Citronella
Cymbopogon Nardus
Citronella Oil is a grassy and floral smelling oil which is distilled from specific grass varieties. It works well to repel bugs and can also be used for stomach upset and parasites in the bowel. It works well to control muscle spasms, pains and discomfort when applied topically.
History of Citronella Oil
Citronella Oil is an essential oil that’s extracted via steam distillation from citronella grass - an Asian grass plant in the Cymbopogon genus. Citronella grass got its name from the French word meaning “lemon balm,” due to its citrus-like scent. The two main varieties of citronella grass from which Citronella Oil is made are Cymbopogon nardus (often referred to as the Ceylon type) and Cymbopogon winterianus (commonly known as the Java type).
It’s important to keep in mind that citronella grass is often confused with lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) due to the fact that they share a similar appearance, growth, and processing method. However, these two plants are simply cousins. The easiest way to differentiate citronella grass from lemongrass is to remember the colour of their pseudostems. Citronella grass has reddish pseudostems, whereas those of lemongrass are off-white. To make sure you buy Citronella Oil, look for the scientific name on the label.
It’s believed that the people of China, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia are the ones who discovered Citronella Oil. This oil has been used in these countries for centuries as a natural remedy for pain, rashes, inflammation, and infections. Citronella Oil is also traditionally used as a non-toxic insect repellent; as a fragrant household cleaning agent; and as an ingredient in soaps, detergents, scented candles, sprays, perfumes, and cosmetic products.
Why is Citronella Oil so popular today?
Many aromatherapy enthusiasts and essential oil lovers adore Citronella Oil because it’s both versatile and powerful. Citronella Oil seduces with its lemony, slightly fruity, fresh, and sweet aroma. It provides a variety of health benefits and can be used in numerous ways. In addition to this, Citronella Oil blends beautifully with all citrus essential oils as well as with essential oils in the floral, wood, and herbaceous families
Citronella Oil is a sought-after natural product because it boasts many desirable properties, including insect repellent, antimicrobial, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, anti-depressant, stimulant, tonic, deodorant, stomachic, diuretic, and antioxidant. This means that Citronella Oil can be helpful for keeping insects at bay (Fun Fact: Citronella Oil has been registered as an insect repellent in the US since 1948), treating small cuts and scrapes, reducing body odours caused by bacteria, relaxing both the body and the mind while promoting happy, positive feelings, easing muscle spasms such as menstrual cramps and spasms of the respiratory system, boosting the skin’s absorption of moisture, and reducing or relieving the symptoms of eczema, acne, and dermatitis.
The wonderful benefits of Citronella Oil can be reaped in a number of ways. This oil can be a powerful ingredient in natural bug-repelling sprays as well as in refreshing body sprays. It can also be used in an essential oil vapouriser as well as in massage blends and natural moisturisers.
Extracting Citronella Oil
Citronella Oil is extracted via steam distillation from either the Cymbopogon nardus botanical (country of origin: Sri Lanka) or the Cymbopogon winterianus botanical (place of origin: Java, Indonesia). The Citronella Oil variety derived from the former citronella grass type is commonly known as Ceylon Citronella Oil, whereas the Citronella Oil variety made from the latter type of citronella grass is referred to as Java Citronella Oil. To learn about the key differences between these two Citronella Oil varieties, please read our ‘Citronella Oil Varieties’ article.
Steam distillation is one of the most popular methods for extracting and isolating essential oils from plants. This process happens when dry steam is passed through the plant material. The steam vaporises the plant material’s volatile compounds, which eventually go through a condensation and collection process. One of the most significant advantages of steam distillation is that it generates organic solvent-free products.
Citronella Oil’s colour is pale yellow to yellowish brown, its consistency is thin, and the intensity of its initial aroma is medium. The major constituents of Citronella Oil are: citronellal, geraniol, (-)-citronellol, (-)-limonene, (E)-methyl isoeugenol, champhene, and citronellyl acetate. One of the factors that influence the specific composition of Citronella Oil is the type of citronella grass the oil is derived from.
The therapeutic properties of Citronella Oil are: insect-deterrent, antimicrobial, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, anti-depressant, stimulant, tonic, deodorant, stomachic, diuretic, and antioxidant.
Can I make Citronella Oil at home?
Since the equipment needed for steam distillation is relatively inexpensive, we believe that trying to make essential oils at home is a good option. In case you don’t want to invest in steam distillation equipment, you might succeed using a large pot with a lid, distilled water, and, of course, fresh plant material to fill the pot about half full. However, this process might be too time-consuming for some of you. If you want to play it safe, we advise you to look for 100% Pure Organic Citronella Oil online.
