My goal is to make some homemade bug repellant and most of the recipes call for lemon grass essential Oil.  Since I have a large lemon grass plant I decided to make some myself.

You will need:

• 2 glass jars, I used glass canning jars
• 1 pan or a flat meat cleaver
• Cutting board
• 4 – 6 stalks of lemon grass
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Old scissors
• Cheese cloth or nut bag

1. Place 1/2 cup of sweet almond oil into a clean jar.  Wash 2 stalks of lemon grass, wipe dry with a paper towel, and let dry completely.
2. With the plan or flat cleaver pound the back of a blade of lemon grass 3-4 times along the whole length of the blade.  After pounding you will see drops of liquid on the front of the blade.
3. Cut the blades into 1″ pieces with scissors until you have 1 cup. Place the pieces into the sweet almond oil. Cover the jar with lid and shake until all the pieces have been coated with the oil.
4. Place in a warm place for 24 hours.
5. Strain the contents of first jar into the second clean jar using the cheese cloth or nut bag.  Squeeze to get as much of the oil out as possible.  If you use cheese cloth throw away the remains.   If you use a nut bag you will need to wash it.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 again adding the ingredients to the previous oil.

You can repeat these steps again to get as much oil as you want.

The shelf life of lemon grass oil can be up to 3 years if stored in a dark, cool place.  If it becomes cloudy or smells do not use it.

Precaution: The blades of lemon grass are very sharp, don’t ask me how I know.  Either wear gloves or be very careful when handling.

Shared on: Teach Me Tuesdays