Citronella is actually a grass which mostly grows in certain Asian countries and a few islands of the South Pacific. It features a rich, crisp lemony aroma and therefore bears the name Citronella. The essential oil of citronella is obtained from two types of citronella. The first is the Ceylon variety, whose medical name is Cymbopogon Nardus and also the second one is Java variety, known as Cymbopogon Winterianus in botanical terminology. In both cases, the essential oil is taken out by steam distillation of the fresh plant.
While the first variety produces an oil whose primary ingredients are citronellol, citronellal, geraniol, limonene and methyl isoeugenol, the oil extracted from the second variety consists of citronellal, geraniol, geranyl acetate and limonene since its chief constituents, along with geraniol and citronellal higher in concentrations compared to former variety. Therefore, the oil extracted from the Java variety is regarded as high quality. The main producers of the essential oil usually are China and Indonesia. This particular oil is additionally made by particular other Asian, South & Latin American and African nations in smaller amounts.
Health Benefits of Citronella Essential Oil
The health benefits of Citronella Essential Oil could be related to its properties just as one anti-bacterial, antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, deodorant, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, fungicidal, insect repellent, stomachic, stimulant, tonic and vermifuge substance.Aside from being used like a flavoring agent for foods & beverages, it’s got diverse therapeutic utilizes, that are listed below.
1. Antibacterial
Components just like methyl isoeugenol and a few others which are present in this particular essential oil are accountable for this particular property. They kill bacteria as well as hinder any further bacterial development in the body. This is particularly useful in dealing with infections in wounds, along with the colon, urethra, urinary bladder, stomach, intestines, urinary tracts, prostate and kidneys.
2. Benefits for the digestive system
Health benefits of citronella essential oil are extremely serious. The oil works well for eliminating worms health benefits of Citronella oil from the stomach and intestines. It is just a natural de-worming solution for the body. Additionally, the oil boosts appetite as well as encourages urine production, therefore serving as an effective natural diuretic. The oil will help with solving the problem of water retention. Muscle spasms within the stomach could be controlled with the aid of this oil .
3. Antidepressant
This oil combats depressive disorders and provides rest from anxiety, sadness, and negative feelings. It induces a fresh, happy feeling as well as hope.
4. Benefits for pain relief
Citronella oil helps to reduce pain in bones and joints. The easiest method to utilize the oil is usually to add three drops of citronella oil to a carrier oil and massage on the painful joints. The oil may also be used to lessen muscle pains. The oil includes a warming effect that relieves cramps as well as spasms within the muscles. The oil is an extremely efficient spasmodic helping in providing rest from stomach cramps as well .
5. It can be used for hypertension
Citronella Oil for Hypertension Citronella oil has been utilized in Latin folk medicine to deal with hypertension. This prompted a team of researchers from Brazil to check the oil’s cardiovascular effects on rats. Their research demonstrated at lower doses the rats experienced hypotension (opposite of hypertension) and vasorelaxtion. This implies researchers saw relaxations of blood vessels as well as lowering of blood pressure as citronella oil was introduced to the rats. Whilst trials haven’t been examined on humans, the researchers are confident similar results will probably be observed.
6. Antiseptic
The antiseptic qualities of the essential oil fight infections in wounds, along with the urinary tracts, urethra, prostate and kidneys, whilst simultaneously safeguarding them from being sepsis.
7. Benefits for the mind and brain
Citronella essential oil is really a known antidepressant. It is known to raise moods, remove feelings of depression and anxiety, decrease mental fatigue as well as promote happy feelings. The oil is known to encourage hope in people, that have an incredibly therapeutic effect on the mind. The oil provides mental stability as well as balance. Therefore, it will help in better decision making by bringing clarity in thought .
8. Antispasmodic
It reduces spasms of the muscles, respiratory system as well as nervous system. It may also help to stop menstrual spasms and provides rest from symptoms including cramps as well as coughs.
9. Anti-inflammatory
Citronella essential oil sedates inflammation, specially those situations that relate to the liver, stomach, intestines along with other parts of the digestive system. The inflammations brought on as side effects of drugs, unneccessary use of alcohol or narcotics, hard & spicy food, any disease, or even any toxic element getting into the body may also be soothed by using this oil.
