Lemongrass oil

What is lemongrass oil?

Lemongrass oil is an essential oil distilled from the leaves of Cymbopogon citratus, a tall tropical grass used widely in Southeast Asian cooking and herbal teas. Its lemony scent comes mainly from citral, a mix of two closely related aldehydes. The oil is used in fragrances, insect repellents, aromatherapy and topical products marketed for skin and nail health.

What the research says

Research on lemongrass oil and fungi is almost entirely from the laboratory. In a 1993 study that tested 13 essential oils against dermatophytes, the fungi that cause athlete’s foot and most nail fungus, lemongrass oil was among the five most active, inhibiting 80% of the strains tested (Lima et al., 1993). Another lab study found that lemongrass oil and its main component, citral, had potent activity against several Candida yeast species (Silva et al., 2008).

These findings show that lemongrass oil can kill or slow fungi in a dish. They do not show that it penetrates a thick toenail, works at the diluted amounts used in commercial products, or clears infection in people. We found no controlled human trials of lemongrass oil for skin or nail fungus. Prescription treatments, by contrast, have been tested in large randomized trials (Foley et al., 2020). That gap matters because nail fungus lives in and under the nail plate, where many substances that work in a dish never reach useful levels. Until human studies exist, lemongrass oil is best viewed as a fragrance and possible supporting ingredient rather than an antifungal treatment.

How it’s used in products

Lemongrass oil appears as a fragrance and secondary ingredient in nail oils, foot sprays, soaps, lotions and insect repellents, usually at undisclosed concentrations. In nail products, it is typically one of several essential oils.

Like other citrus-scented essential oils, lemongrass oil can irritate skin or trigger allergic reactions, particularly when used undiluted or when the oil has oxidized with age. It should be diluted, kept away from the eyes, stored tightly closed, and not swallowed in concentrated form. Stop using any product that causes redness, itching or a rash. People with sensitive skin, eczema or known fragrance allergies should test a small area first. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor before using essential oils medicinally. For thick or discolored nails, a dermatologist or podiatrist can confirm the cause before you invest in home treatments (AAD).