Citronella Oil: Properties and Applications

The amazing citronella oil has long ceased to be something exotic. Now on the shelves of stores often found various extracts of lemon grass in the form of oil essences and elixirs. Oil is valued for its healing properties, so it is used in many areas: cosmetology, household chemicals, perfumes, traditional medicine and cooking.

Lemon grass, lemongrass, limonella, chellobrodnik, cymbopogon, lemon grass are all varieties of the same plant - citronella vulgaris.

They all contain essential oils, similar in smell to citrus. Along with this, they have the delicate scent of freshly cut grass. Together it creates a unique bouquet of freshness, giving vigor and good mood.

Lemon grass Andropogon grows low spider, very similar to the decorative appearance, belongs to the mannik family. The habitat of growth are Sri Lanka, Java and South America. Not so long ago, it began to grow in Africa. The heat-loving plant is very demanding on moisture and can be grown at home.

The grass is grown exclusively for oil. It is mined by steam distillation from raw grass.

The herb is used in cooking in the form of a salad and as part of seasonings and sauces for meat, fish and vegetables. Dried leaves of citronella are brewed into tea for vigor and increase the overall tone of the body. This herb is the most popular ingredient of air fresheners, aerosols and deodorants.

Citronella oil has a uniform, herbal consistency. The composition of the oil contains grass extract, per 100 grams of which includes the following nutrients and minerals:

• proteins - 1.9 g;
• fat 0.5 g;
• carbohydrates - 26 g;
• water - 70.6 g;
• ash - 1.9 g;
• beta carotene - 0.004 mg;
• Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.066 g;
• vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.136 g;
• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) - 0.06 mg;
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) - 0.09 mg;
• Vitamin B9 - 76 micrograms;
• vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - 2.7 mg;
• Vitamin PP - 1.102 mg.

If we consider the macro-and micronutrients, it is worth noting the following:

• potassium - 724 mg;
• calcium - 66 mg;
• sodium - 5 mg;
• magnesium - 59 mg;
• phosphorus - 102 mg;
• manganese - 5, 223 mg;
• iron - 8.18 mg;
• selenium - 0.6 mg;
• Zinc - 2.24 mg.

Monounsaturated, saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids are as follows:

• palmitoleic acid - 0.013 g;
• omega-9 (oleic) - 0.043 g;
• omega-3 - 0.032 g;
• Omega-6 - 0.139 g;
• palmitic - 0.085 g;
• stearic - 0,013 g;
• arachidic - 0.006 g;
• coastal - 0,008 g;
• myristic - 0.003 g;
• linoleic acid - 0.139 g;
• linolenic - 0.032 g.

Plus, there are esters, phytosterols, lemon-flavored citronellol aldehyde and rose-scented geraniol in oil composition, farnesol, first extracted from Acacia Farnese, camphor-scented cinnamon, and many other compounds that provide oil with unique properties.

At external and internal use ethereal The composition of the oil has the following properties:

• removes decomposition products, poisons and toxins;
• removes grounding and muscle spasms;
• tones and strengthens the capillaries and blood vessels;
• strengthens immunity in the period of seasonal exacerbations of cold and flu;
• normalizes digestion;
• has diaphoretic and diuretic effects in viral diseases;
• deodorizes and protects the skin from pathogenic bacteria;
• citronella scent repels insects;
• used in aromatherapy.

Oil is extracted from the green terrestrial parts of the plant. The properties of aroma oils are used for the following problems:

• otitis media, pharyngitis and edema of the maxillary sinuses - as an external remedy;
• headaches and dizziness - inhale to improve cerebral circulation;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia, pressure drops and tinnitus - outwardly, rubbing the temples;
• skin problems, acne and acne - adding to daily care products;
• anemia and anemia - as a fortifying agent that raises vitality.

Citronella oil is used in a number of cases described above only in small quantities. Due to the high concentration of biologically active substances, it is advisable to simply add to any basis. There are some rules for using the product.

Citronella oil is often used in cosmetology for various purposes.

• When applied externally, it can be used to treat the affected skin with eczema, sunburn, allergic rashes and other lesions. Oil impose fingertips or in the form of compresses, pre-inflicted on the gauze.
• As a means for massage. To prepare a massage base, take any oil, for example, linseed, and add a few drops of citronella.
• For weight loss and getting rid of cellulite, they take baking soda, salt in half a glass, a little citronella, mix everything and apply with massage movements in the shower. After a time, wash off with plenty of water. If you do this procedure at least once a week, the “orange peel” from the surface of the skin will gradually disappear.

