Citronella Oil
OTHER NAME(S): Ceylon Citronella, Citronnelle de Ceylan, Citronnelle de l'Inde, Citronnelle de Java, Herbe Citron, Huile de Citronnelle, Java Citronella, Jonc Odorant, Lenabatu, Maha Pengiri, Nard Grass, Sri Lanka Citronella, Verveine des Indes, Cymbopogon nardus, Andropogon nardus, Cymbopogon afronardus, Cymbopogon validus, Cymbopogon winterianus, Cymbopogon winteratus, Aceite de Citronela, Huile de citronnelle
Overview
Citronella oil is made from citronella grass. Sri Lanka citronella oil comes from Cymbopogon nardus. Java citronella oil comes from Cymbopogon winterianus.
Citronella grass is native to tropical areas. The essential oil is made through a process called steam distillation. During this process, steam is passed through the grass to pull out the oil.
People most commonly use citronella oil as a mosquito repellent on the skin. It's also used for other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse citronella oil with lemongrass or stone root. These are not the same.
Uses
Possibly Effective for
- Mosquito repellent. Applying citronella oil to the skin seems to help prevent mosquito bites for a short period of time. The concentration of the citronella oil seems to affect how well and how long the protection lasts. Higher concentrations seem to last longer.
There is interest in using citronella oil for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Citronella oil is commonly consumed in small amounts in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if citronella oil is safe when used in larger amounts as medicine.
When applied to the skin: Citronella oil is possibly safe for most people when used as an insect repellent. It might cause skin reactions or irritation in some people.
When inhaled: Citronella oil is likely unsafe. Lung damage has been reported.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Citronella oil is commonly consumed in small amounts in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if citronella oil is safe when used in larger amounts as medicine.
When applied to the skin: Citronella oil is possibly safe for most people when used as an insect repellent. It might cause skin reactions or irritation in some people.
When inhaled: Citronella oil is likely unsafe. Lung damage has been reported.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if citronella oil is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Citronella oil is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth in children. There are reports of poisoning in children who consumed insect repellent containing citronella oil. Citronella oil is possibly safe when applied to the skin in children over 6 months of age, as long as it doesn't get into the eyes or mouth.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Citronella oil overview.
Dosing
Citronella oil has most often been applied to the skin in adults in concentrations of 10%. Higher concentrations up to 100% have also been used. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
References
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Ellenhorn MJ, et al. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnoses and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1997.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Fradin MS, Day JF. Comparative efficacy of insect repellents against mosquito bites. N Engl J Med 2002;347:13-8.
- Public Health Agency of Canada. Canadian Recommendations for the Prevention and Treatment of Malaria Among International Travellers. Available at: https://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/04vol30/30s1/page2_e.html (Accessed 24 May 2005).
- Public Health Agency of Canada. Safety Tips on Using Personal Insect Repellents Available at: https://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/wn-no/repellents-insectifuge_e.html. (Accessed 24 May 2005)
- Sajo ME, Song SB, Bajgai J, et al. Applicability of citronella oil (Cymbopogon winteratus) for the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases in the rural area of Tikapur, far-western Nepal. Rural Remote Health 2015;15(4):3532. Epub 2015 Nov 12.
- Bayala B, Coulibaly AY, Djigma FW, et al. Chemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities of the essential oil of Cymbopogon nardus, a plant used in traditional medicine. Biomol Concepts. 2020 Apr 15;11(1):86-96.
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Insect Repellent-Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use. Docket No. 2006N-0479; May 2007. Available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2007/02/22/E7-2890/insect-repellent-sunscreen-drug-products-for-over-the-counter-human-use-request-for-information-and. Accessed on December 19, 2022.