11 Invigorating Benefits of Lemongrass Essential Oil Unraveled
Dig into the awesome health benefits of lemongrass essential oil, from easing stress to boosting skin health. Discover the safest ways to use it for maximum wellness.
Lemongrass, that scrumptious Asian herb, isn't just great for meals – it kicks butt as an essential oil too! Roll up your sleeves for a deep dive into all the happiness lemongrass oil could bring to your mind and body.
Keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration doesn't oversee or ensure the purity or quality of essential oils, so it's essential to consult your healthcare provider before you start using lemongrass oil, and to research the reliability of a brand's products. Always conduct a patch test prior to trying a new essential oil.
So, here's what we're chattering about when it comes to lemongrass oil's potential health benefits:
- Powerful antibacterial properties:Lemongrass oil may help fight off Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria, which can cause infections in your lungs, urinary tract, and blood (eek!)[1] However, more studies on humans are necessary to fully understand its effectiveness.
- Antifungal prowess:In a study testing various types of fungi, lemongrass oil proved effective against Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, and Aspergillus niger fungi. This means it could tackle fungal infections, but again, more human research is needed.[2]
- Anti-inflammatory skills:Christened with compounds like citral and geranial, lemongrass oil may have anti-inflammatory properties.[3] A research project on mice found that oral and topical lemongrass oil helped to reduce inflammation. However, more studies are required to confirm these healing effects on humans.
- Mighty pain relief:Since lemongrass could combat inflammation, there's also a possibility it could ease pain. A study on folks with rheumatoid arthritis demonstrated that daily topical lemongrass oil application alleviated pain, with pain levels generally dropping to around 50% within a month.[4] More studies are needed to confirm this pain-relieving power.
- Wicked antioxidants:Lemongrass oil might have some crowd-pleasing antioxidant properties that could strengthen your oral health. In one study examining mouthwashes, lemongrass oil had strong antioxidant effects.[5] Still, more studies are needed to establish its effectiveness and exactly which concentrations are most potent.
- Could be a digestion controversy:There's some anecdotal evidence pointing to lemongrass helping quell nausea, pain, bloating, and cramping caused by various gastrointestinal conditions. A study on mice discovered that lemongrass oil helped to prevent gastric ulcers, but more human studies are necessary to verify its effectiveness.[6]
- Diarrhea data dispute:Research suggests that lemongrass could help battle diarrhea. Nevertheless, more studies are required to determine if it can truly stop the trots.[7]
- Potential cholesterol control:Lemongrass oil may have heart-healthy perks, as scientific studies on rats indicate that it can cut back hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat particles in the blood).[8] However, we still require more research to see how it influences cholesterol numbers in humans.
- Blood sugar balancing act:Lemongrass oil could help regulate blood sugar in individuals with Type 2 diabetes, as per an animal study. The researchers administered lemongrass oil orally to rats over 42 days and found that it helped reduce blood sugar and upped HDL (good) cholesterol levels.[9] Keep in mind that this is not definitive confirmation of lemongrass's ability to manage blood sugar levels alone.
- Stress and anxiety reducing techniques:Some people use lemongrass oil as a means to de-stress. Pop it in your aromatherapy, mindfulness, or yoga routine, as it might boost the anxiety-busting powers of therapeutic massage practices. A study exploring the use of sweet almond and lemongrass oils in massage therapy suggested a drop in diastolic blood pressure among participants who received weekly massages for 3 weeks.[10] More studies are needed to establish lemongrass oil's stress-relieving abilities for sure.
- Headache and migraine relief:Lemongrass oil might bring some relief to your throbbing noggin. A study found that native Australian lemongrass could alleviate headache and migraine pain, with a compound called eugenol likely being the reason behind its aspirin-like effects. As always, more concrete proof is necessary.[11]
Lemongrass essential oil precautions
Though diluted lemongrass oil is generally acknowledged as safe by the Food and Drug Administration, watch out for these side effects:
- Toxin watch:Watch out for lemongrass oil's potential toxicity when ingested. It can also pose a hazard to kids and pets, so avoid using it internally and keep it safely stashed away where they can't reach it.
- Skin sensitivity:Some folks can have an adverse reaction to lemongrass oil, including a rash, itching, hives, blistering, or redness. Reduce your risk by diluting lemongrass oil with a carrier oil before using it on the skin, steering clear of damaged areas, using high-quality oil without added fillers or fragrances, and beingware if you have sensitive skin or conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
- Daylight delays:Lemongrass oil can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight, so take caution while basking outdoors.
- Pregnancy and lactation:If you're pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition, consult a healthcare professional before using lemongrass oil.
- Pet protection:Keep lemongrass oil out of reach of pets as it could be toxic to them.[12]
- Safe storage and handling:Stash lemongrass oil in dark glass bottles away from heat and direct sunlight to preserve its effectiveness and safety.[13] Label homemade cleaning products containing lemongrass oil clearly for safety purposes.
In essence, lemongrass oil might offer some mind-blowing benefits for your body, such as antibacterial, antifungal, and anxiety-relieving effects. But, more research is needed to uncover lemongrass's true tricks (so keep that in mind!). When diluted, lemongrass oil is generally considered safe for topical or inhalation usage as long as you stick to high-quality products, proceed with caution in special circumstances, and avoid ingestion!
- In addition to its culinary uses, lemongrass oil may help manage symptoms of hyperlipidemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of fat particles in the blood, as some scientific studies on rats have suggested its potential to reduce these levels.
- For individuals suffering from stress or anxiety, lemongrass oil could provide relief when incorporated into aromatherapy, mindfulness, or yoga routines, as it might boost the calming properties of therapeutic massage practices.
- However, it's essential to discontinue using lemongrass oil if you experience any adverse reactions, such as skin sensitivity, irritation, or sun sensitivity, and always consult your healthcare provider before using any essential oil, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or dealing with medical conditions like hyperlipidemia, eczema, or psoriasis.