10. Benefits against wounds and infections
The powerful germ killing properties of citronella oil works well for safeguarding wounds and injuries from infections and from turning septic. The oil kills any bacterial growth which is prone to develop within the wound. Therefore, they help with healing of the wounds as well as eliminating infections. Internal infections like infections within the kidneys, urinary tract, intestines, prostrate, colon, urinary bladder, urethra as well as stomach could be curtailed by the use of this oil .
11. Deodorant
The crisp, rich citrus or even lemon-like aroma of the oil drives away body odor and is also utilized in deodorants and body sprays, even though in really small quantities, since in heavy doses it might create skin irritations. It may also be combined with bath water to have a refreshing, body odor-ending bath.
12. Benefits for body detoxification
Citronella oil encourages sweating and therefore, works well for eliminating toxin through sweat. As stated before, additionally, it helps prevent toxins from becoming active in the body. This particular property of the oil is known as diaphoretic properties. It eliminates extra oil, salts as well as fats from your body too. So, it offers rest from problems arising because of water retention. Weight loss gets to be more effective once the body is free from toxins along with other undesirable elements within the body. Blood flow enhances. When toxins are taken out of the body, pains because of rheumatism and arthritis may also be largely controlled .
13. Diaphoretic
The diaphoretic qualities of the essential oil improve sweating as well as encourage the removing of toxins along with other unwanted materials just like excessive water, fat and salts through the body. This will make the body feel lighter, keeps the skin healthy and in addition decreases fever. And also this protects you against certain infections.
14. Diuretic
The increase in the frequency as well as quantity of urination because of this property of citronella essential oil has numerous benefits. It disposes of waste substances and toxins through the body, which includes uric acid, excessive bile, acids, and salts, in addition to water and fats. This can help shed extra pounds, remove infections within the urinary system, free the body from toxins, decrease likelihood of renal calculi, rheumatism and arthritis, improve digestion, and keep the heart healthy.
15. Benefits against body odor
Citronella oil features a citrusy lemon type of flavor that efficiently reduces the bad body odor. The smell is long-lasting. The oil could be combined with bath water so as to get a natural fragrance of the body. Whenever utilized in bath, the oil is incredibly refreshing .
16. Benefits for the renal system
Citronella essential oil works well for increasing urination, that also plays a role in body detoxification. Waste substances like salts, excessive bile and uric acid are successfully eliminated from the body through urine. It keeps the renal system healthy . Infections of the renal system may also be avoided.
17. Febrifuge
Whilst the diaphoretic property of the oil boosts perspiration, it anti-inflammatory property decreases inflammation whilst the anti-microbial property fights infections. The combined effects of these three properties combat fever and reduce body’s temperature.
18. Fungicidal
This particular oil kills fungus as well as prevents fungal growth. This is extremely beneficial in countering fungal infections within the ear, nose and throat region. Contracting fungal infections within the ears is quite common and could be serious. It removed fungal infections in other parts of the body too helping cure fungal dysentery.
19. Insect repellant
Citronella oil is beneficial in repelling insects like mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and black flies and therefore helps prevent its bites. The oil may be used on human as well as their clothing in form of liquid, oil or patch. This will make it an all natural and non-toxic option to chemical insect repellants. Additionally it is obtainable in goods like insect repelling candles and cartridges.
20. Stomachic
The usage of this particular oil clears the stomach from infections along with other problems helping it function properly.
21. Stimulant
The stimulating effect of the essential oil of citronella stimulates blood flow, secretions as well as discharges just like hormones and enzymes through the glands, brain whilst increasing activity within the nervous system. This particular essential oil also energizes the immune mechanisms and also the metabolism of the body.
22. Tonic
This particular property implies that citronella essential oil comes with an all round toning effect on the body. It tones up digestion, excretion, the nervous system and also the brain, while fortifying the body.
23. Vermifuge
Citronella essential oil eliminates intestinal worms. It ought to be administered in moderate doses to children, since children are most vulnerable to worms. It is effective on both round worms as well as tape worms. Since the existence of worms disrupts the normal physical and mental growth and in addition with the assimilation of nutrients by the body, the usage of this particular oil can significantly boost your quality of life by eliminating those dangerous parasites.
24. Controls Oil on Scalp
Together with offering conditioner to the scalp, it will help in giving an excellent control to the oiliness that occurs on the scalp and hair. added benefit comes on the form of smooth and soft hair strands that you’ll definitely adore!
