Health Benefits of Citronella Oil, Uses And Its Side Effects
Last Updated: Sep 07, 2020
Citronella essential oil has a host of health benefits that span across different bodily mechanisms. It helps to fight off and eliminate any bacteria in the system, and can optimize digestive functions and kidney function. It functions as a diuretic, diaphoretic, and even helps reduce fever in the body. It has anti-inflammatory properties.
Citronella essential oil is known for its role as a stimulant – it increases the circulation of blood, optimizes the nervous system, and even improves the excretory system. It adds value to the digestive system by also getting rid of round and tape worms. It is widely used as an insect repellant in a lot of countries and prohibits fungal growth.
Citronella essential oil also removes odors from the body. It acts as a toner. It also helps fight off depression by lifting up the spirits. Furthermore, it is also used to deal with various issues such as oily skin and hair, migraines, fatigue, nausea, headache, abnormal palpitations, and abdominal pain that is caused by gas or cramps.
Citronella Oil
Citronella is basically the name of a grass that has a lovely crisp and lemony aroma, hence the name citronella. It is more commonly known as lemongrass. Citronella essential oil can come from two types of citronella.
The first is the Ceylon citronella and the second is the Java citronella. Both are potent; however, the Java variety is considered much superior than the Ceylon one. Both are extracted by steaming the grass.
Nutritional Value of Citronella Oil
Citronella essential oil has a host of different nutrients in it, which is why it is so beneficial to your health. In 100g of this oil, you will find 0.5g of fat, out of which there is 0.1g of saturated fat, 0.2g of polyunsaturated fat, and 0.1g of monounsaturated fat. It has no cholesterol in it. It has 6 mg of sodium and 723 mg of potassium in it.
The total carbohydrate content in 100 grams of citronella oil is 25 g. It has 1.8 g of protein in it, with 4% of the recommended daily dosage of Vitamin C, 45% of iron, 5% of Vitamin B-6, 15% of magnesium, and 6% of calcium in it. It does not have any Vitamin A, D, or B-12 in it.
Nutritional facts Per 100 Grams
Vitamins and Minerals
Health Benefits of Citronella Oil
Citronella Oil inhibits growth of bacteria
Citronella essential oil is rich in methyl isoeugenol, which helps with killing bacteria and inhibiting the further growth of bacteria in the body. As a result, this can help with treating any infections that occur in wounds due to bacteria, along with infections in the colon, urinary tracts, prostate, kidneys, stomach, urinary bladder, and urethra.
Citronella essential oil also has antiseptic properties. This means that it can help fight off numerous infections in kidneys, wounds, urinary tracts, urethra, and the prostrate. It also prevents these areas from going sepsis because of such infections.
Citronella Oil helps in fight against depression
One of the best things about citronella essential oil is that when it is used in aromatherapy, it can help people fight off their depression. This is because it helps to induce a light, happy feeling and gets rid of anxiety and negative thoughts. This is very beneficial for those who suffer from depression.
Citronella oil provides relief from spasms
Citronella essential oil is also known for providing relief from spasms, especially with the spasms that occur in the respiratory system, muscular system, and even the nervous system. Furthermore, it can also help with menstrual spasms, and also provides a lot of relief from coughs and cramps in the body.
Anti-inflammatory properties of citronella oil
When it comes to inflammation present in the stomach, liver, respiratory system, and intestines, citronella essential oil can be used to reduce it significantly. These inflammations can be caused due to a variety of reasons such as drugs, narcotics, spicy food, or even any toxic elements that are in the body.
Citronella Oil helps in removing toxins
Citronella essential oil is a diaphoretic. This means that it helps induce sweating. As a result, the excess oil, fat, water, and foreign toxins in the body get expelled through the sweat. This helps keep your body functions at an optimal level and prevents you from getting sick.
Citronella oil acts as diuretic
Citronella essential oil is a diuretic. This means that it stimulates urination. As a resultthe excess oil, fat, water, ureic acid and foreign toxins in the body get expelled through the urine.
Diuretics also provide the additional benefit of preventing kidney stones. This is because they help flush out the excess calcium in the kidneys. It is this excess calcium that leads to kidney stones occurring.
