains no furocoumarins. The oil is therefore not phototoxic, despite its lemon-like character.

How do you use Lemongrass Essential Oil?

Always dilute essential oil in a carrier oil or butter when using on the skin. For homemade care we advise a working dosage of 0.7 percent (0.7 grams per 100 grams of product), because lemongrass can be quite powerful for the skin. Read the explanation at the bottom for more information. Suitable carriers are for example Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil or Shea Butter.

In a DIY all-purpose cleaner
Mix 250 ml water with 1 teaspoon Witch Hazel and 7 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil for a refreshing, lightly purifying cleaner for kitchen and refrigerator.

In a diffuser
Put 3 drops in an aroma diffuser for a fresh, clarifying atmosphere. Combine with peppermint and rosemary for a focus boost.

In a DIY anti-mosquito spray
Combine lemongrass with citronella and geranium for a natural insect repelling spray for summer.

In a refreshing air blend
Vaporize 3 drops mandarin with 2 drops cedarwood, 2 drops eucalyptus and 1 drop lemongrass for a fresh, uplifting atmosphere in the house. Lovely during or after cleaning.

In a nail oil
Dilute one drop lemongrass with one drop tea tree in jojoba oil for a nourishing nail oil.

What is the difference with Citronella?

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Flexuosus) and citronella (Cymbopogon Winterianus) are botanical relatives and both grasses, but they have different characters. Lemongrass has a more pronounced, sharper lemon aroma. Citronella smells slightly softer, with more rosy and spicy tones. Both are not phototoxic and both have insect repelling properties, although citronella is better known for this.

Tips when using Lemongrass Essential Oil

• Store the oil in a cool, dark place. Citral-rich oils are sensitive to oxidation, so good storage is important.
• Always close the bottle properly after use.
• Test first on a small piece of skin before using the oil for the first time. Lemongrass can cause irritation with sensitive skin.
• Always work with grams and percentages, not with drops. Drops vary in size and make it difficult to stay within safe limits.
• Dose consciously: a little goes far because of the intense aroma.

What is so special about it?

Lemongrass has been used for centuries as a healing herb in Indian Ayurveda and in Thai and Indian cuisine. The oil is often added to perfume and soap thanks to the purifying, clarifying aroma.

Points of attention and side effects

Lemongrass Essential Oil is not phototoxic, despite its lemon-like character. However, it is a citral-rich oil that can cause skin irritation at higher dosages or with sensitive skin. According to Tisserand & Young (2014) a dermal max of 0.7 percent is advised to prevent skin sensitization. Always use diluted, never pure on the skin.

Our practical working dosage: 0.7 percent
For homemade care we advise a dosage of 0.7 percent (0.7 grams per 100 grams of product). Lemongrass naturally contains allergens such as citral, limonene, geraniol and citronellol. When you combine multiple essential oils in one recipe, these allergens stack up and you can quickly exceed the legal allergen limits. A working dosage of 0.7 percent takes into account both skin sensitization and allergen stacking.

For products that you rinse off, like soap, shower gel or shampoo, more generous maxima apply because the oil does not remain on the skin.

Not recommended for use during pregnancy without consultation with an expert. Keep out of reach of children. When in doubt or with sensitive skin, always test first on a small spot and wait 24 hours before using it on larger surfaces.