It's Not Lemon, It's Not Grass: It's LEMONGRASS (Essential Oil that is!)

Essential oils are amazing! There’s tons of different ones altogether, but another oil in my favorites list is Lemongrass Oil, especially from Simply Earth. Check them out if  you're interested in essential oils. 

This is one of the few oils I don’t ever use by itself, but man, it sure elevates other oils. 

Lemongrass is an aromatic grass that grows in Asia, Africa, Australia, and some other tropical islands. It’s used in Asian, Thai, and Indian cooking, as well as in medicine. Ohhhh I love a good Thai Lemongrass dish. 

Lemongrass has an abundance of vitamins including A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, and C and minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, copper, zinc, and iron.  It’s also got antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. Further, it’s anti microbial , antiseptic, analgesic, astringent, antibacterial, and anti fungal and gives off a pleasant citrusy lemony scent. It’s also good for helping increase milk production when used correctly (I had a blend with lemongrass and fennel that smelled AMAZING and really seemed to work to increase my supply). 

Lemongrass essential oil is often used in “happy” blends, as it tends to give an uplifting feel (as do most citrus oils). It’s also used in digestive blends as it’s soothing to the GI system. 

You can add a drop or two of lemongrass oil to foods to help with digestion. It also gives an awesome flavor to curries and stir fries. 

When I diffuse lemongrass, I like to add another citrus oil to it, such as grapefruit, lime, and/or sweet orange. Mmmmm. I have also mixed basil and lemongrass when I want the house to smell like I’ve been cooking all day. 

I have also diffused lemongrass and spearmint together when I have a headache or I’m stressed. 

You can use lemongrass combined with fennel to help relieve gas or digestive issues. (You can even add a drop of peppermint too!) 

I like to use lemongrass when making homemade deodorant. I combine lemongrass, tea tree, and lavender (sometimes also lemon and orange). Sometimes I am lazy and just add a drop of each of these to store bought natural deodorants. 

I have a homemade bug repellent that I use that includes lavender, citronella, geranium, and lemongrass. It’s sort of “heavy” feeling, but it works to keep the mosquitoes away. 

Lemongrass is also a great addition to massage oils as it helps relieve sore muscles. Try adding a drop or two of lemongrass and peppermint oils to your favorite massage oil for extra relief. 

If I am going through a mild insomnia phase (it happens once in awhile), I include lemongrass in a “sleepy” blend along with lavender, roman chamomile, and sandalwood. 

All in all, this is an oil I am glad to have in my arsenal. Not many people know about lemongrass essential oil, but it has a ton of benefits! If you use essential oils, it’s definitely worth trying out. 

What’s your favorite ethnic food?