Citronella Oil
What smells like a slightly redolent, woody, lemony, grassy smell to you actually helps keep numerous insects away and helps pacify your agitated pets. Welcome to the world of citronella essential oil, an anoint that is derived from Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus grasses. Find out some basic citronella oil information along with most of the citronella oil uses from the following article.
Derived by the process of steam distillation from either finely hacked fresh, partially dried or dried stems and foliage of the 2 varieties of Cymbopogon nardus Rendle and Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt, both the Ceylon citronella oil and Java citronella oils are . About 40% of the total citronella oil today is produced by China and Indonesia, the rest coming from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Madagascar, Mexico, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Taiwan.
Today, the Java citronella oil is considered to be of a superior quality than the Ceylon variety because the former is composed of citronellal (32 to 45%), citronellol (16%), geraniol (11 to 13%), geranyl acetate (3 to 8%) and limonene (1 to 4%). Since Ceylon citronella oil has a lower content of citronellal (only 5 to 15%) and citronellol (6 to 8%) even though the geraniol content in it is higher (18 to 20%), the Java variety makes for a better source of fragrant chemical derivatives used in the perfume industry as the basic fragrance building blocks. Besides, the production of Java citronella oil is higher that that of the Ceylon variety. Other Ceylon citronella oil information would tell you that it also has a relatively higher composition of monoterpenes, borneol, camphene, citral, citronellic acid, dipentene, elemol, limonene (9 to 11%), methyl iso-eugenol (7 to 11%) and nerol. Let us now see some of the benefits and uses of citronella oil.
Citronella Oil Uses
It is said that if your dog has taken to digging up your flowerbeds and tidily kept garden, just squirting some citronella oil in the area will help your case immensely. Let us see some other causes that citronella oil will help.
In spite of the numerous benefits of citronella oil, one is advised not to consume it as lab results have shown that 4600 mg/kg and 7200 mg/kg have proven to be a lethal dose in case of mice and rats respectively while rabbits were rendered comatose with a dose of only 1 to 4 mL/kg of this oil. Besides, at least 1 child has been reported dead after consuming citronella oil in medical history. For safety purposes, expecting and lactating mothers should keep away from this oil. Also do not use this oil on children below the age threshold of 3 even for the purpose of mosquito repulsion. Keep it away from fire as it is a flammable oil. Finally, as an added safety measure, do not use citronella oil for prolonged aromatherapy sessions as there exists a theory that it exhilarates only in the beginning and then goes on to induce central nervous system depression which has dire consequences such as breathing problems, reduced heart rate and can lead to unconsciousness.
So, I would recommend that you seek the guidance of a proper health care provider or aromatherapist before going on to use this very beneficial oil. Since there still has to be more studies in order to unveil all the characteristics of citronella oil one must practice caution even though there may not be any side effect at all.
Today, the Java citronella oil is considered to be of a superior quality than the Ceylon variety because the former is composed of citronellal (32 to 45%), citronellol (16%), geraniol (11 to 13%), geranyl acetate (3 to 8%) and limonene (1 to 4%). Since Ceylon citronella oil has a lower content of citronellal (only 5 to 15%) and citronellol (6 to 8%) even though the geraniol content in it is higher (18 to 20%), the Java variety makes for a better source of fragrant chemical derivatives used in the perfume industry as the basic fragrance building blocks. Besides, the production of Java citronella oil is higher that that of the Ceylon variety. Other Ceylon citronella oil information would tell you that it also has a relatively higher composition of monoterpenes, borneol, camphene, citral, citronellic acid, dipentene, elemol, limonene (9 to 11%), methyl iso-eugenol (7 to 11%) and nerol. Let us now see some of the benefits and uses of citronella oil.
Citronella Oil Uses
It is said that if your dog has taken to digging up your flowerbeds and tidily kept garden, just squirting some citronella oil in the area will help your case immensely. Let us see some other causes that citronella oil will help.
- Be it blood sucking mosquitoes, fleas, ticks or annoying black flies, citronella oil repels them all. Not only can you keep insects at bay from yourself by using a topical cream, spray or patch which has a 10% concentration of citronella oil, but also keep your dog healthy by using it to get rid of disease inducing ticks and fleas. Dog collars with citronella oil can be used for this purpose.
- Candles and cartridges having citronella oil are also widely available today and so are pellets which can be strewn all around the stables and farms or even garden for that matter as the elemol and methyl iso-eugenol acts as a mosquito larvicide. Flies can be kept away from horses by using fly repellents containing this very oil.
- 3 drops of this oil on a cotton ball acts as a very potent astringent for the skin. It also works to balance the natural oils of the skin.
- 3 drops of it mingled with a teaspoonful of cedarwood oil, and applied at strategic pressure points can alleviate headaches, migraines and variant joint aches. In fact, ancient Chinese medical treatises talk of using citronella oil to palliate rheumatic pains. Citronella oil is a known spasmolyte.
- A great oil is known to relieve mental and physical stress, when 3 drops of it is mixed with a tablespoon of base oil like eucalyptus or lavender oil. It relieves fatigue and helps one to think clearly.
- One can use it as a deodorant as it curbs excessive perspiration tendencies.
- Citronella oil is also a known antimicrobial, antifungal, stomachal anthelmintic that also happens to harness fever by acting as a sudorific. It also works to regulate and promote menstrual discharge.
- Citronella oil is used in perfumery and other toiletries such as soaps, lotions or bath oils and salts.
In spite of the numerous benefits of citronella oil, one is advised not to consume it as lab results have shown that 4600 mg/kg and 7200 mg/kg have proven to be a lethal dose in case of mice and rats respectively while rabbits were rendered comatose with a dose of only 1 to 4 mL/kg of this oil. Besides, at least 1 child has been reported dead after consuming citronella oil in medical history. For safety purposes, expecting and lactating mothers should keep away from this oil. Also do not use this oil on children below the age threshold of 3 even for the purpose of mosquito repulsion. Keep it away from fire as it is a flammable oil. Finally, as an added safety measure, do not use citronella oil for prolonged aromatherapy sessions as there exists a theory that it exhilarates only in the beginning and then goes on to induce central nervous system depression which has dire consequences such as breathing problems, reduced heart rate and can lead to unconsciousness.
So, I would recommend that you seek the guidance of a proper health care provider or aromatherapist before going on to use this very beneficial oil. Since there still has to be more studies in order to unveil all the characteristics of citronella oil one must practice caution even though there may not be any side effect at all.
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