Have you ever tried to make Citronella Oil or any other essential oil in the comfort of your home? We would love to read your stories, so feel free to share them with us!
Citronella Oil colour is pale yellow to yellowish brown, its consistency is thin, and the intensity of its initial aroma is medium. The major constituents of Citronella Oil are: citronellal, geraniol, (-)-citronellol, (-)-limonene, (E)-methyl isoeugenol, champhene, and citronellyl acetate. One of the factors that influence the specific composition of Citronella Oil is the type of citronella grass the oil is derived from.
The therapeutic properties of Citronella Oil are: insect-deterrent, antimicrobial, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, anti-depressant, stimulant, tonic, deodorant, stomachic, diuretic, and antioxidant.
Can I make Citronella Oil at home?
Since the equipment needed for steam distillation is relatively inexpensive, we believe that trying to make essential oils at home is a good option. In case you don’t want to invest in steam distillation equipment, you might succeed using a large pot with a lid, distilled water, and, of course, fresh plant material to fill the pot about half full. However, this process might be too time-consuming for some of you. If you want to play it safe, we advise you to look for 100% Pure Organic Citronella Oil online.
Have you ever tried to make Citronella Oil or any other essential oil in the comfort of your home? We would love to read your stories, so feel free to share them with us!
Citronella Oil Varieties
Citronella Oil Varieties
We, the Essentially Yours team, are committed to learning and sharing our knowledge, tips, and tricks to help you deepen your understanding of aromatherapy and essential oils in general. Whether you are considering adding a certain oil or blend to your collection and want to learn its dos and don’ts or you are simply curious about the various methods of oil application - we’ve got you covered. In this particular blog post, we are going to introduce you to the two main Citronella Oil varieties and the key differences between them. Additionally, we are going to explain how to differentiate Citronella Essential Oil from Lemongrass Essential Oil.
What are the two main Citronella Oil varieties?
Citronella Essential Oil is steam-distilled from the fragrant, perennial grass named citronella. The two most commonly used Citronella Oil types are Ceylon Citronella Oil and Java Citronella Oil. Ceylon Citronella Oil is extracted from the Cymbopogon nardus botanical - a citronella grass type cultivated primarily in Sri Lanka. Java Citronella Oil, on the other hand, is derived from the Cymbopogon winterianus botanical - a citronella grass type grown in Java, Indonesia.
Unsurprisingly, these two Citronella Oil varieties have similar chemical composition. However, the major naturally occurring constituents vary in their amounts. The main constituents of Ceylon Citronella Oil are: geraniol, camphene, limonene, methyl isoeugenol, geranyl acetate, borneol, citronellal, and citronellol. The main constituents of Java Citronella Oil are: citronellal, geraniol, citronellol, limonene, and geranyl acetate. Of the two, the Java type has higher concentrations of the compound citronellal, thanks to which this essential oil possesses a fresh, citrusy aroma. This is precisely why Java Citronella Oil is considered to be the higher quality option.
In addition to this, it’s reported that Ceylon Citronella Oil and Java Citronella Oil have distinctive smells. The former possesses a citrusy aroma with a warm, woody nuance, whereas the latter has a fresher, lemony scent.
Even though their chemical composition isn’t identical, Ceylon Citronella Oil and Java Citronella Oil offer pretty much the same benefits. Both of them can help keep insects at bay, control oil production on the face and scalp, facilitate the skin’s moisture absorption, soothe the symptoms of eczema, acne, and dermatitis, heal small cuts and scrapes, and assist with muscular aches, fevers, colds, excessive perspiration, fungal infections, and fatigue.
Whichever Citronella Oil type you opt for, make sure to check the bottle first. It should have the scientific name and the place of origin on the product label. Also, make sure the oil is in a dark-coloured bottle. Plastic and clear glass bottles aren’t suitable for essential oils because light can damage them.
Citronella Oil vs. Lemongrass Oil - how to tell them apart?
Citronella Oil is often confused with Lemongrass Oil as a result of the fact that the plants they are extracted from have similar scientific names. Citronella Oil is derived from either Cymbopogon nardus or Cymbopogon winterianus, both of which are citronella grass types. Lemongrass Oil comes from Cymbopogon citratus. This simply means that these plants are relatives, i.e. belong to the same genus. The safest way to tell these essential oils apart is to know their botanical names. Don’t be guided by scent.