Citronella oil Benefits in fever and cold
Using citronella essential oil can help reduce fevers due to a combination of its effects. The diaphoretic properties help flush out toxins from the body and also decrease the body’s temperature. The anti-inflammatory properties of citronella oil help reduce any inflammation, and the anti-microbial properties help eliminate bacteria and other microbes that might be responsible for making you sick. Together, this helps in reducing your fever.
Citronella Oil inhibits fungal growth
Fungal infections can occur anywhere in the body but they are particularly common in the ear, nose and throat.
Such infections are extremely common and if left unchecked, can lead to a host of problems. Citronella essential oil helps kill and prevent the growth of fungi that can harm your body. It also helps cure fungal dysentery.
Citronella Oil acts as insect repellant
Unwanted insects can cause a whole world of problems. They can be carriers of bacteria and viruses that can make you sick. They can get in your food and contaminate it, leading to food poisoning. They can even bite you, leading to a range of problems from rashes and itching to fever and hallucinations. Certain insects, such as mosquitoes, can lead to dengue, malaria, and yellow fever.
Citronella essential oil works as a great insect repellent. It kills insects and also keeps them away from your home. It also works well on lice, fleas, and body and head lous.
Use citronella oil prevents stomach disorders
Using this oil can help deal with a host of stomach problems. Its anti-inflammatory qualities can help with inflammation in the stomach or intestines. It also protects the stomach from various infections and contributes towards the smooth functioning of the digestive system.
Stimulant Propeties of Citronella Oil
Citronella essential oil has a stimulating effect on various bodily functions. It improves the circulation of blood, and also stimulates the production of secretions and discharges in the body such as hormones and enzymes. It also increases the activity in the nervous system. Furthermore, it can help with the metabolisms of the body and can also stimulate the immune system.
Other benefits of Citronella Oil
Citronella essential oil can also be used to deal with a host of issues like oily skin and hair, migraines, colitis, abnormal palpitations, fatigue, nausea, headache, and even abdominal pain that is caused by gas or cramps.
Citronella essential oil can also be used as a toner. It helps by toning the digestive system, excretory system, and the nervous system effects. It also helps with fortifying the body. Another effect of citronella essential oil is that it kills worms in the intestine.
Citronella essential oil helps get rid of round worms and tape worms easily. Due to the fact that citronella essential oil has a natural crisp, lemon smell, it is widely used in deodorants to help remove body odor. People with strong body odor can also add this oil to their bath water to make their bodies smell fresh and lemony.
Uses of Citronella Oil
Citronella essential oil has a host of different uses. It is used as a bug repellant by applying it topically onto the skin. It is used in the food and beverage industry to flavor a variety of dishes and drinks. It is also used in perfumes and fragrances due to its fresh, lemony smell.
Citronella Oil is also widely used in aromatherapy both, on its own and by mixing it with other oils. Some of the oils that it blends with are eucalyptus, sage, cedar wood, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, geranium, lavender, and tea tree oil.
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Side-Effects & Allergies of Citronella Oil
Citronella essential oil does not have any toxicity and can be used safely on your skin and even in your food. However, it can lead to dermatitis, irritation or sensitization to the skin if it’s used too frequently. It shouldn’t be used on small children. Furthermore, pregnant women should also avoid using this oil.
Cultivation of Citronella Oil
Citronella, commonly known as lemongrass, grows predominantly in Asia countries and in certain islands in the South Pacific. The oil of citronella is extracted through a process known as distillation. This essential oil is mainly products in China and Indonesia, though it is so popular that it can be easily found all over the world. It is also produced in certain Latin American countries, African countries, and South American countries.
References
- Temple WA, Smith NA, Beasley M. Management of oil of citronella poisoning. Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology. 1991 Jan 1;29(2):257-62. [Cited 24 June 2019]. Available from:
- Barber LA, Hall MD. Citronella oil. Economic Botany. 1950 Oct 1;4(4):322-36. [Cited 24 June 2019]. Available from:
- Sharma R, Rao R, Kumar S, Mahant S, Khatkar S. Therapeutic potential of Citronella Essential Oil: a review. Current drug discovery technologies. 2018 Jul. [Cited 24 June 2019]. Available from:
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