Citronella MNB

Cymbopogon winterianus

Citronela

Botany

The genius Cymbopogon Spreng includes 50-60 species of tropical, perennial, coarse-growing tufted grasses, many having highly aromatic foliage. The citronella oil of international trade is obtained from C. nardus and C. winterianus. They are tufted, perennial grasses with long narrow leaves, and numerous stems arising from short rhizomatous roots. C. nardus is more vigorous, and has a more extensive, penetrating root system than C. winterianus. This root system allows the species to withstand periods of drought and to grow well in a wider range of soil types.

Commercial cultivation of C. nardus is limited to Sri Lanka, while C. winterianus is commercially cultivated in Indonesia, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, China and, more recently, India and Vietnam.

The essential oil industry generally defines oils as Ceylon and Java types, as there are characteristic differences, the most important being the geraniol content.

The leaves allow the plant to breathe. They also protect the plant from water loss and support photosynthesis.  We can use oils made from leaves to support respiration and deeper breathing. These oils can also protect us from infection.  They can help us breathe when we feel stress and anxiety, while supporting expansion and creativity. Leaf oils can also support us when we get into over-thinking and need a calm, clear mind.

  • Antifungal, sedative, cooling, anti-inflammatory
  • Antibacterial (Citral and citronellal),antiviral (oils with high percentages of citral), anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic (especially Eucalyptus citriodora)
  • They can be tonifying to the nervous system, and are generally temperature-reducing (cooling)
  • Have a profound calming effect when inhaled
  • Have a slightly fruity odor.
  • Anti-infectious, immune stimulants over the long term, healing for the skin; activate white blood cells (Apply in lymphs) 
  • linalol is effective against bacterial, geraniol to be effective against fungi, and terpinen-4-ol activates white blood cells that deal with infection.
  • Menthol and geraniol make the site of application feel cool
  • Linalool provides a significant sedating quality, making oils such as Clary Sage, Lavender or Ho Wood ideal for insomnia.
  • Linalol, menthol, citronellol, and borneol are especially antispasmodic to smooth muscles
  • Linalol rich oils are very calming to the nervous system.
  • Citronellal  48.76%   Airborne antimicrobial, analgesic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumoral, cns depressant, sedative, sleep inducing properties.
  • Geraniol   15.43%   Antifungal, cooling, airborne antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory (acting via inhibition of NO and PGE2 in macrophages), antispasmodic, antibacterial, antifungal (candida), antioxidant, antitumoral.
  • Citronellol   12.37 %  Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Anti-inflammatory (acting via inhibition of NO and PGE2 in macrophages), anti anxiety, anticonvulsant, antifungal (candida), antioxidant, cns depressant, hypotensive, kills dust mites.

Antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, febrifuge; insect repellant.

Muscular aches and pains, infectious skin conditions, fevers, heat rash, excessive perspiration, fungal infections, fungal foot infections, fatigue, insect bites; insect deterrent.

Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: over 800 Natural, Nontoxic, and Fragrant Recipes to Create Health, Beauty, and Safe Home and Work Environments. New World Library, 2016.
  • Musculoskeletal system: Citronella oil is recommended in a massage oil for the relief of arthritic and rheumatic pain, muscular pain and neuralgia.
  • Nervous system: Citronella oil has a fresh invigorating scent, indicating that it may be used to alleviate nervous exhaustion and fatigue.
  • Respiratory system: The high aldehyde content of citronella oil suggests that the oil has excellent antimicrobial properties. It is recommended as an inhalation against colds, flu and minor infections.
  • Skin care: Citronella oil is well known as an insect repellent. For this purpose, it may be used in a spray, diffused into the air or applied to the skin in a massage oil.
  • It is also recommended for excessive perspiration and oily skin conditions.
  • Actions commonly cited in aromatherapy: Antiseptic, bactericidal, deodorant, diaphoretic, febrifuge, insecticide, tonic.
  • Actions supported by clinical studies: Antiseptic, bactericidal, insecticide.
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.

Intentions: Calming ~ Revitalizing ~ Encourages emotional and spiritual connection, harmony and adaptability ~ Empowers during Spiritual Awakening.

Citronella calms emotions and nurtures the soul. It facilitates a deeper emotional and spiritual connection, gently leading towards enhanced harmony and inner unity. Embraces adaptability, nurtures resilience and inner peace to help navigate life’s challenges.

It encourages profound insight and tranquility throughout a spiritual awakening journey.

