Citronella, this lush and deliciously scented plant, has many uses and properties beyond tea made from its leaves. Today we will learn more about the possible uses and advantages lemongrass essential oil And Here’s how to make your extract at home.
To better understand the importance and uses of oil, this article will cover the following topics:
Citronella, what plant is that?
Citronella is an herb with a fresh lemon aroma. Its scientific name is Cymbopogon winterianus.
This plant belongs to the Poaceae family and is native to countries such as India, Asia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
Citronella can grow up to 90 centimeters high; It has long, thin leaves. It can be grown in pots, small planters, flower beds and backyards.
Its slightly sweet essenceAlthough similar to lemon, it is often used in aromatherapy or as an ingredient in perfumes, aromatics, repellents, disinfectants or incense.
The most commonly used form of citronella is alongside leaf tea the essential oil that is also obtained from its leavesthrough an industrial process known as “vapor enrainment,” which separates the oil using steam.
But also It is possible to make lemongrass extract at homeas we will see below, to use it with the same benefits as the oil.
Properties of citronella essential oil
Citronella oil has the following properties:
- Antidepressant;
- Deodorant;
- Antiseptic;
- tension
- germicidal;
- refreshing;
- neuralgic;
- including insect repellent.
What is citronella oil used for (benefits)
Thanks to its properties, citronella oil offers the following benefits:
- Relieves headaches and migraines.
- It is a natural repellent for various insects.
- It serves as a natural flea treatment for dogs and cats.
- It is useful as a tonic for the nervous system.
- It helps in the recovery of convalescents by giving strength and courage.
- Relieves rheumatic pain.
- Softens and refreshes the skin.
- Reduces fatigue in legs and feet.
Where and how to use citronella oil
Citronella oil can be used in various situations in our daily life.
Below are some examples of using citronella oil:
- Scalding in Feet: Diluting 6 drops of lemongrass essential oil in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil or grain alcohol in 4 liters of hot water (in winter) or fresh water (in summer) causes severe scalding of the feet of people who work a lot. standing time.
- Room freshener – Citronella oil is a great room freshener. Its slightly sweet scent creates a more inviting, relaxing and refreshing indoor climate and repels insects. To use it for this purpose, add a few drops of the oil to a rechaud, spray bottle, or fragrance in the living room or bedroom. You can also use candles or multiple candles with this scent.
- Aromatherapy – The therapeutic properties of this oil are used in aromatherapy to clear the mind and provide a feeling of cleansing and clarity.
- Ecological cleaning – For sinks, floors, tiles, bathrooms, glass and metals, in a bucket, mix one tablespoon of vinegar, one tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of lemongrass essential oil. Wipe the areas to be cleaned with a cloth moistened with this mixture.
- In animal care: To combat fleas on pets, simply drizzle 3 drops of citronella essential oil onto the pet’s collar. However, caution and attention are required as some animals are more sensitive to the smell of citronella and any signs or reactions. Set the application.
- Against fleas – To remove fleas from areas where an infestation may occur, dilute 5 drops of citronella essential oil in a little grain alcohol, fill a spray bottle with water and spray the required areas. Be careful not to let your pet inhale the oil directly as it can irritate the nasal mucous membranes.
- body massage – To do this, add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil per tablespoon of vegetable base, which can be sunflower oil, grape seed oil, almond oil, among others, and massage the body. For sensitive skin, it is recommended to dilute lemongrass oil in a teaspoon of plant-based oil.
- Bathtub: Add 5 to 10 drops of essential oil to a bathtub filled with warm water and enjoy the cleansing effects of this oil.
- Medical applications – For therapeutic and healing purposes, citronella oil can be used to relieve the symptoms of infectious diseases, sinusitis, headaches, flu, fatigue, cramps and stress, bearing in mind that its use does not replace the necessary medical treatment.
How to use this oil as a repellent
This oil can be used as dismissive insects natural and ecologicalalso against the dengue mosquito, in the following ways:
- Add 3 tablespoons With a quantity of grain alcohol, 20 drops of essential oil and a glass of water in a spray bottle, you can use it as a spray to iron your clothes and repel moths and other insects.
- To keep insects away, Drops of citronella oil can be placed at the entrance to the house.
