Coming from a tropical medicinal plant, Lemongrass essential oil is one of the essential oils with a sedative and calming action, and has strong vasodilator properties. With a fresh and light scent, it is also an antiseptic and deodorizer that is pleasant to diffuse. Latin name: Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud) W. Wats. Distilled part: herbaceous parts

This article was updated on 01/12/2023
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Precautions for use

Vigilance! Lemongrass essential oil is reserved for adults and adolescents. It is recommended to use it in broadcast mixed with other essential oils. Only this route of administration is authorized for pregnant women and babies. Oral intake must be done on medical advice and skin applications must be preceded by dilution of the essential oil. Medical advice is also necessary for people suffering from asthma.

Authorized users

Adults and Teenagers Adults and Teenagers
Children under 6 years old Children under 6 years old
Pregnant & breastfeeding women Pregnant & breastfeeding women
Babies under 3 years old Babies under 3 years old

Possible ways of use

Inhaled Inhaled
Dermal Dermal
Oral route Oral route
In broadcast In broadcast

Risks of use

Allergenic Allergenic
Irritating to the skin Irritating to the skin
Dermocaustic in its pure form Dermocaustic in its pure form

Other precautions

Medical advice

Before using this essential oil in diffusion, people with asthma should seek advice from their doctor.

Skin application

Be sure to dilute this essential oil to 20% in a vegetable oil before any skin application (20% essential oil in 80% vegetable oil).

Women who are more than three months pregnant can use this essential oil diluted through the skin, on medical advice.

Ingestion

The oral route is reserved for therapeutic prescription.

In broadcast

This way of using Lemongrass essential oil is possible for pregnant women and babies.

In very sensitive people, this essential oil may cause tears or coughing.

Allergenic components

Lemongrass essential oil has a high dose of allergenic biochemical components:

  • citral (geranial + neral) (60 to 86%)
  • geraniol (≤ 8%)
  • limonene (≤ 3%)
  • linalool (≤ 2%)
  • citronellol (≤ 1%)
  • isoeugenol (≤ 0.5%)

Note: It is preferable to test the essential oil before using it (dilute a drop of essential oil in a little vegetable oil and apply it to the crook of the elbow. Wait at least 24 hours to check that it is there is no reaction).

Properties of Lemongrass essential oil

Lemongrass essential oil is highly concentrated in citrals (neral + geranial) and geraniol. These different molecules give it the following main properties:

  • vasodilator +++ :

    this essential oil helps in the dilation of blood vessels. This results in better blood circulation in the body and, ultimately, a reduction in blood pressure.

  • sedative +++ (citral):

    lemongrass essential oil contains citral, a relaxing molecule acting on the nervous system. It reduces anxiety and promotes sleep.

  • digestive tonic ++ :

    the molecules contained in Lemongrass essential oil help facilitate digestion by stimulating the different functions of the digestive system.

  • anti-inflammatory ++ (citral):

    citral helps modulate the body's response to an attack (inflammation) and calms the sensations of heat and the resulting redness.

  • antiseptic ++ (geraniol, citral):

    this essential oil prevents the development and growth of viruses, bacteria and fungi in the body. Citral and geraniol have a bactericidal action against Salmonella enteritidis and enterica, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli. They also fight against the development of the fungi Penicillium digitatum, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Finally, citral and geraniol constitute a protective barrier against viruses, thus slowing their progression in the body in order to stop it as quickly as possible. Citral effectively targets the labial and vaginal herpes virus.

But also these secondary properties:

  • insect repellent
  • deodorant
  • antitumor
  • anti dandruff
  • anti cellulite
  • anti stretch marks

Against the Cellulite

Efficiency: +++

Simple use

For adults and adolescents. Through the skin, 2 drops of Lemongrass in 8 drops of vegetable oil to apply to the most affected areas (thighs, hips, buttocks), massaging and allowing the oils to penetrate well. Apply morning and evening for 3 weeks. Take a break for a week and resume for 3 weeks if necessary.

Lemongrass or Atlas Cedar?

Lemongrass has anti-cellulite properties, but the reference oil remains the Atlas cedar ! Cutaneously, mix 2 drops in 8 drops of vegetable oil, to apply morning and evening with a massage on the most affected areas. Take a week's break after 3 weeks of use and start again if necessary.

Use in synergy

For adults and adolescents. On the skin, apply a small amount of the following mixture to the most affected areas (thighs, hips, buttocks), massaging and allowing the mixture to penetrate well. Perform this massage twice a day, morning and evening, for 3 weeks. Take a break for a week and start again for 3 weeks.

  • 50 grams of Shea butter
  • 60 drops of Lemon essential oil
  • 60 drops of Atlas Cedar essential oil
  • 30 drops of Criste Marine essential oil
  • 30 drops of Lemongrass essential oil

More details and other users: essential oils against cellulite.

As' Anti-insect

Efficiency: +++

Simple use

From 3 months.  In broadcast, pour the number of drops indicated on the instructions for your diffuser. Broadcast in blocks of 30 minutes maximum.

Lemongrass or Java Lemongrass?

With its lemony smell, Lemongrass has insect repellent properties, but does not dethrone the essential oil of Java lemongrass ! Cutaneously, mix 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil to apply to exposed parts of the body. When diffusing: pour the number of drops indicated on the diffuser instructions. Broadcast in blocks of 30 minutes maximum.

In case of' Arteritis

Efficiency: +++

Simple use

For adults and adolescents. Through the skin, dilute 1 drop of Lemongrass essential oil in 4 drops of vegetable oil and apply to the legs.

