The Many Health Benefits of Lemongrass Essential Oil

Lemongrass is so much more than a beautiful decorative grass in your landscaping.  This beauty packs a powerful punch in the “Stuff that’s good for you” category.  Outside of contemporary garden spaces, lemongrass is a signature ingredient in Thai and Chinese cuisines, as an herb, with the intense flavor of, you guessed it….lemons.

Lemongrass originated in the East and its oils have been part of local traditions and medicine for centuries. With the increased knowledge and use of essential oils all over the world, lemongrass essential oil has become a popular choice for its many health benefits.

Distilled from the dried blades of grass, Lemongrass has many chemical components that contribute to its beneficial constituents, including geraniol and neral. These constituents are all known for their amazing effects on the body!

Let’s look at some of the health benefits of lemongrass essential oil.

Antioxidant

Antioxidants are important because they can induce an active healing effect. Antioxidants are often described as scavengers, searching for free radicals to stop and damage to reverse. Lemongrass is right there among the antioxidant scavengers, making it a partner in attacks on many types of metabolic and chronic illnesses.  Lemongrass essential oil contains around 85% citral, which is proven to be a potent detoxifying agent.

Pain Reliever

Lemongrass Essential Oil can help relieve pain in muscles and joints. It is also know to relieve headaches stemming from viral infections like cough, cold, flu, and fever.  Lemongrass helps to relieve the pain that comes from strenuous physical activity.

Anti-inflammatory

Inflammation shows itself in chronic illnesses, skin conditions, pain and more. A study done in 2014 showed that a topical lemongrass essential oil compound, used on mice, resulted in the conclusion that lemongrass “clearly…inhibits the skin inflammatory response.”

Antifungal

In the same study above, antifungal properties were examined, as well.  Many fungal adversaries were studied, including Candida. Final results were that lemongrass exhibits “noteworthy potential for the development of drugs for the treatment of fungal infections.” In another study conducted in 2008, lemongrass showed “a potent in vitro activity against Candida.”

Antimicrobial/Antibacterial

Lemongrass is an antimicrobial powerhouse that kills microorganisms and even inhibits their growth. For example, food scientists have been studying lemongrass for its ability to inhibit Staph and improve food preservation. This means lemongrass is a master in the cleaning department, especially in kitchens and bathrooms where mold and microbes tend to grow with gusto.  It is also known to be effective in inhibiting bacterial infections in the colon, stomach, urinary tracts, wounds, respiratory system, and other organ systems.

Combats Airborne Pathogens

A study in the United Kingdom showed that if lemongrass, along with geranium were diffused, bacteria like MRSA and strains of resistant bacteria were reduced by as much as 89%.

A Stress and Anxiety Fighter

Lemongrass essential oil is known to be a natural self-esteem booster that fosters confidence, hope and all around mental fortitude.  It can uplift your spirits and ward off depression.

In 2011, scientists worked to confirm the effects of lemongrass essential oil on stress and anxiety. Scientists were able to track the way the body processes the oil by evaluating neurotransmitters and their response to lemongrass essential oil. Their findings confirmed an anti-anxiety reaction.

The best method of administration for anxiety is inhalation, due to the oil reaching your limbic system in a matter of seconds.

Add two drops to your water or tea for a little dose of relaxation.

Can Lower Cholesterol

Many studies have proven that taking a mere 2 drops of lemongrass essential oil each day is an effective and simple way to balance your cholesterol levels.

Bug Repellant

The lemongrass plant itself is often grown for its natural bug repelling strength. In trials done in 2015, lemongrass appeared to match DEET’s performance as a mosquito repellent, minus those toxic chemicals and ugly side effects.

 Antiseptic

The antiseptic properties of lemongrass essential oil hinder cuts and wounds from becoming septic and is a powerful ingredient in antiseptic lotions and creams.

Diuretic

Lemongrass Oil increases urination, both in frequency and in quantity. Why is this beneficial for health?  When a person urinates, fats are eliminated from the body, because 4% of the volume of urine is composed of fats. Obviously, the more you urinate, the more you lose fat. Urination also promotes digestion and hinders the development of excess gas. It removes excess water from the body and reduces swelling.  Most important, urination removes toxins from the body and is known to reduce blood pressure. This is the reason that most pharmaceutical medications for lowering blood pressure induce frequent urination. Urination also helps clean out the kidneys.

Deodorant

Lemongrass Oil is far better choice than the synthetic deodorants that are on the market. Many studies have been done on the connection between deodorants/antiperspirants and breasts cancer.  According to the authors of these studies, most breast cancers develop in the upper and outer part of the breast; the area closest to the armpit, which is where deodorants/antiperspirants are applied. The studies suggest that chemicals including aluminum, are absorbed into the skin, especially when the skin is nicked during shaving. These studies claim that those chemicals may then interact with DNA and lead to cancerous changes in cells.  They can also interfere with the action of the female hormone estrogen, which is known to influence the growth of breast cancer cells.  Mix ½ cup (118 ml) witch hazel, ¼ cup (85 g) aloe vera gel, ¼ teaspoon (1.75 g) baking soda and 10 drops essential oil in a glass spray bottle.  Shake well before each use for an all-natural, lemongrass deodorant.

 Tonic

What the heck is a tonic?  A “tonic” is simply an agent which “tones up” your body systems and boosts overall health. Lemongrass Oil is a tonic in every sense of the word. It “tones” all the body systems, including the respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system and excretory system and facilitates the absorption of nutrients into the body.

With its light, fresh, citrus aroma, its refreshing, rejuvenating, stimulating, and emotional balancing properties, and its many health benefits; Lemongrass essential oil will become a valuable piece in your oil collection.

The information contained in this article is meant for educational purposes only and not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.   Statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This information should not be relied upon to determine dietary changes, a medical diagnosis or courses of treatment. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these products.