Citronella oil is a natural insect repellent.
Citronella is a hardy, perennial grass native to India and commercially grown in other tropical regions of Southeast Asia, as well as some parts of the United States. Also known as lemongrass, this highly aromatic plant lends its citrus-like flavor to many dishes central to Asian cuisine. This essential oil of this herb is used in aromatherapy, holistic medicine and as an organic pest control.
Botanical Classification
Citronella grass represents one of more than 50 species of grasses of the genus Cymbopogon, which belong to the Plantae kingdom of plants. Specifically, the lemongrass species is designated Cymbopogon citratus. Other species collectively referred to as citronella include C. nardus and C. winterianus.
Range
While Citronella nardus originated in India, it is now naturalized in much of Southwest Asia. India remains one the largest commercial producers of this plant, followed by Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Java and Burma. In the United States, it is grown commercially as an ornamental landscaping plant in California and Florida.
Common Names
When referring to citronella as a seasoning or culinary herb, it is most commonly known as lemongrass. However, this plant has several other common names, including fever grass, barbed wire grass, silky heads, Hierba Luisa and cha de Dartigalongue.
Culinary Uses
In Asian cuisine, citronella is commonly used to flavor soups, rice and vegetable dishes. It is also frequently paired with seafood and poultry. In Latin America and Africa, citronella leaves are fermented and made into tea.
Essential Oil
The primary constituents of the essential oil of citronella are the terpenoids citronellol and geraniol, which are also found in lemons, roses and some species of geranium. These agents are responsible for the strong fragrance of the plant and are used in combination with other oils in the perfume industry.
According to research conducted by the University of Florida, these terpenes also deter insects, most notably mosquitoes. For this reason, the essential oil is a common ingredient in many natural insect repellent soaps, lotions and sprays. It is also used in commercial agriculture to attract spider mites. However, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes, the oil of citronella does not harm or kill the mites as other pesticides might. Instead, the oil has the effect of interrupting the reproductive cycle of the pest, thereby controlling local populations.
Medicinal Properties
Citronella oil is being studied for its potential to stimulate apoptosis, or programmed cell death in cancer cells. Israeli researchers at Ben Gurion University suspect that this biological activity is due to the presence of another terpenoid called citral. The scientists further observed that this agent initiated apoptosis in cancer cells while leaving normal, healthy cells undisturbed.
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