- Derived from: lemongrass
- Pronunciation: (\ˈle-mən-ˌgras\)
- Type: Natural
What Is Lemongrass oil?
Lemongrass oil is derived from cymbopogon citratus, also called lemongrass.[1] Native to southern India and Sri Lanka, lemongrass is a fragrant plan that grows two to four feet high and requires full sun.[2] It is widely grown in the Americas and Asia.[3]
What Does Lemongrass oil Do in Our products?
Lemongrass oil is often used as a fragrance and insect repellent.[4] Cymbopogon citratus contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds, terpenoids and essential oils.[5] Lemongrass oil is found in dozens of personal care products, such as bar soap, facial cleansers, moisturizer, shampoo and other products.[6]
Why Puracy Uses Lemongrass oil
We use lemongrass oil in several of our products as a fragrance and insect repellent. The FDA has deemed the ingredient Generally Recognized as Safe, and Whole Foods has deemed the ingredient acceptable in its body care and cleaning products quality standards[8,9,10] Research shows that the ingredient can be helpful in treating inflammation and fungal infections.[11,12]
How Lemongrass oil Is Made
The production of lemongrass oil starts with growing lemongrass, which can be harvested three or more times a year by chopping the leaves off. The grass is wilted for 24 hours. The mass is then placed in distillation machinery that pushes steam or water through the plant material. The oil and other components rise and are funneled into a condenser, which cools the vapor to liquid. The oil floats on the water, where it is siphoned off.[7]
Certifications
Sources
[1] Food and Drug Administration
[2] Missouri Botanical Garden
[3] U.S. National Library of Medicine
[4] Baldacchino F., Tramut C., Salem A., Liénard E., Delétré E., Franc M., Martin T., Duvallet G. & Jay-Robert P. “The repellency of lemongrass oil against stable flies, tested using video tracking.” Parasite (2013) 20, 21
[5] U.S. National Library of Medicine
[6] Environmental Working Group
[7] National Horticultural Board of India
[8] Whole Foods Market
[9] Food and Drug Administration
[10] Whole Foods Market
[11] Boukhatem, M. et al. “Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) essential oil as a potent anti-inflammatory and antifungal drugs.” Libyan Journal of Medicine (2014) 9: 10.3402
[12] Baldacchino F., Tramut C., Salem A., Liénard E., Delétré E., Franc M., Martin T., Duvallet G. & Jay-Robert P. “The repellency of lemongrass oil against stable flies, tested using video tracking.” Parasite (2013) 20, 21
