If you’re like most people, when you think of citronella you think of insect repellants. While this is a common use for citronella, it has also been used in aromatherapy for many years for its therapeutic actions. Citronella essential oil has actually been reported to be as effective as penicillin against certain strains of bacteria.
Name of Oil: Citronella
Latin Binomial: Cymbopogon nardus
Extraction Method: Steam
Countries of Origin: Sri Lanka
Scent Profile: Fresh, sweet, fruity, citrusy
Parts used in distillation: Grass
Oil Characteristics: Clear, thin, medium aroma
Cultivation: Certified Organic
Used in aromatherapy for the symptomatic relief of:
Muscle aches, skin infections, insect repellant, insect bites, fatigue, arthritis, fungal infections, bacterial infections, colds and flu.
Used in aromatherapy to help ease emotional symptoms of:
No reported emotional uses.
Citronella has been widely used in India and Sri Lanka to treat cuts, abrasions, and swellings. It has been used in detergents, soaps, and household cleaners for many years.
a-pinene, camphene, limonene, cis-ocimene, trans-ocimene, citronellal, camphor, b-caryophyllene, 4-terpinenol, citronellyl acetate, geranyl formate, 1-borneol, citronellol, nerol, geraniol, geranyl butyrate, methyl eugenol, elemol, methyl iso-eugenol
Safety Data:
Risk of skin reaction, follow proper dilution guidelines.
Books Cited:
The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, 2nd Edition – Salvatore Battaglia
Essential Oil Safety , 2nd Edition – Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young
Aromatherapy – Jennifer Peace Rhind
The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy – Valerie Wormwood
Aromatherapeutic Blending – Jennifer Peace Rhind
The Fragrant Mind – Valerie Wormwood
Coming Soon!