- As a natural and body repellentIf necessary, you can mix a few drops of lemongrass essential oil with any vegetable oil to introduce it into the body.
Precautions for use
Before using this oil topically, perform a sensitivity test by dabbing a drop onto a small area of skin.
For young children and pregnant women, it is recommended to consult a doctor before using this essential oil.
The use of citronella oil is contraindicated in people with heart problems as it can increase heart rate.
How to make citronella extract at home.
Extract lemongrass essential oil at home It is not that simple, but since it is an alcohol-soluble oil, you can opt for this form of extraction, although other substances present in the leaf that are also soluble in alcohol such as: B. Chlorophyll, part of this oil are not pure as this is achieved through steam extraction.
But it’s worth it!
What will it take?
- fresh lemongrass leaves
- Scissors
- Dark glass bottle with an airtight lid or, if not dark, with paper to line it.
- Mineral water
- 70% alcohol
- measuring cup
- Harvest citronella leaves early in the morning by cutting each branch at the base of the plant’s stem with scissors.
- Wash the leaves well to remove impurities.
- Allow the leaves to air dry.
- Prick the leaves with scissors.
- Place them on clean, preferably dark glass.
- Using a measuring cup, add 70% mineral water and 30% 70% alcohol to the glass.
- If it is a clear glass line, cover well with paper.
- Label the date the statement was made.
- Store in a dark place and let stand for 15 days, stirring every other day.
- After 15 days, strain, remove the leaves and leave only the extract in the glass bottle to ensure preservation, always covered and protected from light when not in use.
This recipe comes from Canal Assim que Faz.
Check out the video with the step-by-step production of citronella extract, emphasizing that the extract is obtained differently than the essential oil, but that it can also be used in situations that require taking advantage of the benefits of citronella extract Properties and benefits of Citronella.
You can also get your lemongrass essence by immersing the perforated and selected sheets in a 30 percent alcohol and water solution .
Watch the full explanation in the video below.
Citronella: uses, properties and medicinal qualities
Now that we know everything about your oil, let’s learn more about this plant so you can get excited about growing citronella at home can also be used decoratively in environments and in the garden. Its smell not only adds to its beauty and shine, but is also cheerful and insect repellent.
Citronella is a plant from the grass family (Graminae or Poaceae), which means grass, grasses or grasses, but also capim saint or grass prince, rice, corn, wheat, barley, sugar cane and even bamboo.
If you look closely, all of these plants have a long leaf with parallel veins, they form bushes and their roots extend through the ground, forming a very strong tissue that holds the soil.
Uses and properties
- Citronellas are ideal for erosion protection and worldwide they make up 20% of natural grasses. Like capim santo, citronella has leaves with very sharp edges (be careful when harvesting with your fingers, really cut). His Latin name which should not be confused with others is Cymbopogon winterianus either Cymbopogon nardus (two species with the same characteristics) and is native to Asia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Therefore a very tropical plant with a humid and sunny climate. The term “grass” is a word of Tupi origin, caá pi’i, meaning “thin leaf.”
- Its oil, as we have seen, is a natural aromatic essence with a lemon-like aroma, widely used in both the cosmetic and manufacturing industries. Production of repellents and also in perfumes.
- Have citronella repellents proven be Effectiveness in controlling annoying insects in livestock, like the cattle tick ( Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ), the horn fly ( Hematobia irritans ), the stable fly ( Stomoxys calcitrans ) and the fly domestic ( Musca domestica ). If you would like to learn more about this scientific work, read this study -> HERE.
Medicinal properties of citronella
Citronella is Used COmo insect, pain relieving, Bactericidal, Fever, sweaty And carminative.
In addition to being used as dismissiveexternal use and as a remedy against Enteric fever and other Indigestionis one of the preferred oils for homemade aromatherapy because it can be easily grown at home.
Precautions and contraindications for use.
Citronella oil is not a photosensitizer, it can be applied directly to the skin, but it is Pregnant women should avoid taking it during the first trimester of pregnancy and through the heart.
When using internally, care must always be taken in any system as the The difference between medicines and poisons lies in the dosage beyond the fact that people have different sensitivities.
By Deise Aur. Article in Portuguese