Lemongrass Essential Oil
Cymbopogon flexuosus — Steam Distilled — India
Lemongrass has been woven into the fabric of Asian culinary, medicinal, and aromatic tradition for so long that its origins as a cultivated plant are difficult to trace — it simply appears, consistently and purposefully, across Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Indian, and Chinese traditions as both a kitchen staple and a medicinal herb of genuine importance. In Ayurvedic practice it has been used for centuries for its clarifying, cooling, and purifying properties. In traditional Thai medicine it is a foundational ingredient in balms and preparations for physical discomfort. And in the kitchens of Southeast Asia it is the aromatic backbone of some of the world's most beloved cuisine.
The essential oil captures the most vivid and concentrated version of the plant's characteristic scent — bright, grassy, and intensely citrusy in a way that is immediately energising and clarifying. Cymbopogon flexuosus — the East Indian variety grown in the fertile growing regions of India — is considered the superior lemongrass for essential oil production, yielding a higher concentration of citral than its West Indian counterpart and producing an oil with exceptional aromatic potency and staying power.
Recommended uses:
Aromatherapy: Diffuse 5-7 drops for an immediately uplifting, space-clearing atmosphere that cuts through mental fog and brings a fresh, optimistic energy to any room. One of the most effective oils for neutralising stale, heavy, or unpleasant odours — lemongrass doesn't mask smells, it genuinely clears the air. Particularly effective in spaces that feel energetically heavy or emotionally congested.
Skincare: Add 1-2 drops to a carrier oil or unscented toner for a naturally astringent, clarifying, and pore-tightening skin treatment. Particularly well suited to oily or combination skin that needs toning and brightening. Dilute carefully at 0.5-1% for facial application — lemongrass is a potent oil and proper dilution is essential for facial use.
Natural insect deterrent: Blend 10-15 drops in a carrier oil or water-based spray for a naturally effective and genuinely pleasant-smelling alternative to synthetic insect repellents. The high citral content is responsible for its well-documented insect-deterring properties — one of the most practical and useful applications for outdoor gatherings and summer evenings.
Massage: Blend 3-5 drops in a carrier oil for an invigorating, circulation-stimulating massage that addresses both physical fatigue and mental tiredness simultaneously. Particularly effective for leg and foot massage after long days of standing or physical activity — the combination of lemongrass's invigorating quality and direct skin application is immediately refreshing.
DIY candles, soaps, and bath bombs: A powerful and popular addition to handmade products — the bright, clean citrus-grass note performs exceptionally well in cold-process soap and soy candles, adding a fresh, invigorating quality that feels both natural and genuinely distinctive.
Scent profile: Fresh, bright, and intensely citrusy with a distinctive grassy, slightly earthy depth that distinguishes it clearly from true lemon or citrus peel oils. More robust and assertive than lemon, with a green, living quality that feels genuinely plant-based rather than simply citrus. A top to middle note with excellent tenacity — it lasts longer in a blend than most citrus oils and holds its character throughout.
Blending: Lemongrass pairs beautifully with pine, lavender, lemon, cedarwood, and rosemary. Also exceptional with basil, peppermint, geranium, and frankincense. Use it to add a bright, grassy citrus energy to forest blends, or as the clarifying, invigorating top note in blends that need something more assertive and persistent than true citrus oils. A little goes a long way — start conservatively and build.
Safety: For external use only. Lemongrass is one of the more potent dermal sensitisers in the citrus family — always dilute carefully before skin application and perform a patch test before first use. Maximum 0.5-1% for facial application, up to 2% for body use. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes — lemongrass is particularly irritating to sensitive mucous membranes. Keep out of reach of children. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use during pregnancy or if you have sensitive or reactive skin conditions.