With aromatherapy gaining massive popularity and the variety of essential oils being so vast, it can be challenging to know what type of essential oil to buy. Many essential oils have a broad set of potential benefits.

Today WOW Skin Science is here to talk about lemongrass essential oil, its uses, and its potential benefits. 

Table of contents:

• What Is Aromatherapy
• How Does Aromatherapy Work?
• Are There Benefits to Aromatherapy?
• What Is Lemongrass Essential Oil
• The Uses of Lemongrass Essential Oil
• Bacteria Fighting Properties
• Rich in Antioxidants
• Reduce Joint Discomfort
• Aids In Relaxation and Massage
• Head and Neck Tension Relief
• Purifies Skin
• Bug Repellent
• Commonly Asked Questions About Essential Oils
• Do You Need to Use Carrier Oil?
• Is a Diffuser Necessary?
• Are There Side Effects to Essential Oils?
• Is There a Difference Between Oil Blends and Single Oils?

What Is Aromatherapy

Before we get into the details of lemongrass essential oil, let's first talk about aromatherapy in general. Just to clear up any confusion, aromatherapy is another way to refer to essential oils.

Aromatherapy, or essential oil therapy, uses plant and seed extract as holistic healing. These powerful components extracted from various plants and seeds are thought to offer health benefits and help support general health. 

Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils to help promote a healthier body, mind, and spirit. Many people that use aromatherapy treatments believe it benefits them physically and mentally. 

And it has been like that for thousands of years. 

How Does Aromatherapy Work?

Aromatherapy works by inhalation or skin absorption of essential oils. 

When essential oils are applied to the skin, they are put in carrier oils like coconut oil or olive oil but are used in facial steamers, bath salts, lotion, hot and cold compresses, and even clay masks. 

When used for inhalation purposes, essential oils, like lemongrass, are put in a diffuser. However, you can always just add a few drops of lemongrass to a pot of boiling water for similar results.

The fantastic thing about essential oils is that they have such broad use. They are often used to help treat illness and discomfort, but they're also known for their physiological benefits. Many people believe essential oils to be very relaxing and help support their mental wellness. 

Are There Benefits to Aromatherapy?

The benefits of essential oils are broad as there are so many different kinds of essential oils. In fact, there are over one hundred essential oils to choose from. 

There are different benefits of essential oils: 

• It may help support sleep by relaxing your mood
• It could help soothe sore joints
• It may help soothe tension
• It could help support immune function

Of course, the benefits of aromatherapy are more dependent on the essential oil you decide to use and how often you use it. Today we want to evaluate one specific essential oil — lemongrass — and the benefits it has to offer. 

What Is Lemongrass Essential Oil

The lemongrass plant, Cymbopogon, grows in tropical parts of the world. You can find lemongrass in Asia, Africa, and Oceania. You can expect the oil to be bright in color and thin in consistency. Lemongrass essential oil is extracted from the lemongrass plant. 

While lemongrass has been traditionally used for pain relief, stomach issues, and fever treatment, its antibacterial and antifungal properties may present other ways to use this oil. 

The Uses of Lemongrass Essential Oil

Let's view how lemongrass essential oil could potentially help your wellness.

• Bacteria Fighting Properties

Lemongrass may have antibacterial properties, which could help maintain your immune function. Using fragrant lemongrass essential oil may help support your health.

• Rich in Antioxidants

Lemongrass has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are important parts of a wellness routine to support your body's health and appearance. 

Antioxidants could help fight free radicals. Free radicals can harm your skin, causing premature fine lines and signs of aging. 

Applying our lemongrass essential oil to your skin and face with a carrier oil could help support a more youthful appearance and may help fight free radicals. 

• Reduce Joint Discomfort

Joint discomfort is a common issue. Consumers spend money on over-the-counter painkillers to help alleviate discomfort. These medicines can be helpful with proper use, but if abused, there could be severe side effects.

Applying lemongrass essential oil to your irritated and uncomfortable joints may help aid in joint and cartilage function. 

• Aids In Relaxation and Massage

Thanks to lemongrass essential oils' prominent scent and its moisturizing properties, it is said to aid in relaxation and can work great as a massage oil. Add lemongrass oil to your next massage. You'll need to first dilute the pure oil with a carrier oil, like jojoba or coconut oil.

Lemongrass essential oil is often compared to another very relaxing scent, lavender. 

• Head and Neck Tension Relief

Head and neck pain happens. Try lemongrass essential oil as a way to relax the next time a headache strikes. Like peppermint essential oil, lemongrass essential oil may help calm your muscle tension. 

While everyone is different and certain forms of headache alleviation don't work for everyone, some people believe using lemongrass essential oil could help to relieve neck and head pain. 

• Purifies Skin

With lemongrass believed to possess antibacterial and antifungal properties, it is sometimes used as a way to soothe and calm irritated skin. 

The properties of lemongrass essential oils may help remove impurities to support skin health. 

• Bug Repellent

Lemongrass can not only potentially support your skin health and can aid in reducing discomfort, but it's also even used as a bug repellent. Lemongrass has a prominent citronella scent, which can help ward off some of those unwanted creepy crawlers. 

You can apply lemongrass essential oil directly to your skin (with a carrier oil), or you can burn essential oil candles to help keep pests at bay. 

Commonly Asked Questions About Essential Oils

With so much buzz around aromatherapy, you may be left with more questions. Take a look at our responses to common questions below. 

• Do You Need to Use Carrier Oil?

Using a carrier oil is 100% necessary if you plan to apply any essential oil to your skin. If an essential oil is undiluted before being applied topically to the skin, it can result in discomfort, burning, or irritation. 

Commonly used carrier oils are coconut and jojoba oil.

• Is a Diffuser Necessary?

If you plan to reap the aromatic benefits of essential oils, purchasing a diffuser would help make the process run a little smoother. It's easy to set up and use a diffuser. Some allow for variations in the amount of released scent, so you can vary the amount depending on your needs and the size of the room. 

• Are There Side Effects to Essential Oils?

Even though essential oils are a natural product, that's not to say there aren't side effects with improper use. Essential oils are not for human consumption. Ingesting an essential oil will make you sick. Do keep essential oils out of the reach of children and pets.

Of course, if essential oils are used without proper dilution, it can result in irritated skin or itchiness. 

• Is There a Difference Between Oil Blends and Single Oils?

 Yes, there is a difference between oil blends and single oils. 

Single oil is an individual essential oil, while essential oil blends are a mixture of more than one essential oil. A blend is a convenient way to combine your favorite scents, like bright citrus.

We carefully select and pair only the best oils for our essential oil blends.

Aromatherapy can be a great way to help support relaxation and aid your mental wellness. The uses of essential oils are broad. Choose a diffuser or add your essential oil to a carrier to experience the strong, citrusy scent of lemongrass essential oil.

It can be hard to know which brands or companies you can trust regarding health or skincare, but WOW Skin Science prides itself on ensuring each of our customers feels educated on the products they're using — essential oils included.