Gram Research analysis shows that lemongrass oil at 1% of feed improved digestion efficiency in laboratory tests but failed to boost growth or digestion in actual young goats over 90 days, though it may have slightly enhanced cellular antioxidant protection. The study of 18 goats suggests lemongrass oil is safe but not yet proven effective as a growth supplement for livestock.
Researchers tested whether lemongrass oil added to goat feed could improve growth and health. In lab tests, lemongrass oil at the right dose improved how well the goats’ stomachs broke down food and produced energy. However, when they fed the oil to actual young goats for three months, they didn’t see major improvements in weight gain or digestion. The study suggests lemongrass oil might help with antioxidants (substances that protect cells), but more research with larger groups of animals is needed to confirm the benefits.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research article testing lemongrass oil in 18 young Beetal goats found that while lab tests showed 1% lemongrass oil improved energy production from feed, the same dose produced no significant improvements in body weight gain or feed digestion when fed to actual goats for 90 days.
According to research reviewed by Gram in 2026, lemongrass oil supplementation shifted rumen fermentation toward greater propionate production and lower acetate production in laboratory conditions, though this beneficial shift did not translate to measurable growth advantages in living goats.
A 2026 study of lemongrass oil in goat feed found that supplementation tended to improve antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase and superoxide dismutase) in goat blood, suggesting potential cellular protection benefits despite the lack of improvements in growth or digestion.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether adding lemongrass oil to young goat feed could improve their growth, digestion, and overall health
- Who participated: Eighteen young Beetal goats (a breed from South Asia) that were about 90 days old and weighed around 6.3 kilograms at the start. Half got regular feed, and half got feed mixed with 1% lemongrass oil
- Key finding: Lab tests showed lemongrass oil at 1% improved how efficiently the goats’ stomachs worked, but when fed to real goats for 90 days, there were no clear benefits to weight gain or digestion, though some signs of improved cell protection appeared
- What it means for you: Lemongrass oil shows promise in controlled lab settings, but the real-world benefits for livestock remain unclear. If you raise goats, this research suggests waiting for larger studies before adding lemongrass oil to feed as a growth supplement
The Research Details
The researchers conducted two separate experiments. First, they did an in vitro trial, which means they tested lemongrass oil in a laboratory setting using goat stomach fluid and feed samples. They mixed different amounts of lemongrass oil (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%) with goat feed and let it sit for 24 hours to see how well the stomach could break it down and produce energy.
Second, they did an in vivo trial, which means they tested it on actual living goats. They took 18 young goats and split them into two groups. One group ate regular feed for 90 days, while the other group ate the same feed but with 1% lemongrass oil added. The researchers measured how much the goats ate, how much weight they gained, and checked their blood to see if the oil affected their health.
Testing in a lab first (in vitro) helps researchers figure out the best dose before trying it on real animals. This saves time and money. The in vivo trial on actual goats shows whether the lab results actually work in real life, since animal stomachs are complex and can behave differently than lab conditions
The study had some limitations that readers should know about. The group of goats tested was quite small (only 18 animals), which makes it harder to spot real differences. The goats also started out lighter than typical, which might have affected results. The researchers themselves noted that differences between lab conditions and real animal stomachs could explain why the lab results didn’t match the real-world results as well as expected
What the Results Show
In the lab tests, lemongrass oil showed interesting effects on how the goats’ stomachs would work. When researchers added 1% lemongrass oil, gas production increased (a sign of better digestion), and the amount of energy the feed could provide went up. However, when they added even more lemongrass oil (1.5% or 2%), these benefits decreased. This pattern is called a quadratic effect, meaning there’s an ideal amount that works best.
When the researchers actually fed lemongrass oil to living goats for three months, the results were different from the lab tests. The goats that ate lemongrass oil didn’t gain significantly more weight than the control group. They also didn’t show major improvements in how well they digested their food. However, there were some positive signs: the goats eating lemongrass oil showed slightly better activity of two protective substances in their blood called catalase and superoxide dismutase, which help protect cells from damage.
The lab tests also showed that lemongrass oil changed how the goats’ stomachs fermented food, shifting production toward more propionate (a beneficial short-chain fatty acid) and less acetate. This change could theoretically be beneficial, but it didn’t translate into measurable health improvements in the actual goats.
