Citral: Putting the Lemon in Lemongrass

When you smell lemongrass, it's that bright, citrusy aroma that hits you first. It feels clean, uplifting, and instantly recognizable but not sour like a lemon or lime. But what most people don’t realize is that this scent comes from a natural compound called citral! And it's that one compound that carries a whole story of plant chemistry, culture, and why and how it's still being used today.

So What Is Citral?

Citral is a naturally occurring compound found in many aromatic plants. It’s what gives lemongrass its signature lemon-like scent, without the sharp acidity of an actual lemon.

You can also find citral in plants like:

• Lemon verbena
• Citrus peels like lemon and lime
• Makrut lime leaves
• Lemon myrtle

That’s why these plants all share a similar bright, clean fragrance!

But citral isn’t just about scent. It’s been studied for its antimicrobial properties and is often associated with helping the body feel refreshed and balanced. When you sip lemongrass tea, you’re both tasting something yummy and interacting with a compound that plants use to protect themselves.

Citral Home Hacks

We’ve all been seeing those influencers bringing back the practice of boiling citrus peels to refresh and deodorize a room, or even adding them to natural cleaning sprays. But do you know why it actually works?

When citrus peels are heated, they release essential oils into the air. Citral in addition to limonene helps to brighten the room with their scent and masks odors in the air. And then when you use it in your cleaning sprays, it helps to actually clean the home so you're not just masking the odors.

Citral has been studied for its antimicrobial properties, which may help reduce odor-causing bacteria, which is why it's been used for so long!

Why Plants Like Lemongrass Produce Citral

In nature, plants don’t create compounds like citral randomly. These compounds actually serve a purpose.

Citral helps plants:

• Defend against bacteria and fungi
• Deter certain pests
• Attract pollinators with its strong, fresh aroma

So that bright scent you love is actually part of the plant’s survival system. It’s both protective and inviting at the same time.

Lemongrass in Cooking Around the World

Beyond the science, lemongrass has a long and rich history in food.

It’s widely used throughout Southeast Asia, especially in countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. You’ll find it in soups, curries, marinades, and broths where it adds a fresh, citrusy layer without overpowering the dish.

Unlike lemon juice, which can be acidic and sharp, lemongrass brings a softer, more rounded brightness. It blends into food rather than sitting on top of it.

How Lemongrass Came to Hawaiʻi

Lemongrass didn’t originate in Hawaiʻi, but it became part of the landscape through the movement of people.

During the sugar plantation era, workers from different parts of Asia brought their plants, foods, and traditions with them. Lemongrass was one of those plants. Over time, it naturalized here, growing easily in the climate and becoming something many people now see as familiar and local.

In Hawaiian, lemongrass is known as wapine or wāpine (wah-pee-nay).

Lemongrass in Lāʻau Lapaʻau

Lemongrass also found its place in lāʻau lapaʻau, the traditional practice of Hawaiian plant-based healing. Lemongrass is appreciated for its refreshing and cleansing qualities, both in how it feels and how it’s experienced. To learn more about how to use it in lāʻau lapaʻau, we always recommend that you seek out your local practitioner :)

Lemongrass is such a good example of how a plant can travel across cultures and still find meaning in each one. Whether it's food, tea, cleaning, or even just essential oils going into a diffuser, it's all tied to your overall health and wellness!

A Small Gift for You

Mahalo for coming along with us to learn more about the herbs and spices we think we already know! Please use code "lemongrass" during checkout to get 10% OFF all lemongrass teas!