Lemongrass Essential Oil Benefits: 8 Healing Uses & Safety Tips

QUICK SUMMARY

Lemongrass essential oil is used to calm anxiety, freshen and clean the home, fight Candida and germs, ease inflammation, and keep mosquitoes away. It is rich in citral, and human trials back several of these uses: inhaling it lowered anxiety, heart rate and blood pressure in dental patients, a 0.25 percent lemongrass mouthwash beat chlorhexidine for gum health, and a lemongrass blend on volunteers’ legs cut mosquito bites about as well as DEET.

Diffuse it, add it to cleaners and outdoor sprays, or dilute it for the skin at 2 percent or less (about 12 drops per ounce of carrier oil). Never use it undiluted, and keep it away from eyes and broken skin.

Lemongrass essential oil is bright, bold, medicinal, and practical. It belongs in the natural living home because it supports so many everyday needs: cleaning, fresh air, fungal balance, emotional calm, outdoor protection, and inflammatory comfort.

God gave us powerful plants, and lemongrass is one of them. Use it with gratitude and wisdom as part of a broader lifestyle of Biblical health and abundant living.

How to Use Lemongrass Essential Oil

Here are the ways we use lemongrass in our home. Each one is explained, with the research behind it, in the sections below.

• Diffuse it for calm: 1 drop lemongrass and 2 drops lavender or bergamot in your diffuser, and breathe deeply for five minutes.
• Freshen the air: 1 drop lemongrass and 2 drops geranium in the diffuser for 30 minutes in a well-ventilated room.
• Massage tired muscles: 1 drop in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil, rubbed into tense shoulders or sore spots.
• Clean the kitchen and bathroom: add it to DIY cleaners for counters, sinks, trash cans and toilets, with lemon, tea tree or eucalyptus.
• Keep mosquitoes away: add it to a spray of 190-proof alcohol for clothing, or blend it with citronella, geranium or ylang ylang.
• Carry calm with you: put a drop on a handkerchief or a personal inhaler and breathe it in when stress rises.

Lemongrass History & Properties

Lemongrass essential oil benefits are potent, and this oil tops the charts for antimicrobial capacity. It is one of the most “medicinal” natural remedies available, which is exactly why learning how to properly incorporate lemongrass into your natural health regimen is so important.

Originating in the East, lemongrass and its oils have been part of local traditions and medicine for centuries. In gardening circles, lemongrass is a beautiful ornamental grass that helps repel mosquitoes, and in the kitchen it is a staple of Thai cuisine as an herb with the intense flavor of, you guessed it, lemons.

Distilled from the blades of grass, Cymbopogon flexuosus and Cymbopogon citratus essential oils contain many chemical components that contribute to their beneficial actions. These include alcohols, ketones, terpenes, aldehydes, and esters, but citral is the constituent 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%. The same oil showed strong antioxidant activity across five different lab tests. (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.

Reviews of the research describe lemongrass essential oil and its constituents as: (2, 3)

• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Antiviral
• Antiprotozoal
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Cancer-fighting in preclinical research

Lemongrass sits with lemon myrtle, litsea, and melissa among the oils that contain a very large amount of citral, which is one reason it has earned its reputation as such a potent, protective oil. (4)

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

Lemongrass is rich in geranial and neral, the two forms of citral, and it exhibits several properties strongly. 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. It 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 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.

In a 2021 study, researchers compared four essential oils in mice with inflamed, irritated ears. Lemongrass was one of the two strongest, easing the tissue damage better than ibuprofen and lowering inflammatory signals such as TNF-α, IL-6 and COX-2. (5)

A 2024 study in zebrafish, a common model for inflammation research, found that lemongrass oil reduced the migration of inflammatory white blood cells at every concentration tested and protected cells from oxidative damage. (6)

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 2.0%, which is about 12 drops per ounce of carrier oil.

2. Antifungal

Lemongrass essential oil is a serious antifungal oil, and some of the best work on it targets the Candida that grows on dental devices.

