Last verified: 17 days ago
Lemongrass
Also known as: Cymbopogon citratus, lemongrass essential oil, citral, lemongrass oil
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Aromatic herb with early evidence for anxiety relief and oral health. Most research is small-scale.
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What it does
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tropical grass used in cooking, aromatherapy, and traditional medicine. When inhaled as an essential oil, early clinical trials suggest it can reduce anxiety...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
No established dose
What the Science Says
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tropical grass used in cooking, aromatherapy, and traditional medicine. When inhaled as an essential oil, early clinical trials suggest it can reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure and heart rate during stressful procedures. A small trial also found a 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash reduced plaque and gum inflammation comparably to chlorhexidine, a standard dental rinse.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to treat any medical condition when taken as a supplement pill or capsule. No human evidence it burns fat, boosts immunity, or detoxifies the body. Animal studies on its active compound citral don't confirm the same effects in people. Aromatherapy results don't mean swallowing lemongrass extract will do the same thing.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Inhaling lemongrass oil during dental procedures reduces anxiety and lowers blood pressure and heart rate.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 20-minute aromatherapy inhalation session
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
A 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash reduces plaque and gum inflammation similarly to chlorhexidine.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Daily lemongrass oil aromatherapy for 4 weeks significantly reduces menopausal symptom scores.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 20-minute daily aromatherapy sessions for 4 weeks
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — most human studies use aromatherapy (inhalation) or topical/oral rinse application, not oral supplementation. Absorption of citral from ingested supplements has not been characterized in the provided studies.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Most human evidence is from aromatherapy (inhalation), not oral supplements — effects may not transfer to capsule or extract form
- Lemongrass oil can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, especially in topical products
- Clinical trials are small (38–355 participants) with limited follow-up; long-term safety data are lacking
- Many products in the NIH DSLD database (423 registered) make broad health claims not supported by the available clinical evidence
- Animal study findings (e.g., organ protection from citral) have not been replicated in human trials
Products Containing Lemongrass
See how Lemongrass is used in these analyzed products:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lemongrass do?
Aromatic herb with early evidence for anxiety relief and oral health. Most research is small-scale.
What is the effective dose of Lemongrass?
No established dose
Is Lemongrass safe?
Most human evidence is from aromatherapy (inhalation), not oral supplements — effects may not transfer to capsule or extract form
What doesn't Lemongrass do?
Not proven to treat any medical condition when taken as a supplement pill or capsule.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25