Lemongrass essential oil : properties, uses and natural remedies. From the price to the do-it-yourself, all the information on lemongrass oil.
Lemongrass oil
The essential lemongrass oil can be used in aromatherapy, for the preparation of ointments for massages, homemade candles and soaps DIY. The essential oil of citronella is not to be confused with ” the oil citronella ” commonly used for anti-mosquito torches.
When we talk about essential oils we refer to highly concentrated oily compounds of active ingredients and aromatic compounds, nothing to do with lemongrass oil. On the market, in fact, with the wording “lemongrass oil” you can buy a flammable alcohol-based oil. It is therefore a very different product from an essential oil. When you buy a citronella oil, if you do not use it in a mosquito flashlight, make sure it reads “essential oil of Lemongrass ” or “Citronella essential oil”.
The term lemongrass is used to indicate the lemongrass plant.
In any case, those on the hunt for natural remedies to ward off mosquitoes will still be able to take advantage of the repellent properties of lemongrass: with lemongrass essential oil it is possible to prepare anti-mosquito candles, sprays and other do-it-yourself repellents.
How to make homemade lemongrass candles
The essential oil of citronella has a very strong odour, not very pleasant but definitely effective to ward off mosquitoes naturally .
To take advantage of the repellent properties of lemongrass essential oil without the risk of generating unpleasant odours, we recommend mixing a few drops of lemongrass essential oil with other essential oils. Lemongrass is not the only essential oil to have repellent properties against insects and mosquitoes, there are oils with milder repellent properties but which have the advantage of giving off a more pleasant smell. To make homemade repellent candles, the scent of lemongrass essential oil can be enhanced by adding:
- essential oil of geranium
- Tea tree oil
- Peppermint essential oil
- The classic essential oils of thyme and lavender
To spread the smell in the room, you can prepare some DIY citronella candles or use an essential oil diffuser.
In summary, you can dissolve the residues of candles already used and implement a recycle practice, or buy beeswax or beeswax to be enriched with a few drops of lemongrass essential oil. It is a very simple DIY and affordable for everyone.
Lemongrass plant
The essential oil of citronella is derived from Cymbopogon nardus, a plant of the family Poaceae. It is best known for its repellent properties against mosquitoes and other insects.
From the Cymbopongon nardus plant we extract both the precious essential oil which is widely used to prepare incense, candles, soaps, cosmetics… and insecticides!
The United States Environmental Protection Agency considers lemongrass oil as a biopesticide (biological insecticide) as it repels mosquitoes and other small insects in a non – toxic way.
The lemongrass plant is an evergreen that forms tufts of grass up to 180 cm tall. The leaves are narrow, long and ribbon-shaped. They have a light green color and develop from creeping rhizomes. The essential oil is obtained from the leaves.
The plant emits a very timid flowering: it produces narrow and long panicles from 15 to 30 cm. The rhizomatous root is very difficult to eradicate, so in some countries it is considered a weed or even a harmful species. The lemongrass plant is native to tropical regions such as Eastern and Southern Africa and also grows spontaneously throughout South East Asia (Burma, Laos, Vietnam).
Lemongrass essential oil
In aromatherapy it is used for its anti-stress and soothing properties, it seems to be effective for the treatment of mild headaches and migraines caused by anxiety states.
The essential oil of citronella includes properties stimulants so that in aromatherapy is used to ward off states of sadness and depression. Experts speak of deodorant properties but probably its strong scent can cover other odours, so to perfume rooms it should be used with some care.
Thanks to its antispasmodic properties, lemongrass essential oil can be indicated in case of abdominal cramps, colitis, spasms and in general for all muscle pains. You can make a soothing ointment by adding a few drops of lemongrass oil to a carrier oil such as almond oil. In the absence of almond oil it is possible to use avocado oil, macadamia oil, coconut oil or any other vegetable oil, including olive oil.
Its antiseptic properties can be useful in case of oily skin. Add a few drops of lemongrass essential oil to the DIY sulfur soap recipe, great for eliminating pimples, blackheads and for treating oily skin. Absolutely to be avoided in case of dry and dehydrated skin.
How to use lemongrass essential oil
In addition to the uses listed above, here are other practical uses of lemongrass essential oil.
- Add 3 drops of lemongrass essential oil to the foot bath with a tablespoon of coarse salt to obtain an antiseptic action and slow down excessive sweating of the foot.
- For oily hair, add 2 drops of lemongrass essential oil to a neutral shampoo for a purifying action on the scalp. Excellent in case of oily hair and seborrhea.
- Add a few drops of lemongrass essential oil to the curtains to naturally repel mosquitoes and other insects.
How to make homemade lemongrass essential oil
Those who love DIY can try to prepare this essential oil. The lemongrass essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the leaves of the plant Cymbopogon nardus. The Cymbopogon nardus is native to Sri Lanka and is successfully grown in Ceylon and Java regions.
The plant forms dense tufts that reach a maximum length of 100 cm in home crops and up to 180 cm in its natural habitat. The leaves are very fragrant, so much so that it is enough to rub them between your fingers to obtain a very strong aroma able to remove insects in a natural way.
If you have several lemongrass plants in your backyard, you can try making a DIY essential oil by harvesting the leaves and using a modified pressure cooker. It is not easy to make essential oils without a distiller, the purchase of a good distiller sees a major investment.