In a 2021 study from Thailand, Candida biofilm was grown for two days on the silicone used for facial prostheses and then treated with lemongrass oil. A 5% solution wiped out about 95% of the biofilm, and a 2.5% solution worked as well as a 20% suspension of the antifungal drug nystatin. (7)

A second 2021 study from the same country did the same on denture acrylic. Lemongrass oil at just 0.32% eradicated 99% of an established Candida biofilm within one hour. (8)

Inhalation may matter here, too. In a 2014 Algerian study, the oil’s vapor showed stronger anti-Candida activity than direct contact, and the researchers concluded that lemongrass has “a noteworthy potential” for treating fungal infections. (9)

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, so 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

Lemongrass also fights bacteria, which makes it a super-cleaning oil for the home, and here we have human trials.

In a 2023 trial in India, 60 orthodontic patients with gingivitis were split into three groups for 21 days. The group rinsing twice daily with a 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash had lower plaque and gum inflammation scores at day 14 and day 21 than the group using 0.2% chlorhexidine, the standard prescription rinse. (10)

A 2021 trial of 60 children aged 9 to 12 found the same 0.25% lemongrass rinse reduced plaque and gingivitis over 21 days, and the researchers called it “a good herbal alternative” to chlorhexidine. (11)

In the lab, a 2024 study found that oil from a close lemongrass cousin, Cymbopogon schoenanthus, was as effective as 0.12% chlorhexidine against Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus biofilms and as effective as nystatin against Candida. (12)

Food scientists are paying attention as well. A 2026 review in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety describes lemongrass oil’s “potent antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antibiofilm, and antioxidant effects” as a natural preservative. (13) It is one of the best antibacterial essential oils we know.

For you and me, this means lemongrass is especially useful in kitchens and bathrooms where mold and microbes really take hold.

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

Lemongrass works in the air, too. In a 2026 lab study, lemongrass oil in vapor form stopped the growth of six multidrug-resistant hospital bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, at tiny concentrations. (14)

Our favorite way to diffuse it, with geranium, comes from a 2009 study from Manchester, England, that tested a lemongrass and geranium blend against hospital bacteria. Its vapor reduced the growth of MRSA by 38% in a sealed box, and dispersed into an office, it brought airborne bacteria down by 89% over 15 hours. (15)

Diffusion does not replace washing hands, cleaning surfaces, and opening windows. But it is a beautiful part of a healthier home rhythm, especially when you are intentionally reducing synthetic fragrance and harsh chemical cleaners.

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, or Anxiety Relief

Folk use of lemongrass includes anti-anxiety treatments, and human research has made this very practical.

In a 2025 randomized trial in Iran, 38 patients having deep cleaning at the dentist either inhaled lemongrass from a gauze pad during the procedure or had no aroma. The lemongrass group had significant drops in anxiety scores, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate. (16)

A 2023 study in Peru with 128 participants found that inhaling Cymbopogon citratus essential oil significantly lowered anxiety scores compared with a waiting-list group, with a large effect size. (17)

The calm reaches beyond the dental chair. In a 2025 randomized trial of menopausal women (89 in each group), 20 minutes of lemongrass aromatherapy a day for four weeks significantly reduced menopausal symptoms, as did ginger and a ginger-lemongrass blend. (18)

These findings build on a 2015 study of 40 healthy men who inhaled lemongrass before a stressful test. Unlike the control groups, they felt less anxious and tense right away and recovered from the stress within five minutes. (19)

Stress is not “just in your head.” It affects your breathing, digestion, hormones, immune system, heart, sleep, and relationships, and lemongrass gives us a simple way to pause, breathe deeply, and calm 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 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. May Support Healthy Cholesterol

In a 2024 animal study, rats with type 1 diabetes were given lemongrass essential oil by mouth for 14 days. The oil eased the abnormal blood sugar, blood fats and liver markers that diabetes had caused. (20)

The one human study is older, from 1989. Twenty-two people with high cholesterol took a daily capsule of 140 mg of lemongrass oil for 90 days; 8 of them responded, with cholesterol falling by 38 mg/dl, while the other 14 saw no change. (21)

That is a promising start, not a settled answer, and no newer human trials have been published. Heart health is built through food, movement, stress reduction, sleep, and toxin reduction, and there is no “oil for that” if we skip the foundations.

