Common Name:	Lemongrass
Botanical Name:	Cymbopogon citratus
Botanical Description:	Lemongrass oil is distilled from Cymbopogon citratus leaves. Reaching five feet in height, lemongrass is a wildly growing perennial closely related to the citronella plant and palmarosa.
Origin:	Native to Sri Lanka, but cultivated mainly in Guatemala.
Distillation:	The leaves of lemongrass contain an essential oil extracted by steam distillation. The leaves are chopped and partially dried before oil extraction.
Appearance:	Light yellow to amber colored, not sticky or viscous
Aroma:	Sweet and lemony, with an earthy, citronella-like nuance

Lemongrass is related to the citronella plant. The lemongrass plant works well with chilies, in cilantro recipes, curry recipes, marinade recipes, garlic recipes, and as lemongrass tea. Lemongrass oil has been used for tension headaches, in natural skin care products diluted with a carrier like jojoba oil, in natural insecticides, and homemade perfume. Citronella oil, oil from juniper berries, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, rose oil, lemon oil, and clary sage blend well with lemongrass oil.

Lemongrass is a slender-leafed, tall, tropical grass of the Gramineae family with a fresh, lemony, citrus scent that gives the user a clean and refreshed, relaxed, renewed, and inspired feeling due to its healing aromatic properties. Though native to Asia, it is now cultivated in warm climates all over the world, including India, China, England, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Thailand where it's called takrai, Paraguay, Africa, Central America, South America, and in U.S. states California and Florida. This fast-growing plant is harvested four times per year. It grows as a perennial in the tropics, but an annual in other areas.

There are two species and numerous varieties. Cymbopogon citratus, also known as West Indian lemongrass or fever grass, is native to India and Ceylon and began being cultivated and distilled in Kevala, India in the 1880s. Cymbopogon flexuosus, also known as East Indian lemongrass, cochin, or Malabar grass, is native to India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Burma. Even though the two species are interchangeable, Cymbopogon citratus is considered the better choice for culinary purposes. 

Perfumists use the fresh, earthy scent of lemongrass oil often for its ability to blend well with many other essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, geranium oil, oil from juniper berries, lavender oil, and rose oil. Lemongrass is often substituted for more expensive oils such as verbena and melissa oil because it is less expensive since the scent quickly evaporates. Try this wonderful, affordable scent in homemade perfume blends and refreshing potpourris.

Citral, the major constituent in the amber/yellow oil as well as lemon peel, gives a potent, refreshing lemony scent often used in detergents, refreshing room sprays, and natural insecticides. Brighten moods by adding a few drops of lemongrass oil to a light bulb ring or room diffuser.

Lemongrass has historically been used as a food flavoring in Asia and in India as a hair wash by crushing the fresh leaves in water. Africans and Indians have treated fevers with lemongrass tea, which is why it is often called fever grass. It has also been used for washing and perfuming the body.

Lemongrass' distinctive lemony, slightly gingery flavor and aroma, is a mainstay in many of cuisines. It is used in Thai, Vietnamese, Caribbean, Indonesian, Malaysian, Sri Lankan, and Indian cooking. It is often used with meats, poultry, seafood, vegetables, salads, and main dishes. It combines especially well with coconut milk, chicken and seafood, and with garlic recipes, chilies and cilantro recipes.

As an herb, lemongrass' wonderful taste isn't too strong, so experiment with it. Try it in curry recipes, marinade recipes, stew recipes, hot and sour seafood soups, pickles, teas and other beverages, and even baked goods and sweets. Look for fresh lemongrass stalks at the supermarket. To substitute dried lemongrass for fresh in your recipe, use one teaspoon per one fresh stalk or two teaspoons fresh chopped lemongrass. The fresh scent of lemongrass is also put to use in cosmetics and perfumery.

Lemongrass oil's clean, refreshing scent is great in body care products since it is especially good for oily, acne-prone skin and lackluster hair. Lemongrass makes an excellent addition to deodorants, soaps, cosmetics, shampoos, skin lotions, and tonics. Lemongrass essential oil has many other uses as well. As an addition in massage oils, lemongrass helps relieve stress, tension headaches, and muscular general aches and pains. Use as a bath oil, adding a few drops of lemongrass essential oil to bath water. Try as a homemade skin or massage oil by mixing a few drops of essential oil to 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup of base oil such as sweet almond or jojoba oil. Also, enhance existing skin care products by adding a few drops of lemongrass oil. Even though lemongrass oil is nontoxic, it is strong. Therefore, dilute well before using directly on skin.

Lemongrass is valued by aromatherapists for its ability to calm, revitalize, relieve tension, invigorate, and inspire.

Lemongrass Oil Recipes:

Spring Fresh Room Spray
* 4 drops lemongrass oil
* 8 drops fir needle
* 2 drops lemon oil
* 2 drops citronella oil
* 2 oz. distilled water
Add oils to the distilled water and pour into spritzer bottle. This delightfully scented blend refreshes rooms and closets, filling homes with a spring scent.

Lemongrass Skin Tonic
* 6 drops of lavender oil
* 1 drop of clary sage
* 1 drop chamomile essential oil
* 4 drops lemongrass oil
* 2 oz. distilled water
Add essential oils to the distilled water and pour into a spritzer bottle. Close eyes and mist skin. Store in the refrigerator and use for a cooling, refreshing lift.

For more ways to use lemongrass and other essential oils, click Aromatherapy Usage. To view herbs for potpouri or other uses, click on letters of herbs beginning with: 

|  A - B  |  C   |  D - F  |  G - H  |  I - L  |  M - O  |  P - R  |  S  |  T - Z  | 

To learn more about aromatherapy, click Learn and view topics under Aromatherapy, Essential Oils, & Lavender. See items under Aromatherapy Oil Information & Recipes to learn more about individual essential oils and the plants from which they come with more aromatherapy recipes included.

back to top