Xiang Mao (Cymbopogon citratus)
Xiang Mao is Young Living's lemongrass single oil — a bright, citrusy-green aroma with roots in traditional Chinese herbal practice.
How to use it
3–5 drops for an energizing lift before workouts or focused work sessions.
Dilute 2–4% in a carrier oil and patch-test — it can irritate more than citrus peel oils.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- ~0.7% on skin (citral is a known sensitiser)
- Phototoxic
- No
- High in citral, which can irritate and sensitise skin — dilute low and patch-test.
- Not phototoxic, but its citral content means caution on skin, especially sensitive or damaged skin.
- Keep out of reach of children and away from the eyes.
Sources: Ekpenyong et al. (2012), African Journal of Biotechnology
Composition & chemistry
Aggregated from 48 GC-MS samples across 30 peer-reviewed open-access studies (2020–2026). Figures are the distribution across those samples — median with interquartile range — not a single reading.
These figures represent Cymbopogon citratus across the literature. Xiang Mao is a specific origin or cultivar of that species, so its exact proportions can sit anywhere within these published ranges.
- Oxygenated monoterpene 86.2%
- Monoterpene hydrocarbon 5.4%
- Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon 4.1%
- Unclassified 3.6%
- Oxygenated sesquiterpene 0.7%
| Constituent | Median | Typical range | Max | Detected in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| geranial ↗ C10H16O | 35.3% | 33.0–40.5% | 47.5% | |
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| neral ↗ C10H16O | 27.2% | 25.8–30.4% | 35.5% | |
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| geraniol ↗ C10H18O | 5.3% | 2.6–7.5% | 20.9% | |
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| geranyl acetate ↗ C12H20O2 | 3.3% | 0.9–4.8% | 6.0% | |
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| myrcene ↗ C10H16 | 2.4% | 0.7–7.7% | 24.7% | |
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| β-caryophyllene ↗ C15H24 | 1.6% | 0.7–2.0% | 3.8% | |
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| limonene ↗ C10H16 | 1.2% | 0.6–2.2% | 69.5% | |
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| camphene ↗ C10H16 | 1.1% | 0.6–1.9% | 7.8% | |
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| linalool ↗ C10H18O | 0.9% | 0.6–1.3% | 5.8% | |
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| α-pinene ↗ C10H16 | 0.6% | 0.2–1.7% | 2.7% | |
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| caryophyllene oxide ↗ C15H24O | 0.6% | 0.4–1.2% | 3.4% | |
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| α-terpineol ↗ C10H18O | 0.5% | 0.2–1.8% | 5.6% | |
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+ 100 more compounds reported across the dataset.
30 peer-reviewed sources behind these figures
- Sete da Cruz RM, Ferreira H, Jaski JM, Vieira MCE, Pinc MM, de Souza SGH, Alberton O. (2024). Growth and Phytochemistry of Cymbopogon citratus Stapf Inoculated with Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria under Different Lead Levels. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Maataoui J, Abdelfattah B, Annaz H, Khibech O, Kchikich A, Mrabet A, Ouabou M, Shahat AA, Herqash RN, Basilua JM, Amrani AE, Khaddor M. (2026). Phytochemical, Antimicrobial, Insect-Repellent, and Molecular Docking Profiles of Gamma-Irradiated <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i> Essential Oil. Microorganisms.
- Faria JMS, Barbosa P. (2024). Cymbopogon citratus Allelochemical Volatiles as Potential Biopesticides against the Pinewood Nematode. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Viteri Jumbo LO, Moura WS, Possel RD, Herrera OM, Fidelis RR, Andrade BS, Smagghe G, Santos GR, Oliveira EE, Aguiar RWS. (2025). Phytochemistry, Mode of Action Predictions, and Synergistic Potential of <i>Hypenia irregularis</i> Essential Oil Mixtures for Controlling <i>Aedes aegypti</i>. Toxins.
- Mutagwaba E, Urassa R, Ngenda E, Mafuru T, Matinde R, Kimaro E, Kapala J, Thomas A, Joseph T, Luanda A. (2025). Comparative larvicidal efficacy of essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus stalks and leaves against Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto. Malaria journal.
- Chaure A, Houdkova M, Antih J, Urbanova K, Doskocil I, Naik ML, Patel KS, Kokoska L. (2023). Validation of Broth Macrodilution Volatilization Method for Testing of Essential Oils in Liquid and Vapor Phase: Chemical Composition, Cytotoxicity, and Antibacterial Effect of Indian Medicinal Plants against Pneumonia-Causing Pathogens. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Dangol S, Poudel DK, Ojha PK, Maharjan S, Poudel A, Satyal R, Rokaya A, Timsina S, Dosoky NS, Satyal P, Setzer WN. (2023). Essential Oil Composition Analysis of Cymbopogon Species from Eastern Nepal by GC-MS and Chiral GC-MS, and Antimicrobial Activity of Some Major Compounds. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Yan J, Wu H, Chen K, Feng J, Zhang Y. (2021). Antifungal Activities and Mode of Action of Cymbopogon citratus, Thymus vulgraris, and Origanum heracleoticum Essential Oil Vapors against Botrytis cinerea and Their Potential Application to Control Postharvest Strawberry Gray Mold. Foods (Basel, Switzerland).
