Citronella essential oil
Citronella essential oil is extracted from Cymbopogon nardus (also known as Andropogon nardus) and is of the Graminae (Poaceae) family. It is also known as Sri Lanka or Lenabatu citronella.
Although Citronella Essential Oil has been typecast as an insect repellent (especially for malaria carrying mosquitoes), it also has great benefit in clearing the mind, refreshing rooms and for combating oily skin, sweaty feet and .
Oil Properties of Citronella essential oil
Citronella essential oil has a slightly sweet, lemony smell.
Origin
It is extracted from a hardy grass, native to Sri Lanka and Java. This aromatic perennial grows about 1meter (3 feet) high and is a popular ingredient in wax candles, as an insect repellent, and is also widely used in perfumes, soaps, skin lotions and deodorants.
Extraction
Citronella essential oil is extracted by the steam distillation of finely chopped fresh, dried or partly-dried grass.
Chemical composition of Citronella essential oil
Some of the main chemical components of citronella oil are Citronellal, Geraniol, (-)-Citronellol, (+)-Limonene, (E)-Methyl isoeugenol, Camphene, Citronellyl acetate, Borneol, Elemol, Methyleugenol, and (Z)-Methyl isoeugenol
Precautions
Citronella essential oil has been reported to cause skin irritation in a small percentage of human volunteers that participated in a study. Conflicting rulings regarding the use of Citronella in skin care preparations are found. Citronella has been used in sprays, candles, and other aerosol preparations for many years without any major side effects being reported.
Please read our page with heading: Safety with Essential Oils before using this oil.
We recommend the following book as an excellent resource regarding safety:
Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals by Robert Tisserand & Rodney Young (#ad)
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of citronella essential oil are antiseptic, bactericidal, deodorant, diaphoretic, insecticide, parasitic, tonic and stimulant.
Uses
Citronella essential oil’s most useful quality is that of it being an insect repellent.
It is best used in a spray, a diffuser or on a cotton ball amongst linen. It is also useful in ridding dogs of fleas.
Citronella essential oil helps to clear the mind and has a general toning and tonic effect on the body. It is helpful with colds, flu and minor infections and also has deodorizing qualities. It may be used for combating excessive perspiration and for balancing oily skin, to fight intestinal parasites and to bring down fever.
Burners and vaporizers
In a diffuser, citronella oil can be used as an insect repellent, for colds and flu, for clearing the mind and to refresh the sickroom. In Africa, where malaria is a great problem, citronella oil is used to a great extent to keep the pesky disease carrying mosquitoes at bay.
Blended in a Cream
When included in a cream or lotion, citronella oil is most useful to keep the tropical wearer safe from mosquitoes that cause malaria. It also has a dramatic freshening effect on tired sweaty feet and can be used to reduce excessive perspiration.
Suggested Dilution Rates
On the skin
Adult:
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 0.5% to 3%
Bath: 0.5% to 4%
3 to 24 months:
Face: Avoid
Body: Maximum of 0.5%
Bath: Maximum of 0.5%
2 to 6 years:
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 0.5% to 2%
Bath: 1% to 2%
6 to 15 years
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 1.5% to 3%
Bath: 1% to 3%
Pregnancy
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 0.5% to 2%
Bath: 1% to 2%
- When in doubt consult your doctor / medical professional before use.
- Most professionals and/or Aromatherapists will always err on the side of safety when giving advice regarding the use of essential oils and oleo resins during pregnancy.
- Quite a number of Aromatherapists advise that you should avoid essential oils completely while pregnant, specifically during the first trimester. This is a very safe approach but may not be necessary at all.
Diffusers and Vaporisers
4 to 8 drops
General:
- When using for the first time – Always use the lowest dilution rate and build up slowly to the maximum. Stop using all essential oils on the skin if irritation or allergy occurs.
- Any advice or instruction received from a medical professional ALWAYS supersedes recommendations or advice found on this website. When in doubt consult your doctor / medical professional.
Summary
Citronella essential oil is commonly used as an insecticide and it is also suggested to be useful when used to clean and ‘clear’ a sickroom. It also has an excellent effect on clearing the mind. It may be used for combating excessive perspiration and for balancing oily skin, to fight intestinal parasites and to bring down fever.
Blends
It blends well with Bergamot, Geranium, Lemon, Orange, Lavender and Pine.
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