Search

Citronella (cymbopogon nardus)

Cymbopogon nardus, common name citronella grass, is a perennial aromatic plant from the Poaceae grass family, originating in tropical Asia. It grows in large clumps and can reach 3-5 feet in height. The essential oil, known as “citronella oil” is extracted from the grass through steam distillation. The essential oil cannot be consumed because of its unpalatable nature.

One of the primary uses of Citronella is as a bug repellent. It was actually the dominant ingredient in insect repellents up until the 1940’s when DDT, the first synthetic pesticide, was introduced. (DDT is a highly toxic petrochemical that was later banned in 1972.)

Citronella oil is making a resurgence in bug repellent products as consumers search for safer alternatives to DEET, and now it’s once again a very common ingredient. Study after study demonstrates its effectiveness.

We love almost anything we can source directly from nature with very little processing, especially when it’s safe and still effective. Citronella oil is known to have little or no toxicity when used as an insect repellent on skin.

To keep the bugs away: Citronella oil is one of the many organic, 100% pure essential oils we’ve included in our Insect Repellent – a pleasant, safe personal body mist.

For your own blends and uses: Use our Citronella 100% Pure essential Oil.

Showing the single result