25. Treats Frizzy Hair
Whenever you combine a few drops of citronella oil within the regular shampoo, it will help in adding volume to the hair in addition to de tangles them well. Frizzy hair strands may also be controlled by doing this.
Where To Buy Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is amazingly affordable, well actually, it’s dirt cheap and is also actually among the least expensive essential oils that is perfect if you wish to begin using it – you have nothing to lose. utilize Edens Garden Citronella Oil that is available on Amazon marketplace for just $5.90 for the 30ml bottle (that’s a pretty big bottle whenever you only have to utilize a few drops!).
Uses of Citronella Oil
1) Insect repellent
Citronella oil repels insects like mosquitoes, black flies, fleas and ticks, as a result, avoiding its bites. It is utilized on humans as well as their clothing – as an oil, liquid and also patch. Citronella oil is really a natural, non-toxic option to chemical insect repellents like DEET , therefore, is often the favored choice. Available too are solid products like citronella oil insect repelling candles and cartridges. Citronella oil is additionally utilized in a tablet or even pellet form in recreational or outdoor household areas and around trees and shrubs. Additionally, there are animal collars and tags that contains citronella oil for pets along with other domestic animals to repel fleas. A mix of the citronella oil as well as cedarwood virginian oil likewise helps to reject mosquitoes.
2) Aromatherapy
Citronella oil, an essential oil, offers activating as well as warming qualities both mentally and physically.The aroma is considered to be like its relatives lemongrass as well as palmarosa. However, citronella oil is ignored in aromatherapy due to its connection to insect repellency. When citronella oil is diluted effectively in the base oil and is also used on skin, it creates a mild sensation of warmth – that reduces painful joints and muscles. Mentally, the aroma of citronella oil might help with nervous fatigue because of its clarifying qualities. It may also relieve pressure of migraines as well as headaches. Citronella oil mixes well along with cedarwood, orange, geranium, lemon and bergamot – however, you need to just use essential oils under those specialised in the field. It is best to consult a professional aromatherapist if ever in doubt.
3) Astringent
Citronella oil is an astringent and when utilized correctly it may help along with oily skin areas. Make use of a single drop of citronella oil onto the skin (usually inner forearm) to check for irritation. Use 2 or 3 drops of citronella oil into a cotton ball and also gently wipe off the excessive oil. Then complete your normal facial routine.
4) Perfume Industry
The Java citronella oil is among the most favored perfume oils and is also frequently utilized as a starting point for perfume materials, since its constituents citronellal and geraniol are essential and traditionally used perfume building blocks.
How to Make Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is widely accessible in natural food and beauty stores. However, commercial oils processed through steam distillation might be pricey. A more practical solution should be to make your own citronella oil in your own home,
Listed here are step-by-step guides regarding how to create citronella oil.
Ingredients/Materials
¼ ounce nard grass leaves and stems (you may use lemongrass as substitute)
1 cup olive oil
Slow cooker (ex. Crock-Pot)
Cheesecloth
Instructions
Mix the olive oil and nard grass leaves and stems within the slow cooker.
Leave and cook the mix for around 4 to 8 hours.
With the cheesecloth, strain the mix, that is in truth the citronella oil. Remove nard grass.
Repeat steps 1-3 with the strained mixture along with fresh nard grass leaves and stems. You don’t need to add more olive oil. Keep on repeating till the oil obtains the desired scent.
Once done, seal the oil in the dark-colored jar. Store within a cool, dry place.
Drawbacks of Citronella oil
Citronella oil is usually Acknowledged as Safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The EPA also considers oil of citronella safe, since it has hardly any or no toxicities. If consumed, the major compounds of citronella are removed through urination.As mentioned earlier, don’t use pure citronella oil on the skin. Even though this oil result in skin irritations or allergic reactions in individuals with sensitivities, it’s been discovered to boost heart rate in certain individuals.
Pregnant women ought to be very careful with utilizing citronella oil, as their skin is additional sensitive in the course of those nine months. One research discovered that there was a loss of natural contractions within the uterus upon the in vitro usage of citronella oil. Whilst citronella can be utilized cautiously like a fragrance during this period, it is important to seek advice from a physician first.
Also, citronella oil shouldn’t be utilized on babies as well as young children because of their fragile skin. Parents ought to be careful whenever administering the oil close to the noses of children. Consult your pediatrician just before utilizing citronella oil on the children
The post Health Benefits of Citronella Essential Oil appeared first on Health Benefits.