How to Combine Lemongrass & Lavender Oil

Both Lemongrass and Lavender Oil have strong fragrances; lavender more on the flowery side and lemongrass having a slightly sweet and pungent aroma. The combination should work well when combined properly. The process will take a little over an hour at the minimum, but if you have time to continue steeping these two herbs together a while longer, the end result will be more potent. Fresh lemongrass can be found in Asian food specialty shops or in the produce aisle of select supermarkets. Lavender essential oil is a popular item is available at natural food and health stores.

Things You'll Need

• Cutting board
• Chef's knife
• 1 stalk lemongrass or 1/4 cup dried herbs
• Two cups olive or almond oil
• Lavender essential oil
• Double boiler
• Mesh strainer
• Pint canning jar with lid

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Instructions

• 1

  Prepare the fresh lemongrass by breaking the stalks to release the aroma of the plant. Do not wash the lemongrass first, as all ingredients need to stay dry through this process. On a cutting board, press down with the flat end of a knife blade until the stalks begin to crush and break. Chop the stalks into smaller pieces and set aside. The amount should yield approximately one cup of herbs.

• 2

  Fill the bottom pan of a double boiler with water and place the nesting pan on top. Add two cups of olive or almond oil. Be careful not to let any water get into your oil or your infusion will be lost. You will not be putting the lid on the pot for this reason.

• 3

  Set your herbs into the pan with the oil and gently tamp down so that they are submerged.

• 4

  Turn the burner on medium. If the water starts to flow over the pan, turn the heat down and let the oil heat for at least one hour.

• 5

  Check the water to see that it hasn't cooked out. If you can let the lemongrass mingle with the oil for several hours, the infusion will be the stronger for it. Let the herbs and oil sit without being warmed if you need to leave the kitchen. When you return, start the water up again.

• 6

  Remove the oil from the heat and allow to cool. Set a mesh strainer over a pot or bowl and strain the herbs out of the oil. Pour the infused oil into a glass canning jar or other suitable container.

• 7

  Add several drops of lavender oil to the cooled oil. If the oil is hot when you add the essential oils, the aroma will cook out before it has a chance to settle into the final product. Ten drops should be enough.

• 8

  Use as an aromatic and healing massage oil. Lavender has a soothing, calming scent and lemongrass has properties thought to relieve muscular pain and increase circulation.