Citronella

Latin name: Cymbopogon Nardus
Part used: Dried grass
Origin: Java
Extraction method: Steam distillation
Use: for external use only (never ingest), suitable for fragrance burner/diffuser, dilute in a fragrance-neutral carrier oil for use in a (foot)bath and on the skin (undiluted essential oil can irritate sensitive skin). 

This Citronella essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves and stems of Cymbopogon plant species, particularly Cymbopogon nardus. Citronella oil is renowned as a plant-based insect repellent, a non-toxic bio-pesticide, and has been registered for this use in the US since 1948. The main countries producing this oil are Indonesia and China, which together account for approximately 40% of the world's citronella essential oil. 

In addition to being useful as a topical insect repellent, this oil is beneficial for excessive perspiration, oily skin and hair, and acts as a deodorant. It may relieve pain caused by rheumatism and arthritis and help combat colds, colds, and minor infections. The oil is beneficial for the digestive system, helping to treat colitis and intestinal infections and eliminate intestinal parasites. It relieves menstrual cramps and pain and increases the heart rate.

When used in a diffuser, it is known to dispel fatigue, headaches, and neuralgia, and create an atmosphere of cheerfulness and optimism. Avoid use during pregnancy and in children under 3 years of age. 

Ancient cultures in India, Egypt, and elsewhere, where Cymbopogon grass grows, already used the plant to repel insects, especially mosquitoes. At that time, people settled near rivers and bodies of water. Although this was beneficial in many ways, it also meant an abundance of insects and mosquitoes, which spread diseases and killed people. Thus, the use of this grass as a repellent was a matter of life and death at that time.