Application: Use lemongrass aromatically to support stress relief and healthy routines. If you take it internally, follow the capsule guidance in the safety section below, and check with your doctor first if you take cholesterol, blood pressure, or diabetes medication.

7. Cancer Killer

This is one of the boldest areas of lemongrass research. None of these studies tested lemongrass in human cancer patients; they are cell and animal studies, and they are exciting.

A 2024 study from Japan tested the vapors of 20 essential oils on breast cancer cells. Lemongrass was one of the four strongest, inhibiting the growth of nearby cancer cells even when diluted more than 500-fold, and the researchers traced the effect to its citral. (4)

In a 2025 study from Romania, lemongrass oil killed melanoma, breast, and colon cancer cells while leaving healthy skin cells unharmed, by damaging the cancer cells’ mitochondria. (22)

These build on a landmark 2009 study from India, where lemongrass oil was toxic to twelve human cancer cell lines and, injected into mice, inhibited the growth of fluid tumors by more than 94 percent. (23) As a 2021 review put it, lemongrass components “have shown promising anticancer activities in vitro,” but “their effects have not yet been assessed in the human system.” (2)

If you are walking through cancer care, our personal recommendation is to work with an integrative oncologist and bring every oil into your plan, especially around surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, ports, and wounds.

Application: For general wellness, use lemongrass in diffusion, low-dilution topical blends, and non-toxic home care.

8. Bug Repellent

The lemongrass plant itself is often grown for bug-repellent benefits, but the essential oil is much more portable.

In a 2025 field study in Burkina Faso, lemongrass oil was applied to the legs of 68 volunteers overnight, alone and blended with another local oil. At 2.5%, the blend cut mosquito bites from about 47 per person per hour to 1.5, an efficacy the researchers called “comparable to that of DEET.” (24)

That fits a 2015 Thai study in which lemongrass in olive oil, applied to volunteers’ forearms, gave 98.8% protection from Culex mosquito bites for 170 minutes, in the same range as 20% DEET. (25)

This matters for families who want fewer harsh chemicals around their children. In areas where mosquito-borne illness is common, reapply often.

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 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

Lemongrass is usually safe, but sensitive skin may react with discomfort or a rash. Because it is high in citral, it carries a higher risk of skin irritation or sensitization if used too strongly.

Carrier oils help reduce irritation risk, but always test in a carrier oil on a small area of skin first before using in a massage or body blend.

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. (26) Personally, we see no problem with going up to 2.0%, which is roughly 12 drops per one ounce of carrier oil.

For topical use:

• Always dilute lemongrass before applying it to the skin.
• Keep leave-on topical use at or below 2.0%.
• Patch test first.
• Avoid eyes, mucous membranes, broken skin, and sensitive areas.
• For children, use 0.5% under age three and 1% for ages three to ten.

Internal use has a time and a place, but lemongrass can be harder on the digestive tract than some other oils. Take only 1 to 2 drops daily in a gel capsule with carrier oil, never undiluted, and for no more than four weeks at a time.

Lemongrass Essential Oil FAQs

What is lemongrass essential oil used for?

Lemongrass essential oil is used for calming anxiety through inhalation, cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, fighting Candida and germs, easing sore muscles in a diluted massage oil, and repelling mosquitoes. Human trials support its use for anxiety, gum health in a mouthwash, and mosquito protection.

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 2.0%, or about 12 drops per ounce of carrier oil.

Can you ingest lemongrass essential oil?

Yes, in small amounts and diluted: 1 to 2 drops a day in a capsule with a carrier oil, for no more than four weeks. Never put it in your mouth undiluted or float it in water. Learn more in our guide, can you ingest essential oils.

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, so the two have different chemistry and safety guidelines.

Does lemongrass essential oil repel mosquitoes?

Yes. In a 2025 field study, a lemongrass blend on volunteers’ legs cut mosquito bites about as well as DEET. (24) Reapply often outdoors.

Keep reading: 12 Healing Oils of the Bible: Uses & Anointing Oil Recipe · Best Essential Oils for Pain and Inflammation Relief · Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Benefits: 7 Uses + Safety Guide