Lemongrass Oil

LEMONGRASS, Cymbopogon flexuosus, C. citratus (Plant Family: Poaceae)

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Type of plant: Perennial grass with long thin leaves, usually growing to around 3 feet high.

Part used: Leaves.

Method of extraction: Steam distillation.

Data: Either fresh or partly dried leaves are distilled. Lemongrass is best known as an important component of Indian and other Asian cooking, where the bulb is also utilized, and it is also used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Widely used as an insect deterrent.

Principal places of production: Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Guatemala, Brazil.

When buying look for: A pale-yellow to golden-yellow liquid with a herbaceous, earthy, citrus aroma.

Therapeutic properties: Analgesic, anthelmintic, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, depurative, digestive & diuretic.

Therapeutic uses: Muscular aches and pains, gastrointestinal disorders, indigestion, colitis, diuretic, detoxifying, cellulite, fever, nonspecific infection, physical and mental exhaustion, acne, pimples, insect bites & insect repellent.

Blends well with: Basil, black pepper, caraway seed, cedarwood, clary sage, coriander seed, cypress, eucalyptus peppermint, eucalyptus radiata, fennel (sweet), fragonia, geranium, ginger, immortelle, juniper berry, lavender (spike), manuka, orange (sweet), oregano, palmarosa, patchouli, peppermint, pimento berry, plai, ravintsara, rosemary, spearmint, tea tree, thyme linalol, vetiver & ylang ylang.

Precautionary advice: May cause irritation on highly sensitive skins; a skin patch test is advisable. Best avoided during pregnancy. Best avoided if using multiple medications. GRAS status.

Source: The Source: The complete book of Essential oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood.