【Volume】: 5ml
【Country】: Made in Taiwan
Citronella oil is an essential oil that’s made from the distillation of the Asian grass plant in the Cymbopogon genus. This fragrant grass got its name from the French word meaning “lemon balm,” due to its floral, citrus-like aroma.
For centuries, citronella has been used for a variety of purposes, including:
- as an insect repellent
- as an antifungal agent
- to treat parasitic infections
- to promote wound healing
- to lift mood or fight fatigue
How to use
You can use citronella oil in a variety of ways. Here are some suggestions.
Spray
A spray application may be good for freshening up a room or applying to your skin as an insect repellent. To make a citronella oil spray:
- Add citronella oil to water in a glass spray bottle. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) recommends 10 to 15 drops per ounce of water.
- Optional step: Essential oils don’t dissolve in water. Consider adding a dispersing agent such as solubol to your solution.
- Shake the bottle well before spraying.
Because citronella oil has a shorter time span of effectiveness than repellents like DEET, you will need to reapply more often if you’re using it as an insect repellent.
Diffuser
A diffuser can be used to disperse a scent through a room. Like the spray application, you may want to use this method to repel insects or add a pleasant fragrance to a room.
Diffusers typically come with a specific set of instructions. To use citronella oil safely in a diffuser, be sure to follow the product instructions carefully.
Massage oils and creams
Citronella oil can also be added to oils and creams for topical applications. Using citronella oil in this way may help kill germs and fungi on the skin and also promote wound healing.
Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before being applying to the skin.
Here’s how to make a citronella massage oil or lotion.
To make a massage oil:
- Dilute citronella oil in a carrier oil, like jojoba oil or coconut oil.
- The NAHA recommends adding 15 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil for a 2.5 percent dilution.
- For sensitive skin, you may want to use a one percent solution (6 drops per ounce of carrier oil).
To make a cream or lotion:
- Dilute citronella oil in an unscented cream or lotion.
- The NAHA recommends using a 1 to 2.5 percent dilution for normal skin (6 to 15 drops per ounce), and a 0.5 to 1 percent dilution for sensitive skin (3 to 6 drops per ounce).