Essential Oils
Lemongrass Essential Oil – An Ancient Remedy For Modern Day Stress
Lemongrass is a popular herb that adds a unique citrus flavor to the foods and beverages it is used in. It is also one of the most popular oils in aromatherapy. It has long been known to provide positive health benefits, and studies are beginning to back up many of the claims surrounding this oil.
Lemongrass essential oil is most often used in clinics and spas where it helps encourage relaxation and a general sense of well-being. It is also becoming popular as a homeopathic remedy for stress. Lemongrass is one of the several essential oils in MONQ's Sleepy personal diffuser.
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Lemongrass is a fibrous herb with a fragrance similar to lemons that belong to the family Poaceae. This family consists of 55 other varieties of grasses, two of which are popularly used. The first, Cymbopogon flexuosus, and is most commonly used for producing essential oils. The second, Cymbopogon citratus, is the lemongrass most often used for culinary purposes.1
The herb is native to Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, where it is considered a medicinal herb. In countries such as Thailand, India, and China, its use is popular in foods and beverages and has been for a long time. Its use as an aromatherapy oil began in 1905 when JF Jovit obtained several plants on which to conduct research. From there, its popularity blossomed.
The History of Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a fibrous herb with a fragrance similar to lemons that belong to the family Poaceae. This family consists of 55 other varieties of grasses, two of which are popularly used. The first, Cymbopogon flexuosus, and is most commonly used for producing essential oils. The second, Cymbopogon citratus, is the lemongrass most often used for culinary purposes.1
The herb is native to Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, where it is considered a medicinal herb. In countries such as Thailand, India, and China, its use is popular in foods and beverages and has been for a long time. Its use as an aromatherapy oil began in 1905 when JF Jovit obtained several plants on which to conduct research. From there, its popularity blossomed.
Terpene Properties
Lemongrass essential oil contains terpenes that actively work on different parts of the body to remedy a range of conditions. The main terpene compounds in lemongrass essential oil include citronellal, nerol, limonene, geraniol, geranyl acetate, citral, and myrcene.Uses for Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass is versatile, and its uses range from cooking to cosmetics, to cleaning products, to aromatherapy. It is also one of the best natural repellents against insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, lice, and fleas.2 The benefits of lemongrass essential oil are many. The following are a few of the ways in which lemongrass essential oil can be used to improve health.Immune Supporter
Because of its ability to act as an antiviral and antibacterial, lemongrass essential oil effectively relieves the symptoms of illnesses such as the flu and common cold. Typically, it has the strongest effects when used in a vaporizer. This allows maximum delivery of the essential oil to the nasal cavities. Much like menthol, lemongrass has a cooling effect on the body, which can provide relief from a high body temperature and fever. In fact, lemongrass has a long history of use as a treatment for fever in ancient Chinese and Indian medicine. Many modern studies have shown that lemongrass can be effective for relieving fever symptoms. While you should never ingest most essential oils, many of the benefits of lemongrass essential oil can be delivered to the body with a vaporizer, room diffuser, portable diffuser, or in a steam bath. The vaporizer, in particular, allows for inhalation of many of the beneficial terpene compounds in lemongrass essential oil, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream via the mucous membranes in the nose and mouth.Stress Reducer
Lemongrass essential oil is one of the best ways of relieving stress, which is often attributed to the delicate yet calming aroma of the oil. One of the best ways to use the oil to alleviate stress is to use it in an oil burner or reed diffuser, allowing sufficient amounts of the aroma to be released and providing a feeling of serenity and relaxation.Safety and Precautions
As a general rule, lemongrass essential oil is seen as safe for the majority of people when used topically or aromatically. It is not recommended to ingest lemongrass essential oil, however. Lemongrass essential oil may cause skin discomfort or rashes in those with sensitive skin. For this reason, it is recommended to test the essential oil on the inner skin of the elbow before applying it to larger parts of the body. The essential oil should always be diluted with a carrier oil to reduce the risk of skin irritation. If using the oil on the scalp, avoid using excess amounts to prevent runoff into the eyes. If this does occur, rinse the eyes with cold water for at least five minutes and seek medical attention. Use of lemongrass essential oil is discouraged for those who are pregnant or nursing, as with any other essential oil.Final Thoughts
Lemongrass essential oil is a versatile botanical extract with a range of possible applications. The delicate yet stimulating fragrance is a combination of vibrant citrus notes, earthy grass undertones, and sweet top notes. To find out about the wellness-boosting properties of lemongrass essential oil for yourself, try using it topically when diluted with a carrier oil, in a room diffuser, or in a personal essential oil diffuser like Sleepy or Ocean. Photo credits: OrawanPattarawimonchai/shutterstock.com, Kao-Ien/shutterstock.com, fizkes/shutterstock.comtop posts
