Lemongrass essential oil has been used to support digestion, purification and regeneration of tissues. Lemongrass may be one of the most broadly therapeutic, all-around anti-microbial essential oils available, with other important actions that support the immune system.

Lemongrass oil may help improve circulation, digestion, and eyesight, while combating headaches, infections and fluid retention. Spiritually, the aroma of Lemongrass oil is thought to promote psychic awareness and purification. High-quality lemongrass is an excellent oil to difffuse by itself for clearing the air, and can be topically applied in dilution on the feet for support of immune response.

Lemongrass has been employed in traditional Indian medicine for infectious illness and fever. Modern research carried out in India shows that it may also act as a sedative on the central nervous system. Lemongrass has recently been the subject of numerous scientific investigations examining its potential use as an anticancer agent.

Frankincense and lemongrass are the two essential oils with the largest bodies of research in this field. Research published in the May 2009 Journal of Chemico-Biological Interactions concluded "Our results indicate that the oil has a promising anti-cancer activity and causes loss in tum,or cell viability by activating the apoptotic process as identified by electron microscopy." For the latest research, go to pubmed.gov and search for "lemongrass" and "cancer".

Lemongrass has also been shown to be a potent and important antibacterial agent. In a study published in 'Letters in Applied Microbiology', essential oil vapors (what one would create through using a nebulizing diffuser, essential oils of Geranium and Lemongrass were shown effective even against MRSA bacteria. This may prove useful in hospital settings where such bacteria have become resistant against conventional antibiotics. Due to its interaction with the immune system, and broad-spectrum anti-microbial action, diffuser use of Lemongrass may be an excellent means of 'disinfecting the air' in one's home or office.

Further, lemongrass essential oil has also been studied as an antifungal agent against Candida -- a naturally occurring fungus in our bodies which can 'overgrow' due to dietary imbalances (possibly too high a sugar intake), resulting in vaginal irritation, rashes (particularly on the feet) and the like. Topical application may be best to utilize these properties, in a 5-10% dilution in any carrier oil.

Lemongrass is also used a mosquito repellent, and has been the subject of many studies investigating this use. Lemongrass can be highly effective, especially when combined with other oils often used for keeping away insects, such as Geranium, Lemon Tea Tree and Citronella. These oils can be combined in topical formulas (with a total essential oil concentration up to 15%) or even used in a diffuser for this purpose.

This essential oil is distilled from lemongrass leaves is a yellow liquid with a fresh, grassy-lemon citrus aroma with an earthy undertone. The planting of Lemongrass is though to 'heal the Earth' by its absorption and breakdown of toxic products.