Description
Lemongrass essential oil is extracted from Cymbopogon citratus (also known as Andropogon citratus, A. schoenathus – West Indian, Madagascar or Guatemala lemongrass; Andropogon flexuosus, Cymbopogon flexuosus – East Indian, Cochin, British India or native lemongrass), of the Poaceae family.
It is a fresh smelling oil that can be used with success for fighting jet lag, cellulite, revitalizing a tired body and mind, as well as keeping the family pet free of fleas and ticks.
Oil properties
Lemongrass oil has a lemony, sweet smell and is dark yellow to amber and reddish in color, with a watery viscosity.
Origin of Lemongrass
It is a perennial fast-growing aromatic grass, growing to about 1 meter (3 feet) high with long, thin leaves and originally was growing wild in India. It produces a network of roots and rootlets that rapidly exhaust the soil.
In India it is known as ‘choomana poolu’ and is also referred to as ‘Indian Verbena’ or ‘Indian Melissa oil’ and used in Ayurvedic medicine to help bring down fevers and treat infectious illnesses. It is a valuable ingredient in perfumes and citrus-type soaps and is also an insect deterrent.
Extraction
Lemongrass oil is extracted from the fresh or partly dried leaves by steam distillation.
Chemical composition
The main chemical components of lemongrass oil are myrcene, citronellal, geranyl acetate, nerol, geraniol, neral and traces of limonene and citral.
Precautions
Lemongrass oil can irritate a sensitive skin, so care should be taken. It should be avoided in pregnancy, due to it being a possible skin irritant.
Therapeutic Properties
The therapeutic properties of lemongrass oil are analgesic, anti-depressant, antimicrobial. antipyretic, antiseptic, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, deodorant, diuretic, febrifuge, fungicidal, galactagogue, insecticidal, nervine, nervous system sedative and tonic.
Uses
Lemongrass oil revitalizes the body and relieves the symptoms of jetlag, clears headaches and helps to combat nervous exhaustion and stress-related conditions.
It is a great overall tonic for the body and it boosts the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a boon when recovering from illness, as it also stimulates glandular secretions.
It is useful with respiratory infections such as sore throats, laryngitis and fever and helps prevent spreading of infectious diseases. It is helpful with colitis, indigestion and gastro-enteritis.
Lemongrass oil helps tone the muscles and tissue, relieves muscle pains by making the muscle more supple. It helps with correcting poor circulation and as an insect repellant. It helps to keep pets clean of fleas, ticks and lice.
It also is used for clearing up oily skin and acne, as well as athlete’s foot. It alleviates excessive perspiration.
Summary
Lemongrass oil has great benefits as a muscle and skin toner, and revitalizes the body and mind, helps with infections and keeps the family pet flea and tick free and smelling nice.
- Burners and vaporizers
- In vapor therapy, Lemongrass oil can be used for nervousness and as an insect repellant. It is also great to revive the mind when feeling lethargic and to energize as well as relieving fatigue.
- Blended massage oil or in the bath
- Lemongrass oil can be used in blended massage oil or diluted in the bath to assist with cellulite, digestive problems, as a diuretic, for infections, nervousness, for over exerted ligaments and as a general tonic.
- Cream or lotion
- When used in a lotion or a cream, it has value in clearing cellulite, as well as toning the skin, opening blocked pores and helping with acne. The antiseptic properties are useful in treating athlete’s foot and other fungal infections.
- Note
- Although some people may have an allergic reaction to lemongrass oil, most people do not show an allergy when it is used in concentrations lower than 3%. Since our oil only contains trace amounts of citral (whereas West and East Indian lemongrass (Andropogon flexuosus and A. citratus contains nearly 79%) the possibility of irritation or allergy is less.
More information about Lemongrass Oil
Skin Care ~ recommended as a skin tonic ~ cleansing & astringent properties ~ helps acne, blemishes, pimples, fungal infections & itchy skin conditions ~ recommended to use as a deodorant & reduces body odour ~ reduces excessive perspiration ~ very effective insect repellent
Hair Care ~ helps prevent hair loss
Digestive System ~ recommended for colitis, indigestion, gastroenteritis & excess flatulence
Immune System ~ reduces headache pain & reduces high fevers ~ helps heal cuts & wounds and reduces risk of infection due to anti-septic properties ~ strengthening & boosts the immunity
Lymphatic System ~ helps remove toxins from the body & cleans out kidneys ~ helps heal cellulite
Musculoskeletal System ~ analgesic (pain relieving properties) relieves muscular & joint aches & pains & general body pain ~ recommended in the after-care of sports injuries, sprains, bruises & dislocations
Nervous System ~ strengthens & stimulates ~ tonic for the nerves ~ uplifts the spirits & fights depression, tension & anxiety ~ helps disorders such as shaking hands or limbs, nervousness, vertigo ~ revitalises fatigue & a tired mind & body ~ soothing & calming effect on the mind ~ helps with insomnia
Respiratory System ~ recommended for coughs, colds, influenza, sore throats, laryngitis & fever
Reproductive System ~ increases formation & enhances quality of breast milk
Urinary System ~ increases urination ~ frequency & quantity ~ helps with weight loss
Emotional ~ Spiritual ~ boosts self esteem, confidence, hope & mental strength ~ heightens psychic awareness & purifies the mind ~ releases resentment ~ transforms negative energies into positive energies ~
Blends Well With ~ Amyris, Basil, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Coriander, Dill, Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Lemon Scented, Fenugreek, Fir Needle, Geranium, Grapefruit, Grapefruit Pink, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Lemon Myrtle, Lemon Scented Tea Tree, Lemon Verbena, May Chang, Melissa, Nerolina, Niaouli, Palmarosa, Peppermint, Petitgrain, Pine, Rosalina, Rosemary, Rose Geranium, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Spearmint, Tea Tree
Safety ~ non-toxic, non-irritating & non-sensitizing ~ recommended to avoid during pregnancy
