Lemongrass oil: composition, benefits and how to make it at home

Lemongrass, also known as lemon grass, is a tropical perennial plant widely used in cooking, cosmetology, and traditional medicine. It is one of the most popular spices in Asian cuisine, an essential ingredient in sauces and even some cocktails. The famous Thai soup Tom Yum, known for its refined taste, cannot be prepared without lemongrass.

In addition to culinary uses, lemongrass essential oil is produced from this plant. It has a strong, rich aroma and provides tremendous health benefits. Lemongrass oil is an effective natural pain reliever, antiseptic and immune-boosting agent.

Lemongrass essential oil: composition and health benefits

The key active components of lemongrass essential oil are citral and geraniol. Citral has strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Geraniol suppresses pathogenic microorganisms and helps reduce inflammation.

In addition, lemongrass oil contains:

• Myrcene and limonene – terpene compounds with powerful antioxidant properties that protect the body from free radical damage;
• Nerol – a unique terpene alcohol that affects the central nervous system and brain, acting as a natural calming and anti-stress agent;
• B-group vitamins, which regulate cellular metabolism, support energy production from food, normalize fat metabolism, and participate in hormone synthesis;
• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) – one of the most powerful natural immunostimulants, accelerating the body’s defense response to viruses and infections;

Lemongrass oil also contains a rich mineral complex, including potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, and selenium. These minerals are involved in most metabolic processes and help regulate the functioning of internal organs.

Lemongrass essential oil helps relieve nervous tension, improves appetite, and accelerates recovery after physical exertion. Massage with lemongrass oil reduces muscle hypertonicity, while compresses help alleviate arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other inflammatory joint and bone conditions.

In cosmetology, lemongrass oil is used to regulate oily skin, fight acne and teenage breakouts. Mixing 2–3 drops of lemongrass oil with one teaspoon of a carrier oil and applying it to the face helps tighten pores and eliminate blackheads (comedones).

How lemongrass oil is made: production features

Lemongrass oil is produced from two subspecies of lemongrass: East Indian lemongrass and West Indian lemongrass. In industrial production, it is obtained—like most essential oils—through steam distillation.

You can also make homemade lemongrass oil by infusing dried young stems in any neutral-smelling carrier oil. For 200 grams of base oil, use 10–15 dried, finely chopped lemongrass stalks. Pour the oil over the plant material, shake well, seal tightly, and store in a dark place for about two weeks. After that, strain the oil and store it in the main compartment of the refrigerator.

The health value of lemongrass oil directly depends on the quality of the carrier oil. The best option is a raw organic cold-pressed oil. Such oil can be produced at home using a special oil press, a barrel (mold), and raw materials such as nuts, grains, or oilseeds.

Oil presses, barrels and raw materials from CraftOil — the foundation of home oil making

CraftOil offers an excellent selection of artisan products: raw («live») oils, flours, as well as grains and nuts that can be used for food and/or cold pressing oil.

The CraftOil catalog also includes caprolon (polyamide-6) and ash wood barrels (dry assembly) with capacities from 0.5 to 5.5 liters, as well as oil presses with pressing force from 20 to 75 tons. Our 20-ton channel and plate presses, 30-ton modular hydraulic press, dual 30/30-ton hydropress, and other models are ideal for home use. They are compact, easy to operate, and undemanding in terms of working conditions.

For commercial purposes, we offer powerful models such as the 50-ton Italian press, 70-ton Austrian press, 50/30-ton dual press, and more. These machines easily handle even the most challenging raw materials.

Want to learn more about why cold-pressed oils are best made at home? Not sure which oil press to choose? Simply leave a request on our website, and our managers will contact you shortly.