Lemongrass Essential Oil Benefits: 8 Healing Uses & Safety Tips

QUICK SUMMARY

Lemongrass essential oil is one of the most useful “medicinal” oils in the natural health toolbox. Steam-distilled from the fragrant blades of Cymbopogon grass, it is especially rich in citral, including geranial and neral, which helps explain its bold lemony aroma and many of its research-backed benefits.

Lemongrass oil has been studied for antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anxiety-relieving, cholesterol-supporting, bug-repelling, and cancer-fighting activity. Some of the most exciting findings are preclinical, including cell and animal research showing that lemongrass essential oil can kill cancer cells and trigger apoptosis, while human aromatherapy studies show measurable anxiety support.

The best ways to use lemongrass essential oil are diffusion, inhalation, DIY cleaning blends, outdoor sprays, and very low-dilution topical applications. Because lemongrass is high in citral, always dilute it well and keep leave-on topical use at or below 0.7%.

Lemongrass essential oil benefits are potent, top the charts for its antimicrobial capacity, and make it one of the most “medicinal” natural remedies available. That’s why learning how to properly incorporate lemongrass into your natural health regimen is so important!

Lemongrass History & Properties

Originating in the East, lemongrass and its oils have been part of local traditions and medicine for centuries. With the resurgence of essential oils worldwide and increasing popularity in the US, lemongrass essential oil uses have become one of the more popular choices in aromatherapy. Science is beginning to verify many traditional uses, uncover its mechanisms of benefit, and expand our understanding of how this powerhouse oil may support the body.

In gardening circles, lemongrass is a beautiful ornamental grass that helps repel mosquitoes. In fact, whole “grass gardens” of intentionally grown grass meant for aesthetics are popping up, and lemongrass is a favorite. Outside of trendy garden spaces, lemongrass is a culinary staple in Thai cuisine as an herb with the intense flavor of – you guessed it! – lemons.

Distilled from the dried blades of grass, Cymbopogon flexuosus has many chemical components that contribute to its beneficial actions. They include alcohols, ketones, terpenes, aldehydes, and esters. Many of these categories of chemicals are known for therapeutic effects on the body, but citral is one of the benefits of lemongrass essential oil to really pay attention to.

A 2025 GC/MS analysis of Cymbopogon citratus volatile oil found that it was dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes, especially α-citral at 36.08%, β-citral at 34.22%, and β-myrcene at 13.84% (1). Put simply, this is a citral-rich oil, and that chemistry helps explain why lemongrass can be so effective and why we also need to respect it.

We see that strength play out in its many beneficial actions. To list a few, lemongrass essential oil uses have been studied for the following actions (2, 3):

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antifungal
• Antimutagenic
• Antimalarial
• Antioxidant
• Antiparasitic
• Detoxification support
• Neurobehavioral support
• Pain relief
• Lowering cholesterol
• Antimicrobial cleaning support
• Cancer-fighting activity in preclinical research

One of the first capabilities I look for is that it’s an antioxidant because that indicates an active healing effect. Antioxidants are often described as scavengers, searching for free radicals to stop and damage to reverse. Lemongrass stands among the antioxidant scavengers, making it an ally in all kinds of metabolic, chronic, and even cancerous illness pathways (1, 3).

Since research has shown antioxidants to have a positive impact on reducing the impact of carcinogens in the body, it’s exciting to explore the possibility that essential oils expressing antioxidant activity may have in the fight against cancer. The compound citral is a perfect example. In animal research, citral helped protect against UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines and increasing apoptosis in the skin (4). Next to lemon myrtle, lemongrass essential oil contains one of the richest natural concentrations of citral, which is one reason it has earned its reputation as a potent detoxifying and protective oil.

Here’s the thing: lemongrass is not lemon essential oil. Lemon oil comes from citrus peel and is rich in d-limonene. Lemongrass oil comes from aromatic grass and is rich in citral. Both smell bright and lemony, but their chemistry, safety guidelines, and strongest uses are different.

8 Healing Properties of Lemongrass Oil

In addition to the potential impact of antioxidant activity we’ve seen above, lemongrass essential oil may help heal the body primarily because it is comprised of geranial and neral, both found in other citrus-like essential oils. It exhibits a few properties pretty strongly, with a range of applications that extend from those benefits. Here are 8 actions that underscore lemongrass essential oil’s strengths.

