Citronella Essential Oils

Citronella blends well with eucalyptus, lavender, orange, lemon, geranium, bergamot, and other essential oils. Native to Java and Sri Lanka, this essential oil is actually derived from a couple different varieties of citronella through a steam distillation extraction method and has been described as having a lemony, crisp, rich aroma. Today, Indonesia and China are the main producers.

Overall Benefits of Citronella Essential Oils

• Extremely useful as a fungicidal and therefore effective to counteract throat, nose, and ear infections
• Effective against a multitude of insects, including (in particular) fleas, head and body louse, lice, and especially mosquitoes
• Promote toxin removal by increased levels of sweating
• Reduce inflammation
• Offer relief from stress, anxiety, and depression
• May relieve spasms related to the nervous system, respiratory system, and muscles
• As a stimulant, they can kick metabolism into gear
• Can fortify the body and tone up the nervous system, excretion, and digestion through their tonic qualities
• Have been used to fight intestinal worms, particularly in children
• Generally effective against cramps, coughs, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, fatigue, and can help battle migraine, colitis, abnormal palpitations, oily hair, and oily skin

Uses for Citronella Essential Oils

Though basic, common uses for citronella oils are deodorants, skin lotions, soaps, perfumes, insect repellents, and wax candles, their most well-known and popular properties make them one of the best-known insect repellents for outdoor use on patios, at picnics and barbecues, camping, etc. They also assist in ridding dogs and cats of ticks and fleas. Indoors, they have been used in sick rooms via a vaporizer or burner and even play a role in Africa to help fight against malaria. As a lotion or cream, in addition to repelling insects, they can have a freshening effect that helps relieve sweaty, tired feet.

Precautions

In some individuals, this essential oil has, on rare occasion, caused dermatitis and can irritate sensitive skin. If you suffer from skin sensitivity, you should possibly check with a doctor before using this or any other essential oil. Pregnant women and small children should use this essential oil in moderate amounts.