Unsurprisingly, these two Citronella Oil varieties have similar chemical composition. However, the major naturally occurring constituents vary in their amounts. The main constituents of Ceylon Citronella Oil are: geraniol, camphene, limonene, methyl isoeugenol, geranyl acetate, borneol, citronellal, and citronellol. The main constituents of Java Citronella Oil are: citronellal, geraniol, citronellol, limonene, and geranyl acetate. Of the two, the Java type has higher concentrations of the compound citronellal, thanks to which this essential oil possesses a fresh, citrusy aroma. This is precisely why Java Citronella Oil is considered to be the higher quality option.
In addition to this, it’s reported that Ceylon Citronella Oil and Java Citronella Oil have distinctive smells. The former possesses a citrusy aroma with a warm, woody nuance, whereas the latter has a fresher, lemony scent.
Even though their chemical composition isn’t identical, Ceylon Citronella Oil and Java Citronella Oil offer pretty much the same benefits. Both of them can help keep insects at bay, control oil production on the face and scalp, facilitate the skin’s moisture absorption, soothe the symptoms of eczema, acne, and dermatitis, heal small cuts and scrapes, and assist with muscular aches, fevers, colds, excessive perspiration, fungal infections, and fatigue.
Whichever Citronella Oil type you opt for, make sure to check the bottle first. It should have the scientific name and the place of origin on the product label. Also, make sure the oil is in a dark-coloured bottle. Plastic and clear glass bottles aren’t suitable for essential oils because light can damage them.
Citronella Oil vs. Lemongrass Oil - how to tell them apart?
Citronella Oil is often confused with Lemongrass Oil as a result of the fact that the plants they are extracted from have similar scientific names. Citronella Oil is derived from either Cymbopogon nardus or Cymbopogon winterianus, both of which are citronella grass types. Lemongrass Oil comes from Cymbopogon citratus. This simply means that these plants are relatives, i.e. belong to the same genus. The safest way to tell these essential oils apart is to know their botanical names. Don’t be guided by scent.
Benefits of Citronella Oil
At Essentially Yours, we pride ourselves on doing the necessary research to enrich our understanding of aromatherapy and essential oils in general. This enables us to help you pick the best oils, blends, and methods of application for your wants and needs. We believe that familiarising you with our products, the numerous benefits they offer, and the adverse side effects that occur when they aren’t properly used is the least we can do, hence these blog posts. In this blog, we are going to dive into some of the many amazing benefits of Citronella Oil.
Aside from creating a refreshing atmosphere, Citronella Oil can also:
Repel insects
Citronella Oil is widely known for its ability to deter mosquitoes and other insects. According to a 2011 review of 11 studies, when Citronella Oil is combined with vanillin (a compound found in vanilla beans), it can provide protection against insect bites for up to 3 hours. This makes Citronella Oil one of the most effective natural insect repellents. If you love spending time in the great outdoors, Citronella Oil should definitely be at the top of your to-consider list of essential oils.
P.S. Please note that essential oil diffusers and sprays provide much better results compared to citronella candles. This is so because candles burn off a significant amount of the oil and can change the composition of the oil..
Promote skin health
It’s reported that Citronella Oil can facilitate the skin’s absorption of moisture, control oil production on the face and scalp, reduce or relieve the symptoms of eczema, acne, and dermatitis, and slow the signs of aging. This grassy oil might also assist with excessive perspiration and eliminate head and body lice.
Promote wound healing
Thanks to its antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, Citronella Oil can speed up the healing of wounds. This can be particularly helpful for people with diabetes as their wounds tend to heal more slowly. However, scientists warn that more research is needed in this area.
Ease muscle spasms
Citronella Oil may help ease menstrual cramps and spasms of the respiratory system (coughs). It can also help with colds and the flu.
Relieve anxiety and boost energy levels
Soothing the anxious mind and increasing energy are two more wonderful benefits of Citronella Oil. When diffused, this essential oil can calm feelings of stress, anxiety, and sadness, promote a sense of lightheartedness, and assist with fatigue and nervous exhaustion.
When it comes to using Citronella Oil, some experts recommend a dermal maximum of 18.2%. In addition to this, inhaling pure Citronella Oil isn’t advisable as it can cause nose and throat irritation and trigger acute inflammation of the airways. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, stay on the safe side and avoid using this oil.
Have you ever had the chance to reap some of the abovementioned benefits of Citronella Oil? What has your experience been like? Would you recommend this oil to the rest of the Essentially Yours community? We would love to read your thoughts on this, so feel free to share them with us!
