Java Citronella

Cymbopogon winterianus

Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus), also called "Madagascar" or "India" citronella, is a perennial rhizome plant native to Indonesia.

It belongs to the Poaceae (grass) family, has long narrow leaves with rough, sharp edges and hollow, bulbous stems at the base. It grows as a tuft up to 30 cm high and twice as wide.

Main aromatic molecules: Terpene aldehydes (citronnellal), monoterpenols (geraniol, citronnellol).
Family: Poaceae.
Producing organs : Aerial parts.
Yield: 300g to 1kg of essence per 100kg of plants.
Equivalence: 1ml → 31 drops (dosage calculated for a calibrated dropper European Pharmacopoeia).

Bath
Skin application
Oral route
Respiratory route

Main properties

Repelling mosquitoes and other insects and treating their bites, Java citronella essence is anti-infectious, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory. For example, it is recommended in ENT to treat a sore throat as it is anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-infectious. It is effective against tendinitis and rheumatic pains. For cooking, one or two drops of essential oil are enough to perfume a dish for five to six persons.

Find all the virtues and uses of essential oils in our tips section.

Recipes

Anti-mosquito
Air repellent Pour 20 drops of essence of citronella into a diffuser to repel mosquitoes. Use preferably with geranium in equal parts for greater efficacy. Also spray on tablecloths and clothing.

Skin repellent
10 drops of essence of citronella, 10 drops of essential oil of geranium, 20 drops of neutral palnt oil. Mix the oils and place on the exposed parts of the body. Repeat the application or diffusion every two hours.

Cleansing the air, bad smells (tobacco, etc.)
Diffuse citronella essence in the air or spray on clothing or tablecloths.

Insect bite
Place 1 drop of essence of citronella on each bite.

Rheumatism
5 drops of essence of citronella, 10 drops of arnica plant oil. Apply by massaging twice daily.

It belongs to the Poaceae family (grasses), has long narrow leaves with rough and sharp edges and hollow stems, that are bulbous at the base. It forms clumps of up to thirty centimetres in height and double the width. The essence of Java citronella may take as its slogan, "the scented death of mosquitoes", just like the famous Marie-Rose lotion, enemy of lice, did before. This repulsive action is indeed phenomenal. Citronella, a powerful disinfectant, is the only rival to eucalyptus in terms of environmental hygiene. Greeks and Romans used a similar species they called Indian nard and which was probably Cymbopogon citratus. Its fresh and pungent odour was included in the composition of the famous "royal perfume" of the Parthians, "acme of delight and a reference" according to Pliny. It opened the appetite and favoured digestion. The Romans were not aware of its anti-rheumatism properties but praised its disinfectant virtue. We are told by Pliny that citronella was used as a moth-proofing treatment. It cost the ten denarii a pound in 75 A.D., this very reasonable price means that the "Indian nard" did not come from faraway Asia, in spite of its name.