Citronella Essential Oil
Citronella is a popular essential oil and come Summer time, it's very high demand. Most people are familiar with this oil and have used it for its mosquito repelling capabilities. However; Citronella oil has many other purposes and can make a great natural household cleaner or be very invigorating when used in your home diffuser.
Updated May. 04th, 2022
Plant Information
Plant History
Plant History When citronella was first discovered, it was often used as an insect repellant Authentic citronella plants are a grass plant formally known as Cymbopogon
nardus or Cymbopogon winterianus. The plant grows in warmer Asian climates such as, Sri Lanka and Java. Once citronella started being used commercially, the rest of Indonesia, Burma, India & Sri Lanka started to grow the plant quite rapidly and
this is where most of the worlds citronella oils come from today. When citronella was first discovered, it was often used as an insect repellant, especially in
tropical climates where mosquitos are abundant. Indonesians would also use Citronella as a flavour enhancer in their food, much like Thai's use lemongrass.
Over time, it was discovered that citronella had many more uses than Just being a natural mosquito repellant. This oil also treated lice, internal parasites,
migraines, sore muscles and has anti -bacterial and anti -fungal properties, which is why it's now used in many deaning products. As beneficial as citronella
can be, like the tea tree plant, the citronella plant is considered an invasive species.
Botanical Information
Citronella is a grass plant that's part of the Poaceae family that can grow up to 5 feet in height and 3 feet wide. While it grows long grass -like blades and
heavily resembles lemongrass, citronella has a red coloured stem, while lemongrass is fully green. It's also interesting to note, that many plants that are
sold as citronella are in fact a geranium plant that's cross mixed with citronella and looks nothing like the authentic plant. Therefore, if you buy a "Mosquito
Plant," know that you aren't getting the authentic citronella species. True citronella plants grow long grass stems, while the crossbreed's grow a textured
foliage and don't contain the citronella oil that's used in aromatherapy.
Growing Information
Citronella thrives well all year round in warmer climates, but can survive in colder climates as an annual or if planted indoors. The soil used to grow this plant Essential Oil
should be well draining since it must be watered and fertilized often. It's also important to note that this plant should be placed in an area that receives 6-8
hours of sunlight, too much sun may dry out the plant.
Parts Used
The stems and grass blades from citronella plants are used. The grass is used in oil extraction and the base of the stems are used in certain culinary dishes.
Oil Information
Extraction Method
Citronella oil is extracted from either citronella species (Cymbopogon nardus/Cymbopogon winterianus) through steam distillation, as are most essential oils.
The grass is placed in a chamber of the steaming still and as the steam heats up, it pulls the essential oil out of the leaves. The steam and oil then travel
through the apparatus and when they reach a holding chamber, the temperature cools, causing it to re -liquify. The mixture is then carried through to the
separator and the oil is siphoned off the water and used in essential oils, while the fragrant water is commonly used to scent products.
Active Ingredients
The main active components that make up citronella oil from Cymbopogon nardus are; Citronella, Geraniol, Limonene and Methyl Isoeugenol. The active
components that make up citronella oil from Cymbopogon winterianus are; Geranyl Acetate, Limonene and higher percentages of Citronella] and Geraniol.
Applications
HEALING AID
Citronella is a very powerful antiseptic and can not only draw out bacteria but can help heal wounds faster. Next time you have a cut or scrape, follow one of
the mixes below:
Mix 2 drops of citronella oil, 10 drops rosehip oil and 10 drops tamanu oil. Apply directly to wound, then cover wound with bandage to help keep oil in place.
Mix 2 drops citronella oil with 20 drops tamanu oil In a spray bottle filled with witch hazel, shake and spray directly on wound.
Mix 1 drop citronella oil with 10 drops tamanu oil and 1 teaspoon pure aloe vera. Soak a cotton ball in mixture and apply cotton ball directly to wound and
tape in place if necessary.
LICE TREATMENT
Citronella isn't only effective at keeping mosquitos away, it's also a very effective lice remedy. Follow the remedy's below to treat a lice infestation:
Mix 1 drop citronella oil, 1 drop tea tree oil and 15 drops tamanu oil and apply directly to scalp. Wrap head with towel to lock in heat and leave on for 4
hours and repeat as necessary.
Mix 1 drop citronella oil with 1 drop tea tree oil and 10 drops tamanu oil and apply directly to scalp, leave on all day and rinse out with shampoo.
Add 1 drop citronella oil to shampoo and wash hair as normal for several days.
MUSCLE SPASM RELIEF
Citronella is very effective at stimulating the body and keeping optimal blood flow therefore, it can help relieve muscle spasms and aches. Simply:
Mix 1 drop citronella oil with 2 tbsp of your favourite unscented body cream and rub on muscles or all over a tired body.
