The citronella, scientifically known as Cymbopogon nardus or Cymbopogon winterianus, is a medicinal plant with repellent properties for insects, flavoring, bactericidal and soothing, and is widely used in the manufacture of cosmetics.
This plant can be grown in the garden or at home in a potted plant to naturally take advantage of its effects, but also you can also buy your already extracted essential oil for its effects in a more practical and powerful.
Price and where to buy
Citronella oil can be purchased at natural products stores and handling pharmacies, costing from R $ 15.00 to R $ 50.00 reais, depending on the brand, quantity and place you sell.
For those who prefer to have the natural plant at home, the citronella seedlings can be purchased in nurseries or landscaping centers, and the price of the kit of 10 seedlings can cost between $ 30 to $ 90.00.
Main properties
Citronella is used mainly as aromatherapy or as a cosmetic product, because when its essential oils are exhaled, they promote some benefits such as:
- Repellent against insects, being a good natural way to ward off mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegypti, flies and ants;
- Bactericidal and antifungal effect, helping to keep skin clean and healthy;
- Helps to keep the house fragrant and disinfected when used in cleaning;
- Facilitates relaxation through aromatherapy, which also helps maintain concentration;
The benefits of citronella are also used on animals, helping to keep insects and ticks away from them, in addition to calming them.
How to use
The strong smell exuded by citronella, present in its essential oil, allows this plant to be used in various ways to guarantee its benefits, through the manufacture of perfumes, repellents, incense, candles, oils and disinfectants.
These products have the citronella extract already concentrated in their composition at the doses recommended for each situation, however, it is possible to obtain the direct properties of the citronella leaf in the following ways:
- Cut some leaves, put them on some containers, spread around the house and change daily, to perfume the environment and repel insects;
- Cut some pieces of the leaf straight from the plant, because it intensifies its smell, in the hours in which it is wanted to avoid the insects;
- Mix the leaves with hot water and use in cleaning the house to use its scent and its bactericidal properties;
- Boil the leaves of the plant with water, and spray the solution through the house.
In addition, it is also possible to buy your extract at natural products stores to achieve these effects. Check out how to make a natural repellent with citronella extract.
The consumption of citronella in the form of tea is described as having calming and regulating effects of digestive disorders, however, as it may have an irritative effect, its use in this way should be avoided, as well as not being on the list of regulated medicinal and herbal plants by Anvisa.
Because it is very similar to lemongrass or lemon balm, care must be taken not to confuse these plants, which can easily be differentiated by smell. Lemongrass has a sweet smell reminiscent of lemon, while citronella has a very strong smell, which resembles disinfectant.
How to Plant Citronella
To plant the citronella at home, and naturally acquire its properties, one must acquire a seedling of the plant, cut off its foliage, and plant the stems and root in a soil or vessel, deep, in a fertile soil.
In order for the plant to develop well, it is best to stay in a sunny and bright place. In addition, it is recommended to use gloves to treat this plant, because its leaves, being thin and pointed, can cut the skin.
