Lemongrass Essential Oil

The scent of lemongrass is obviously grassy and lemony, but also pungent and bitter. Used as a top-note fragrance, this oil has an odor intensity of about four out of five. Blending companions include lavender, jasmine, geranium, and clary sage. For physical uses, lemongrass oil is astringent, antiseptic, and sedative; it can be used for relieving acne or as an insect repellent. Emotionally speaking, this oil is uplifting; it awakens psychic and logical skills, and it fosters new ideas. Just like as name suggests, this oil is distilled from the leaves of the lemony-scented grass. It is native to Asia and now grows in many tropical regions, where it is enjoyed in refreshing beverages.

Lemongrass, West Indian
(Cymbopogon citratus)

Plant Family

Poaceae (Gramineae).

Description and Distribution

A fast-growing aromatic grass native to tropical Asia, though cultivated in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the West Indies and Africa. Most of the oil, whether 'West Indian' or 'East Indian', is produced in Guatemala and India.

Extraction Method

Steam distillation of the fresh and partially dried grass.

Nature of the Oil

West Indian lemongrass is reddish amber. The aroma is sweet and lemony with an earthy undertone. The East Indian type is yellowish with a similar consistency to the West Indian type, but with a lighter fragrance. The odour effect of both types of lemongrass is uplifting and slightly cooling. Some people find the aroma relaxing, others regard it as a 'wake up' essence.

Main Constituents

Citral, dipentene, linalol, geraniol.

Properties

Analgesic, anti-melancholy, antioxidant, antiseptic, bactericidal, astringent, carminative, deodorant, febrifugal, galactagoguic, insecticidal, nervine, rubefacient, tonic.

Aromatherapeutic Support

Athlete's foot, insect repellent, muscular aches and pains, poor circulation, insufficient milk in breastfeeding mothers, digestive tract health, indigestion, fevers, infectious illness, headaches, nervous exhaustion and other stress-related concerns.

Blends Well With

Bergamot, cardamom, chamomile (Roman), clove, eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, lavender, myrrh, palmarosa, patchouli, petitgrain, rosemary. The aroma is highly odoriferous, so use sparingly.

Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus

Extraction Method: Steam Distilled

Color: Yellow

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top

Aroma Strength: Strong

Aroma: Fresh, lemony, earthy.

Use: Acne, athlete's foot, excessive perspiration, flatulence, insect repellent, muscle aches, oily skin, stress. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.]

Constituents: Citral, Geranyl Acetate, Linalyl Acetate, Geranial, Neral, Limonene, Myrcene, Beta-caryophyllene [Shirley Price, The Aromatherapy Workbook (Hammersmith, London: Thorsons, 1993), 54-5.]

Cautions: Avoid with children. Use caution in prostatic hyperplasia and with skin hypersensitivity or damaged skin. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 146.]

Essential Oils by Bianca Rosa are 100% Pure Natural Essences derived from the highest quality fruits, flowers, leaves, spices, herbs and roots. Our essential oil distillers and growers are located around the world, operating ethically, organically and chemical-free.

Bianca Rosa Essential Oils Are Not Tested On Animals.