Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.
Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION
Lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon citratus) contains citral as its primary bioactive compound, comprising 65-85% of the essential oil. Citral inhibits inflammatory cytokine production and demonstrates antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Reported Benefits (Provisional)
Origin & History
Lemongrass oil is extracted from the leaves and stalks of the lemongrass plant, native to tropical regions of Asia. It is produced through steam distillation.
Research Narrative (Provisional)
Studies have shown that lemongrass oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest its effectiveness in reducing anxiety and stress.
Preparation & Dosage
Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.
Nutritional Profile
Lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon citratus) is a volatile essential oil, not a nutritional food source, so macronutrient values (protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber) are not meaningfully applicable at typical dosage levels (1–5 drops or ~0.05–0.25 mL per use). Its significance lies in its bioactive compound profile: Primary bioactive compounds: Citral (a mixture of geranial [40–52%] and neral [25–38%]) is the dominant constituent, responsible for most therapeutic effects. Myrcene (5–15%) contributes analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. Geraniol (2–5%) provides antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Citronellal (1–3%) adds insect-repellent and mild sedative effects. Limonene (1–3%) offers antioxidant and potential chemopreventive activity. Minor constituents: Linalool (~1–2%), β-caryophyllene (~0.5–2%, a dietary cannabinoid that binds CB2 receptors), and trace amounts of flavonoids and phenolic acids when derived from whole-plant extracts. Micronutrient traces (in whole herb, not distilled oil): The fresh herb contains vitamin A (~112 IU/serving), vitamin C (~2.6 mg/100g), folate (~75 µg/100g), potassium (~723 mg/100g), magnesium (~60 mg/100g), manganese (~5.2 mg/100g), iron (~8.2 mg/100g), and zinc (~2.2 mg/100g); however, distilled essential oil retains negligible mineral or vitamin content. Bioavailability notes: Citral is rapidly absorbed through skin and mucous membranes; oral bioavailability is moderate but subject to first-pass hepatic metabolism. Topical application with a carrier oil (e.g., coconut or jojoba) enhances dermal absorption by 20–40%. Encapsulation or nanoemulsion formulations significantly improve citral's stability and bioavailability, as free citral degrades rapidly in acidic environments. The oil is lipophilic (density ~0.87 g/mL), so co-administration with dietary fats enhances gastrointestinal absorption of its terpene constituents.
Reported Mechanism (Provisional)
Citral, the dominant compound in lemongrass oil, inhibits nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, reducing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-1β. The oil's monoterpenes disrupt microbial cell membranes by altering membrane fluidity and permeability. Geranial and neral components enhance diuretic effects by modulating renal sodium channels.
Clinical Narrative (Provisional)
Limited human clinical trials exist for lemongrass oil supplementation. In vitro studies demonstrate significant antimicrobial activity against E. coli, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus at concentrations of 0.1-0.5%. Animal studies show anti-inflammatory effects with 100-200 mg/kg doses reducing paw edema by 40-60%. Most evidence comes from laboratory and animal research rather than human trials.
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