Citronella essential oil is typically extracted by hydro-distillation as well as steam distillation. The aromatic grass belonging to the Cymbopogon genus is what gives citronella essential oil its raw, all-natural, and lingering lemony scent. This essential oil comes from Asian grass plants in the Cymbopogon genus. The name “Citronella” comes from the French word for “lemon balm,” and it refers to a fragrant grass with a highly rich, uplifting aroma similar to lemon. Because of their comparable growth and appearance, citronella is frequently confused with lemongrass. Citronella oil possesses antifungal and wound-healing effects in addition to its most common use as an insect repellant. In this article, we will discuss the most well-known benefits and applications of citronella essential oil.
Benefits of Citronella Essential Oil
Citronella essential oil is popular for its uplifting, pleasant, and energizing citrus-like scent. It also has several benefits that cut across numerous fields. The versatile citronella oil does it all, from repelling insects to helping with depression and anxiety. So, here are some of the benefits we can reap using citronella essential oil.
- Insect repellent
- Anti-fungal agent
- Promotes wound healing
- Weight loss
- Enhances skincare
- Great for hair
- Helps fight depression and anxiety
- Prevents colds, fevers and headaches
- Eliminates toxicity
In the following section, let’s examine each one individually.
1. Insect Repellent
Citronella works best as a mosquito repellent. However, lemongrass does not naturally repel mosquitoes; rather, it must be extracted from the plant to do so. It conceals the odors that mosquitoes seek out, such as lactic acid and carbon dioxide. Citronella essential oil is great to repell different mosquito species. Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex are a few of them. According to studies, citronella essential oil can successfully repel mosquitoes for up to two hours. For citronella to work as a mosquito repellent, it must be reapplied frequently. However, citronella can be mixed with various chemicals to increase its biological activity. Citronella oil with 5% vanillin may offer protection for up to three hours.
2. Anti-fungal Agent
Citronella essential oil contains substances such methyl isoeugenol and a few others that prevent the growth of any form of bacteria, according to a study report published in the Microbios Journal. Ringworm, food storage, and keratinophilic fungi are only a few of the many fungi that citronella is effective against. Citronella essential oil eliminates bacteria and prevents their growth from happening again in the body. This is very useful for treating infections of the colon, urethra, urinary bladder, stomach, intestines, urinary tracts, prostate, and kidneys, in addition to infections of wounds. According to studies, citronella essential oil has the potential to be a safe and secure fungicide that is also favorable to the environment.
3. Promotes Wound Healing
The use of citronella essential oil may improve the healing of wounds. For those who have diabetes, whose wounds tend to heal more slowly, this may be particularly important. The oil helps cure wounds thanks to its antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. To ascertain its efficacy, more research on humans is necessary as there hasn’t been much done in this field.
Moreover, citronella essential oil can balance the body’s production of oil and improve the skin’s capacity to absorb moisture. It can ease skin conditions including eczema, acne, and dermatitis and speed up the skin’s ability to heal.
4. Weight Loss
Are you following a diet and working your muscles hard? Your efforts will benefit from citronella oil. By simply breathing citronella oil and its components, one can enhance weight loss. Yes, you just need to breathe it in twice per day. You can reduce your hunger, lower your cholesterol, speed up your metabolism, and improve digestion by inhaling citronella oil, all of which help you lose weight. Inhaling citronella led to weight loss and lower cholesterol levels in rats, according to some studies.
5. Enhances Skincare
The benefits of citronella essential oil on the skin are numerous. The skin can absorb and hold onto moisture with the aid of this essential oil. Citronella’s rejuvenating qualities can help all skin types achieve and retain a youthful appearance. You can apply this essential oil directly to eliminate unpleasant body odor and create a clean deodorizing aroma but with the right amounts. It prevents bacteria that cause odors from spreading. This feature makes it a perfect component for many fragrances, soaps, and body sprays. Furthermore, this essential oil can tighten pores and tone the skin. Its astringent qualities can help to tighten the skin by reducing the cell gap. Also you can get rid of the anti-aging effects of fine lines, pigmentation, and blemishes significantly.
6. Great for Hair
High levels of methyl isoeugenol and limonene are found in citronella oil. This is quite good at controlling the amount of sebum oil produced by the scalp, preventing greasy hair. It gets rid of dandruff, moisturizes dry scalp, and shields against head lice. Moreover, putting citronella essential oil on the hair can remove residues from other hair treatments and lessen the accumulation of environmental toxins. It nourishes your scalp and hair, promoting the growth of your hair. It might give your hair more volume when mixed with your go-to shampoo. By providing adequate moisture, it also improves the luster of hair at the same time.
7. Helps Fight Depression and Anxiety
Citronella essential oil, which has a soothing lemon aroma, helps to uplift the spirits and replace negative feelings with positive and hopeful feelings. Moreover, this essential oil’s rich supply of sedative, adaptogenic, and other qualities elevates mood while also calming and reducing stress. By controlling the stress hormone serotonin, which in turn lessens a variety of anxiety symptoms like restlessness, apprehension, cold hands and feet, etc., and imparts a fresh and pleasant sensation.
