Lemongrass Oil for Hair: Dandruff Relief and Safe Use

Hair loss affects men and women alike. Stress, hormones, genetics, or poor nutrition can all contribute, and patchy shedding can feel upsetting and discouraging. You’ll find many treatments, yet simple, affordable options from nature still help. Lemongrass is one of those standouts.

Famous for a crisp scent and antiseptic qualities, lemongrass isn’t only for tea or diffusers; it may also encourage hair growth and revitalize your scalp. In Ayurveda and Southeast Asian practice, it’s long been used to support scalp health, reduce dandruff, and help with regrowth. Below are ways this simple grass may help with bald spots and how to apply it well.

Key Takeaways

• Lemongrass essential oil may normalize scalp pH, easing dryness, excess oil, and dandruff.

• It cannot reverse genetic hair loss but may nurture follicles, reduce shedding, and boost volume.

• Regular use can smooth frizz, control flyaways, condition split ends, and restore surface shine.

• Safe use includes 0.5 percent dilution, patch testing, and avoiding eyes, mouth, broken skin.

What is Lemongrass?

Lemongrass (also called citronella, lemon tea leaves, or Cymbopogon) is a perennial herb with tall blades that can reach up to 10 feet. It’s native to warm, subtropical, and tropical regions of Southeast Asia and parts of Australia, Africa, and India. Known for a lemony aroma and tea-like flavor, it’s also valued in aromatherapy for calming effects.

Current evidence suggests lemongrass extracts show antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-anxiety actions. For hair and scalp care, those anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant traits may explain why some people report benefits.

Lemongrass oil comes from steam distilling leaves in the Poaceae family. People use it as a stimulating oil for the body and mind. Many reach for it to ease headaches, support hair growth on the scalp, and improve skin texture. Thanks to its strong scent, it’s also popular in aromatherapy.

Hair Benefits of Lemongrass

If you’re looking for something to help your hair, there are many reasons to choose Lemongrass essential oil. Unlike many conventional hair products, it’s 100% natural and won’t cause damage.

Here are the key ways Lemongrass may help your hair:

Helps Repair Hair Damage

Hair can take a beating. Pollution, heat styling, chemical services, frequent washing, and even excess brushing can make hair look thinner and dull.

Lemongrass essential oil is a solid natural choice to care for damaged hair. It helps smooth, supports healing, and promotes scalp comfort with anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants. If you straighten or dye your hair, add Lemongrass essential oil to bring back a healthier shine.

Deodorizes and Refreshes the Scalp

With its earthy, lemon-like scent, Lemongrass oil helps hair and scalp feel clean and fresh. Its antimicrobial activity also neutralizes odor-causing bacteria. Try Lemongrass oil in a DIY dry shampoo or dilute in Jojoba Oil and add a few drops to wet or dry hair between washes.

May Support New Growth and Volume

Lemongrass essential oil can’t stop or reverse genetic hair loss, but it may nurture follicles and encourage new growth. That can reduce extra shedding and thinning from stress or harsh chemical treatments. Regular use can also add volume and shine, making fine hair look fuller at the root.

Helps Balance the Scalp

It’s easy to forget the scalp is sensitive skin. Like all skin, it has a measurable pH that reflects surface acidity. A healthy scalp is typically around 5.5.

That balance can shift for many reasons. Diet, hormones, environmental stress, and over washing can all push pH up or down. When pH is off, the scalp may get too oily or too dry, which can affect follicles and lead to dandruff.

Researchers observed that antioxidants and terpenes in Lemongrass essential oil may help normalize scalp pH. That can ease excess dryness and extra oil.

Helps Control Flaking

When pH is steadier, Lemongrass essential oil can also help with dandruff. Flaking often follows too much sebum, which is frequently triggered by dry skin. Unfortunately, a lot of haircare products strip away natural oils. Using Lemongrass supports balance again. It calms, moisturizes, and begins reducing dandruff quickly. When used 2-3 times a week, Lemongrass essential oil can eliminate dandruff altogether.

Tames Frizz, Flyaways, and Split Ends

Few things are more annoying than frizzy flyaways and split ends. If hair is too oily or too dry, strand feel and texture can suffer. Lemongrass essential oil helps keep hair balanced and acts like a lightweight healing serum.

Use this oil to smooth frizz, control flyaways, and care for split ends. You can also mix a few drops into your daily conditioner to boost nourishment and moisture.

How to Use Lemongrass Oil for Hair

Some people are more sensitive to essential oils. If Lemongrass is new to you, patch test before using it on your skin, hair, or scalp. For a patch test, place 1 drop of Lemongrass oil on a small area of skin.

Wait at least 15 minutes and watch for a rash, redness, itching, or other irritation. If none appears, you can proceed. Once you know you’re not reactive to Lemongrass, get creative. There are plenty of ways to use it for hair. Here are a few favorites:

Try an Overnight Conditioning Mask With Lemongrass Oil

For deep hydration and balance, mix 2-3 drops of Lemongrass with 1-2 tablespoons of FCO. Apply to wet or dry hair, cover with a shower cap, and leave on overnight. Shampoo as usual in the morning

Use as a Scalp Serum

Blend your Lemongrass essential oil with a carrier oil, such as Batana Oil or Jojoba Oil. Then apply 2-3 drops to the crown. I noticed, for me, gentler pressure helped spread oil evenly without tangling. Massage in small circles, working toward your temples and the base of your neck. Comb through or use a scalp massager to distribute any extra oil.

Add to Your Usual Products

Add 2-3 drops of Lemongrass to your regular shampoo or conditioner to boost cleansing or hydration.

Make a DIY Dry Shampoo Mix

When you can’t do a full wash, or when traveling or camping, use Lemongrass essential oil to make an antimicrobial dry shampoo. It helps neutralize odor-causing bacteria, lightly cuts oily buildup, and gives hair a quick, clean look.

Combine 2-3 drops of Lemongrass essential oil with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch or baking soda. Shake in a bag or stir in a small bowl. Dust the mix onto your scalp, then comb it through to the ends.

Safety and Precautions for Lemongrass Essential Oil

Lemongrass essential oil can cause skin sensitization (bright red patches on light skin and darker areas on dark skin). It also tends to trigger allergic reactions more often than some other oils. Keep dilution at or below 0.7%. We recommend a 0.5% dilution (1 drop of oil per 2 teaspoons of carrier oil).

• Avoid lemongrass oil on broken skin, on children younger than 2, or during pregnancy.

• Limit diffuser sessions to 20 to 30 minutes.

• Keep essential oils away from eyes and mucous membranes.

• Store essential oils out of reach of children and pets.

• Never take essential oils by mouth.

• Wash hands after handling essential oils.

• Never apply essential oils undiluted. Mix with a carrier oil first

Explore Natural Hair Care Routine with Keyoma

If lemongrass oil is new to your hair care, remember this rule of thumb: less is more. While it can boost shine and fight dandruff, overdoing it might cause irritation. So, break the habit of excess. Start with a diluted form, no more than 0.5% concentration.

See how your scalp responds. If all is well, then you can explore other uses. If you want to learn more, visit the Keyoma Hair Care blog for step-by-step guides and fresh tips.