Lemongrass essential oil is one of the most accessible and inexpensive plant oils you can find. This is because it is easy to grow, and easy to press for oil. It has one of the most citrus-like scents you can find, smelling a bit like lemon zest with a deep green grassy note added to the overall aroma.

Aside from using lemongrass oil as a natural cleaner, in a diffuser, or as a culinary addition to Indian or Thai style dishes, there are actually several other little known uses for this oil. Its naturally astringent and antibacterial qualities make it a great choice for several other, little-known practical uses.

A Natural Insect Repellant

Lemongrass oil is a natural repellant for mosquitoes and many other types of biting bugs that can carry disease. It is really good at masking the scent they are attracted to, as well as having its own repellant qualities that they tend to avoid.

You can try to spray some into the air periodically outside around an area where you will be sitting, or spray it on your clothes. If spraying on the skin, make sure it is diluted enough so it won’t cause sensitivity. Some people can be very sensitive to this oil when used topically on the skin, so caution is needed.

Many people also add this oil to their outdoor mosquito repellant torch oil. It adds another layer of protection beyond the smoke produced by the torch. Plus it smells good!

A Natural Pain Reliever

You can use lemongrass to help fight pain and inflammation as a topical application in the area of discomfort. The same rules apply here, you don’t want to use this oil undiluted. You would always need to dilute it with a carrier oil such as liquid coconut oil or sweet almond oil.

You should also do a patch test to make sure you aren’t sensitive. Due to the potency, it is one that can cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Antibacterial Agent

We use lemongrass in our sulfate free antibacterial & calming Acne Soap. This is because it is a very powerful antibacterial agent. Acne is caused by bacterial organisms getting lodged in the pores. So, killing it on the surface is a very effective way to prevent new breakouts.

It also happens to be an excellent astringent, meaning it cleans surfaces very well. It is highly effective at breaking up surface oils and other “gunk”. That makes it not only an effective addition to battling acne, but also a great natural cleaner for various household surfaces. Along with this, it can help tone and tighten the pores of the skin due to its astringent quality.

This also makes it an excellent addition to various soaps and cleansers. It eliminates bacteria and other microbes very effectively. This means it can really help with sanitizing your hands and other parts of the body that have come in contact with harmful bacteria or microbes.

Since lemongrass oil also has anti-inflammatory properties, it is helpful in reducing redness and inflammation on the skin. This is very useful for someone who experiences topical skin conditions such as rosacea, acne and other inflammatory types of skin problems.