Essential Oil of Lemongrass - Your Power Oil

By Olena Gill

Wow, is it 1999 already? I look back at the year just completed with great amazement since it seems I was just celebrating the beginnings of 1998, 1999. But here we are gain, with time zipping ahead towards a new year of great things, great changes, and of course, great smells!

I pondered greatly as to which oil I would write about to kick off this powerful new year and figured it would only be fitting to choose one that was subtle, yet equally powerful - the essential oil of lemongrass. I'm sure you have all heard of it bynow; after all, lemongrass is very common in many health food stores as well as East Indian and Asian cooking.

But the oil of lemongrass primarily has long been used in traditional Indian medicine for many things, particularly against infectious illnesses and fevers. Oil of lemongrass has had a very lengthy history of being powerful as an insecticide, bactericide and antiseptic.

There has been much scientific confirmation on the traditional uses of this oil and modern research carried out in India has shown that lemongrass oil is highly useful as a sedative as well. It acts on the central nervous system, which makes it a wonderful oil when one has a headache or when the nerves need calming.

This essential oil is an excellent alternative for headache relief, if you are sensitive or simply have had enough of lavender oil. The only difference between applications of lavender vs. lemongrass oil onto the temples or forehead, is that you must dilute lemongrass oil in a carrier oil before massaging it in.

Essential oil of lemongrass is extracted from exactly what its name means - from fresh and partially dried grass. Som species can grow up to 1.5 metres high. But unlike some other herbs, lemongrass is recycled in that after the oil is distilled, the leftover grass is used to feed cattle and other livestock. The oil itself can be either a yellow, amber or red-brown liquid with a grassy-citrus scent.

The main component of lemongrass oil is citral, which contributes to skin irritation and/or sensitivity in some individuals when used directly on the skin( neat). Lemongrass oil applied neat is potentially damaging to the skin and should be used with great care. This should not be used on babies or children. However, if you are a breast-feeding mom, lemongrass is wonderful for stimulating the flow of milk.

Essential oil of lemongrass is one of the largest in terms of oil production - on average, about 2000 tons of lemongrass are distilled per year. It's popular as an insect repellent, especially in pet products, soaps, cosmetics, deodorants and perfumes. This oil blends very well with lavender, geranium and even jasmine.

All in all, lemongrass oil is a non-toxic but powerful tonic - it has profound effects on the whole person, whether it's digestive, circulatory or just general skin care. Always dilute any essential oil in a vegetable base oil before application in any form - lemongrass is no exception. Until next time, live and be well in 1999.

Olena Gill is a practising aromatherapist at The Mind-Body Connection Centre in Nanaimo. Call her at (250) 716-0677.