Lemongrass Essential Oil

Oil Properties:
Scent: lemony, sweet smell
Odor Intensity: Medium
Evaporation Rate: Top Note
Color: Amber-yellow

SAFETY: Possible irritant to sensitive skin or when used in strong dilution.  Do not use on damaged skin.  Avoid in pregnancy.

Uses:

Lemongrass oil helps tone the muscles and slack tissue, relieves muscle pains and helps with poor circulation. Lemongrass oil has great benefits as a muscle and skin toner, assists in clearing up oily skin and acne and revitalizes the body and mind.  Lemongrass essential oil is found most often in cosmetics such as hair conditioner, facial water, lotion, and vinegar for oily hair and skin.

As an insect repellant it helps to keep pets clean from fleas, ticks and lice.  Add Lemongrass essential oil to water or vinegar and spray in the air, on a countertop, or along walls and floors, to repel insects and prevent mold and mildew growth.    According to researchers, it is more effective against staph infection than either penicillin or streptomycin. 

Lemongrass oil revitalizes the body; it relieves some of the symptoms of jetlag, clears headaches and helps with nervous exhaustion and stress-related conditions.

Origin of Lemongrass oil:

Lemongrass is a perennial fast-growing aromatic grass, growing to about 1 meter (3 feet) high with long, thin leaves.

Originally growing wild in India, it produces a network of roots and rootlets that rapidly exhaust the soil.

In India it is known as 'choomana poolu' and is also referred to as 'Indian Verbena' or 'Indian Melissa oil'.

In Ayurvedic medicine Lemongrass is used to help bring down fevers and  treat infectious illnesses. It is a valuable ingredient in perfumes and citrus-type soaps and is also an insect deterrent.

Extraction:

Steam distillation of fresh or partly dried leaves

Chemical composition:

 Citral, Farnesol, Nerol, Citronellal and Myrcene. 

Blends well with:

Basil, Cedarwood, Geranium, Lavender, Tea Tree