Updated October 2026
Lemongrass essential oil is used to freshen the air, lift your mood and focus, ease tired muscles in a well-diluted massage oil, and add a clean, lemony scent to homemade cleaners. It's one of the stronger oils on skin, so I keep it at 0.7% or less and let gentler oils do most of the work.
Below are 10 ways I use lemongrass and 8 easy recipes. For my full lemongrass profile, safety notes and favorite blends, see my lemongrass diffuser blends and essential oil guide. Jump to the recipes.
Lemongrass Essential Oil Quick Facts
- Botanical name: Cymbopogon flexuosus (East Indian) or Cymbopogon citratus (West Indian)
- Scent: fresh, lemony, green and slightly earthy
- Main constituents: geranial and neral, which together make up citral
- Max dilution: 0.7% on skin, about 1 drop per 10 ml or 4 drops per ounce of carrier oil
- Kids: I diffuse it around kids 6+ but don't use it on their skin
For the full list of constituents and safety data, I rely on Essential Oil Safety (affiliate link) by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.
10 Ways to Use Lemongrass Essential Oil
1. In a Diffuser
Diffusing is my favorite way to enjoy lemongrass. Its bright scent feels clean and energizing, and it's wonderful with lavender, citrus or mint. Start with 2 to 4 drops, or try one of my 10 lemongrass diffuser blends.
2. As a Natural Air Freshener
Lemongrass is a classic for freshening a stuffy room, bathroom or entryway. My Lemongrass Air Freshener is in the recipes below.
3. For Focus and Energy
When I'm dragging in the afternoon, lemongrass with lime and rosemary in an inhaler helps me feel more alert. Try the Alert Inhaler below, and see more inhaler blend recipes.
4. For a Brighter Mood
Lemongrass is traditionally used to lift the spirits. Paired with lemon and frankincense, it makes a cheerful but grounded blend. Try the Happy Inhaler below.
5. For Tired Muscles
Lemongrass is traditionally used in massage blends for muscles that feel tired after exercise or a long day on your feet. Keep it to a drop or two in a blend with lavender or marjoram. Try the Pick-Me-Up Massage Oil or Muscle Tension Roller below, and see my essential oil blends for muscle pain.
6. For Neck and Shoulder Tension
A gentle neck and shoulder massage with a little lemongrass feels lovely when you've been hunched over a desk. My Neck and Shoulder Massage Oil is below. Lemongrass is also a reader favorite in my top 10 essential oils for headaches.
7. In the Kitchen
Lemongrass gives the fridge, trash can and cupboards a clean, fresh scent. Try my Fridge Refresh Spray below.
8. In the Laundry
Add 2 to 3 drops to wool dryer balls for fresh-smelling clothes and towels. Here are the best essential oils for wool dryer balls.
9. For Time Outdoors
Lemongrass and its cousin citronella are traditionally used in outdoor blends to keep bugs away. Try my citronella diffuser blends on the patio and my natural bug spray recipes. Where mosquito-borne illness is a concern, use an EPA-registered repellent.
10. For a Fresh-Feeling Scalp
Add 1 drop of lemongrass to a tablespoon of shampoo, massage it into your scalp and rinse well. It leaves your scalp feeling fresh and clean. Adults.
Lemongrass Essential Oil Recipes
Alert Inhaler
Adults and kids 6+ (contains rosemary)
- 5 drops lemongrass
- 5 drops lime
- 5 drops rosemary
- Blank aromatherapy inhaler
Method: Drip the essential oils onto the cotton wick, slide it into the inhaler and snap on the cap. Hold it under your nose and breathe in slowly when you need a lift.
Happy Inhaler
Adults and kids 6+
- 5 drops lemongrass
- 5 drops frankincense
- 5 drops lemon
- Blank aromatherapy inhaler
Method: Add the essential oils to the cotton wick and assemble the inhaler. Keep it in your purse or desk for a quick mood boost.
Lemongrass Air Freshener
For the air, not skin. Keep pets out of the room while spraying.
- 15 drops lemongrass
- 1 oz vodka or high-proof alcohol
- 1 oz distilled water
- 2 oz glass spray bottle
Method: Add the lemongrass and vodka to the bottle and swirl to mix, then add the water. The alcohol helps the oil disperse. Shake well before each use and mist into the air.
Fridge Refresh Spray
For surfaces, not skin
- 10 drops lemongrass
- 2 oz vodka
- 2 oz glass spray bottle
Method: Combine in the bottle and shake. Take the food out, spray the shelves and drawers, and wipe them dry with a clean cloth. Let the fridge air out for a few minutes before putting food back.
Pick-Me-Up Massage Oil
Adults (contains peppermint)
- 8 drops lavender
- 8 drops peppermint
- 4 drops grapefruit
- 4 drops lemongrass
- 1/4 cup fractionated coconut oil or carrier oil of choice
- 2 oz glass pump bottle
Method: Add everything to the bottle and shake. Massage onto arms, legs and shoulders for an uplifting rub. This is a 2% blend with lemongrass well under 0.7%. From my 22 aromatherapy massage oils.
Neck and Shoulder Massage Oil
Adults
- 4 drops lemongrass
- 1 oz jojoba oil
- 1 oz dropper bottle
Method: Add the lemongrass to the bottle and fill with jojoba. Massage a few drops into the back of your neck and tops of your shoulders. Keep it away from your eyes. This is just under 0.7%.
Muscle Tension Roller
Adults (contains eucalyptus and peppermint)
- 3 drops peppermint
- 2 drops eucalyptus
- 1 drop lemongrass
- 10 ml roller bottle topped with jojoba oil
Method: Add the essential oils to the roller, top with jojoba and shake. Roll onto tight neck and shoulder muscles. This is a 3% blend for small areas, with lemongrass at 0.5%.
Fruity Diffuser Blend
Adults and kids 6+
- 2 drops grapefruit
- 2 drops lemongrass
- 2 drops bergamot
Method: Add to your diffuser with water to the fill line and diffuse for 30 to 60 minutes. From my grapefruit diffuser blends. Find 10 more in my lemongrass diffuser blends.
Lemongrass Safety Tips
- Keep lemongrass at 0.7% or less on skin, and skip it on broken, irritated or sensitive skin.
- Use fresh oil and store it cool and dark. Old lemongrass is more likely to cause a skin reaction.
- Patch test before using a new blend.
- Never swallow essential oils, and keep them out of reach of children. See my kid-safe essential oils list.
- If you're pregnant, nursing, epileptic or taking medication, check with your doctor first.
- When diffusing or spraying, keep the room ventilated and let cats and other pets leave.
Keep Exploring
- Lemongrass diffuser blends and essential oil guide
- Lavender and lemongrass essential oil recipes
- Can you mix lemongrass and peppermint oil?
- 20 essential oil inhaler blend recipes
- Diluting essential oils guide with dilution chart
Shop my Aromatherapy Supply Kits and grab one of my free essential oil guides.
Share on Pinterest
