Lemongrass
Essential OilCymbopogon citratus / Cymbopogon flexuosus
Origin: India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia
About
A bright, citrus-green oil with strong toning and deodorising properties. In massage, it is particularly useful for tired, aching muscles and sports recovery. Its high citral content makes it potentially sensitising and should be used at lower dilutions.
A cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Thai healing for over 2,000 years, lemongrass has been used to treat fever, infections, and digestive disorders. Its cultivation spread throughout tropical regions with Indian and Southeast Asian trade routes.
Benefits
- ✓Toning and firming for skin and connective tissue
- ✓Reduces muscle fatigue and soreness
- ✓Antimicrobial and deodorising
- ✓Improves circulation
- ✓Invigorating and mentally stimulating
Pairings (59)
Eugenol (clove) and citral (lemongrass) together increase sensitisation risk significantly. Avoid on sensitive skin; patch test essential.
Lemongrass is itself a potential skin irritant and combining it with black pepper increases sensitisation risk — dilution must be carefully managed.
Lemongrass is a potent dermal sensitiser and its sharp, citrusy intensity can clash aromatically with Cedar's warm woodiness — use with care and low dilution.
Lemongrass is a known skin sensitiser; combining with cypress may increase overall irritation risk, so keep dilutions low.
Jasmine's rich floral intensity can clash aromatically with lemongrass's sharp citrus note, creating an unbalanced scent profile.
Patchouli's deep, heavy earthiness can overwhelm lemongrass's bright citrus note; precise ratios are needed to maintain balance.
Lemongrass's sharp, citrus-grassy aroma can clash with sandalwood's creamy warmth, and its higher sensitisation risk warrants care.
Lemongrass's sharp, citrus-grassy aroma is too strident and tends to clash with Rose Otto's delicate floral profile.
Lemongrass is a potential skin sensitiser and its sharp, grassy scent can conflict with Cedarwood's warm woodiness — blend carefully at low ratios.
Lemongrass has a high sensitisation potential and its sharp citrusy aroma can clash with basil ct. linalool's delicate sweetness at higher concentrations.
Both oils carry sensitisation potential; combining them raises the cumulative risk of skin reaction and the aromas can compete sharply.
Lemongrass's sharp, bright citrus-grassy scent is likely to clash with and overpower Agarwood's subtle, deep complexity in most blending contexts.
Lemongrass can be a dermal sensitiser at higher concentrations; keep dilution conservative when using with grapeseed.
Lemongrass is a known sensitiser and combining it with neem's own irritation potential on reactive skin is inadvisable without careful dilution.
Lemongrass is a known skin sensitiser and its sharp citrus aroma may clash with pomegranate seed's earthy notes; use with caution and at low dilution only.
Lemongrass's sharp, citrusy intensity can overpower clary sage's softer profile and may increase skin sensitisation risk in combination.
Lemongrass's sharp, bright citrus-green aroma can clash with olive's strong earthy character and lemongrass carries a mild sensitisation risk requiring careful dilution.
Walnut oil carries a high allergen risk; clients with nut allergies must be carefully screened before using it alongside lemongrass.
Ylang ylang's intensely sweet, heady floral note can clash aromatically with lemongrass's sharp citrus and may cause headaches at higher doses.
Lemongrass is a known skin sensitiser; combining it with Tea Tree increases sensitisation risk and the combined citrus-medicinal aroma can be overwhelming.
Lemongrass can be a skin sensitiser at higher concentrations; use in low dilution in sweet almond and avoid on sensitive or damaged skin.
Castor's occlusive properties intensify lemongrass absorption; lemongrass's sensitisation potential is increased. Lower lemongrass to 1% maximum in castor-containing blends.
Lemongrass carries a sensitisation risk on facial or compromised skin and its sharp aroma can overpower rosehip's subtlety in delicate blends.
Lemongrass has a higher sensitisation risk and its sharp citrusy aroma can compete strongly with St John's Wort's earthy character; use with care and at low dilution.
Lemongrass has a higher sensitisation potential and its strong aroma can overpower; use at low dilution and blend carefully in sunflower.
Both contain significant citral/furocoumarin content; combined they increase phototoxicity risk if used before UV exposure. Use only FCF bergamot in this combination.
Lemongrass is a potential dermal sensitiser and its sharp, citrus-grassy aroma can overpower lavender — use at very low concentrations and test on sensitive clients.
Copaiba's powerful anti-inflammatory beta-caryophyllene content amplifies lemongrass's analgesic effects for pain relief blends.
Ginger's warming and anti-inflammatory action complements lemongrass outstandingly for muscular pain and sports recovery massage.
Helichrysum's exceptional anti-inflammatory and tissue-healing properties create a premium pain-relief synergy with lemongrass.
Juniper berry's detoxifying and diuretic properties align perfectly with lemongrass for lymphatic and cleansing massage blends.
Sweet marjoram's warming, analgesic, and muscle-relaxant properties create a highly effective synergy with lemongrass for muscular pain.
A light, skin-nourishing carrier that dilutes lemongrass safely and spreads easily for full-body massage without heaviness.
A lightweight, non-greasy, odourless carrier that is ideal for diluting lemongrass to a safe concentration for massage.
Geranium's balancing, lymphatic, and skin-toning properties synergise perfectly with lemongrass in detox and body-contouring blends.
Jojoba's liquid wax structure provides skin-balancing properties and a silky texture, making it an outstanding base for lemongrass blends.
Arnica's powerful anti-inflammatory properties synergise with lemongrass for sports and muscle recovery blends.
Argan's regenerative fatty acids complement lemongrass's skin-toning and connective tissue benefits beautifully.
Properties
- Aroma
- bright, citrus, green, fresh, lemony
- Max Dilution
- 2%
Contraindications
- ⚠Use at low dilution — sensitisation risk due to citral content
- ⚠Avoid on damaged or inflamed skin
- ⚠Avoid in pregnancy
- ⚠Patch test essential