What are the benefits of Citronella essential oil?

Origin & History

Citronella belongs to the huge botanical grass (Poaceae) family, encompassing all grasses, cereals and bamboo. In its natural form, it is a tall grass with long slender leaves which are dried and then steam distilled to produce the essential oil. Citronella originated in South and Central America, Southeast Asia and the Islands of the Western Pacific. Tisserand Aromatherapy's Citronella essential oil comes from Vietnam.
Citronella belongs to a group of essential oils that are called Aldehydes. All Aldehydes have a common theme of smelling ‘lemony’ without any direct connection to a Lemon. It has a sweet lemon aroma with hints of grassy and woody tones, becoming sweeter as it evaporates. Other Aldehydes include Lemongrass, May Chang and Lemon Tea Tree. They also have a caution assigned to them around sensitive skin. It is important not to use an Aldehyde in a topical application for anyone with highly sensitive skin. They are, however, wonderful in a diffuser.
 

Benefits of Citronella essential oil

Citronella has a long traditional use within Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it was used to treat joint pain, and in the Ayurvedic tradition, commonly used for digestive complaints. It is also very well known for its ability to deter flying bugs, and you may have smelt it in a candle or other product designed to do just that!
But that’s not all it's helpful for. It has therapeutic properties that include being a digestive tonic, an essential oil that is useful for muscular aches and pains, and it has been shown to have anti-fungal properties. Its aroma also makes it a wonderful essential oil to use when you feel emotionally low or need a ‘pick me up’.
It blends well with Geranium and Lavender or the sweeter citrus essential oils like Mandarin or Sweet Orange. You can even try it with spicy essential oils, which will add a sweet note to any blend.
 
Here are a few blends for you to try at home.
 

Muscular Aches and Pains Massage Oil

Add the following drops to 20ml of blending oil and massage into achy areas of the body (NOT FOR FACE).
3 drops of Citronella Cymbopogen winterianus
5 drops of Lavender Lavandula angustifolia
2 drops of Black Pepper Piper nigrum
 

Flying Insect Repellent Diffuser Blend

Perfect for sitting with the windows open in the height of summer.
Add the following drops to your Aroma Spa diffuser:
3 drops of Citronella Cymbopogen winterianus
2 drops of Peppermint Mentha piperita
3 drops of Cedarwood (Atlas) Cedrus atlanticus
 

Revitalising and Balancing Diffuser Blend

This is ideal for when you need a pick-me-up but don’t want to feel too stimulated!
Add the following drops to your Aroma Spa diffuser:
3 drops of Citronella Cymbopogen winterianus
2 drops of Geranium Pelargonium graveolens
3 drops of Mandarin Citrus reticulata
 
We are always interested to hear how you are using your essential oils, so do leave us a comment below.
 
About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as an Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
For more information on Jo Kellett, check out her website or Instagram.