Calming, Revitalizing, Spiritual and emotional apathy and conflict, Encourages contentment and adaptability, supports during spiritual awakening.

There are two particularly strong temptations on the spiritual path: spiritual bypassing and spiritualized ego. Spiritual bypassing is when we use the concept of our spirituality to avoid feeling difficult human emotions such as fear or grief. We may think that because we are “spiritual”. We are above these emotions or should avoid them. The spiritualized ego is when our ego identifies with being “spiritual.”  Common pitfalls include feeling proud of being humble, judging others for their lack of spiritual development, and feeling a sense of spiritual superiority over others, when we are all students on the spiritual path.

There is no negative judgement about experiencing these temptations; they are a part of the journey. However, they can contribute to disconnecting us from our authentic responses as a human being and can leave us a “spiritual” person that is empty, ungrounded, and detached from the present.

Citronella helps us to live our earthly lives in cooperation and alignment with Spirit. It encourages us to be present and to move through these temptations, as well as others. In supporting our ability to accept our human emotions and by transforming the spiritualized ego, it helps us to embrace the prayer, “Thy will be done”.

  • General: Supports the integration of our spiritual and earthly lives. Bring in positive energy. Calms yet uplifts.
  • 7th: Enhances spirituality and supports the transformation of the spiritualized ego.
  • 6th: Refreshes and uplifts the mind. Supports discernment of spiritual information. Helps to balance the intuitive right-brain and the rational left-brain.
  • 5th: Promotes calm, positive, verbal communication.
  • 2nd: Helps us to be comfortable with and accept our human emotions.
  • 1st through 4th: Connects these energy centers as a group, calming them and helping to bring them in alignment with Spirit’s will
  • When our physical/ emotional and spiritual lives are disconnected.
  • When we cling to a particular material or spiritual outcome.
  • When we find ourselves judging others’ spiritual journeys.
  • During times of spiritual confusion or discomfort.
  • When we feel disconnected from Spirit.
  • When we desire spiritual growth.
  • When we need to discern spiritual information.
  • To help us accept what is.
  • Weh we are uncomfortable with our feelings.
  • When we are stressed or anxious.
  • When we need to refresh or uplift our mind.
Keim, J., & Bull, R. (2016, November 10). Aromatherapy Anointing Oils, Revised & Expanded: Spiritual Blessings, Ceremonies, and Affirmations (2nd ed.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.

As a natural insect repellent, consider blending citronella oils with essential oils such as Buddha wood, Virginian cedarwood, 1,8-cineole-rich eucalyptus , lemon-scented eucalyptus, kunzea, lemongrass, lemon-scented tea tree, niaouli, palmarosa, peppermint , spike lavender, or tea tree.  

Citronella oils is not commonly used in perfumery.

Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.
“Aromatherapy School and Courses – Aromahead Institute.” Aromatherapy School and Courses – Aromahead Institute, www.aromahead.com/.

Disinfectant and antimicrobial to use throughout the bathroom.

5 drops bergamot

10 drops lavender

5 drops cinnamon

10 drops lemon

10 drops citronella

Citronella and:

  • Lavender
  • Rosemary
  • Lemongrass
  • Vetiver
  • Eucalyptus citriodora
  • Eucalyptus globulus
  • Cedarwood Atlas
  • Cypress
  • Basil Sweet
Worwood, V. A. (2016). In The Complete Book of Essential Oils and aromatherapy. Over 800 natural, nontoxic, and fragrant recipes to create health, beauty, and safe home and Work Environments. story, New World Library.

Citronella grass has long been sed by the peoples of southern India, Sri Lank and Java; however, its early history is not recorded. Lis-Balchin states that citronella oil was originally produced solely for the perfumery and fragrance industry, so there are no traditional uses of citronella oil.

Poultices of the leaves were widely used in India and Sri Lanka to treat minor cuts, abrasions and swellings. Extracts of the leaves were used as a febrifuge, stomachic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue and vermifuge.

Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.

Hazards: Drug interaction [oral]; may contain methyleugenol; skin sensitization (low risk)

Maximum dermal use level (based on methyl eugenol content):

EU: 0.01%   IFRA : 0.02%   Tisserand and Young: No limit.

Maximum dermal use level (based on geraniol content): 

EU : No legal limit    IFRA: 18.2 %     Tisserand and Young: 18.2%

This Batch is based on 29.1% geraniol content : dermal limit 5.3%

Tisserand, Robert, et al. Essential Oil Safety: a Guide for Health Care Professionals. Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2014.

4 years

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