Essential Oil

Lemongrass Oil: Contraindications, Benefits And Properties

3 years ago
Read Time: 8 minutes
by Kathie Sand
Leave a comment

The lemon verbena is a tree belonging to the Verbenaceae family , it is known as cedrón, verbena de indias or cidrón; It is cultivated due to its aroma very similar to lemon, it reaches up to 3 meters in height.

This plant turns out to be very beneficial, especially its leaves, from which a substance is extracted that is used in natural medicine, cosmetics, aesthetics and aromatherapy.

What is lemon verbena oil?

It is a substance that is extracted from the lemon verbena plant, specifically from the leaves and stem.

The lemon verbena oil is widely used in aromatherapy, in addition to providing health benefits such as calming, antiseptic, antispasmodic, digestive, carminative, febrifuge, detoxifying; in cosmetics it is used in the production of perfumes.

Origin of lemon verbena oil

The lemon verbena oil is native to the tropical forests of Chile, although its cultivation is widespread throughout Morocco.

History of lemon verbena oil

The Greeks and Romans called the lemon verbena a sacred plant, blood of mercury, plant of isis or branch of Hercules.

It was associated with the god Isis, it appeared together with myrtle in the representation of Venus, the branches were used in the elaboration of crowns.

While in Gaul, it represented clairvoyance and served to prophesy.

In Roman times, he tended to place branches of lemon verbena under the table, to create an atmosphere of joy and harmony.

Characteristics of lemon verbena oil

Lemongrass oil is a pale yellow liquid with a sweet aroma very similar to lemon.

It is considered one of the most valuable oils, because it takes approximately 7000kg of lemon verbena plant to make one liter of oil. Therefore, it tends to be adulterated with similar oils such as lemon balm, lemongrass, or exotic verbena.

We also recommend Lemon: Benefits and Recipes to Lose Weight Quickly

Scientific name of lemon verbena oil

Lemongrass oil goes by the scientific name of Lippia Citriodora.

Chemical formula of lemon verbena oil

It establishes the components of the chemical formula of lemon verbena oil:

Monoterpenes: volatile or Myrcene (0.72%) d-limonene (lemon scent).
Flavonoids: Luteolin, Isoorientin, Orientin
Phenolic acids: caffeic.
Ketones: Methylheptenone (0.2%)
Alcohols: or Nerol (4.18%).
Geraniol (3.04%) or Citronellol.
Triterpenes: Cymbopogona Cymbopogonol.
Aldehydes: Citral aldehyde (alpha citral 40% and beta citral 32%).
It is volatile Furfural Citronellal (2.10%).

How is lemon verbena oil extracted?

This lemon verbena oil is extracted by steam distillation from the fresh leaves of the plant, which are the ones that secrete the oil; This procedure is used to obtain higher quality oil and preserve its properties.

Lemongrass oil density

The density of lemon verbena oil after distillation ranges from 0.9750 to 0.9850 g / ml, which makes it 96% soluble in alcohol.

Active ingredient of lemon verbena oil

Lemongrass oil has monoterpenes, aldehydes, sequiterpenes, monoterpenols, fucoumarins, caryophyllum, linalol, terpineol, flavonoids, verbenoa, limonene, camphene, citral and oxides as active ingredients.

Uses and benefits of lemon verbena oil

The lemon verbena oil is popularly used in aromatherapy, thanks to its antidepressant action, cleaning the mind of negative thoughts, sadness, stress.

Internal use : expulsion of gases, antiflatulent, digestive-calming action, combats bad breath, against respiratory diseases, relaxes and tones the nerves.
External use : as an infusion in the bathroom, relaxes the nerves.

Other uses of lemon verbena oil : it is used in cooking as an aromatic ingredient in sauces; in cosmetics for the production of personal hygiene products (soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, hair lotions); occasionally, it is used as an ingredient in the making of drinks and cocktails.

Among the benefits it brings to health are:

Antiseptic: ideal for treating bacterial infections.
Digestive: relieves indigestion, upset stomach.
Antispasmodic: relief of spasmodic pain and cough.
Sedative: acts against insomnia and disorders caused by stress.
Emollient and hydrating: keeps the skin moist and hydrated.
Aphrodisiac .
Febrifuge : relieves fever.
Tonic: antibacterial, disinfectant, relieve any ailment.
Insecticide.