1. Anti-inflammatory

Inflammation can rear its ugly head in chronic illness, pain, skin conditions, and more. This is important because inflammation is not just a “symptom.” It is one of the destructive processes that can affect the whole body when it stays turned on too long.

This is why we focus on the foundations first: an anti-inflammatory diet, movement, deep breathing, prayer, quality sleep, and reducing the toxic burden in our homes. Essential oils are powerful, but they work best as part of a full biblical health lifestyle.

It’s one of the reasons researchers in Algeria took the time to evaluate lemongrass in 2014. They evaluated the results of a topical lemongrass essential oil preparation on mice for anti-inflammatory effects as well as antifungal effects. The results were clear enough that they noted lemongrass “clearly…inhibits” the skin inflammatory response (5).

Application: Add 1 drop of lemongrass essential oil to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil and massage into tense shoulders, tired muscles, or occasional areas of discomfort. For leave-on topical use, keep lemongrass at or below 0.7%, which is about 4 drops per ounce of carrier oil.

2. Antifungal

Lemongrass essential oil is a serious antifungal oil. In the same 2014 study, antifungal properties were examined against multiple fungal enemies, including the dreaded Candida albicans. With what may be a surprising twist, inhalation seemed to be the strongest application against candida in that research model. The final results were that lemongrass exhibits “noteworthy potential” for antifungal drug development (5).

In another study conducted a few years earlier, lemongrass oil and citral showed potent in vitro activity against Candida species (6). A 2021 in vitro study also found that lemongrass essential oil helped eradicate pre-established Candida albicans biofilm (7).

This is where we need to think bigger than a single oil. Fungal imbalance is often tied to sugar intake, immune health, gut terrain, moisture, medications, and overall toxic burden. Lemongrass can be a powerhouse, but your daily habits still matter.

See other powerhouse essential oils to use for antifungal purposes.

Application: Diffuse lemongrass with tea tree, lavender, or geranium for a fresh, cleansing aroma. For topical fungal concerns, dilute very carefully and avoid sensitive areas, mucous membranes, and broken skin.

3. Antimicrobial

To take lemongrass from an antifungal for the body to a super-cleaning oil as well, lemongrass does in fact have antimicrobial benefits. Food scientists and microbiology researchers have continued to monitor lemongrass for its ability to inhibit bacteria, fungi, and other microbes, and recent reviews describe lemongrass essential oil as a promising natural option for food safety and preservation applications (3, 8).

Even more recently, 2024 research examined the antimicrobial and synergistic effects of lemongrass and geranium essential oils against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida species (9). That does not mean we use essential oils instead of proper sanitation, but it does reinforce what natural-living families have known for years: lemongrass is a powerhouse in the cleaning department.

For you and I, this means lemongrass is especially useful in the kitchen and bathrooms where mold and microbes really take hold. The original study discussed in this article used a 4% dilution amount for the antimicrobial application. That is a cleaning-level dilution, not a leave-on skin dilution.

Application: Add lemongrass to DIY cleaners for kitchen counters, trash cans, sinks, toilets, and bathroom surfaces. Pair it with lemon, tea tree, citronella, eucalyptus, or geranium for a fresh, cleansing blend. Avoid vinegar-based cleaners on granite and natural stone.

4. Combat Airborne Pathogens

Diffuse lemongrass with geranium to replicate 2009 efforts to mitigate airborne and surface bacteria in a UK study. Researchers found that essential oil vapors inhibited antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in vitro and reduced surface and airborne levels of bacteria, including MRSA-related testing models (10).

Reality check: diffusion is not a replacement for washing hands, cleaning surfaces, opening windows, changing air filters, or getting appropriate medical care when infection is involved. But it can be a beautiful part of a healthier home rhythm, especially when you are intentionally reducing synthetic fragrance and harsh chemical cleaners.

Add lemongrass to DIY cleaners for kitchen counters to limit surface microbes and bacteria and for bathrooms to inhibit the growth of mold. Diffuse in the car and home for airborne cleansing properties.

Application: Diffuse 1 drop lemongrass and 2 drops geranium for 30 minutes in a well-ventilated room. Use less around children, pets, people with asthma, and anyone sensitive to strong aromas.