Use in synergy

For adults and adolescents. Orally, take 2 to 3 drops of the following mixture on cane sugar or in a little honey, 3 times a day for 7 to 10 days:

  • 2 mL of Lemongrass essential oil
  • 2 mL of Italian Helichrysum essential oil
  • 1 mL of Chamomile essential oil
  • 1 mL of Black Spruce essential oil
  • 4 mL of apricot kernel vegetable oil

Source: Baudoux, d. (2017). aromatherapy. editions dunod.

Lemongrass or Goldenrod?

Lemongrass has vasodilator and anti-inflammatory properties useful against arteritis, but the reference oil remains the Goldenrod : Through the skin, mix 1 drop of Goldenrod essential oil in 4 drops of vegetable oil, massaging on the affected area, twice a day.

Other famous applications of Lemongrass

Clean the air

Lemongrass can be effective thanks to its antiseptic properties but… It is better to use thegrapefruit essential oil : when diffusing, pour the number of drops indicated on the instructions for your diffuser. Broadcast in blocks of 30 minutes maximum.

Digestive failure, Liver failure

Lemongrass helps stimulate digestive functions but… It is better to use therosemary essential oil with verbenone : orally, dilute 1 drop in a teaspoon of honey and let it melt in the mouth, 3 times a day, for a maximum of 7 days.

Neurovegetative dystonia

Lemongrass can be effective but… It is better to use thecistus essential oil. Cutaneously, dilute 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil to apply to the solar plexus.

Asthenia, Fatigue

Lemongrass can be effective but… It is better to favor theblack Spruce essential oil to fight against fatigue! Cutaneously: 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil applied to the lower back at the kidney level, 3 times a day. Take a one-week break after three weeks of use.

Stress

Lemongrass has sedative properties but... It is better to use theessential oil of Petit Grain Bigarade :

  • Inhaled, place 1 drop on the wrists to inhale deeply, 3 times a day, until improvement. Take a one-week break after three weeks of use.
  • When diffusing, pour the number of drops indicated on the instructions. Broadcast in blocks of 30 minutes maximum.

How to recognize a good Lemongrass essential oil?

Botanical characteristics
  • Latin Name: Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud) W. Wats.
  • Botanical family: Poaceae
  • Part used: herbaceous parts
  • Country of origin: Nepal.
Physical characteristics
  • Density at 20°C: 0.885 to 0.905
  • Refractive index at 20°C: 1.483 to 1.489
  • Rotational power at 20°C: -4 to 1
  • Flash point: 89
Organoleptic characteristics
  • Appearance: clear mobile liquid
  • Color: yellowish brown, pale yellow
  • Odor: fresh, green, powerful.
Biochemical characteristics
  • citral: 60 to 82%
  • geraniol: 1.5 to 8%
  • geranyl acetate: 0.5 to 6%
  • limonene: 0.5 to 3.5%
  • β-caryophyllene: 0.2 to 3.5%
  • 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one: 0.1 to 2%

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Bibliography

Publication: Rossi, GG, Guterres, KB, Bonez, PC, Da Silva Gundel, S., Aggertt, VA, Siqueira, FS, . . . De Campos, MMA (2017). Antibiofilm activity of nanoemulsions of Cymbopogon flexuosus against rapidly growing mycobacteria. Microbial Pathogenesis, 113, 335–341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2017.11.002

Publication: Adukwu, E.C., Bowles, M., Edwards-Jones, V., & Bone, H. (2016). Antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity and chemical analysis of lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and pure citral. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 100(22), 9619–9627. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-016-7807-y

Publication: Adukwu, E., Allen, S., & Phillips, C. (2012). The anti-biofilm activity of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) essential oils against five strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 113(5), 1217–1227. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05418.x

Publication: Dos Santos, AC, Junior, GB, Zago, DC, Zeppenfeld, CC, Da Silva, DT, Heinzmann, BM, . . . Da Cunha, M.A. (2017). Anesthesia and anesthetic action mechanism of essential oils of Aloysia triphylla and Cymbopogon flexuosus in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen). Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 44(1), 106–113. https://doi.org/10.1111/vaa.12386

Publication: Gaonkar, R., Shiralgi, Y., Lakkappa, D.B., & Hegde, G. (2018). Essential oil from Cymbopogon flexuosus as the potential inhibitor for HSP90. Toxicology Reports, 5, 489–496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.03.014

Publication: Chaisripipat, W., Lourith, N., & Kanlayavattanakul, M. (2015b). Anti-dandruff Hair Tonic Containing Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) Oil. Complementary Medicine Research, 22(4), 226–229. https://doi.org/10.1159/000432407

Publication: Sharma, PR, Mondhe, DM, Muthiah, S., Pal, HC, Shahi, AK, Saxena, AK, & Qazi, GN (2009). Anticancer activity of an essential oil from Cymbopogon flexuosus. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 179(2-3), 160–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2008.12.004

Publication: Han, X., & Parker, T.L. (2017). Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) essential oil demonstrated anti-inflammatory effect in pre-inflamed human dermal fibroblasts. Biochemistry Open, 4, 107–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopen.2017.03.004

Work : de la Charie, T. (2019). Treat yourself with essential oils. Why and how does it work? Editions du Rocher.

Work : Baudoux, d. (2017). aromatherapy. dunod.

About these tips

This aromatherapy article was written by Théophane de la Charie, author of the book “Treat yourself with essential oils”, accompanied by a multidisciplinary team made up of pharmacists, biochemists and agronomists. 

La Compagnie des Sens and its teams do not encourage self-medication. The information and advice provided comes from a reference bibliographic database (books, scientific publications, etc.). They are given for information purposes, or to suggest avenues for reflection: they should in no case replace a diagnosis, consultation or medical follow-up, and cannot engage the liability of the Compagnie des Sens.