From various culinary uses to medicinal properties, Lemongrass (also known as Cymbopogon) has earned its place among the most valuable plants, courtesy of the plethora of benefits it provides. It has been established time and again that it is useful for various purposes. There are several benefits of Lemongrass essential oil for skin and hair.
Surprisingly, the plant also works as a great insect and mosquito repellent and is often used as an ingredient in topical mosquito repellents, on account of being one of the more skin-friendly plants.
Lemongrass finds usage in health products, skincare, haircare, aromatherapy, and in cures of various ailments. While Lemongrass tea helps a great deal with bloating and other minor issues related to gut health, a few drops of Lemongrass Essential Oil in a diffuser can reduce stress and anxiety, alleviate headaches and improve mood.
Alternatively, using Lemongrass Essential Oil drops during steam inhalation is also immensely helpful. Lemongrass essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid extracted from Lemongrass. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should thus be used cautiously.
Benefits of Lemongrass in Skin Care
As Lemongrass is very versatile, it can be incorporated into Skin Care in various forms. Both Lemongrass leaves and Lemongrass Essential Oil are of immense help in skincare. It can be used as an exfoliant, added to face packs, and moisturizers to reap the unparalleled benefits it offers.
How to use Lemongrass leaves for Skin?
Lemongrass makes for an excellent scrub to include in your skincare routine. To make this scrub, take 3-4 leaves of lemongrass. Lemongrass stalks can also be used here. Mix it with a carrier oil of your choice and about half a cup of sea salt.
Blend these ingredients to form a thick and coarse paste. You can add more carrier oil depending on how thick or runny you want the paste to be. This paste can be used as a wonderful body scrub to get rid of dead skin cells. Lemongrass works wonderfully as an exfoliant.
Adding lemongrass essential oil to bathing water acts as a natural deodorizer. It also makes for a good cleanser. Lemongrass is known for its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, and thus, serves to kill odor-causing bacteria.
Since Lemongrass also has anti-inflammatory properties, a few drops of lemongrass Essential Oil in lukewarm water can do wonders for sore, swollen feet. The same method can be used in a bath soak for relaxation.
Lemongrass also contains Citral, a naturally fragrant compound that also finds usage in the manufacturing of several fine fragrances.
Lemongrass for face
If you suffer from oily, acne-prone skin, then including Lemongrass in your skincare routine will bring many advantages. For one, Lemongrass is known to soothe breakouts and shrink open pores. It also cleanses and restores the natural balance of the skin. It can be incorporated into skincare to get maximum benefits.
Lemongrass oil for Skin Lightening
Lemongrass contains Limonene – a natural skin bleach. With prolonged usage of Lemongrass in your skincare, you will notice more even-toned and brighter skin. To notice visible results, it should be used regularly.
One easy way to ensure this is by incorporating it into your nightly skincare routine. Add a drop of Lemongrass Essential Oil to your night cream to notice results.
How do I use Lemongrass Essential Oil on my face?
You can add Lemongrass essential oil to your toners and moisturizers. A few drops of lemongrass essential oil can be added to your toner and moisturizer.
Generally, you should not use more than one drop per application as essential oils are highly potent and strong and over-exposure to them can lead to skin irritation.
You can also add 1-2 drops of this oil to your face packs. Adding a drop or two to Clay masks will not only add to the healing properties of clay masks but will also restore the natural balance of your skin. Lemongrass is particularly helpful in managing oily, acne-prone skin.
Can you apply Lemongrass Essential Oil to the skin directly?
No, you should never apply any essential oil to the skin directly. Essential oils are highly potent and can irritate the skin if applied on their own. This is why you should always add any essential oil to a carrier oil such as Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, and Olive Oil.
Choosing a non-comedogenic oil is important as non-comedogenic oils do not clog pores. Clogged pores result in acne and other skin conditions. Therefore, you should only use a carrier oil that allows the skin to breathe.
Lemongrass Oil for Hair
What does Lemongrass oil do to your hair? Well, it can do wonders to your mane. It fosters hair growth by combating dandruff, reducing hair breakage, checking hair fall, and adding shine to dull and damaged hair.
How do I apply Lemongrass Essential Oil to my hair?
Just like any other oil, Lemongrass Essential Oil needs to be added to a carrier oil before application. You can simply use your regular hair oil as the carrier oil. Mix 2-3 drops of the essential oil to 1/4th cup of carrier oil. Massage the oil gently into your scalp and leave it for a while before shampoo.
Alternatively, you can also add it to hair masks. Lemongrass essential oil is widely used in spa treatments in many South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. For best results, it can be applied and left overnight. Unlike other oils, Lemongrass Essential Oil has a soothing, citrusy fragrance and will not irritate a sensitive nose.
Does Lemongrass Essential Oil help with hair growth?
Undoubtedly, yes. Lemongrass helps you maintain a healthy scalp by getting rid of dandruff. Its astringent and antiseptic properties keep scalp irritation at bay. All of these help in reducing hair fall.
People with an oily scalp swear by its benefits as it keeps the scalp fresh for a longer period than usual. It is also believed to reduce hair breakage by strengthening the hair follicles and preventing split ends. Lemongrass Essential Oil has innumerable benefits for hair, which in turn foster hair growth.
However, one must be mindful of the quantity of essential oil as it is very easy to go overboard. Generally, one drop of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil is a good ratio to go with. So, if you’re using 3 tablespoons of carrier oil, add no more than 3 drops of essential oil.
Though Lemongrass Essential oil suits everyone, people with sensitive skin or sensitive scalp should advisably do a patch test at least 24 hours prior to the application. Proceed only if the patch test does not cause irritation.
While Lemongrass Essential oil offers various benefits for skin, hair and, overall health, it should be used after a patch test. People with skin conditions such as Eczema should seek advice from a dermatologist before using it, as it can worsen a pre-existing condition. Essential Oils must always be diluted before application.
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