Discover Lemongrass Essential Oil

Discovering Lemongrass Essential Oil

Did you know doTERRA aims to help small farmers across the globe to have a living through growing the plants which make their wonderful oils?

Lemongrass is a great example. It is grown by family farmers in Southern India. 

How Lemongrass Oil is made.

It is labour intensive to harvest lemongrass because it is harvested by hand using a sickle, but for generations it has been a way of life for Southern Indian families. Southern India has high levels of rain fall in the area which creates a higher citral content in the lemongrass to make it superior for essential oil use.

It is a five mile hike up a steep mountain for the farmers during harvest time and they work for roughly seven days to harvest a 100-acre plantation. 

Once the lemongrass is harvested and gathered, the farmers walk the five miles back down the mountain, each carrying a lemongrass bundle on top of their head.

Lemongrass is steam distilled and goes through stages of refining, filtration, and blending. 

The oil then undergoes a series of tests before it qualifies for export—the oil must be of the highest quality to be acceptable to distribute and to meet the high standards demanded by doTERRA so you get the very best essential oil. 

Lemongrass is a citrus and smoky essential oil with a refreshing and herbaceous aroma which has many benefits.

You may recognise it as an ingredient used in Asian cuisine for soups, teas, curries, and seafood and when used internally can support healthy digestion.

It's pungent aroma makes Lemongrass a good oil for massage.

It has purifying benefits for the skin.

It also promotes a positive outlook.  

You can use it topically, aromatically, or internally.

Lemongrass Essential Oil Uses and Benefits

• Lemongrass includes aldehydes, which are known for their ability to maintain healthy gastrointestinal function when ingested. Add a few drops of Lemongrass oil to your food or beverages to add flavour and provide dietary support. 
• For healthy digestive function place a few drops in a doTERRA Veggie Capsule.
• For even better benefits to your digestive system try combining Lemongrass oil with Peppermint oil.
• Lemongrass has been a common ingredient to add flavour to Asian soups, curries, beef, fish, teas, and more. It is also widely used in baked goods or candies in the food industry because of its distinct flavour.  Add a few drops to entrees or meat dishes. 
• The aldehydes in Lemongrass essential oil have another benefit. They help to naturally repel insects, bugs and mosquitos. Try diffusing Lemongrass essential oil inside or outside or applying it topically to your skin to help keep bugs away. 
• If you are feeling nervous or have mental fatigue pop some drops of lemongrass into your diffuser.
• Diffusing lemongrass can help give you a more positive outlook and heighten your awareness.
• To quickly get the aromatic benefits of Lemongrass, place one drop in the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, and inhale softly for up to 30 seconds or longer as desired.
• Lemongrass is a soothing oil with purifying benefits for the skin, making it a great oil for massage along with the refreshing aroma. 
•  If you use Lemongrass essential oil for massage, dilute it with a carrier oil like doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil. Apply the diluted oil to muscles and joints for a soothing sensation that makes for a tranquil massage.
• You can utilise the soothing qualities of Lemongrass after exercise. 
• You can also dilute Lemongrass and apply it after a long run for a refreshing feeling. 
• Lemongrass contains purifying and toning benefits for the skin, and can be used in your skin care routine to help promote pure, toned skin. 
• Add a few drops of Lemongrass essential oil to your daily cleanser or moisturiser to help tone and purify skin. 
• Similar to TeaTree, Lemongrass oil can also help promote the appearance of healthy fingernails and toenails. To experience these benefits of Lemongrass, try combining it with TeaTree essential oil and apply the mixture to your fingernails and toenails to help them look and feel clean.

Looking for an essential oil recipe that uses Lemongrass essential oil?

Coconut Lemongrass Red Lentil Soup and enjoy the unique flavours of Lemongrass, ginger root, coconut milk, lentils, and more.

Warm and satisfying, this soup is great for any occasion.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 large onions, peeled and chopped
4 cloves garlic finely chopped or pressed
1 tablespoons fresh ginger root, minced
1–2 drops Lemongrass oil
4 tablespoons tomato paste
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
4 tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
8 cups vegetable broth
2 cans coconut milk
4 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
3 cups dried red lentils
4–6 handfuls baby spinach
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions  

1. Heat coconut oil over medium heat; add onion, garlic, and fresh ginger. Cook until onion is translucent then add carrots and sauté five to seven minutes.
2. Add tomato paste, curry powder, and red pepper flakes; cook for another one to two minutes stirring constantly until all vegetables are coated and flavours combined.
3.  Add vegetable broth, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, and lentils. Cover and bring to a boil on medium high heat; reduce to simmer (low heat).
4. Add Lemongrass essential oil and cook for approx. 30 minutes until lentils are cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Add spinach and stir until wilted.
6. Garnish with one tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro and one tablespoon sour cream.

Tip: Add some brown sugar for a sweeter curry taste.

Plant Description

The evergreen lemongrass plant, also known as Cymbopogon flexuosus, is a tall, perennial plant native to India and other surrounding countries. 

Lemongrass has long, aromatic leaves that are cut and steam-distilled to produce Lemongrass essential oil. 

The lemongrass plant is often used to extract essential oil to be used in perfumes, detergents, soaps, etc. The oil can also be taken internally, which makes lemongrass quite popular in the food industry for baked goods, gums, and candies.

Chemistry of Lemongrass Oil

Main Chemical Components: Geranial, neral

The chemical makeup of Lemongrass essential oil includes the constituents geranial and neral, which are aldehydes. 

Aldehydes are known for their distinctly potent fragrances.

Aldehydes in Lemongrass essential oil can also help cleanse surfaces and can even lessen feelings of stress when diffused. 

Essential oils with geranial and neral are soothing aldehydes and are particularly known for helping to maintain healthy gastrointestinal function when used internally. 

Lemongrass has similarities in structure with Melissa oil and both are both soothing oils.

Oils that Blend Well With Lemongrass Oil

Because Lemongrass oil includes subtle citrus notes; a pungent, smoky aroma; and a refreshing, herbaceous scent.

Blend it will oils with similar qualities such as the herbal scents of Basil, the fresh aroma of Spearmint, or the warm, spicy fragrance of Cardamom oil. 

Go to my website to get hold of yours today.

https://www.mydoterra.com/thehappyfootclinic/