Lemongrass for Anxiety

Lemongrass, a fragrant herb with a long history of traditional medicinal use, has garnered increasing attention for its potential anxiolytic properties. Several clinical trials and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the efficacy of lemongrass in managing anxiety symptoms. This exploration aims to clarify the current evidence base surrounding lemongrass as a potential complementary or alternative intervention for anxiety disorders.

Protocols Studied in Research

[1] Lemongrass aromatherapy for dental anxiety during scaling and root planning. (Cited by: 0) (pmid: 40069670)

• Protocol: A randomized clinical trial with 38 patients undergoing nonsurgical periodontal treatment. One group inhaled lemongrass aroma during the procedure, the other served as a control. Anxiety was measured using the Spielberger questionnaire, and hemodynamic factors were monitored.
• Outcome: Lemongrass aromatherapy significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety scores compared to the control group. No significant difference was found in oxygen saturation, pain, or satisfaction.

[2] Various sensory distractions (visual, olfactory, auditory, tactile, gustatory) for reducing dental anxiety in children aged 6-9 years. (Cited by: 0) (pmid: 40159612)

• Protocol: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 350 children (70 per group) each receiving a different sensory distraction during dental treatment. Anxiety was measured using the Chota Bheem Chutki Scale, pulse rate, and SpO2 before and after the procedure.
• Outcome: Auditory distraction (music) was most effective in reducing anxiety and improving SpO2, followed by visual distraction. All sensory distractions significantly reduced anxiety compared to baseline, suggesting their value as non-pharmacological anxiety management tools.

[3] Lemongrass tea (abafado) for assessing toxicity, hypnotic, and anxiolytic effects in humans. (Cited by: 9) (pmid: 2429120)

• Protocol: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving healthy volunteers and individuals with high trait anxiety. Participants ingested lemongrass tea or placebo; some received single doses, others daily doses for two weeks. Blood, urine, EEG, and EKG analyses were performed.
• Outcome: Lemongrass tea showed no significant toxicity, hypnotic, or anxiolytic effects. Minor, asymptomatic elevations in direct bilirubin and amylase were observed in some participants. The study concludes that lemongrass lacks the purported CNS-depressant effects.

Research Interpretation: Summary and Conclusion

Three studies investigated the anxiolytic effects of lemongrass, employing diverse methodologies including aromatherapy, sensory distraction (control), and lemongrass tea ingestion. One study demonstrated a significant reduction in anxiety scores and hemodynamic measures (blood pressure, heart rate) using lemongrass aromatherapy in patients undergoing dental procedures. In contrast, a larger study focusing on sensory distractions during dental treatment found that while various distractions reduced anxiety, lemongrass was not included and therefore no direct comparison can be made. A third study, examining lemongrass tea ingestion in healthy volunteers and those with high trait anxiety, found no significant anxiolytic effects. The inconsistencies across studies highlight the need for further research using standardized methodologies and outcome measures to definitively assess lemongrass's potential anxiolytic properties. The positive findings from the aromatherapy study warrant further investigation, but cannot be generalized based on the available evidence.

Publications

[1] Maybodi FR; Herandi V; Vaezpour MS (2025). Effect of aromatherapy with lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) on the anxiety of patients undergoing scaling and root planning: a randomized clinical trial BMC complementary medicine and therapies 25 (1) :100.

[2] Chawla T; Nangia T; Srivastava M; Kalra G; Langpoklakpam C (2025). Comparative evaluation of effectiveness among various sensory distractors for reducing dental anxiety in pediatric population aged 6-9 years - A randomized controlled trial Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry 43 (1) :104-110.

[3] Leite JR; Seabra Mde L; Maluf E; Assolant K; Suchecki D; Tufik S; Klepacz S; Calil HM; Carlini EA (1986). Pharmacology of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf). III. Assessment of eventual toxic, hypnotic and anxiolytic effects on humans Journal of ethnopharmacology 17 (1) :75-83.