The citronella grass is one of the species of Cymbopogon. Cymbopogon-nardus and Cymbopogon-winterianus are the species, which find their use in making citronella oil, which is very useful in multiple ways like for repelling the insects in the form of sprays and as candles besides its use in aromatherapy.
Its occurrence is confined to temperate and tropical areas. It is two meters in height and is having red stem.
Uses of Citronella Grass
The citronella grass bush is having many numbers of smaller lemongrass plants. Therefore by breaking one of these small citronella grass bundle from the plant, it continues growing. Thus one can take as much as citronella grass as required the plant shall be ever growing in the garden.
Besides the use of citronella grass for oil production, fresh lemon grass finds use locally as culinary additive. The citronella grass is used in tea for adding to its flavor.
Citronella grass is used in kitchen soups more particularly in fish soups which becomes delicious by using one bundle lemon grass per person
Citronella grass is a fixed ingredient used in the traditional Thai curry paste.
For using citronella grass, crunch it before making addition to the soups or other dishes. The Thai curry paste is made by crushing the lemon grass in the mortar.
C. citratus a variety of citronella grass is having higher suitability for cooking. The C. citratus is a medicinal herb as well as is used in perfumes.
The Cymbopogon citrates the variety of lemon grass is useful in making tea for relieving anxiety. There is possibility of developing contact dermatitis by use of lemon grass in the tea.
The use of lemon grass is preferred for making a traditional soup useful for relieving cough and colds with nasal congestion.
Citronella grass is also used for insect repelling and as air freshener or put it in the bathtub for getting refreshed bath and enhancing the youthfulness and beauty.
The Lemon grass is displaying the antimicrobial, analgesic, antipyretic properties. It also causes reduction in the LDL and cholesterol levels in the blood.
The lemon grass extract when applied topically it helps in clearing of the blemishes present and also removes dead cells of the skin bringing back glowing healthy skin.
In the course of traditional medicinal use, its leaves and stalks relieve indigestion problems and nausea. It also acts as blood purifier.
Citronella grass can be used by applying its extract for treating ringworm, repelling lice, treating scabies.
Citronella oil is volatile in its nature and is obtained by distilling from leaves having lemon fragrance and stems of plants of Cymbopogon nardus also known as:
1. Ceylon citronella inferior quality, which was in the past very widely processed.
2. Cymbopogon winteratus known as citronella superior quality from Java origin. Presently its production is dominating in the market because of higher yield of oil.
Its main constituent is citronellal and geraniol. It is either colorless or with light yellow color giving woody, grassy or lemon fragrance. It catches fire and its inhalation in the beginning acts as stimulant followed by depression of central nervous system. Its ingestion is harmful causing irritation of skin and the eyes.
Citronella oil is non-hazardous in case it is used as per labeled instructions. Its use began in 1950’s.
Citronella oil is not causing risks to wildlife and to the environment because of its high toxicity levels are considerably low with very limited use. Hence it is safe using domestically without any adverse effects noticed.
Its fumes are believed to have toxic effect on birds. It is quite often used as air fresheners in combination with other essential oils. Its use can be toxic.
Diverse Uses of Citronella Oil:
As Insect repellent:
It repels insects like: mosquitoes, the black flies, including fleas and ticks and helps in prevention of these insect bites. It finds use in humans and the clothes they wear as an oil, and patch. Citronella oil being natural; is non-toxic in comparison to chemical insect repellents like DEET. Hence it has the preference. There are solidified products also available like citronella oil candles for insect repelling besides its cartridges.
The Citronella oil is available tablet or pellets used at recreation spots or outdoors of household areas around trees and shrubs.
Additionally there are also available animal collars and tags having citronella oil for using for pets and domestic animals for repelling fleas.
The combination of citronella oil and cedar wood virginian oil is also used in repelling mosquitoes.
Citronella Oil Uses in Aromatherapy:
Citronella oil being an essential oil is having activation and warming properties at physical and mental levels. Its aroma is believed to be similar to lemongrass and palmarosa. Its use as aroma therapy is discouraged because it is having use in insect repelling.
The diluted citronella oil using the base oil and its application on skin produces little mild sensation causing warmth hence useful in relieving pain in muscles and joints.
At mental level its aroma helps in reduction of nervous fatigue as a result of its clarifying properties. It is helpful in easing pressures of migraines and headaches.