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Lemongrass

Essential Oil

Cymbopogon 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 (54)

Caution
Clove Bud

Eugenol (clove) and citral (lemongrass) together increase sensitisation risk significantly. Avoid on sensitive skin; patch test essential.

Caution
Black Pepper

Both are warming and potentially sensitising; combined they increase the risk of skin irritation, particularly on sensitive or recently exfoliated skin.

Caution
Jasmine Absolute

Jasmine's rich floral intensity can clash aromatically with lemongrass's sharp citrus note, creating an unbalanced scent profile.

Caution
Patchouli

Patchouli's deep, heavy earthiness can overwhelm lemongrass's bright citrus note; precise ratios are needed to maintain balance.

Caution
Rose Otto

Lemongrass's sharp, citrus-grassy aroma is too strident and tends to clash with Rose Otto's delicate floral profile.

Caution
Olive

Olive oil's heavy texture and strong natural scent can compete with and diminish lemongrass's fresh aromatic character.

Caution
Grapeseed

Lemongrass can be a dermal sensitiser at higher concentrations; keep dilution conservative when using with grapeseed.

Caution
Neem

Lemongrass is a known sensitiser and combining it with neem's own irritation potential on reactive skin is inadvisable without careful dilution.

Caution
Pomegranate Seed

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.

Caution
Walnut

Walnut oil carries a high allergen risk; clients with nut allergies must be carefully screened before using it alongside lemongrass.

Caution
Ylang Ylang

Ylang ylang's intensely sweet, heady floral note can clash aromatically with lemongrass's sharp citrus and may cause headaches at higher doses.

Caution
Tea Tree

Lemongrass is a known skin sensitiser; combining it with Tea Tree increases sensitisation risk and the combined citrus-medicinal aroma can be overwhelming.

Caution
Sweet Almond

Lemongrass can be a skin sensitiser at higher concentrations; use in low dilution in sweet almond and avoid on sensitive or damaged skin.

Caution
Castor

Castor's occlusive properties intensify lemongrass absorption; lemongrass's sensitisation potential is increased. Lower lemongrass to 1% maximum in castor-containing blends.

Caution
St John's Wort

St John's Wort's photosensitising hypericin combined with lemongrass's citral content increases phototoxicity risk. Advise clients to avoid UV exposure after treatment.

Caution
Bergamot

Both contain significant citral/furocoumarin content; combined they increase phototoxicity risk if used before UV exposure. Use only FCF bergamot in this combination.

Caution
Lavender

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.

Excellent
Copaiba

Copaiba's powerful anti-inflammatory beta-caryophyllene content amplifies lemongrass's analgesic effects for pain relief blends.

Excellent
Cypress

Cypress shares lemongrass's affinity for lymphatic drainage and circulation, making them an outstanding detoxifying pair.

Excellent
Ginger

Ginger's warming and anti-inflammatory action complements lemongrass outstandingly for muscular pain and sports recovery massage.

Excellent
Helichrysum

Helichrysum's exceptional anti-inflammatory and tissue-healing properties create a premium pain-relief synergy with lemongrass.

Excellent
Juniper Berry

Juniper berry's detoxifying and diuretic properties align perfectly with lemongrass for lymphatic and cleansing massage blends.

Excellent
Sweet Marjoram

Sweet marjoram's warming, analgesic, and muscle-relaxant properties create a highly effective synergy with lemongrass for muscular pain.

Excellent
Apricot Kernel

A light, skin-nourishing carrier that dilutes lemongrass safely and spreads easily for full-body massage without heaviness.

Excellent
Fractionated Coconut

A lightweight, non-greasy, odourless carrier that is ideal for diluting lemongrass to a safe concentration for massage.

Excellent
Geranium

Geranium's balancing, lymphatic, and skin-toning properties synergise perfectly with lemongrass in detox and body-contouring blends.

Excellent
Jojoba

Jojoba's liquid wax structure provides skin-balancing properties and a silky texture, making it an outstanding base for lemongrass blends.

Excellent
Sunflower Seed

Sunflower seed's light texture and neutral aroma make it an excellent everyday carrier to dilute lemongrass for massage use.

Excellent
Arnica

Arnica's powerful anti-inflammatory properties synergise with lemongrass for sports and muscle recovery blends.

Excellent
Argan

Argan's regenerative fatty acids complement lemongrass's skin-toning and connective tissue benefits beautifully.

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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