Single Oil Look: Citronella

A more fitting essential oil couldn't be touched upon in this time of year! Here on the East coast of the US, where I reside, it is extremely hot... with record braking temperatures this summer. The high humidity, reminiscent of Florida has brought on a huge number of pesky biting bugs. In this special Summer Single Oil Look, we will discover the benefits of citronella essential oil and "debug" some of the myths.

Essential oil of citronella, which is also known as Lenabatu and Sri Lanka citronella, is originally from Sri Lanka in Ceylon. Used in many folk remedies, in Chinese medicine it is revered and prescribed for rheumatic pains. Other uses include fever reduction, digestive and menstrual problems and internal parasites which is a large problem in tropical areas such as Sri Lanka. In Aromatherapy, citronella has been used for mostly skin care and to aid in the immune systems ability to fight off colds and flu. Specifically, it has been used for oily skin, excessive preparation, and acne. Some have found it helpful for helping to relieve migraines, fatigues and stress related headaches. Citronella contains antiseptic, deodorant, bactericidal, fungicidal and insecticide properties.

The yellow, almost brown resulting essential oil is quite pungent and can be likened to the scent of lemon. It may be blended with other essential oils such as lemon, orange (and any citrus essential oil/scent), geranium, bergamot, cedarwood and pine. Today, it is heavily used in the soap manufacturing industry due to it's deodorant qualities, as well as perfumes but in small amounts. In it's native country of Sri Lanka, it is used as flavoring for alcoholic beverages and softdrinks along with a number of culinary dishes.

One of the most well known uses for citronella is for it's insect repellent qualities. Who doesn't have a citronella candle for out-door gatherings? Unfortunately, a study by a notable college here in the US found that citronella in the form of a candle does almost nothing to prevent insect bites or them attracting your food. This is due to the fact not enough citronella is added to the candle and that the scent is too quickly absorbed into the atmosphere and carried away in order to do any good. On the other hand, creams and sprays containing citronella did in fact work comparable to that of DDT containing products. We all know of the dangers of DDT and while people who are pregnant must avoid citronella completely and it may cause minor irritation in people with sensitive skin (always do a patch test before using a product), it is in no way as dangerous to people as

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