• In spa treatments actively apply citronella. The oil composition is added to the bath. The procedure normalizes the nervous system, stabilizes the water-alkaline balance in the body, compensating for the loss of beneficial substances. In general, a beneficial effect on the general condition of the human body.
• When enriching feed, ointments, lotions, elixirs, emulsions and other cosmetics, they add a few drops of lemon grass essential oil to their compositions. Such a procedure should be performed immediately before applying a small amount of the base, for a one-time use.
• When sweating feet spend a number of procedures. During the week, foot baths are made by adding healing oil to the water.

• For skin regeneration, bleaching, getting rid of age spots, freckles, scars and stretch marks, citronella is treated with problematic areas using a cotton pad moistened with an aqueous solution. The tool is also able to get rid of acne, pimples and other inflammatory skin diseases.
• To remove warts, papillomas and other formations, skin areas are treated with an ear stick dipped in citronella concentrate. Burning or tingling is possible after application, which means the effectiveness of the method.
• In the perfume compositions of domestic and foreign manufacturers as famous brands: Chanel, Christian Dior, Lacoste, Versace, Givenchy, Guerlain, Avon, Yves Rocher and others. Using one or another type of perfume or perfume water, be aware that it contains essential citronella oils.

Lemon oil is widely used both in everyday life and in traditional medicine.

• In inhalation with colds, curative oil is added to steam baths. Separately prepare herbal composition of sage, mint and St. John's wort in equal quantities. Pour grass with water, bring to a boil, remove from heat, inject five drops of citronella. These vapors are inhaled, covering their heads with a large terry towel for 10–15 minutes. If necessary, throw back the edge of the towel to normalize the temperature of the vapor.
• For aromatherapy use special ceramic or iron lamps with heating from a candle or electricity.They must be made of heat resistant material. Essential oil is poured into these lamps. When heated, aromatic vapors spread indoors, filling it with a pleasant lemon scent. Inhalation of vapors produces a healing effect: headaches, seasonal blues and depression disappear.
• As an aphrodisiac use toning massages, alternating them with aromatherapy.

• When stretching and excessive muscle loads are also used for grinding with citronella essential oil. The procedure restores muscular elasticity, promotes the elimination of lactic acid, eliminating the pain effects. Therefore, this oil is necessary for athletes, bodybuilders and all those involved in the gym.
• It has a pronounced insecticidal action. A few drops of oil deposited on the plates from insects, work wonders. Not only mosquitoes and annoying midges disappear, but also dangerous ticks, fleas and ants. The same effect gives aromalampy with the therapeutic composition of citronella.
• To clean the house 10 drops of oil are added to the wash water. The result is a disinfecting composition that can wash everything from furniture to the floor. In addition, the deodorization of the room is carried out in this way, as an unpleasant smell is removed.

• For the treatment of pediculosis Citronella oil is rubbed into the scalp, held for 35 minutes, then washed off with shampoo with the same oil. Further, hair is combed with a frequent comb dipped in an oil solution.
• When treating pets for fleas Shampoo is prepared with the content of healing oil, which is carefully washed wool. The procedure must be carried out several times, until the complete disappearance of fleas. To maintain the effect on the neck of an animal (dog, cat), you need to wear a special collar soaked in citronella oil.

To do this, apply a means to the elbow bend and wait about a day. For individual intolerance and allergic reactions, expressed in redness and itching, do not use this type of product. Pregnant, elderly people and children should be wary of using oil, as it can stimulate the body and increase pressure.

As you can see, the use of oil a huge amount. So it is safe to say that citronella oil is a universal remedy. The main thing is to choose the right product.

Now on the market for this type of product can be found as high-quality oils, and cheap analogues, low in price. However, one should not rush to conclusions and acquire insanely expensive citronella oil. High price is not a guarantee of quality.

If you want to purchase quality products, follow these rules:

1. the product must have a mandatory certification and license, the so-called quality certificate;
2. such a product is sold exclusively in pharmacies or specialized stores;
3. try not to buy essential oils for bottling, as they are not designed to contact with the air and the quality of such a product is very low;
4. Do not take any homemade granny oils from your hands, otherwise you risk falling on a hospital bed instead of the desired magical effect;
5. Look carefully at the timeline for the sale of this type of product, which should be in order, and not 1-2 days before the end of the term
6. the storage temperature of essential oils should not exceed +23 degrees, so make sure that the room where they sell this product is not too hot; under high temperature and in improper form, the oils quickly lose their properties, their shelf life is significantly reduced.

All this you need to know, intending to purchase the essential oil of citronella of good quality. Do not buy questionable oils of unnatural colors in bright flashy packages.

Read more about using citronella oil in this video.