Citronella Oil (Roll-On) - 10 + 10ml FREE

Citronella Oil

Citronella is a a grass that can be typically found in some Asian countries and some islands of the South Pacific...

Popular oil in the summertime, Citronella is best known to help repel insects, particularly mosquitoes. This strongly scented oil has a slight lemony aroma which some find invigorating and stimulating. It is a favourite among outdoor enthusiasts whose use its pungent smell to repel insects and encourage metal clarity.

Uses
In aromatherapy Citronella is thought to having a cooling effect; good for stress; uplifting spirits and stimulating brain function. Often used in an essential oil burner, Citronella is the ideal companion for warm summer nights. It is also found in many cosmetics, shampoos, perfumes, and candles. It is said that citronella oil can help to treat and prevent colds, fevers and headaches.

Dilution
Because of their extremely concentrated state, it is important to dilute essential oils in other high quality carrier oils like olive, almond, grape seed, or sesame. Keeping in the spirit of oil not mixing with water, an essential oil can only be diluted by mixing it with another oil. When essential oils are used without being diluted, they can cause severe skin irritation, gastrointestinal upset and even liver damage in the long term. Certain essential oils are not for internal use, and can be toxic even in small amounts.

Essential Oils can be:
*inhaled through steam inhalation, humidifiers, diffusers, and vaporizers
*added to a carrier oil and applied to your skin directly or as a hot or cold compress
*spritzed onto objects like pillows, bedding and furniture
*added to infusers, potpourri and candles to enhance the odour of an indoor space
*applied to skin as perfume
*used as a gargle or mouth wash, added to toothpaste, soaps, cleaning solutions, lotions and creams, face and body spray
*added to baths, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, hand and foot baths and saunas

Essential Oil Uses
Essential oils are aromatic compounds extracted from a number of different plants. They are also known as volatile oils because they evaporate so quickly, which is also how they create such a strong aroma in the air. Because of this ability to quickly create strong scents, these oils are often used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps and other scented products.

How are they made?
Essential oils are extracted from the plant by steam distillation, cold pressing, or solvent extraction. Good quality products create a pure product that will evaporate cleanly if dripped on a piece of paper. Each type of extraction is used for different plant materials. Solvent extraction is used for substances like flowers that contain very little volatile oil, and those that can be damaged by the temperatures used in steam distillation. Solvents used are hexane or supercritical carbon dioxide. Because carbon dioxide evaporates quickly when the temperature is raised to normal, it is the preferred solvent extraction method to maintain purity. Solvent extraction performed at lower temperatures is preferred to maintain the integrity of the active compounds.

Medicinal Properties
The benefits of essential oils are as diverse as the oils themselves. Some are diluted and used as skin treatments for acne or rashes, while others are used for internal use to fight infection or even help to treat specific diseases. Often current research will focus on specific compounds found in essential oils, to determine which one is responsible for their medicinal benefits. More traditional herbalists believe that it is the synergy between all of the active constituents in the oil that provide the full benefit. In some cases, the benefits of essential oils can simply be attributed to the effect of their scent on the brain. To stimulate the limbic system in the brain, essential oils are often used for aromatherapy in combination with massage and other balancing techniques.