Health Benefits of Citronella Oil

These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals.

One final note:

Many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.

In the case of any and all alternative healing topics here (and anywhere else on the Internet), we strongly recommend your physician is aware of any methods you are applying. Alternative healing, holistic healing, homeopathic health care and all other related subjects should not be considered a replacement for a doctor's care but rather as a possible aid to such care.

If you are uncertain on the safety of using any information please be sure to consult your doctor prior to proceeding.

Citronella Oil is an essential oil derived from a perennial grass (Cymbopogon nardus), which is related to lemongrass.
The grass is believed to be native to Sri Lanka, but is now cultivated worldwide and grown in China, Indonesia, South America and South Africa.

When the grass is three months old, the leaves are harvested and left to dry in the sun, then the grass is steamed to distil the oil.

The appearance is Colourless to pale yellow oily liquid.

Did you know: Citronella oil is used in aromatherapy to relieve anxiety

* Unlike many chemically produced insect repellents, citronella oil is thought to cause little or no harm to wildlife or the environment, due to its low levels of toxicity.

* Scientific studies show that citronella oil has strong anti-fungal properties.

* Citronella oil can help calm barking dogs. A study at the Animal Behaviour Clinic at Cornell University in the US found that citronella collars, which spray a mist in front of a dog's nose when it barks, are more effective than electric-shock collars.

* Research shows citronella oil can help to repel body and head lice. A study on school children found only 12% of participants who were treated for two months with citronella oil became infested with lice, while 50.5% of the children who took a placebo were infested.

* Citronella can irritate the skin and in some cases cause dermatitis. It should generally not be used directly on the skin. You can make a spray with water and an essential oil solubillser or a natural perfume-grade ethanol. It should not be used in any form on children under three.

* A 2002 study found citronella oil only protects against biting insects for about 20 minutes and needs frequent application. Other repellents last several hours.

* Citronella oil may increase heart rate. Speak to a GP or naturopath before using it.

Dogs are the most popular pets on the world but sometimes the excessive barking can be very stressful. Some breeds have a genetic predisposition to barking while others to stay quiet but the most common cause for barking isn't related to genetics.

Dogs have a need for constant exercising if this need isn't fulfilled the dog will get bored and will bark to kill the time. Boredom, loneliness, and unexpressed energy is the cause of extreme barking problems. Dogs learn according to the consequences to their actions, it's possible that you created a environment in which the dog learn that barking is good by accident. If you fed the dog when it barks because he can not eat and bark at the same time, the dog will relate the consequence, the feeding, with the barking and will bark every time he wants food causing the opposite effect than the expected on the long term. There for you should apply positive stimulus, like feeding, when the dog is quiet and negative when he is barking.

To accomplish this objective many devices have been created that provoke a negative stimulus automatically when the dog barks, the most common alternative is the shock collar pr electronic collar but this one is consider to be cruel since it gives the dog an electric shock that causes pain, injuries, stress and anxiety. Violent dog attacks have been produced for the inappropriate use of this collars.

Citronella Anti Bark Collar

The citronella anti bark collar is a more human approach. This are made with citronella oil that is a common ingredient in perfumes and insect repellent. It was found that dogs feel aversion for the scent of the citronella oil. Citronella collar release a small quantity of citronella oil essence under the dog's nose every time that the dog barks. The frequency of the barking is effectively reduced or even stop for a while. The disadvantage is that the dog will eventually get use to the smell causing the effect to reduce with time. Because of this the citronella anti bark collar can be disappointing if used alone. A common use is in conjunction of a electronic collar, using the citronella collar just once or twice a week will remain effective in the long term and will reduce the amount of time that the dog is under the effect of the shock collar.

The citronella anti bark collar can be too strong for small breeds and dogs younger than a year old. Also if the dog is genetically predisposed to barking and doesn't get its activity needs fulfilled then the collar won't be effective.

1. Use Sites, Target Pests, and Application Methods

* Use Sites: Oil of Citronella is used on humans to repel insects. It is used in recreational areas, outdoor household areas, and around trees and shrubs.

* Target pests: Repels various specific insects including mosquitoes, black flies, fleas, and ticks.

