Citronella Oil

(Cymbopogon nardus)

Description A tall, aromatic, perennial grass, which has derived from the wild - growing 'managrass' found in Sri Lanka.

Ethenomedicinal Practice It is used in Chinese traditional medicine for rheumatic pain.

Extraction Essential oil by steam distillation of the fresh, part - dried or dried grass. (The Java citronella yields twice as much oil as the Sri Lanka type.)

Characteristics and Constituents A yellow-brown, mobile liquid with a fresh, powerful, lemony scent. The Java oil is colourless to pale yellow with a fresh, woody-sweet fragrance; it is considered of superior quality in perfumery work. It blends well with geranium, lemon, bergamot, orange, cedarwood and pine.

Mainly geraniol (up to 45 % in the Java oil), citronella (up to 50% in the Java oil) with geranyl acetate, limonene and camphene, among others. The Sri Lanka variety contains more monoterpene hydrocarbons.

Actions and Uses Antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, deodorant, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, fungicidal, insecticide, stomachic, tonic, vermifuge.

Extensively used in soaps, detergents, household goods and industrial perfumes. Employed in insect repellent formulations against moths, ants, fleas, etc., for use in the home and in the garden. The Sri Lanka oil is used in most major food categories, including alcoholic and soft drinks.

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