Citronella is best known (and most commonly used) as a safe natural (and non-toxic) insect repellant. Citronella Essential Oil is registered with the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) as insect repellent due to its high efficacy, low toxicity and customer satisfaction. Multiple studies have been performed on citronella as an insect repellant with many pitting citronella against DEET (chemical repellant). Citronella was found to provide approximately 57% effectiveness for a period of 2-3 hours. This is compared to DEET with 90% effectiveness over 6 hours. Remember, that citronella can be reapplied every 2-3 hours without concern.

DEET may work better but it has its drawbacks. It is an irritant and in rare cases, it may cause severe skin reactions. Other symptoms that can occur are breathing difficulty, burning eyes and headaches. People having extensive DEET exposure are more likely to have insomnia, mood disturbances and impaired cognition. Some experts recommend against applying DEET and sunscreen simultaneously since that would increase DEET skin penetration. DEET can be detected in users blood, plasma and urine.

Several studies have found that Citronella Essential Oil has certain antifungal and antibacterial properties that may help weaken or destroy certain types of bacteria and fungi that can cause health problems. Studies found that citronella essential oil had the ability to destroy the cell wall of the fungus Aspergillus niger and then kill the cell itself. Studies comparing citronella to other essential oils found that Citronella was effective against all 12 fungi that were tested and 15 of the 22 bacteria tested.

Citronella Essential Oil’s bactericidal action carries over to its aromatherapy use. The oil is known to slow or prevent the growth and spread of harmful airborne bacteria while also repelling flying insects, such as mosquitos. It eases and uplifts negative sentiments such as sadness, anxiety, and stress by relaxing the body and mind and promoting a sense of lightheartedness. Furthermore, it is reputed to ease muscles spasms, such as menstrual cramps, as well as spasms of the respiratory and nervous systems. This, in turn, alleviates discomforts such as coughs. Its fresh, bright citrus-like scent is known to naturally refresh the musty scent of the stale and unclean air.

Citronella’s cleansing properties and refreshing scent make it an ideal ingredient in natural room sprays and diffuser blends. Its clean citrus fragrance is also reputed to ease headaches, migraines, nausea, neuralgia, and symptoms of colitis, and to improve energy levels to overcome fatigue.

Citronella Essential Oil is frequently used in cosmetics and bath products. It can help deodorize and refresh foul body odors by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria, which makes it an ideal ingredient in natural perfumes, deodorants, body sprays, and bath blends. Its oil balancing properties enable Citronella to help rejuvenate all skin types. Citronella can help healing of the skin from conditions such as acne, eczema, and dermatitis. Citronella is a key component of most cosmetics targeted toward maturing or blemished and scarred complexions because of its ability to boost wound healing and reduce the appearance of skin aging. Citronella is often used in products for oily hair. It can help to regulate oil production as well as enhance cleansing the scalp and hair of oil, dead skin, dirt, dandruff, residue, and build-up.

Blends well with
Bergamot, Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lemon, Sweet Orange, Lavender Peppermint, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Tea Tree and Pine.