Fresh and with a hint of lemon, this oil is widely used in Malay, Thai and Southeast Asian cuisines in general. Lemongrass essential oil is used in aromatherapy as a stress hormone brake and circulatory stimulant.
Product Details
Name: Lemongrass
Scientific Name: Cymbopogon flexuosus
Method of extraction: Steam distillation
Part of plant: Grass
Country of origin: India
Main Components: Geranial (39.99%), Neral (30.00%)
Health
Anxiolytic
Some people prefer less calming and sleep-inducing oils than lavender. Lemongrass oil is excellent because, in addition to being anxiolytic, it helps with stress management and promotes milder relaxation. In a 2015 study, there was a faster effect compared to tea tree oil (no anxiolytic or calming effect) [1].
Circulatory problems
Useful in case of circulatory problems due to the concentration of limonene, having as main property a lipid-lowering action (lipid suppressor). This oil helps dilate blood vessels and promote better circulation to the body, also helping to lower blood pressure. Helps relieve the feeling of heavy legs and varicose veins.
Digestive and liver problems
Due to its composition rich in citral, this oil is very suitable for stimulating the digestive and hepatic spheres. It helps with colic, gas and indigestion, even through teas, which have a lower concentration of this compound. Useful in liver failure.
Anti-inflammatory
Citral allows you to modulate the body's response to an aggression suffered - such as inflammation -, and soothes the sensation of heat and the resulting redness.
Other uses
It also has an appetite suppressant effect, a welcome bonus after helping to control anxiety and stress. This oil tones the nervous system and is recommended in case of intellectual fatigue. It helps the body to strengthen its immune defenses, which allows it to take effective action against flu symptoms.
Precautions
Test a small area of the forearm before any use to check for possible allergy or reaction. It is an oil that can cause skin irritation if used neat or improperly diluted. Not recommended for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers or children under 5 years of age. We do not recommend oral use, it can damage the mucous membranes, liver and stomach [2]. People undergoing chemotherapy should avoid the oil as it can interfere with the actions of some chemotherapeutic agents.
How to use
As said, the oil should be diluted whenever it is used, as it can cause a slight skin allergy if not diluted or poorly diluted in a vegetable base.
Dilution up to 20% for local massages, for 2 to 3 weeks.
References
[1] Goes TC, Ursulino FR, Almeida-Souza TH, Alves PB, Teixeira-Silva F. Effect of Lemongrass Aroma on Experimental Anxiety in Humans. J Altern Complement Med. 2015;21(12):766-773. doi:10.1089/acm.2015.0099
[2] Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Lemongrass. Updated February 14, 2020.