13 Ways to Use Lemongrass Essential Oil

I love Lemongrass essential oil. I use it almost daily.

Lemongrass is part of the citrus oils family. It is an aromatherapy top note and with that, uplifting in nature and bright in blends.

In this article, I’ll briefly explain the plant it comes from, and then I’m going to show you 13 simple ways that you can use your bottle of Lemongrass essential oil, and benefit from its amazing properties.

Lemongrass, the Plant

Lemongrass oil is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of the Cymbopogon plant. It is a tropical plant mostly found in South Asia, South East Asia, Australia and Africa.

Lemongrass can grow up to two meters high. It grows in bunches of long thin leaves with sharp edges. It has a distinct citrus smell.

This fresh, citrus-like oil is extracted by steam distillation using either fresh or partially dried lemongrass leaves.

In South East Asian countries, lemongrass is often used in cooking, making teas and curries. In the Philippines specifically, lemongrass is almost always used in cooking chicken soups. It eliminates the unpleasant smell of the chicken meat and enhances the flavor of the dish.

In other countries like Sri Lanka and India, lemongrass is used as medicinal herb. It gained its nickname “fever grass” because of its capacity to reduce fever. Not only that, lemongrass also has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.

13 Lemongrass Essential Oil Uses

Lemongrass is one of my favorite essential oils. I like it best to get rid of nasty smells around the house. It is also a natural pesticide which drives away bugs and pests in the garden, allowing cultivation of other vegetables very convenient.

But that’s not where this the power of this oil ends.

Have a look at these 13 ways you can use your bottle of Lemongrass oil.

Cosmetic

1. Lemongrass oil can be used as toner. Add one to two drops of essential oil to your regular cleanser or mix it with a hydrosol such as tea tree or lavender hydrosol, to dilute and make an effective skin toner. Apply to the skin using cotton rounds. Lemongrass is considered to be a milder extract, but don’t use it undiluted. It can be too strong for sensitive skin.
2. It can also strengthen hair, promote hair growth, and relieve itching in the scalp. Mix few drops into your shampoo or conditioner. Its citrus essence promotes a fresh feeling in the scalp. For best effects, use a natural, scent-free shampoo base. You can also get scent-free conditioner base here.
3. It can also be a good skin moisturizer. Mix a few drops of the essential oil with lotion or body gel.

Medicinal

4. Lemongrass oil is used to ease joint and muscle pain. It has pain-relieving properties that get rid of swelling, pain and other discomfort. Apply a diluted amount of Lemongrass onto the affected area and massage the muscles and joints. It soothes the muscles, and its relaxing scent promotes ease and relief. It is also a perfect way to cool down and relax muscles after a strenuous workout.
5. Because of its antiseptic property, lemongrass oil is beneficial in getting rid of bacteria and fungi. It can also relieve swell and itch because of is astringent properties. Apply the essential oil topically to insect bites or dilute a few drops in carrier oil before applying to rashes or other skin irritations.
6. Lemongrass is also a natural pesticide in the garden. To protect your plants and greens, make a quick DIY spray to spray your plants with. It’s safe to use daily.
7. The antibacterial property of the lemongrass oil allows it to be used in soaps and sanitizers. Soap and sanitizers sold commercially sometimes have lemongrass essences. To try it at home, you can make this DIY foaming hand soap with Lemongrass oils, or add it to your DIY hand sanitizer recipe.
8. Aromatic air fresheners use lemongrass oil to relieve insomnia and anxiety which promotes better sleep. Use 4-5 drops of lemongrass essential oil in your diffuser. Diffusing it in your car or room creates an enjoyable ambiance of pure freshness and relaxation.
9. Lemongrass oil can be used as an insect repellent. Its strong and distinct smell can repel insects like mosquitoes and bugs so it is a very good travel essential. Mix it in with your perfume, lotion or you can also opt to diffuse it with an aromatherapy bracelet. If you prefer to camp, you can dilute a few drops of oil in water and spray your tent to ward off unwanted insects.
10. When having stomach troubles, massage this essential oil onto the belly to relieve bloating.  One to two drops of this essential oil can help you soothe stomach pain caused by excess gas, ulcer and upset stomach. Use 1 teaspoon of carrier oil, and 1-2 drops of Lemongrass.

Therapeutic

11. Lemongrass oil has that distinct fresh and citrus-like aroma that opens up nasal airways and creates a relaxed feeling. Use Lemongrass to make deodorizers and sanitizers. It has been widely used in spas as it creates a fresh and calming ambiance. It also deodorizes and gets rid of unpleasant smells. A few drops in the diffuser will go a long way.
12. The aromatic smell of lemongrass oil can relieve stress and anxiety. It is essential in aromatherapy because of its positive effect on the body. It promotes soothing and calming feeling. A few drops in the diffuser is all that’s needed.
13. Lemongrass oil can also relieve nausea. Drop one to two drops into a cotton ball or handkerchief. Take a deep breath in. Allow the scent to penetrate the nasal passage. Or, make a roll-on and massage your temples and forehead.

Where To Buy Lemongrass

Lemongrass is easily available and not pricey. Most popular essential oil brands carry one, and it’s usually labelled in a fitting green label to commemorate the plant species it came from.

I recommend the following brands for a high quality lemongrass oil:

• Plant Therapy: 10 ml Organic Lemongrass, $7.95. Also available in 30 ml and 100 ml.
• REVIVE: 10 ml Lemongrass, $6.50*
• Rocky Mountain Oils: 15 ml Lemongrass, $10.95
• Simply Earth: 15 ml Lemongrass, $8.99
• Edens Garden: 10 ml Lemongrass, $9.95

From these options, I would first recommend the Organic Lemongrass from Plant Therapy. For comparably the same price, you get an organic oil vs. non-organic.

My next choice would  be Edens Garden’s Lemongrass, because you can also order it in a 5 ml size at $6.95. If you’re unsure of whether or not you’ll like it, this is a great option to give the oil a try without creating waste.

* Prices at time of writing and may be subject to change without notice

Final Thoughts

Using Lemongrass essential oil is an almost daily practice for me. I love this oil! I hope in this article you were able to learn more ways to use your bottle of Lemongrass.

If you haven’t tried it yet, please do. I sincerely think you’ll like it, and hope that maybe you’ll come to love it as much as I do.