We recommend you read this related topic The Importance of Toning the Skin and the Difference between Tonic and Astringent

What are the benefits for the skin and face?

One of the properties that the components give to lemon verbena oil is an antioxidant, which allows it to act against free radicals, preventing damage to cells and preventing aging.

It helps to tone and firm the skin, provides softness and hydration to dry, combination and mature skin, in addition to favoring in case of cellulite, because it helps to regenerate new cells, notably concealing this condition.

To lose weight, lemon verbena oil is good

Of the properties that lemon verbena has, it can be said that they help in the process of losing weight, because it acts as a calming agent and relieves stress, a state that influences weight loss.

Additionally, it is a digestive and helps digest food better, in addition to its diuretic effects, it allows to eliminate toxins through the urine and prevents fluid retention.

For what it is lemon verbena oil, it is a supplement for weight loss, accompanied by a good diet and having a good attitude.

It has many properties for the hair

The lemon verbena oil helps to strengthen the scalp, which affects hair growth and prevents hair loss, as well as the formation of dandruff and controls itching, providing hydration thanks to its astringent properties.

We have an ideal article for you 27 Plants to Strengthen Hair and have it Healthier

Lemongrass oil and pregnant women

To date, it has not been shown that herb oil causes any effect in pregnant women, therefore its use is not recommended in any of the presentations, in order to avoid possible adverse damages.

Can it be used while breastfeeding? Why?

As in pregnant women, the use of lemon verbena oil has a negative effect on infants, but it is not recommended to consume it during breastfeeding.

How to make homemade lemon verbena oil?

A simple way to make homemade Luis herb oil is, place the fresh leaves of the lemon verbena in a glass container with olive oil, let it rest for 24 hours, after that time is over, strain and pour into another glass container. sterilized, capped and used as needed.

Cosmetic properties of lemon verbena oil

Thanks to its aromatic components and bactericidal properties, lemon verbena oil is used in the cosmetic area for the production of perfumes, toothpastes, shampoos, soaps, body and hair lotions, and products for the face.

Lemongrass oil and its medicinal properties

Among the medicinal properties that pertain to lemon verbena oil are:

It acts as an anti-inflammatory.
It is carminative, because it helps in the elimination of gases and flatulence.
It is antibacterial and helps to fight infections.
It is an antioxidant, thanks to the camphene component that reacts to oxidizing agents and treats skin conditions.
Due to its composition in flavonoids, it affects the development of anticancer cells.
It acts as an antihistamine in the prevention and control of allergies.
Pain reliever, due to its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.
As an expectorant, it helps in the elimination of mucous membranes in the respiratory tract.

In addition to this topic, you may also be interested in Best Anti-inflammatory Foods: Side Effects, Benefits and Types

Lemongrass oil in aromatherapy

This lemon verbena oil is used in aromatherapy because:

Helps to counteract states of depression, anguish, anxiety, disinterest.
Provides dynamism, energy in states of fatigue, exhaustion, insomnia, stress.
Strengthens concentration, stimulating brain function.
It stimulates enthusiasm, joy, confidence and optimism.
Build strength to overcome mood during grief.

Contraindications and risks of lemon verbena oil

Generally speaking, lemon verbena oil is found to be safe for use by healthy people, and no toxic effects have been defined.

However, people with kidney disease should not use this substance because it tends to irritate the urinary tract.

Contraindications lead to its composition in citral, it could cause neurotoxic effects if the recommended dose is exceeded.

Lemongrass oil datasheet

Synonym: lemon verbena oil.
Scientific name: Lippia Citriodora.
Extraction: Steam distillation, which is carried out on the leaves and stems.
Active principles: terpineol, sequiterpenes, monoterpenes, monoterpenols, linalool, fucoumarins, caryophyllum, aldehydes.
Properties: Aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, antiseptic, digestive, emollient and moisturizing, febrifuge, sedative, tonic.
Precautions: Should not be applied directly to the skin.
in pure state. It should not be used during pregnancy or lactation. It should not be used in children under 3 years of age.
Recommendations: Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Caution: Keep in a cool place and out of the reach of children.

Almost all essential oils

Kathie Sand

Website | + posts

Kathie Sand always saw the world of beauty as the terrain on which to build her professional career, a goal that was clear to her when she was only 15 years old. Her great concern to expand knowledge led her to settle in Paris where she studied hand in hand with the best beauty professionals and with the most advanced techniques for skin care.