Lemongrass oil is a versatile essential oil used for everything from easing anxiety to fighting dandruff to repelling insects. Its primary active compound, citral, makes up 60 to 80% of the oil and drives most of its documented effects. Here’s what the evidence actually supports.
Stress and Anxiety Relief
Inhaling lemongrass oil has a measurable calming effect. In a controlled human study, participants who inhaled as few as three drops of lemongrass oil experienced reduced state anxiety and subjective tension immediately after exposure. When those same participants were then given a stress-inducing task, they recovered from the anxious response within five minutes, while control groups did not bounce back as quickly.
This makes lemongrass one of the simpler aromatherapy options to try. You can add a few drops to a diffuser, place a drop on a cotton ball near your workspace, or inhale directly from the bottle before a stressful situation. The effects appear to be fast-acting but relatively brief, so it works best as a quick reset rather than a long-term anxiety strategy.
Antimicrobial and Antifungal Uses
Lemongrass oil is effective against several common bacteria and fungi at very low concentrations. Lab testing shows it inhibits Staphylococcus aureus (a common cause of skin infections) and Candida species (responsible for yeast infections and oral thrush) at concentrations below 0.1%. It also works against mixed bacterial-fungal communities, the kind that form stubborn biofilms on surfaces and in wounds.
In practical terms, this means lemongrass oil has legitimate use as a natural surface cleaner or as an ingredient in DIY cleaning sprays. Some people also use diluted lemongrass oil as a spot treatment for minor skin infections, though it should always be mixed with a carrier oil before touching the skin.
Reducing Inflammation
The citral in lemongrass oil works against inflammation through several of the same pathways targeted by over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. It blocks the enzyme COX-2 (the same one ibuprofen targets) and suppresses the production of inflammatory signaling molecules called prostaglandins and cytokines. It also activates receptors in the body that help regulate the inflammatory response.
This is why lemongrass oil is a popular addition to massage blends for sore muscles and achy joints. When diluted in a carrier oil and applied to the skin, it can help reduce localized swelling and discomfort. It won’t replace medication for serious inflammatory conditions, but for everyday muscle soreness or tension, it offers mild topical relief.
Dandruff Treatment
One of the more well-supported topical uses for lemongrass oil is dandruff control. In a clinical trial testing lemongrass oil hair tonics at 5%, 10%, and 15% concentrations, all three reduced visible dandruff flakes significantly. The 10% formulation performed best, cutting dandruff by 75% after just one week and 81% after two weeks.
To try this at home, you can mix several drops of lemongrass oil into your regular shampoo or a carrier oil like coconut oil, massage it into your scalp, and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing. The antifungal properties of the oil likely target the yeast that contributes to dandruff, while the anti-inflammatory action reduces the scalp irritation that triggers flaking.
Stomach and Digestive Support
Lemongrass has a long history in traditional medicine as a digestive aid, and animal research supports some of those uses. In mice with ethanol-induced stomach ulcers, lemongrass essential oil at relatively low doses reduced ulcer area by about 52%. One of its components, geraniol, was even more effective, accelerating the healing of existing ulcers by over 80%.
The healing effect was confirmed under microscopy: treated stomach tissue showed contraction of the ulcer base and increased mucin production, the protective coating that lines a healthy stomach. Lemongrass tea (made from the plant itself, not the concentrated essential oil) is the traditional way people use it for digestive comfort, and it remains the safest option for internal use.
Insect Repellent
Lemongrass oil is one of the most widely used plant-based insect repellents. Citral and the other compounds in the oil are effective at deterring mosquitoes, flies, and other biting insects. You’ll find it as an active ingredient in many natural bug sprays and outdoor candles. While it doesn’t last as long on the skin as synthetic repellents like DEET, reapplying every one to two hours makes it a reasonable option for moderate outdoor exposure.
How to Use It Safely
Lemongrass oil is potent and should always be diluted before skin application. A common guideline is to mix it with a carrier oil (like jojoba, coconut, or sweet almond oil) at a concentration of about 1 to 2%, which translates to roughly 6 to 12 drops of lemongrass oil per ounce of carrier oil. Applying it undiluted can cause skin irritation or sensitization, especially with repeated use.
For aromatherapy, three to five drops in a diffuser is typically sufficient for a standard room. You can also add a few drops to a warm bath mixed with a tablespoon of carrier oil, since essential oils don’t dissolve in water on their own and will float on the surface in concentrated patches that can irritate skin.
Lemongrass oil should not be taken internally during pregnancy. Its high citral content has been linked to reproductive toxicity in animal studies, including growth retardation and skeletal abnormalities in developing embryos. Research on pregnant rats showed harmful effects at moderate oral doses, and safety guidelines restrict internal use of high-citral oils during pregnancy to very small amounts (under 46 mg per day). Topical and aromatic use at normal dilutions carries a much lower risk, but pregnant women should still use it sparingly. People with sensitive skin or a history of contact allergies should patch-test on a small area before broader use.