Mix 2 drops citronella oil with 20 drops almond oil and rub into muscles.
Mix 2 drops citronella oil with 1 cup of water. Soak cloth in mixture, wring it out and wrap cloth around muscle for 30 minutes.
INSECT REPELLANT
Citronella is famously known for its mosquito repelling capabilities. To keep your backyard mosquito free:
Diffuse 2 drops citronella oil and place in backyard (don't sit too close to steam as citronella shouldn't be directly inhaled).
Mix 20 drops argan oil in rollerball and add 2 drops citronella oil, apply to wrists, ankles and behind ears.
Melt unscented wax and add 3 drops citronella oil, place melted wax into candle mold and let it harden. Light candle in backyard to keep mosquitos away.
BODY FRESHENER
Citronella's antiseptic and stimulating qualities make it effective at detoxing the body and fighting unpleasant body odor.
Mix 3 drops citronella oil in a warm bath and blend oil into water. Soak for 30 minutes to an hour to pull out toxins and refresh your body.
Mix 2 drops citronella oil with 20 drops tamanu oil in a roller ball and apply to underarms as necessary.
In a spray bottle mix 1 drop citronella oil with 3 drops lavender oil and 10 drops jojoba oil. Fill bottle with water, shake and use as a body mist when needed.
Mix 1 drop citronella oil with 2 tbsp unscented body lotion or cream and rub all over, avoiding sensitive areas.
Recipes
| Glowing Skin Tonic | ||
|---|---|---|
| In a 30ml amber aromatherapy bottle mix: | 1 drop Citronella oil | 1 drop Grapefruit oil |
| 1 drop Orange oil | 1 drop Rose oil | |
| 20 drops Rosehip oil | ||
| Shake and pour onto cotton pad and apply to face both day and night, avoiding eye area. | ||
| Hair Treatment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Oily Hair: | Mix 5 drops citronella oil in 8ml of your shampoo and shampoo as usual. | Leave on for 5 minutes and rinse. |
| This will help clear up dandruff and also draw excess oils out of the hair, leaving hair healthy and soft. | ||
| Toxic Build-Up | ||
|---|---|---|
| In a spray bottle mix: | 2 drops citronella oil | 3 drops rosemary oil |
| 3 drops lemon oil | 25 drops tamanu oil | |
| Fill remainder of bottle with half water and half witch hazel, shake and spray on underarms and bottoms of feet before bed and cover with socks. Wash off in morning shower. | ||
Had no idea of all the benefits of citronella oil. I use it as a natural bug deterrent but will now think of it in an entirely different light when I get muscle spasms or need a cleaning or healing aid.
Hello Jill,
Indeed, many use this oil for outdoor use to ward off insects, but it does have many other cleansing benefits as well. Enjoy getting creative with Citronella and experimenting with DIY's.
Stay healthy & well.
Citronella is the essential oil I use as a mix to deter fleas and ticks on my dog and it works great. I also use Citronella during the summer to keep mosquitos away and have taken it for my travels to the south. It is a wonderful oil on its own but also as a combination with other oils. Great stuff that you can buy from National Nutrition.
Hello AL K,
Citronella essential oil is a must in the Summer to keep pesky bugs away. It blends well with lemongrass, which is also an oil that keeps bugs away; or you can simply diffuse it outdoors. For easy application, check out our pre-diluted roll-on essential oil blends.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lemongrass-essential-oil/
Stay healthy & well.
I really enjoy citronella oil, especially in the Summer time. It is fresh smelling and not only keeps the bugs away but I keep the roll-on in my first aid kit. The information in this article was very informative too.
Hello Kathy,
Citronella is indeed a great oil for the summertime. It has a nice uplifting, herbaceous and slightly lemony scent which is great for that time of year and for outdoor activities. Be sure to check out our essential oil series on our youtube channel as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT-Q4XWrSH4&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5&index=6
Stay healthy & well.
Citronella is a great scent and citronella is also so useful to use in those summer months where bugs are extra active! I also did not know that you could use citronella as a treatment for lice which is so useful to know and also to use citronella as an antiseptic, I had no idea that citronella could fight off bacteria! Using it for PMS symptoms as well that could offer relief is so smart to use as a roll on balm!
Hello O,
Thanks for sharing your review. Citronella does have a wonderful scent, and it's definitely a handy tool to have during those bug-filled summer months. It's impressive how versatile citronella can be, from treating lice to acting as an antiseptic. And using it as a roll-on balm for PMS symptoms sounds like a clever idea for some relief. Thanks again for the insights and tips and don't forget to check out our essential oil series on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONKjnTkE5k&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5&pp=iAQB