How to Make Lemongrass Oil 

Learn how to make lemongrass oil at home using fresh lemongrass and your favorite carrier oil. Perfect for skincare, massage, aromatherapy, and culinary uses.

One of my favorite hobbies is experimenting with herbs and spices. My kitchen shelves are rarely the same from one season to the next. In spring, you’ll find jars filled with dried nettles, wild violets, and dandelion greens. By autumn, I replace them with rosehips and elderberries. I also enjoy working with herbs and spices from around the world, and lemongrass is one of my favorites. While I often use fresh lemongrass in soups and curries, I especially love turning it into infused oils that capture its bright citrus scent long after the stalks are gone.

What Is Lemongrass Oil?

Lemongrass oil is a fragrant infusion made by steeping fresh lemongrass stalks in a high-quality oil. This simple process captures the herb’s bright citrus flavor and refreshing aroma. The resulting oil can be used in the kitchen, drizzled over salads, mixed into marinades, or added to Asian-inspired dishes. It is equally useful in homemade soaps, massage oils, and skincare recipes.

Infused Oil vs. Lemongrass Essential Oil

Many people confuse homemade lemongrass-infused oil with lemongrass essential oil, but they are very different products. Infused oil is made by steeping fresh lemongrass in a carrier oil. Lemongrass essential oil, on the other hand, is produced through steam distillation and is highly concentrated. Because of its potency, essential oil should always be properly diluted before use and should never be applied directly to the skin.

Lemongrass Infused Oil	Lemongrass Essential Oil
Made by infusing lemongrass in oil	Made through steam distillation
Easy to make at home	Requires specialized equipment
Mild and gentle	Highly concentrated
Can be used in culinary preparations (depending on the oil used)	Not intended for culinary use unless specifically food-grade
Suitable for DIY skincare	Must be diluted before topical use

Ingredients

Lemongrass

Fresh lemongrass stalks are the best choice for making infused oil. Look for firm, pale green stalks with a fresh lemony aroma and no signs of mold or browning. The lower white and light green portions of the stalk contain the most flavor and fragrance, making them ideal for infusions.

If fresh lemongrass isn’t available, you can also use dried lemongrass. In fact, many herbalists prefer dried herbs for oil infusions because they contain less moisture, reducing the risk of spoilage. However, I find that fresh lemongrass produces a brighter, more vibrant citrus scent.

Carrier Oil

The best carrier oil depends on how you plan to use your homemade lemongrass oil.

Carrier Oil	Best For
Olive Oil	Culinary uses, marinades, dressings, and multipurpose herbal oils
Sweet Almond Oil	Massage oils, body oils, and general skincare
Jojoba Oil	Facial oils, sensitive skin, and lightweight skincare products
Fractionated Coconut Oil	Massage blends, roller bottles, and long-term storage
Coconut Oil	Salves, balms, and solid body care products

Personally, I use olive oil when I plan to cook with the infusion and sweet almond oil for skincare recipes. If I’m making a facial oil, I usually reach for jojoba oil because its texture feels lighter on the skin.

Vitamin E oil

Vitamin E oil is optional, but I often add it when making infused oils for skincare. It acts as an antioxidant that helps to slow the oxidation and extend the shelf life of the infusion. 

Lemongrass Oil Recipe

Whether you plan to use it in homemade skincare products or drizzle it into marinades and dressings, this simple recipe is one of the easiest ways to preserve the fresh citrus flavor and aroma of lemongrass.

First Step: Prepare the lemongrass

Wash the fresh lemongrass stalks and remove any dry outer leaves. Pat them completely dry with a clean towel, then let them air-dry for another 30–60 minutes if needed. It should be dry before infusing, as extra moisture can cause the oil to spoil faster. Once dry, chop the tender parts into small pieces.

Second Step: Bruise the stalks

Once the lemongrass is dry, lightly crush the chopped lemongrass with a mortar and pestle or the back of a spoon. This helps release the aromatic compounds from the stalks and gives the finished lemongrass oil a stronger scent and flavor.

Third Step: Add the carrier oil

Place the bruised herb into a clean, dry glass jar and cover it completely with your chosen oil. Use olive oil for culinary purposes, or jojoba oil, almond oil, or coconut oil for skincare and body care recipes.

Fourth Step: Infuse Using a Double Boiler

Place the jar in a double boiler and gently warm the oil for about 4 hours. If you have a kitchen thermometer, keep the temperature below 40°C (104°F) to help preserve the delicate aroma and beneficial compounds found in lemongrass. The longer infusion time allows the oil to absorb more flavor and fragrance without overheating.

Fifth Step: Strain the oil

Strain the oil through a fine strainer or cheesecloth to remove all pieces of lemongrass. Make sure no plant material remains in the oil, as this can shorten its shelf life.

Sixth Step: Bottle and store

Pour the finished lemongrass oil into a clean dark glass bottle. Store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Shake well before use.

How to Use Homemade Lemongrass Oil

Depending on the carrier oil you used, you can enjoy it in homemade skincare products, massage blends, or even in the kitchen.

Personally, I reach for it most often during summer. Its bright scent reminds me of warm evenings outdoors and adds a refreshing touch to everything from homemade body oils to simple salad dressings.

Repel Mosquitoes Naturally

One of my favorite ways to use it is during the summer is as a natural mosquito repellent. The fresh, citrus scent makes spending time outdoors more enjoyable while helping to discourage insects. To make a simple outdoor body oil, combine lemongrass-infused oil with witch hazel and a few drops of citronella or lavender essential oil and apply sparingly to exposed skin in a spray bottle. Before each use, shake well to blend the ingredients.

Enjoy Its Refreshing Aroma

Add a small amount to homemade massage oils, body oils, or bath products. For a stronger scent, place a few drops of essential oil into a diffuser and diffuse throughout your home. The refreshing aroma pairs beautifully with lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and sweet orange.

Use in Homemade Skincare

Lemongrass oil can be incorporated into body oils, lotions, salves, and sugar scrubs. If you plan to apply it directly to the skin, always perform a patch test on a small skin area to ensure there are no allergic reactions. Apply a small amount to your inner forearm and wait 24 hours to ensure no irritation develops, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Add Flavor to Culinary Creations

If you made your lemongrass oil using olive oil or another food-safe oil, use it in marinades, salad dressings, rice dishes, and stir-fries. The bright, citrusy flavor adds a subtle tropical note to many recipes.

Freshen Your Home Naturally

Use lemongrass oil as a natural deodorizer by adding a few drops to homemade cleaning solutions or room sprays. Its fresh scent helps freshen closets, bathrooms, and living spaces without artificial additives.

Tips for Making the Best Lemongrass Oil

Start with completely dry lemongrass
Any moisture left on the lemongrass can shorten the shelf life of your oil and may encourage spoilage. After washing the stalks, allow them to dry thoroughly before beginning the infusion.

Use gentle heat, not high heat
If you’re speeding up the infusion process with warmth, keep the temperature low. Excessive heat can damage the delicate aromatic compounds that give lemongrass its fresh citrus fragrance. Use the thermometer not to exceed 40°C (104°F)

Adjust the strength to your liking
For a stronger infusion, add more fresh lemongrass stalks or allow the oil to infuse for a longer period. One of the best things about making homemade lemongrass oil is that you can customize the potency to suit your preferences.

Experiment with complementary herbs
Lemongrass pairs beautifully with ginger, rosemary, mint, lavender, and citrus peels. Feel free to customize the flavor and aroma profile to create a homemade lemongrass oil that’s uniquely yours.