What a better way to welcome spring then to talk about Lemongrass Essential oil.
Lemongrass Essential oil (Cymbopogon flexuosus) always reminds me of my years riding horses. In our daily care routine, after a thorough grooming, we would spray the horses with fly spray. Most of the fly sprays we used were natural based and almost all of them had lemongrass. It worked wonders on keeping insects away and helped keep their coats conditioned.
It smells grassy, sweet, and spicy. You've probably smelled it somewhere before even if you don't realize it.
The plant itself is a popular ingredient in Thai recipes (like Tom Kha Soup) and is becoming a popular container plant for your deck and patio for it's bug repellent properties.
5 Reasons why you should be using Lemongrass Essential oil
- It makes a wonderful flea, fly, and bug repellent. Diffuse near problem areas or make a spray (like this one).
- It can be used as a natural deodorizer and air freshener.
- It's great as a skin cleanser. Try making a cleansing face mister, add 10 drops Lemongrass Essential oil to a 20oz glass mister and fill the rest with witch hazel. Shake the bottle, close your eyes and give you face a spritz.
- It's aroma creates a relaxing atmosphere and helps relieve anxiety.
- It can help improve the duration and quality of sleep, if diffused before bed.
*Lemongrass should be avoided while pregnant and breast feeding. It is linked to stimulating the uterus and menstrual flow (If you have irregular periods talk to your Doctor before trying essential oils to regulate them, please read my Terms and Conditions). Lemongrass may also cause skin irritation in some people, try diluting with a carrier oil and doing a patch test on your skin.*
Looking for more on Essential oils?
Check out the Reasons why category for more essential oils or check out my oil page