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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 (59)

Caution
Clove Bud

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

Caution
Black Pepper

Lemongrass is itself a potential skin irritant and combining it with black pepper increases sensitisation risk — dilution must be carefully managed.

Caution
Cedar (Atlas)

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.

Caution
Cypress

Lemongrass is a known skin sensitiser; combining with cypress may increase overall irritation risk, so keep dilutions low.

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
Sandalwood

Lemongrass's sharp, citrus-grassy aroma can clash with sandalwood's creamy warmth, and its higher sensitisation risk warrants care.

Caution
Rose Otto

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

Caution
Cedar (Virginian)

Lemongrass is a potential skin sensitiser and its sharp, grassy scent can conflict with Cedarwood's warm woodiness — blend carefully at low ratios.

Caution
Basil ct. linalool

Lemongrass has a high sensitisation potential and its sharp citrusy aroma can clash with basil ct. linalool's delicate sweetness at higher concentrations.

Caution
Basil ct. methylchavicol

Both oils carry sensitisation potential; combining them raises the cumulative risk of skin reaction and the aromas can compete sharply.

Caution
Agarwood

Lemongrass's sharp, bright citrus-grassy scent is likely to clash with and overpower Agarwood's subtle, deep complexity in most blending contexts.

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
Clary Sage

Lemongrass's sharp, citrusy intensity can overpower clary sage's softer profile and may increase skin sensitisation risk in combination.

Caution
Olive

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.

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
Rosehip Seed

Lemongrass carries a sensitisation risk on facial or compromised skin and its sharp aroma can overpower rosehip's subtlety in delicate blends.

Caution
St John's Wort

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.

Caution
Sunflower Seed

Lemongrass has a higher sensitisation potential and its strong aroma can overpower; use at low dilution and blend carefully in sunflower.

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
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
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