Fun Fact!
Ancient Egypt, and elsewhere, used citronella to repel insects, especially mosquitoes. In those times, people settled near rivers, and water bodies. It meant an abundance of insects, mosquitoes, which brought disease and killed people. So, the use of this grass as repellent was a matter of life and death at that time.
Citronella has been used for centuries in China, Indonesia, and Sir Lanka, mainly to treat cuts and swellings, relieve menstrual cramps, and destroy intestinal parasites, and all these practices are still in use today.
Exuding a rich, fresh, uplifting scent similar to that of lemon, this fragrant grass has earned the name Citronella from the French word meaning “lemon balm.” Citronella is commonly mistaken for Lemongrass, as they share a similar appearance, growth, and processing method; however, the two plants are considered to be “cousins,” as they simply belong to the same plant family – the Cymbopogon family, which is commonly referred to simply as Lemongrass. The easiest way to tell them apart is to remember that Lemongrass has off-white pseudo stems while those of the Citronella plant are reddish in colour. For centuries, Citronella Oil has been a natural medicinal remedy and a food ingredient in China, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. It is traditionally used as a flavoring agent in culinary applications, a soothing agent for pain, infections, rashes, and inflammation, a non-toxic insect-repelling agent, a natural and fragrant household cleaning agent, and an ingredient in perfumery, soaps, detergents, scented candles, and cosmetic products. Citronella Oil continues to be valued and applied for its cleansing, disinfecting, freshening, and deodorizing properties.
Citronella Essential Oil is known to slow or prevent the growth and spread of harmful airborne bacteria while also repelling flying insects, such as mosquitos. It eases and uplifts negative sentiments such as sadness, anxiety, and stress by relaxing the body and mind and promoting a sense of light-heartedness. Furthermore, it is reputed to ease muscles spasms, such as menstrual cramps, as well as spasms of the respiratory and nervous systems. This, in turn, alleviates discomforts such as coughs.
Please note: This is not a cure. Consult with your doctor before making any health changes. Especially any changes related to a specific diagnosis or condition.