Description:
Citronella oil is extracted from Cymbopogon nardus(also known asAndropogon nardus and is of the Graminae (Poaceae) familyCitronella oil isextracted from Cymbopogon nardus (also known as Andropogon nardus)and is of the Graminae (Poaceae) family. It is also known as SriLanka or Lenabatu citronella.
Although this essential oil has been typecast as an insectrepellant (especially for malaria carrying mosquitoes), it also hasgreat benefit in clearing the mind, refreshing rooms and forsoftening skin, while combating oily skin and sweaty feet.
Oilproperties
Citronella oil has a slightly sweet, lemony smell.
Origin of citronella oil
It is extracted from a hardy grass, native to Sri Lanka and Java.This aromatic perennial grows about 1meter (3 feet) high and is apopular ingredient in wax candles, as an insect repellant, and isalso widely used in perfumes, soaps, skin lotions anddeodorants.
Extraction
Citronella oil is extracted by the steam distillation of finelychopped fresh, dried or part-dried grass.
Chemical composition
The main chemical components of citronella oil are citronellicacid, borneol, citronellol, geraniol, nerol, citral, citronellal,camphene, dipentene and limonene.
Precautions
Citronella oil may irritate sensitive skin and cause dermatitis incertain individuals.
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of citronella oil are antiseptic,bactericidal, deodorant, diaphoretic, insecticide, parasitic, tonicand stimulant.
Uses
Citronella oil''s most useful quality is that of it being an insectrepellent. It is best used in a spray, a diffuser or on a cottonball amongst linen. It is also useful in ridding cats and dogs offleas.
Furthermore, citronella oil helps to clear the mind and has ageneral toning and tonic effect on the body. It is helpful withcolds, flu and minor infections and also has deodorizingqualities.
Summary
Citronella oil is not only of benefit in its use as an insecticide,but its antiseptic properties make it a great boon when wishing toclear a sickroom. It also has an excellent effect on clearing themind. It may be used for combating excessive perspiration and forbalancing oily skin, as well as fighting intestinal parasites andbringing down fever.
- Burners and vaporizers
- In adiffuser, citronella oil can be used as an insect repellent, forcolds and flu, for clearing the mind and to refresh the sickroom.In Africa, where malaria is a great problem, citronella oil is usedto a great extent to keep the pesky disease carrying mosquitoes atbay.
- In a cream or lotion
- Whenincluded in a cream or lotion, citronella oil is most useful tokeep the tropical wearer safe from mosquitoes that cause malaria. It also has a dramatic freshening effect on tired sweatyfeet.
100% PURE CITRONELLA OIL JAVA