5. Anxiolytic (Anxiety Relief)

Folk use of lemongrass includes anti-anxiety treatments, and in 2011, scientists worked to confirm these effects. By evaluating neurotransmitters in mice and their response to lemongrass exposure, they were able to track the way the body processes the oil. Their findings centered around GABA receptors in the brain and confirmed an anti-anxiety reaction (11).

Human research has made this even more practical. In a 2015 study, healthy volunteers inhaled lemongrass aroma before an anxiety-producing task. The lemongrass group showed reduced anxiety and tension immediately after inhalation and recovered from the stressful task within five minutes, unlike the control groups (12).

A 2023 study with 128 participants found that Cymbopogon citratus essential oil inhalation significantly decreased anxiety scores (13). A 2025 randomized clinical trial in dental patients found that lemongrass aromatherapy reduced anxiety scores, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate during nonsurgical periodontal treatment (14).

This is important. Stress is not “just in your head.” It affects your breathing, digestion, hormones, immune system, cardiovascular system, sleep, and relationships. Lemongrass gives us a simple way to pause, breathe deeply, and support the nervous system.

Diffusion and inhalation are typically the best methods of administration for anxiety, providing immediate access to the oil’s properties. Add a drop to diffusers, air vents, or clothing for a steady stream of aroma, or make an inhaler of sorts by placing a drop on a handkerchief and breathing deeply when necessary.

Application: Add 1 drop lemongrass and 2 drops lavender or bergamot to your diffuser. Sit quietly, breathe deeply for five minutes, and invite the peace of God into the moment.

6. Lowers Cholesterol

In 2011, the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology published an article that resurfaced a 30-year debate: whether lemongrass oil can reduce elevated cholesterol levels and whether or not it’s safe.

In that animal study, mice received lemongrass essential oil at 1, 10, or 100 mg/kg. Researchers reported no significant changes in gross pathology, body weight, organ weights, histology, urinalysis, or clinical biochemistry relative to control mice. Blood cholesterol was reduced after essential oil treatment at the highest dose tested, and the comet assay showed no genotoxic effect in peripheral blood cells (15).

An older small human study asked 22 hypercholesterolemic subjects to take a daily capsule containing 140 mg of lemongrass oil for 90 days. The group results were mixed, but the paired difference in cholesterol levels among those completing the study approached significance, and some participants responded more strongly than others (16).

This shows promise in the potential for using lemongrass essential oil as a simple approach to supporting balance for your cholesterol levels. But let’s keep the big picture in view: heart health is built through food, movement, stress reduction, sleep, toxin reduction, and wise care. There is no “oil for that” if we refuse to steward the body God has given us.

Application: Use lemongrass aromatically to support stress relief and healthy routines. Internal use for cholesterol support should be limited, properly diluted, and guided by a qualified practitioner, especially if you take medications or have liver, gallbladder, digestive, or cardiovascular concerns.

7. Cancer Killer

To date, multiple studies have evaluated the potential lemongrass cancer cure and cancer-fighting activity. This is one of the boldest areas of lemongrass research, and it deserves both honesty and context.

In 2009, a study was published that evaluated the essential oil from a lemon grass variety of Cymbopogon flexuosus for its in vitro cytotoxicity against twelve human cancer cell lines, as well as in vivo anticancer effects in mice. The results were quite promising, as researchers discovered various mechanisms of how the oil killed the cancer lines. They reported that the oil caused loss in tumor cell viability by activating the apoptotic process and concluded that it had promising anticancer activity (17).

More recent research continues to support the cancer-fighting potential of lemongrass essential oil in preclinical models. A 2020 study found that Cymbopogon citratus essential oils showed strong cytotoxic activity against lung cancer cell lines, with effects mediated through apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest (18). A 2025 study also evaluated Cymbopogon citratus essential oil using in vitro and in silico methods and reported anticancer potential, with α-citral and β-citral as major constituents (19).

Put plainly: lemongrass essential oil has killed cancer cells in preclinical research.

But preclinical matters. These are cell and animal findings, not proof that lemongrass essential oil treats cancer in human patients. If you are walking through cancer care, work with your oncology team and a qualified integrative practitioner before using essential oils therapeutically, especially internally or around surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, ports, wounds, or sensitive skin.

Application: For general wellness, use lemongrass in diffusion, low-dilution topical blends, and non-toxic home care. For cancer care, bring every oil, supplement, and natural therapy into a coordinated plan with your practitioner.

