12 Health Benefits of Lemongrass Essential Oil

Lemongrass is commonly used as a seasoning for dishes and as an ingredient in herbal medicine. Lemongrass essential oil is not only an aromatherapy to reduce stress but also offers many health benefits. Discover more in the article below!

What is lemongrass essential oil?

Lemongrass essential oil is a natural extract derived from the leaves and stems of the lemongrass plant, known for its pleasant aroma. Diffusing lemongrass essential oil is a common method used to soothe the mind, reduce stress, and alleviate depression.

In addition, lemongrass oil is refined to treat digestive issues and high blood pressure. Moreover, lemongrass essential oil has many other benefits and is considered to have potential applications for supporting the treatment of health problems.

Health Benefits of Lemongrass Essential Oil

Antioxidant

Antioxidants help combat harmful free radicals and oxidative stress in the body. As a result, cellular tissues are protected, the aging process is slowed, and the invasion and attack of harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses are limited.

In a 2015 test-tube study, lemongrass was shown to have strong antioxidant properties and effectively eliminate free radicals.

Antibacterial

Lemongrass is often used in medicinal remedies to prevent infections and help wounds heal faster. A 2010 study showed the effectiveness of lemongrass essential oil against many drug-resistant bacteria, including those causing skin infections, blood infections, gastrointestinal infections, and pneumonia.

Antifungal

According to a scientific publication from 1996, lemongrass essential oil can inhibit the growth of four types of dermatophytes (M. gypseum, T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, and E. floccosum). One of these four causes athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch.
Additionally, researchers found that a solution containing at least 2.5% lemongrass essential oil is needed to have antifungal effects.

Anti-inflammatory and Pain Relief

Lemongrass contains an anti-inflammatory compound called citral. Accordingly, a study conducted on animals also showed the strong anti-inflammatory potential of lemongrass essential oil on carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. Additionally, this essential oil also has anti-inflammatory effects when topically applied to rats with ear edema.

Moreover, the citral compound in lemongrass essential oil can help relieve pain due to its ability to inhibit inflammatory responses. A 2017 study on individuals with rheumatoid arthritis found that applying lemongrass oil to the inflamed area reduced pain. On average, pain levels decreased from 80% to 50% over 30 days.

Deodorizing and Repelling Insects

Lemongrass essential oil emits a gentle fragrance of lemongrass, orange, and lemon, which can alleviate unpleasant odors such as tobacco, mustiness, and pet smells. Furthermore, lemongrass essential oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help clean the air and eliminate unpleasant odors caused by bacteria and mold.

Additionally, mosquitoes and insects typically dislike the smell of lemongrass essential oil. Therefore, diffusing lemongrass essential oil can effectively repel mosquitoes and insects.

Preventing Gastric Ulcers and Reducing Nausea

A 2012 animal study explored the effects of lemongrass essential oil on ethanol and aspirin-induced gastric ulcers. The results showed that lemongrass essential oil effectively protected the stomach from damage (76-88%) and could be a potential method for treating gastric ulcers.

Furthermore, lemongrass has been commonly used in herbal teas and supports nausea treatment. While dried lemongrass leaves are often used in herbal products, using lemongrass essential oil for aromatherapy also provides similar benefits.

Reducing Diarrhea

There are currently no studies on the effects of lemongrass on diarrhea in humans, but a 2006 animal study showed that lemongrass helped alleviate diarrhea symptoms (with an effectiveness of 59%), possibly due to its ability to slow bowel movements and reduce stool volume in castor oil-induced diarrhea in rats.

Thus, citral—the active ingredient in lemongrass essential oil—has shown diarrhea-reducing effects (preventing dehydration) almost equivalent to the standard treatment drug loperamide.

Lowering Blood Cholesterol Levels

A 2017 study demonstrated the effects of lemongrass essential oil in supporting the treatment of high blood cholesterol levels. Ethanol extracts from lemongrass leaves reduced cholesterol levels in an experiment on rats.

Moreover, this experiment also showed positive responses to varying doses of lemongrass essential oil, indicating that blood cholesterol levels decreased proportionally with the concentration of lemongrass essential oil.

Regulating Blood Sugar and Lipid Levels

In a 2007 experimental study on rats with high blood sugar levels, the rats were given lemongrass essential oil in doses of 125–500mg over 42 days.

The results showed that lemongrass oil reduced blood sugar levels. Furthermore, lipid indices also changed positively, and good cholesterol (HDL) levels increased.

Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Aromatherapy has long been believed to reduce stress and anxiety, particularly when combined with massage therapy.

A 2015 study evaluated the effects of massage therapy using lemongrass and almond oils. Participants were massaged with the oils once a week for three weeks, and the results showed an improvement in hypertension.

High blood pressure is a result of prolonged stress, and the study demonstrated the effects of lemongrass essential oil in supporting the treatment of conditions related to mental states.

Relieving Headaches and Migraines

In a 2009 medical report, researchers in Australia believed that a compound in lemongrass called eugenol has pain-relieving properties similar to aspirin. Previously, lemongrass had also been included in many traditional Australian medicines for treating headaches.

According to the research, eugenol is thought to prevent platelet aggregation—a cause of blood clots that can lead to blocked blood vessels and headaches.

Additionally, eugenol also promotes the release of serotonin—a hormone that helps regulate mood, improve sleep, and enhance cognitive function.

Alleviating Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Lemongrass essential oil can help improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

A 2017 study evaluated the effects of lemongrass essential oil on 30 individuals (aged 35-70) with rheumatoid arthritis. Each person applied 3mg of lemongrass essential oil daily to the inflamed and painful area for 30 days. The results showed significant pain relief.

3. How to Use Lemongrass Essential Oil Safely and Effectively

Although lemongrass essential oil offers many benefits, it can also cause some unwanted side effects. Therefore, before using essential oil, you should do the following:

• Using lemongrass essential oil correctly will increase its effectiveness and ensure safety for your health. Therefore, you can refer to the following ways to incorporate essential oil into your daily personal care routine:
• Massage: Mix 3-5 drops of lemongrass essential oil into a teaspoon (about 10ml) of carrier oil (coconut oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil), then gently massage to help relax the mind, reduce fatigue, and stress.
• Aromatherapy: Add a few drops of lemongrass essential oil to an essential oil diffuser (depending on the size of the room) to create a gentle and relaxing fragrance in the space.
  Steam Inhalation: Add a few drops of lemongrass essential oil to the steaming water to help increase sweating, relieve colds, and enhance alertness.
• Use personal care products made from lemongrass oil: Opt for shampoos, body washes, conditioners, or other personal care products that incorporate lemongrass essential oil in their formula to soothe mental stress and fatigue, bringing a feeling of freshness and invigoration.

Additionally, you can directly add lemongrass essential oil to the floor or a corner of the room to naturally spread the fragrance, eliminate odors, and repel insects.