Uses of Citronella Oil
We, the Essentially Yours team, take immense pleasure in learning and sharing our knowledge, tips, and tricks to help you deepen your understanding of aromatherapy and essential oils in general. Whether you are thinking about adding a certain oil or blend to your collection and want to learn its dos and don’ts or you are simply curious about the various methods of oil application - we’ve got you covered. In this particular blog, we are going to explore some of the most popular ways of using Citronella Oil - an essential oil that seduces with its citrusy, fresh, and sweet aroma.
Citronella Oil is extremely versatile. It can be used in a variety of ways, including:
In a diffuser
To harness the relaxing and uplifting power of Citronella Oil’s scent, add 3-4 drops of the oil to your essential oil diffuser. Commercial diffusers come with specific instructions, so figuring out how to use one shouldn’t be a difficult task. Apart from relieving feelings of stress and anxiety, diffusing Citronella Oil in your home/ office/studio can also help you keep insects at bay.
In an air freshener/body spray
This is another way of using Citronella Oil’s ability to deter mosquitoes and other insects. According to the USA's National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), to make an effective Citronella Oil air freshener/body spray, you’ll need to add 10-15 drops of the oil per 30 ml of water. Pour the blend into a glass spray bottle and shake it well before spraying. Please keep in mind that this can provide protection against bugs for a short amount of time, which means you’ll need to reapply it often.
P.S. Since essential oils don’t dissolve in water, you might want to add solubol or another dispersing agent to the blend.
In massage oils
Thanks to its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, Citronella Oil can soothe wounds and speed up their healing. To reap these benefits, consider diluting 1-3 drops of Citronella Oil in 1 teaspoon of Coconut Carrier Oil. Gently rub this blend onto a cut, sore, or abrasion. This method of application is great for killing germs and fungi on the skin as well. To address fatigue and nervous exhaustion, use 2 tablespoons of Jojoba or Olive Carrier Oil to “weaken” 2-4 drops of Citronella Oil and then massage the blend into your skin until it’s completely absorbed.
As an addition to facial cleansers and shampoos
Citronella Oil can easily become one of your skin’s best friends. All you’ll need to do to make this happen is add 2-3 drops of the oil to a regular shampoo. This mix can help eliminate dandruff, fungi, and excess oil. To enrich your regular facial cleanser or body wash, add 1-2 drops of Citronella Oil to it. This can help prevent acne and banish blemishes.
Blends well with
Citronella Oil is in demand mainly because of its ability to repel insects. However, this grassy essential oil has so much more to offer (check out our ‘Benefits of Citronella Oil’ article). Plus, thanks to its lemony, slightly fruity, and sweet aroma, it blends nicely with essential oils in the citrus, wood, herbaceous, and floral families. Unsurprisingly, Citronella Oil works extremely well with Lemon and Bergamot Oil. In addition to these, Citronella Oil can be combined with Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Pine, Clary Sage, Rosemary, Geranium, and Lavender Oil as well. Let’s take a close look at some of these lovely relationships.
Lemon Oil
Lemon Oil is extracted from the peel of fresh lemons using a “cold-pressing” process. This increasingly popular essential oil can help with anxiety and depression, fight exhaustion, kill dangerous viruses and bacteria, reduce inflammation, and promote skin health. When mixed together, Lemon Oil and Citronella Oil pack quite a punch.
Thanks to their antibacterial properties, Lemon Oil and Citronella Oil can help create refreshing and, more importantly, effective natural deodorants. To prepare one, thoroughly combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder. Then, add 4 tablespoons of Coconut Carrier Oil, 4 drops of Lemon Oil, and 4 drops of Citronella Oil to the blend. Once you finish mixing the ingredients, place the mixture into a container and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before you start using it.
BUY NOW
Geranium Oil
Geranium Oil is a wonderfully calming and balancing essential oil. It can be beneficial to the female reproductive system, supportive to the menstrual cycle as well as during menopause, and helpful with anxiety, depression, oily skin, and acne. If you want to reap the benefits of both Geranium Oil and Citronella Oil, consider diffusing them together to create a relaxing atmosphere (please bear in mind that using too much Geranium Oil may have a stimulating effect for some). Try adding a few drops of each to your shampoo, facial cleanser, and body wash.
BUY NOW
Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Rosemary Oil
Cedarwood Oil has a rich, warm, woody aroma. Sandalwood Oil, on the other hand, possesses a much more complex scent - it’s deep and sweet, but also delicate and woodsy. Rosemary Oil smells herbaceous, sweet, and a bit medicinal. When citrusy Citronella Oil joins this trio, it freshens it up and makes it irresistible. If you love beach bonfires, chances are you’ll love this diffuser blend too.
BUY NOW
