8 Ways Lemongrass Essential Oil Can Heal

We see that strength play out in its many beneficial actions. To list a few, lemongrass essential oil has been studied for the following actions (1):

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antifungal
• Antimutagenic
• Antimalarial
• Antioxidant
• Antiparasitic
• Hypoglycemic
• Neurobehavioral
• Pain relief
• Lowering cholesterol

• One of the first capabilities I look for is antioxidant, because that indicates an active healing effect. Antiodixants 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. (2)

  1. Anti-inflammatory

  Inflammation can rear its ugly head in chronic illness, pain, skin conditions and more. 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 (but we’ll get to that in a minute). The results were clear enough that they noted lemongrass “clearly…inhibits the skin inflammatory response.” (3)

  2. Antifungal

  In the same study, antifungal properties were examined as well, 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. Final results were that lemongrass exhibits “noteworthy potential for the development of drugs for the treatment of fungal infections.” In another study conducted a few years ago, in 2008, lemongrass showed “a potent in vitro activity against Candida.” (4)

  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. For example, food scientists have been monitoring lemongrass for its ability to inhibitStaph and improve food preservation. In a study and a review, published in separate journals over the course of a year, lemongrass was viewed favorably as an option for food safety applications. (5, 6)

  4. Combat Airborne Pathogens 

  Diffuse lemongrass with geranium to replicate 2009 efforts to mitigate airborne and surface bacteria in a UK study. They were able to reduce bacteria like MRSA and strains of resistant bacteria by as much as 89% through diffusion and sprays, declaring the oils to be successful disinfectants. (7)

  Add lemongrass to DIY spray 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 disinfectant properties.

  5. Anxiolytic

  Folk use of lemongrass includes antianxiety treatments, and in 2011, scientists worked to confirm these effects. By evaluating neurotransmitters and their response to lemongrass exposure, they were able to track the way the body processes the oil. Their findings centered around the GABA receptors in the brain and confirmed an anti-anxiety reaction. (8)

  Diffusion and inhalation are typically the best methods of administration for anxiety, providing an 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.

  6. Lowers Cholesterol

  At roughly 2 drops per day, taking lemongrass essential oil is a superbly effective and simple approach to balance your cholesterol levels!

  
  

  7. Cancer Killer

  To date, 7 studies have evaluated the potential lemongrass cancer cure. (10) 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 on mice. The results were quite promising, as researchers discovered various mechanisms of how the oil killed the cancer lines. “Our results indicate that the oil has a promising anticancer activity and causes loss in tumor cell viability by activating the apoptotic process as identified by electron microscopy.” (11)

  8. Bug Repellant

  The lemongrass plant itself is often grown forbug repellent benefits, but the essential oil is much more portable! In trials just this year (2015), lemongrass matched DEET’s performance for mosquito repellent, without all of those nasty chemical risks and side effects. (12) Add lemongrass to a water and vinegar mixture, shake, then spritz onto clothing for a DIY mosquito repellent.