- He L, Dai L, Li Y, Yang T, Zhao Y, Fan L, Su F, Cai Z, Ye M. (2026). Multi-Target Antifungal Mechanism of Vapor-Phase <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i> Essential Oil: Effective Control of Postharvest <i>Botrytis cinerea</i> and Powdery Mildew. Foods (Basel, Switzerland).
- Gurgel do Amaral Valente Sá L, Magalhães IL, Cavalcanti BC, De Souza Araújo ÁG, Correia MVQA, Ferreira TL, Rodrigues DS, Pessoa de Farias Cabral V, Gomes LEAM, de Oliveira LC, de Andrade Neto JB, Silva SRB, de Moraes MO, Dos Santos CC, Nobre Júnior HV, da Silva CR. (2026). Characterization and Antifungal Activity of Essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus: Special Emphasis on Preliminary Fungicidal Mechanisms against Candida auris and Cryptococcus neoformans. Current microbiology.
- Hanna ME, Ghallab DS, Naggar EMBE, Dekinash MF, Helmy MW, Ghareeb DA, Shawky E. (2026). Cymbopogon proximus essential oil promotes wound healing and attenuates inflammation through mechanisms supported by network pharmacology and molecular docking. Scientific reports.
- Arafa AM, Yahya G, Abdel-Halim MS, Osman A, Nazeih SI, Abbas HA, Mostafa I. (2026). Chemical profile, anti-biofilm and antioxidant activities of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf essential oil. BMC complementary medicine and therapies.
- Weshahi HA, Akhtar MS, Tobi SSA, Hossain A, Khan SA, Akhtar AB, Said SA. (2025). Evaluation of acute plant toxicity, antioxidant activity, molecular docking and bioactive compounds of lemongrass oil isolated from Omani cultivar. Toxicology reports.
- Aly SH, Uba AI, Nilofar N, Majrashi TA, El Hassab MA, Eldehna WM, Zengin G, Eldahshan OA. (2025). Chemical composition and biological activity of lemongrass volatile oil and n-Hexane extract: GC/MS analysis, in vitro and molecular modelling studies. PloS one.
- Schneider G, Schweitzer B, Steinbach AS, Hodován ÁS, Horváth M, Bakó E, Mayer A, Pál S. (2025). The Therapeutic Potential of West Indian Lemongrass (<i>Cymbopogon citratus</i>) Essential Oil-Based Ointment in the Treatment of Pitted Keratolysis. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland).
- Ibrahim SS, El-Kholy MY, Shalaby SEM. (2025). Insecticidal effects of nano-encapsulated lemongrass essential oil on the population parameters of Spodoptera frugiperda using two-sex life table. Scientific reports.
- Tadtong S, Chantavacharakorn R, Khayankan S, Akachaipaibul P, Eiamart W, Samee W. (2025). Synergistic Antifungal Properties, Chemical Composition, and Frontier Molecular Orbital Analysis of Essential Oils from Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime, Lime, Dill, and Shatavari Against Malassezia furfur. International journal of molecular sciences.
- Baranová B, Kudláčková B, Baral RP, Svojanovská L, Javed Q, Amato G, Caputo L, De Martino L, Francolino R, Chaudhary SK, Elshafie HS, Adhikari A, De Feo V, Gruľová D. (2025). Potential Herbicidal and Insecticidal (Beneficial) Properties of Nepalese Lemongrass Essential Oil. Chemistry & biodiversity.
- Kaddumukasa MA, Mutekanga NM, Kula F, Batume C, Kato AB. (2025). Spatial Exposure Responses of Malaria Vectors to <i>Eucalyptus grandis</i> (W. Hill ex Maiden) and <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i> (DC.) Stapf Essential Oils. Biology.
- Assaggaf H, Jeddi M, Mrabti HN, Ez-Zoubi A, Qasem A, Attar A, Goh BH, Tan SL, Bouyahya A, Goh KW, Hachlafi NE. (2024). Design of three-component essential oil extract mixture from Cymbopogon flexuosus, Carum carvi, and Acorus calamus with enhanced antioxidant activity. Scientific reports.
- Nagata T, Satou T, Hayashi S, Satyal P, Watanabe M, Riggs B, Saida Y. (2024). Citral in lemon myrtle, lemongrass, litsea, and melissa essential oils suppress the growth and invasion of breast cancer cells. BMC complementary medicine and therapies.
- Moutassem D, Boubellouta T, Bellik Y, Rouis Z, Kucher DE, Utkina AO, Kucher OD, Mironova OA, Kavhiza NJ, Rebouh NY. (2024). Insecticidal activity of Thymus pallescens de Noë and Cymbogon citratus essential oils against Sitophilus zeamais and Tribolium castaneum. Scientific reports.
