Citronella, known scientifically as Cymbopogon nardus or Cymbopogon winterianus, is a medicinal plant with insect repellent, aromatizing, bactericidal and calming properties, being widely used in the manufacture of cosmetics.
This plant can be grown in the garden or at home, in a plant pot, to take advantage of its effects naturally, but in addition, you can also buy its essential oil already extracted to obtain its effects in a more practical and potent way.
Price and where to buy
Citronella oil can be purchased at health food stores and drugstores, costing around R $ 15.00 to R $ 50.00, depending on the brand, quantity and location it sells.
For those who prefer to have the natural plant at home, citronella seedlings can be purchased in nurseries or landscaping centers, and the price of a kit of 10 seedlings can cost between R $ 30.00 and R $ 90.00 reais.
Main properties
Citronella is used mainly as an aromatherapy or cosmetic product, because when its essential oils are exhaled, they promote some benefits such as:
- Repellent against insects, being a good natural way to scare away mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegypti, flies and ants; Bactericidal and antifungal effect, helping to keep the skin clean and healthy; Helps keep the house fragrant and disinfected when used for cleaning; Facilitates relaxation through aromatherapy, which also helps to 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 down.
How to use
The strong smell given off by citronella, present in its essential oil, allows this plant to be used in several 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 its composition, in 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 on some containers, spread around the house and change daily, to scent the environment and repel insects; Cut some pieces of the leaf straight from the plant, as it intensifies its smell, in the hours when you want to avoid the insects; Mix the leaves with hot water and use to clean the house to use its smell and its bactericidal properties; boil the leaves of the plant with water, and spray the solution around the house.
In addition, it is also possible to buy your extract at health food 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 can have an irritating effect, its use in this way should be avoided, in addition to not being on the list of regulated medicinal plants and herbal medicines. by Anvisa.
Because it is very similar to lemongrass or lemongrass, 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, reminiscent of disinfectant.
How to plant citronella
To plant citronella at home, and naturally acquire its properties, one must acquire a seedling of the plant, cut its foliage, and plant the stems and the root in a land or vase, deeply, in a fertile land.
For the plant to develop well, the ideal is to stay in a sunny and bright place. In addition, it is recommended to use gloves to treat this plant, as its leaves, being thin and pointed, can cut the skin.
