{"id":156575,"date":"2022-02-25T15:58:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-25T10:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=156575"},"modified":"2026-05-21T10:05:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T10:05:49","slug":"ayurveda-uses-benefits-side-effects-of-citronella","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/ayurveda-uses-benefits-side-effects-of-citronella\/","title":{"rendered":"Citronella: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<\/head>

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Table of Contents<\/p>\nToggle<\/span>

Introduction<\/a><\/li>
Nutritional Value of Citronella<\/a><\/li>
Uses of Citronella<\/a><\/li>
Benefits of Citronella<\/a><\/li>
How to Use Citronella?<\/a><\/li>
Side Effects of Citronella<\/a><\/li>
Precautions to Take With Citronella<\/a><\/li>
Conclusion<\/a><\/li>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li>
References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n \n <\/span>\n $\"Join$ \n <\/a>\n
<\/span>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSteam distillation of freshly obtained or partially dried grasses (Cymbopogon winterianus and Cymbopogon nardus) is done to produce oil of citronella. The essential oil obtained from citronella is a biopesticide that has a non-toxic mechanism of action. It has been registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an insect repellant and an animal repellant ^{1<\/sup><\/a>. Currently, citronella is one of the most commonly used natural repellents in the market and is used in concentrations of 5-10%}^{2<\/sup><\/a>. The oil of citronella is yellow to brown and has a floral or grassy smell}^{3<\/sup><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n}
Citronella essential oil has become popular for its use in preventing and managing many diseases. Due to its various constituents like citronellol, geraniol, and citronellal, it has many medicinal properties like wound healing, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, etc ^{4<\/sup><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n}
<\/span>Nutritional Value of Citronella<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe chemical composition of the essential oil of citronella differs according to geographical location. The constant ingredients that have been isolated are alcohols, ketones, esters, aldehydes, and hydrocarbon terpenes ^{5<\/sup><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n}
In 100 grams, below are the nutrients found in citronella:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Total Fat<\/strong>: 0.5 grams (1% Daily Value)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Saturated Fat<\/strong>: 0.1 grams (0% Daily Value)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Total Carbohydrate<\/strong>: 25 grams (9% Daily Value)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Sodium<\/strong>: 6 mg (0% Daily Value)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Protein<\/strong>: 1.8 grams (4% Daily Value)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Iron<\/strong>: 8.2 mg (46% Daily Value)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Calcium<\/strong>: 65 mg (5% Daily Value)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Potassium<\/strong>: 723 mg (15% Daily Value)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Uses of Citronella<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Citronella is known to have many medicinal properties due to its major ingredients like citronellal, geraniol, and citronellol. Some medicinal properties of citronella include:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Anthelminthic\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Antimicrobial\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Anticonvulsant\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Antioxidant\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Antitrypanosomal\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Wound healing activities ^{4<\/sup><\/a>^{\u00a0<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n}}
Anti-diarrhoeal\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Anti-inflammatory\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Antimalarial activities\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Hypocholesterolemic ^{5<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nOther properties of citronella oil are:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n}
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Anti-amoebic\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Antifilarial\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Larvicidal\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Antimutagenic ^{5<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n}
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The skin may benefit greatly from citronella oil. Dermatitis and eczema may be tackled effectively, the ageing process of the skin may be slowed down, and fungal diseases like athlete\u2019s foot may be managed. I strongly recommend citronella essential oil use as it is excellent for use on oily skin and as an acne treatment as part of a cosmetic routine because of its antibacterial and astringent properties.<\/p>\n Dr. Smita Barode, BAMS, M.S.<\/strong><\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>
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