8. Bug Repellent

The lemongrass plant itself is often grown for bug-repellent benefits, but the essential oil is much more portable! Research supports lemongrass as part of natural mosquito-repellent strategies. In trials published in 2015, Thai herbal essential oils including lemongrass and ylang ylang showed strong repellency against mosquito vectors (20). A 2024 review of essential-oil combinations also notes that ylang ylang plus lemongrass showed repellent activity in spray form against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito females (21).

This matters for families who want fewer harsh chemicals around their children while still being wise about outdoor protection. In high-risk areas where mosquito-borne illness is a serious concern, use proven protection strategies and reapply natural repellents regularly.

Add lemongrass to a spritz bottle filled with 190-proof alcohol, shake, then spritz onto clothing for a DIY mosquito repellent.

As a side note, isn’t it incredible that a plant native to the tropics of eastern Asia is also an effective antimalarial and mosquito repellent? The design inherent in nature and especially in the plant kingdom never ceases to amaze me – undoubtedly an indication of whose Kingdom we are really living in!

Application: Blend lemongrass with citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, geranium, or ylang ylang for outdoor sprays. Avoid eyes and mucous membranes, do not spray directly on the face, and patch test clothing or skin before broader use.

Lemongrass Essential Oil Safety Note

As always, common sense and further education are always important when utilizing medicinal remedies and new topical treatments. Lemongrass is usually safe, but sensitive skin might react with discomfort and even a rash. Carrier oils can help to mitigate this but always test in a carrier oil on a small area of skin first before going right to a massage.

Because lemongrass essential oil is high in citral, it has a higher risk of skin irritation or sensitization if used too strongly. The Tisserand Institute lists a maximum dermal level of 0.7% for lemongrass essential oil, which is roughly 4 drops per ounce of carrier oil for leave-on use (22).

For topical use:

• Always dilute lemongrass before applying it to the skin.
• Keep leave-on topical use at or below 0.7%.
• Patch test first.
• Avoid eyes, mucous membranes, broken skin, and sensitive areas.
• Use extra caution with children, pregnancy, nursing, elderly loved ones, and sensitive skin.

Also, while internal consumption has a time and a place, lemongrass has the potential to be harder on the body than some other oils. To avoid complications and digestive tract irritation, internal use should be limited, short-term, properly diluted, and guided by a qualified practitioner. When appropriate, take only 1-2 drops daily in a gel capsule with carrier oil.

Lemongrass Essential Oil FAQs

What is lemongrass essential oil best used for?

Lemongrass essential oil is best used for antimicrobial cleaning, fungal balance, inflammatory support, anxiety relief through inhalation, outdoor bug protection, and fresh diffuser blends. It is especially helpful when you want a strong cleansing oil with a bright citrus aroma.

Is lemongrass essential oil antifungal?

Yes. Lemongrass essential oil and citral have shown potent in vitro activity against Candida species, and newer research has also explored lemongrass against Candida albicans biofilm (5, 6, 7).

Can lemongrass essential oil help anxiety?

Human studies suggest that inhaling lemongrass essential oil can reduce anxiety and tension. Research in healthy volunteers, a 2023 participant study, and a 2025 dental anxiety trial all support lemongrass aromatherapy as a helpful anxiety-relieving tool (12, 13, 14).

Can lemongrass essential oil kill cancer cells?

In preclinical research, yes. Lemongrass essential oil has killed cancer cells, triggered apoptosis, caused cell-cycle arrest, and inhibited tumor growth in cell and animal models. These are promising preclinical findings, not proof of a human cancer treatment protocol (17, 18, 19).

Can I put lemongrass essential oil directly on my skin?

No. Lemongrass should be diluted before topical use. Because of its citral content, keep leave-on topical applications at or below 0.7%, or about 4 drops per ounce of carrier oil (22).

Is lemongrass essential oil the same as lemon essential oil?

No. Lemon essential oil is cold-pressed from citrus peel and is rich in d-limonene. Lemongrass essential oil is steam-distilled from aromatic grass and is rich in citral. They smell similar, but they are different oils with different chemistry and safety considerations.

Does lemongrass essential oil repel mosquitoes?

Yes, lemongrass essential oil has research-supported mosquito-repellent activity, especially in blends with oils like ylang ylang. Use proper dilution, reapply as needed, and use proven protection strategies in areas where mosquito-borne disease is a concern (20, 21).

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