Therefore, citronella essential oil is perfect to use in a diffuser and it’ll work as an effective reliever of anxiety and depression.
8. Prevents Colds, Fevers and Headaches
The potent antibacterial and antiviral properties of citronella oil can provide relief from respiratory system discomforts such congestion, infection, and irritation of the throat or sinuses. This oil has diaphoretic properties that cause sweating, anti-inflammatory properties that lessen inflammation, and antibacterial properties that fight infections. So, these three qualities work together to fight fever and lower body temperature. It is very effective in treating the cold, flu and other bacterial illnesses.
9. Eliminates Toxicity
Toxin removal from the body can be challenging, and we might not even be aware that there are toxins there in the first place. However, citronella essential oil makes it easy to remove toxins from the body by simply giving your entire body a massage or applying oil to the lymph nodes to eliminate the toxins as well as extra water, fat, and salts, and other harmful substances. In addition to keeping the skin healthy and making the body feel lighter, this lowers fever as we mentioned earlier. It also protects against a number of diseases.
Types of Citronella Essential Oil
From freshly harvested or partially dried Cymbopogon winterianus and Cymbopogon nardus grasses, cedarwood essential oil is steam-distilled. There are various kinds of citronella essential oil. Java citronella oil and Sri Lanka (Ceylon) citronella oil are the two primary varieties of citronella oils. While the Java variety typically has a crisper, lemony perfume reminiscent of Lemon Essential Oil and the Ceylon species may have a warm, woody note to its citrus aroma, both oils vary in color from a pale yellow to a brownish shade.
1. Ceylon Citronella Oil
Cymbopogon nardus is steam-distilled to produce citronella oil. Originating in Sri Lanka, Ceylon citronella oil is a warm, lemony, and woodsy fragrance with a pale to dark yellow tint. Ceylon citronella contains more monoterpene hydrocarbons than Java citronella. This oil contains geraniol, citronellol and citronellal.
2. Java Citronella Oil
From the stems and leaves of the Cymbopogon plant, Java Citronella essential oil is produced. In Indonesia’s Bintan, Java Citronella Oil is well-known for its usage in aromatherapy. Citronella Though considerably softer than pure Lemon, Java Oil offers a well-rounded lemon citrus aroma with hints of wood. Citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol are all present in java citronella oil, just like in Ceylon citronella oil. In addition to having a higher citronellal content, the Java species produces twice as much essential oil as the Ceylon type.
Citronella Essential Oil by Artizen
The exceptional purity and concentration of Artizen essential oils are well-known. Their oils offer the highest level of value and are completely natural, free from adulterants or dilution. Most competitors use cheap carrier oils or potentially hazardous additives to dilute their oil. Additionally, the phrase “100% oil” is frequently misinterpreted because it typically only contains two thirds carrier oil and one third natural oil. However, Artizen’s citronella essential oil is continually inspected for purity and other distinguishing characteristics to ensure that you are receiving the best oil available. In order to protect the essential oils from sunshine and deterioration, Artizen uses premium glass in this 30ml bottle that has been coloured with UV ink.
The goods are covered by a lifetime warranty and guarantee from the manufacturer. If you are dissatisfied with your purchase for any reason, they will replace it or refund your money. Additionally, they support and guarantee the excellence of their products.
Citronella Essential Oil Side Effects
Citronella essential oil is not poisonous by nature, but when used in high doses, it has been seen to cause skin irritation, dermatitis, or hypersensitivity. So the oil is reportedly safe for people to apply topically when used in a diluted form. However, cooking or ingesting citronella essential oil is not advisable.
In some cases, the use of cedarwood oil may result in the following side effects:
- nausea
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- difficulty breathing
- wheezing or coughing
- swollen throat
- red rash
There are precautions and warnings in place. Therefore, it is preferable to follow the guidelines without taking any risks.
- It’s only for external use only
- Before using the oil, rub a very small amount on the inside of your elbow area to test for any allergic reaction
- Avoid contact with eyes
- keep out of the reach of children
- If pregnant, consult with your health care provider before use
Conclusion
Citronella oil is another remarkable essential oil that will undoubtedly offer you numerous benefits. So, why not familiarize yourself with citronella essential oil and enjoy each of the benefits outlined in this article?
Finally, if you’d like to know about other essential oils and useful oils, don’t hesitate to read our articles about sandalwood oil, rosehip oil, rosemary oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, lemongrass oil, chamomile oil, orange oil, camphor oil, castor oil, argan oil, grapeseed oil, cypress oil, tea tree oil, hemp seed oil, turmeric oil, coconut oil, thyme oil, cedarwood oil, mandarin oil, clary sage oil, carrot seed oil, niaouli oil, black pepper essential oil, ginger oil, eucalyptus oil etc.
Disclaimer
Note that the information on this site is provided solely for educational purposes. It is not advisable to replace medical treatment from a health care professional. Because each person’s needs are different, the reader should check with their doctor to see if the information is appropriate for them.