* Application Methods: Products containing Oil of Citronella are applied in various ways:

1. Liquid products are sprayed or applied by hand (cloth wipe-on) on skin or clothing.

2. Citronella is also used in solid products such as candles, cartridges, and rub-on products.

2. Assessing Risks to Human Health

In studies using laboratory animals, Oil of Citronella shows little or no toxicity. The only concern is skin irritation. Because some products are applied to human skin, EPA requires proper precautionary labeling to help assure safe use. Therefore, if used according to label instructions, citronella is not expected to pose health risks to people, including children and other sensitive populations.

Oil of Citronella has been used extensively since 1948 without any reports of adverse effects of concern.

3. Assessing Risks to the Environment

Based on laboratory animal studies, Oil of Citronella poses minimal or no risks to wildlife. Because of the low toxicity and limited uses of Oil of Citronella, it is not harmful to the environment. No adverse effects are expected for use around the home.

4. Regulatory Information

Registered (licensed for use) in 1948.

Number of products: 31 (September 1999)

Oil of Citronella is considered so unlikely to cause harmful effects that some citronella products are exempt from the usual regulation. However, registration is required for those products that do not meet the criteria for exemption (for instance, they contain other ingredients that EPA has not classified as minimal risk).

5. Products for Use Against Public Health Pests

EPA defines a public health pest as any organism that can cause or transmit human disease, or can cause human discomfort or injury. Examples include fleas, mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies. To help protect the public's health, EPA requires registrants of products used against public health pests to prove the product meets specific standards for effectiveness as well as for safety.

6. Producer Information

Many companies produce Oil of Citronella and products containing Oil of Citronella.

Use aromatherapy and essential oils for cleaning and freshening.

We all know that our happiness can be dependant on the state of our health. Fortunately, many of the more common complaints that arise can be relieved simply by the use of natural essential oil treatments.

Enhance your knowledge with the use of aromatherapy recipes.

Ants:

Several drops of Peppermint oil may be sprinkled strategically along counters and walls to deter ants. It is very important to test surface area to make sure the oil will not destroy the finish.

Cockroaches:

Add a few drops of Citronella oil to cotton wool and place in the back of cupboard. An additional drop of Peppermint oil or Lemongrass oil can be added for extra strength.

Dust Mites:

Mix 5 drops of Eucalyptus oil with 1 drop of a Solubalizer and add to the rinse cycle of your washing machine. Decant into a household spray bottle 100ml methylated spirits and 25ml Eucalyptus oil. Add 75ml water and lightly spray under beds.

Fleas:

Pennyroyal oil is specific against fleas and water makes application easy and pet friendly. For an animal spray, decant 10ml into a spray bottle and add 50ml water.

Flies:

Place a handful of dried cloves in a bowl and sprinkle with a few drops of Clove oil and Lavender oil, Citronella oil or Peppermint oil. Recharge with additional oil from time to time.

Mice:

Add a few drops of Peppermint oil, Eucalyptus oil or Spearmint oil to cotton wool and place in the ceiling and anywhere mice might enter the house.

Moth/Silverfish:

Add a few drops of Cedarwood oil to cotton wool and place in wardrobes and drawers. An extra drop of Spearmint oil, Lavender oil, Citronella oil or Peppermint oil can be added for good measure.

Mozzies:

Add a few drops of Lemongrass oil or Citronella oil to a bowl of steaming water or vapourise in a burner to keep mozzies at a distance.

Add five drops of Lemongrass oil, Peppermint oil, Lavender oil or Citronella oil to a ribbon and hang it from window or doorways.

First Aid:

Insect Bites and Stings, blue bottles-mozzies-midgies-sandflies

Lavender oil and/or Nettle and Aloes ointment. Dab neat, directly onto bites or stings for soothing relief.

Insect Repellant Spray - mozzies-midgies-sandflies:

Decant into a Spritzer Bottle, 25ml water miscible Penneyroyal oil, add:

10 drops Citronella oil
10 drops Lavender oil
10 Drops Lemongrass oil
25ml water

Shake well before using and lightly spray onto exposed skin areas.

DO NOT USE DURING PREGNANCY.