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The effect of citronella oil
Cymbopogon citratus, also known as lemongrass, citronella, or lemongrass, has been used beneficially for many hundreds of years.
- Citronella is not that common as a spice, but it tastes good. The aromatic spice is often used in Asian cuisine in particular. If you want to try it, try to get fresh citronella. The dried lemongrass usually does not have nearly as much aroma.
- Citronella not only tastes great with vegetables and fish, but you can also prepare a very refreshing tea with the lemongrass.
- We like to use citronella oil as a flavoring. To do this, put a few drops of pure essential citronella oil in a fragrance lamp. You kill two birds with one stone in the truest sense of the word: On the one hand, a pleasantly fresh scent permeates your rooms. But even more popular is citronella oil as a deterrent against unwelcome guests. Citronella oil has made a name for itself as a mosquito repellent and is therefore used in many insect repellent sprays.
- The pure essential citronella oil is also often applied directly to the skin to deter female mosquitoes or to relieve itching after a bite. If you want to apply the citronella oil preventively, you should mix it with good body oil, as the skin can react irritated to the pure oil. In addition, you have to reapply it more often, since the effect on the skin does not last very long due to the rapid evaporation.
- You can also find citronella or at least the characteristic scent in perfumes or body lotion, for example.
The Cymbopogon citratus has long been valued as a medicinal plant, especially in India and Asia. In Ayurveda in particular, the grass is used, for example, for rheumatic complaints, toothache, or skin inflammation.
The cons of citronella oil
The disadvantages of citronella oil, which also exist, should not be concealed:
- Allergies can be triggered by citronella oil. This is especially true when applied directly to the skin.
- In addition, Cymbopogon citratus also contains methyl eugenol, which is suspected of being carcinogenic.
- Animal experiments have also raised the suspicion that citronella oil can have a negative effect on fetal health.