Lemongrass is a strong, fresh, grassy, citrusy, lemon peel-like, herbaceous and smoky smelling essential oil that serves as a great alternative to herbicides and toxins for pest control. Lemongrass can be grown anywhere, but it prefers warm, humid climates with plenty of sunshine and rainfall. Lemongrass is a fast-growing perennial grass that grows up to five feet high. It has bulbous stems and long sharp, narrow leaves. Lemongrass is sometimes mistaken for a weed.There are 50 different species of Lemongrass, and Cymbopogon flexuosus specifically is best for culinary and internal purposes. doTerra Lemongrass is sourced from southern India and safe for aromatic, topical and internal use.
When used in moderation, Lemongrass is an oil that prevents dry, oily skin and leaves an individual feeling utterly refreshed. Lemongrass contains purifying and toning benefits for the skin, and can be used in your skin care routine to help promote pure, toned skin. Add a few drops of Lemongrass essential oil to your daily cleanser or moisturizer to help tone and purify skin. It can also help strengthen hair, promote hair growth, and relieve itching in the scalp. Mix a few drops into your shampoo or conditioner. Its citrus essence promotes a fresh feeling in the scalp.
Lemongrass is a soothing and purifying oil and can be used for massage. Lemongrass can also be used after running, or any type of strenuous workout for it’s soothing benefits. Add a few drops of Lemongrass to a carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil is what I use) and apply to muscles for a refreshing feeling. Lemongrass oil can also help promote the appearance of healthy fingernails and toenails. To experience these benefits of Lemongrass, try combining it with tea tree essential oil and apply the mixture to your fingernails and toenails to help them look and feel clean.
Lemongrass oil can be used as an insect repellent. Its strong and distinct smell can repel insects like mosquitoes and bugs so it is a very good travel essential. Mix it in with your perfume, lotion or you can also opt to diffuse it with an aromatherapy bracelet. If you like to camp, you can dilute a few drops of oil in water and spray your tent to ward off unwanted insects.
Lemongrass helps to prevent the growth of some unwanted threats and yeast due to its purifying properties. Just add a few drops to a bucketful of water along with a splash of vinegar for a terrific no-rinse floor washing solution. It can also help relieve puffiness and itching because of its astringent properties. Apply the Lemongrass topically to insect bites or dilute a few drops in carrier oil before applying to rashes or other skin irritations.
For many years, Lemongrass has been a common ingredient to add flavor to Asian soups, curries, beef, fish, teas, and more. It is also widely used in baked goods or candies in the food industry because of its distinct flavor. If you want to utilize the powerful flavor of Lemongrass essential oil, consider adding a few drops to entrees or meat dishes. Try this Coconut Lemongrass Red Lentil Soup and enjoy the unique flavors of Lemongrass, ginger root, coconut milk, lentils, and more. Using Lemongrass internally may also help promote healthy digestion.
Lemongrass is the oil of cleansing. Lemongrass essential oil is beneficial when working through emotions of resentment. Lemongrass helps you to let go of the past, increases clarity and cleanses the mind. Helpful to those who need to shed toxic energy, feel despair and who hoard possessions. Lemongrass helps to clear the chakras, especially the 6th chakra, the third eye chakra.
To encourage feelings of spiritual clarity, cleansing use Lemongrass aromatically. To use Lemongrass for it’s emotional benefits, simply inhale it from the bottle, place a drop or two on your hands and inhale from cupped hands, or mix with some fractionated coconut oil and place it over your third eye, (the space on your forehead between your brows). Close your eyes and allow whatever feelings emerge to come through. Breathe in the scent and allow those feelings to wash over you. Chant clarifying affirmations to yourself or out loud such as:
- I communicate clearly and consciously from my deepest truth.
- My inner vision is clear and focused.
- My mind is strong, open, and clear.
- I am clear on who I am.
- I am clear on what I want.
- I am clear on where I’m headed.
- I trust my intuition to guide me in making good decisions.
Journal your feelings and remember to be kind to yourself.
Lemongrass aids the spirit by promoting clarity, and the dissolution of negative emotions. Lemongrass is a powerful cleaner of energy. Lemongrass essential oil can be used to improve lack of concentration, discernment and clarity. Lemongrass can help you recover from emotional exhaustion and get a better night’s sleep. Also, the continued use of Lemongrass sharpens intuition.
I use Lemongrass in my after shower daily moisturizer. I also love diffusing it throughout my home. Here are some diffuser blends for you to try:
