Particularly soothing and sedative, it is one of the key essential oils for relaxation and sleep, capable of relieving anxieties, sensations of oppression and anxiety. It is also a vasodilator, and fight against cellulite and venous stasis
Find all the virtues and uses of essential oils in our tips section.
Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus
Lemongrass (or Indian verbena) is a large perennial herb of the Poaceae family, widespread in tropical Asia. It occurs as a large perennial herb of about 1.5 metres. It grows in "clumps" of numerous stiff, sharp, linear leaves, from 30 centimetres to 1 metre long.
Main aromatic molecules: Terpene aldehydes (citrals: geranial, neral), monoterpenols (geraniol), monoterpenes (myrcene, limonene), terpene esters (geranyl acetate).
Family: Poaceae.
Producing organs: Aerial parts
Yield: 2kg of essential oil per 100kg of plants.
Equivalence: 1ml → 28 drops (dosage calculated for a calibrated dropper European Pharmacopoeia).
Main aromatic molecules: Terpene aldehydes (citrals: geranial, neral), monoterpenols (geraniol), monoterpenes (myrcene, limonene), terpene esters (geranyl acetate).
Family: Poaceae.
Producing organs: Aerial parts
Yield: 2kg of essential oil per 100kg of plants.
Equivalence: 1ml → 28 drops (dosage calculated for a calibrated dropper European Pharmacopoeia).
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Bath
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Skin application
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Oral route
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Respiratory route
Main properties
recipes
Sleep disorders (from 12 years old)
Take 2 drops of lemongrass essential oil + 2 drops of sweet almond oil on a neutral tablet, at dinner and at bedtime for 2 weeks. In addition, breathe 3 to 4 drops of lemongrass essential oil (on a handkerchief) for about 20 minutes at bedtime.
Imbalance of the nervous system
Take 3 times a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks, 2 drops of lemongrass essential oil + 2 drops of St. John's wort plant oil or sweet almond on a neutral tablet.
Heavy and swollen legs
Massage the legs (bottom to top) with 5 drops of lemongrass essential oil diluted in 1 teaspoon of lemon's plant oil and 1 teaspoon of macadamia's plant oil, twice a day, for 8 to 10 days.
Always seek advise from your pharmacist or GP.
Take 2 drops of lemongrass essential oil + 2 drops of sweet almond oil on a neutral tablet, at dinner and at bedtime for 2 weeks. In addition, breathe 3 to 4 drops of lemongrass essential oil (on a handkerchief) for about 20 minutes at bedtime.
Imbalance of the nervous system
Take 3 times a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks, 2 drops of lemongrass essential oil + 2 drops of St. John's wort plant oil or sweet almond on a neutral tablet.
Heavy and swollen legs
Massage the legs (bottom to top) with 5 drops of lemongrass essential oil diluted in 1 teaspoon of lemon's plant oil and 1 teaspoon of macadamia's plant oil, twice a day, for 8 to 10 days.
Always seek advise from your pharmacist or GP.
Precautions for use
Lemongrass essential oil must be diluted (5%) before being applied to the skin.
Do not use:
- in pregnant or breastfeeding women,
- in children under 7,
- in the person allergic to any of the components (neral, geranial, citronellol, geraniol, limonene, linalool),
- in asthmatics without the advice of an allergist,
- in the epileptic people or people having a history of convulsive disorders.
Do not use:
- in pregnant or breastfeeding women,
- in children under 7,
- in the person allergic to any of the components (neral, geranial, citronellol, geraniol, limonene, linalool),
- in asthmatics without the advice of an allergist,
- in the epileptic people or people having a history of convulsive disorders.
The leaves of lemongrass give off a strongly lemony scent when crumpled: this is the reason why lemongrass owes its other name of "indian verbena", although it has nothing to do with verbena.
AROMATHERAPIA
Extracts from the book 'Aromatherapia - All about essential oils', by Isabelle Pacchioni, watercolors by Patrick MORIN, Aroma Thera Editions . Extracts from the book '41 essential oils essential for treating yourself differently' and '48 essential oils which every home needs to be healthy' by Isabelle Delaleu and Isabelle Pacchioni, Publications of the Mandadori France group. Botanical illustrations by Agathe Haevermans.
The properties, benefits and method of use are given for information; they cannot in any case constitute or replace medical information that only health professionals can provide. For any use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes, please consult your GP or pharmacist.
The properties, benefits and method of use are given for information; they cannot in any case constitute or replace medical information that only health professionals can provide. For any use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes, please consult your GP or pharmacist.
