Wonderfully uplifting and fresh, with a sharp yet sweet lemony aroma, Lemongrass is the perfect essential oil to help you transition into the Spring season. So, where does it come from, and what are the benefits of Lemongrass essential oil?
Origin & History
Lemongrass essential oil comes from a fast-growing, aromatic grass that can reach heights of up to 1.5m. It’s part of the huge botanical family of grasses, Gramineae or Poaceae, which includes cereals, bamboo and common grasses. Lemongrass grows in abundance in India, where it has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years as a tonic for the body. Zesty and invigorating, it is one of the ‘lemon aldehydes’, oils that have a lemony aroma but are not part of the citrus family. Other Aldehydes include Citronella, May Chang and Lemon Tea Tree. Lemongrass is harvested twice a year. The tropical grass is dried and finely chopped before being steam distilled to give us the essential oil.
What is it good for?
As it is such an uplifting and refreshing essential oil, in aromatherapy practices, Lemongrass is particularly useful for low-energy states. Its restorative and mood-boosting properties help to encourage positivity whilst creating a clean and fresh atmosphere. Helpful as a tonic for several areas of the body, it can improve sluggish digestion and discomfort and soothe muscular aches and pains. When used after exercise or heavy physical activity, Lemongrass can also help to invigorate the body.
Useful throughout the home, Lemongrass is a natural insect repellent, so a few drops in a Diffuser can help keep flying bugs away all year round, particularly during the warmer seasons. Also an anti-microbial, when diluted in a spray bottle, it can be used for cleaning purposes around the home, perfect as we head into Spring.
Its aroma is very tenacious, meaning you will only need a little in your blend for it to shine through. Lemongrass oil blends well with ‘green’ essential oils like Rosemary or Cypress, the spices such as Ginger and other ‘citrusy’ essential oils. However, belonging to the aldehyde group of essential oils, it can be sensitizing on the skin and should be used with caution by those with sensitive, allergy-prone or damaged skin.
Get Up and Go Diffuser Blend
For a wonderful room freshener to help you feel motivated, add the following essential oils to the water in your Aroma Spa diffuser:
1 drop of Lemongrass – Cymbopogen citratus
3 drops of Grapefruit – Citrus paradisi
2 drops of Bergamot – Citrus bergamia
2 drops of Rosemary – Rosmarinus officinale
Digestive Tonic Massage Blend
Add the following essential oils to 10ml of your favourite blending oil, and massage over your abdomen in clockwise circles around your naval:
1 drop of Lemongrass – Cymbopogen citratus
1 drop of Ginger – Zingiber officinale
3 drops of Coriander – Coriandrum sativum
Spring Clean Blend
Add the following essential oils to a clean, empty spray bottle:
250ml of Water
250ml of White Vinegar
6 drops of Lemongrass – Cymbopogen citratus
4 drops of Lemon Tea Tree – Leptospermum petersonii
Shake vigorously before use and spray to clean kitchen surfaces.
We are always interested to hear how you are using your essential oils, so do leave us a comment below.
About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as an Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
For more information on Jo Kellett, check out her website or Instagram