The study found that lemongrass oil didn’t affect how much dry matter (the solid part of feed) the goats could digest. The oil also appeared to slightly reduce the amount of helpful bacteria produced in the stomach. Interestingly, when researchers injected a substance under the goats’ skin to test immune response, those eating lemongrass oil showed a temporary thickening of skin at the injection site for up to 48 hours, suggesting a possible immune response
Previous research on essential oils in livestock has shown mixed results depending on the type of oil, the dose used, and the type of animal. This study fits that pattern: lemongrass oil showed promise in controlled lab conditions but didn’t deliver clear benefits in real animals. The shift toward more propionate production aligns with what some other essential oils have shown, suggesting lemongrass oil affects fermentation similarly to other plant-based supplements
The study had several important limitations. The sample size was small (only 18 goats), making it harder to detect real differences. The young goats started at a lower body weight than typical, which might have affected how they responded to the supplement. The researchers noted that what happens in a laboratory test tube doesn’t always match what happens in a real animal’s complex stomach environment. Additionally, the study only lasted 90 days, so longer-term effects remain unknown. The researchers themselves recommended that larger studies with more animals are needed before drawing firm conclusions
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, lemongrass oil supplementation at 1% of feed appears safe for young goats but doesn’t show clear benefits for growth or digestion in real-world conditions. The evidence is moderate at best. If you raise goats, it’s reasonable to wait for larger, more conclusive studies before investing in lemongrass oil supplements. The potential antioxidant benefits are interesting but not yet strong enough to recommend as a standard practice
Goat farmers and livestock producers should pay attention to this research, especially those looking for natural feed additives. Veterinarians advising on goat nutrition should be aware of these findings. However, the results don’t yet support recommending lemongrass oil to all goat producers. Pet goat owners and small-scale farmers might want to wait for more definitive research before trying this supplement
If lemongrass oil were to show benefits, the study suggests they would appear within 90 days based on the trial length. However, the lack of clear results in this 90-day study suggests that if benefits do exist, they may be subtle and require larger groups of animals to detect reliably
Frequently Asked Questions
Does lemongrass oil actually help goats grow faster?
Based on a 2026 study of 18 young goats, lemongrass oil at 1% of feed did not produce significant improvements in body weight gain over 90 days compared to regular feed, despite showing promise in laboratory tests.
What is the best amount of lemongrass oil to give goats?
Lab tests suggest 1% lemongrass oil (by weight of feed) is optimal, as it improved digestion efficiency in test tubes. However, this dose showed no clear benefits when fed to actual goats, so the ideal amount for real animals remains unclear.
Is lemongrass oil safe for goats to eat?
The 2026 study found no harmful effects from 1% lemongrass oil supplementation in young goats over 90 days, suggesting it appears safe. However, long-term safety data and effects on adult goats are not yet established.
Why did lemongrass oil work in lab tests but not in real goats?
A real goat’s stomach is far more complex than laboratory conditions. The study notes that differences in stomach bacteria, diet composition, and animal physiology between lab and real settings likely explain why promising lab results didn’t translate to measurable benefits in living animals.
Should I add lemongrass oil to my goat feed?
Current evidence doesn’t support lemongrass oil as an effective growth supplement for goats. The 2026 study showed no benefits for weight gain or digestion, so waiting for larger, more conclusive research before investing in this supplement is reasonable.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If a goat farmer decides to try lemongrass oil supplementation, track weekly body weight gain, daily feed intake in kilograms, and monthly blood antioxidant levels if possible through a veterinarian
- Start by adding 1% lemongrass oil to concentrate feed for a trial period of at least 90 days, while keeping detailed records of feed costs, animal weight, and visible health changes like coat quality and energy levels
- Compare weight gain rates month-to-month between treated and untreated animals, monitor feed conversion efficiency (weight gained per kilogram of feed eaten), and document any changes in animal behavior or health indicators
This research describes a small-scale study (18 goats) with mixed results that did not show clear benefits of lemongrass oil supplementation in real animals. The findings are preliminary and should not be used as the sole basis for changing goat feeding practices. Consult with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist before adding any supplements to livestock feed. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary or nutritional advice. Individual animal responses may vary based on breed, age, diet, and health status.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.