Difference Between Lemongrass Vs Lemon Essential Oil

In the fascinating world of aromatherapy, essential oils offer distinctive health benefits, from purifying and cleansing the skin to improving digestion. Each variety comes with its unique properties, scents, compositions, and uses. Lemon and lemongrass are two popular varieties—both known for their citrusy aroma. However, they aren’t the same.

For starters, both of these oils come from different plant sources. It’s also quite easy and straightforward to buy such wholesale essential oils from trusted stores like Aromacholgy for using them in cosmetics, diffusers, house cleaners, etc.
Let’s explore more about what they are and properties that make them different from each other.

About Lemon Essential Oil

As a concentrated extract, lemon oil is typically made from fresh lemon peels using a cold-pressing method. It has a pale green or yellowish appearance with a zesty fragrance that can energize your mood instantly and promote relaxation. Beyond aromatherapy, this oil has several uses in cleaning agents, disinfectants, and flavor enhancers. 

Lemon oil is rich in antioxidants like limonene, a compound also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and Citral with its abundant antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

About Lemongrass Essential Oil

Derived from the Cymbopogon Citratus plant, lemongrass is an aromatic medicinal herb. Lemongrass essential oil is extracted from the leaves and stalks of this plant using the steam distillation method, resulting in a citrusy aroma with earthy undertones.

The oil is considered a powerhouse of minerals, vitamins, aldehydes, ketones, and antimicrobial compounds. It is most popularly used for its stimulating effect on the mind and effective pain relief.

Lemon vs. Lemongrass Essential Oil

Though both the variants provide almost similar mood-boosting properties, they differ in many other ways. From their uses to inherent properties, let’s explore these differences in detail:

• Fragrance

Though both the essential oils are pretty much similar in their citrusy aroma, there are differences in the key notes of their scents. Lemon oil has a brighter, fresher fragrance oil that reminisces of freshly squeezed lemons. On the other hand, lemongrass oil carries a unique herbaceous scent which is much stronger due to its warm undertones.

• Chemical Composition

Despite sharing some of the benefits they offer, lemon and lemongrass essential oils differ largely in terms of their key natural properties. Lemon oils are known for their high limonene content which makes them a perfect antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. Studies suggest that lemon oil has antifungal properties that help treat skin overgrowth, yeast infections, athlete’s foot with topical application. Other active compounds like alpha-pinene and citral make it highly therapeutic while a pH level of 2-3 add antiseptic and anti-anemic uses to its repertoire.

Lemongrass oil isn’t far behind in its rich chemical composition. The extract is known for a high concentration of aldehydes like citral that makes up 70-80% of the oil and offers several antimicrobial benefits. The oil also contains ketones, alcohol, ketones, folate and vitamins like A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and C.

• Benefits

From aromatherapy to healthier respiratory functions and more, both these essential oils offer impressive benefits that make them a must-have for your home.

Lemon essential oil, in particular, comes with a refreshing aroma that uplifts the mood and alleviates anxiety. Eliminating the symptoms of nausea, bloating, and indigestion, it promotes a healthy digestive system.

Add a few drops of lemon oil to your laundry for fresh-smelling and disinfected clothes. Another benefit of using this compound is its ability to rejuvenate your skin by reducing blemishes, wrinkles, and acne scars. Its fresh scent can invigorate your mind and help you regain your focus. Diffusing lemon oil is also an excellent way to enhance concentration and work productivity.

Using lemongrass essential oil has it distinctive benefits too, from soothing muscle or joint pain to promoting relaxation. Use a few drops of it in your bathwater to relieve aching muscles or inhale it for reducing chest congestion, asthma, or coughing. Digestive support is also a key benefit of using lemongrass oil extract. It can restore hair health by adding strength to dull follicles, promoting circulation, and fighting scalp irritation.

• Versatile Applications

Irrespective of settings, lemon and lemongrass oils come in handy for varied uses. Add lemon oil to your DIY face wash, mask, or moisturizer and experience a healthy, glowing skin. As a natural cleaning agent, it can be used in a multipurpose cleaner to make an anti-abrasive solution to disinfect surfaces around your home. If you love the zesty flavor of lemons, add this oil to your salads, desserts, and marinades.

In the same vein, diluted lemongrass oil can be excellent to soothe over-stressed muscles and offer complete relaxation after a tiring day. In some studies, it was found effective to cure digestive problems related to bloating. Adding this oil to your skincare routine can help control acne breakout, reduce skin inflammation, and balance oils for a radiant glow. Other popular uses are adding it to insect repellants or bug sprays and freshening up your living spaces as a diffuser.

Here is a table highlighting the key differences between both these essential oils:

Can Lemon and Lemongrass Oils Substitute Each Other?

Due to difference in their chemical compositions and active compounds found in them, it isn’t advisable to substitute lemon and lemongrass oils with each other. To understand this with an example, both these extracts improve digestion. However, lemon essential oil excels at reducing the symptoms of vomiting while lemongrass can alleviate bloating more effectively. They have different impact on the body despite their commonalities.

Conclusion

When you’re looking to buy essential oils wholesale, keep your preference and requirements in mind. For example, if you want to create a stimulating vibe in your home or need relief from constant nausea, choose lemon essential oil. Conversely, lemongrass is a more effective choice for soothing aching muscles or joints. Select one that works best for you.

However, it is always better to consult a doctor or aromatherapist before using any of these products, especially for infants below 5 years of age and pregnant women.

FAQs

What is lemongrass essential oil used for?
The oil is used primarily in aromatherapy, insect repellants, diffusers, and skincare products.

What is the difference between lemongrass and lemon tree?
Lemon trees are woody evergreens know for producing citrusy fruits while lemongrass is a tall grass known for its citrusy flavor.

What is the difference between lemongrass and lemon smell?
Lemongrass oil comes with warm undertones added to its unique tangy fragrance. Lemon oil, on the other hand, has a fresh citrusy smell with uplifting notes.

Which essential oil is better lemon or lemongrass?
Both oils offer a treasure trove of health and wellness benefits. Choose one that suits your unique needs.

Which is the best Place to buy Lemongrass or lemon essential oil?

Buy wholesale essential oils from a well-known online supplier like Aromachology to get the best quality products at the most reasonable prices.