- Karami F, Osanloo M, Alipanah H, Zarenezhad E, Moghimi F, Ghanbariasad A. (2024). Comparison of the efficacy of alginate nanoparticles containing Cymbopogon citratus essential oil and citral on melanoma and breast cancer cell lines under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. BMC complementary medicine and therapies.
- Nebié B, Dabiré CM, Bationo RK, Soma DD, Namountougou M, Sosso S, Nebié RCH, Dabiré RK, Palé E, Duez P. (2024). Investigation on chemical composition and insecticidal activity against Anopheles gambiae of essential oil obtained by co-distillation of Cymbopogon citratus and Hyptis suaveolens from Western Burkina Faso. Malaria journal.
- EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Chesson A, Schlatter J, Westendorf J, Dirven Y, Manini P, Dusemund B. (2023). Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the aerial parts of Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) Will. Watson (lemongrass oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority.
- Schweitzer B, Balázs VL, Molnár S, Szögi-Tatár B, Böszörményi A, Palkovics T, Horváth G, Schneider G. (2022). Antibacterial Effect of Lemongrass (Cymbopogoncitratus) against the Aetiological Agents of Pitted Keratolyis. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Rhimi W, Mohammed MA, Zarea AAK, Greco G, Tempesta M, Otranto D, Cafarchia C. (2022). Antifungal, Antioxidant and Antibiofilm Activities of Essential Oils of Cymbopogon spp. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland).
- Jin C, Han H, Xie Y, Li B, Zhang Z, Zhang D. (2022). Toxicity, Behavioral Effects, and Chitin Structural Chemistry of Reticulitermes flaviceps Exposed to Cymbopogon citratus EO and Its Major Constituent Citral. Insects.
- Thoma JL, Cantrell CL, Zheljazkov VD. (2022). Evaluation of Essential Oils as Sprout Suppressants for Potato (Solanum tuberosum) at Room Temperature Storage. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Oro V, Krnjajic S, Tabakovic M, Stanojevic JS, Ilic-Stojanovic S. (2020). Nematicidal Activity of Essential Oils on a Psychrophilic Panagrolaimus sp. (Nematoda: Panagrolaimidae). Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
Every figure above traces to a named table in one of these open-access papers. How this was built →
- Citral (geranial + neral) — the dominant lemon-scented aldehyde pair; studied for antimicrobial activity in vitro and also the main skin-sensitiser to respect Ekpenyong et al. (2012), African Journal of Biotechnology
The name is Mandarin for 'fragrant grass,' rooted in Chinese herbal tradition.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
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Lemongrass oils like xiang mao and their citral content have been studied for antimicrobial and antifungal activity in the laboratory. These are in-vitro findings about the oil's chemistry, not evidence it treats infections.
Ekpenyong et al. (2012), African Journal of Biotechnology
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Xiang Mao's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
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Xiang mao is a lemongrass-type oil defined by citral (geranial + neral), typically two-thirds or more of the oil.
Ekpenyong et al. (2012), African Journal of Biotechnology
Frequently asked questions
What is xiang mao?
'Xiang Mao' means 'fragrant grass' in Chinese and refers to a lemongrass (Cymbopogon). Like other lemongrass oils it's citral-rich, with a bright, fresh-lemony aroma. Ekpenyong et al. (2012), African Journal of Biotechnology
Why does xiang mao need such careful dilution?
Its high citral content is a known skin sensitiser. Diluting low (around 0.7% in a carrier oil) and patch-testing keeps it enjoyable while lowering the chance of irritation. Ekpenyong et al. (2012), African Journal of Biotechnology
Is xiang mao phototoxic?
No — like other lemongrass, it isn't phototoxic. Its citral content still calls for careful dilution on skin. Ekpenyong et al. (2012), African Journal of Biotechnology
Gallery
Xiang Mao (Cymbopogon citratus) is a lemongrass-family oil — the name is Mandarin for “fragrant grass,” reflecting its long use in Chinese herbal traditions. Young Living steam-distills it from the grass, producing a sharp, green, citrus-forward aroma.
The plant
Lemongrass is a tall, clumping tropical grass grown widely across Asia, with a long history in both cooking (particularly in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine) and traditional Chinese herbal practice, where aromatic grasses like this one were used in steam baths and infusions.
Extraction and aroma
Steam distillation of the fresh grass yields an oil high in citral, the same compound family responsible for lemon’s characteristic scent, giving Xiang Mao a sharp, green, citrus-forward aroma that’s more grassy and less sweet than true citrus peel oils.
In the diffuser
3–5 drops gives an energizing, grassy-citrus lift, popular before workouts or during focused work sessions — it reads as bright and stimulating rather than calming.
On skin
Lemongrass oils can be more irritating to skin than true citrus peel oils, so keep dilution at 2–4% in a carrier oil and always patch-test before wider use.
Pairs well with
Citrus oils like lemon and orange, along with peppermint, all complement Xiang Mao’s bright, energizing character in daytime diffuser blends.
Sourcing note
Lemongrass oil quality and chemistry vary significantly with growing region and distillation care, which is part of why we point to a named, tested source rather than a generic bottle — citral content, and therefore aroma strength, can differ noticeably between suppliers.