Citronella

It is a herbaceous plant. This is one of the types lemongrass.

Titles in other languages:

• German Zitronellgras;
• English Australian lemongrass;
• fr. Herbe citronnee.

The plant grows very quickly and is a grass up to 1.5 meters high. Citronella grows in bunches. Its leaves are sharp (can be cut), light green, long and narrow. The plant also has flowers, but flowering is not noticeable, since the leaves are collected in large bunches.

Homeland is Sri Lanka. Now the plant is cultivated in the tropics almost everywhere.

Citronella can be seen in Africa and Central America, Java, Argentina and Vietnam.

The plant does best in tropical climates, although it can be grown elsewhere (even at home) if the right humidity and temperature are provided.

Lemongrass and lemongrass - her next of kin. The use of these herbs is similar.

The stems and leaves of the plant are cut when they are needed.

To dry fresh cut leaves, they should be cut into small pieces, and then spread out under a canopy.

Dried raw materials should be collected in a container, for example, in a glass jar, and hermetically sealed.

• The stems and leaves of citronella have a citrusy, very pleasant smell.
• The aromatic substances contained are included in eye medicines that lower blood pressure.
• Citronella is used in the perfume industry.
• The smell of the plant is used to repel blood-sucking insects.

Differences from lemongrass:

• The taste is spicier than lemongrass.
• The scent is reminiscent of roses.

The application is similar to that of lemongrass.

• Pain reliever.
• Regulates the menstrual cycle.
• Soothes and acts as an antidepressant.
• It has bactericidal, fungicidal and insecticidal properties.
• Antispasmodic action.
• Improves the functioning of the stomach.
• Tones and has a healing effect.
• It has diuretic and diaphoretic properties.
• Has a deodorizing effect.

• Individual intolerance - the plant can cause irritation, allergic reactions and even poisoning.
• Pregnancy.
• Chronic diseases.
• Before using citronella, it is important to consult a professional, and also remember that the abuse of this plant threatens to overdose, due to which your well-being will deteriorate greatly.

Citronella is mostly used to obtain essential oil, which is found both in the stems and in the leaves of the plant.

The method of obtaining aromatic oil is water-steam distillation. The output of EM is 1-2.5 percent.

Oil is divided by chemotype into:

• Ceylonese;
• Javanese.

The first chemotype is obtained from Cymbopogon nardus L. Its main component is geraniol, which makes up to 20 percent. The plant also contains 5-15 percent citronellal, 9-11 percent limonene, up to 11 percent methyleugenol, and about 6-8 percent citronellol.

The second chemotype is obtained from the plant Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt. Its main ingredient is citronellal, the content of which reaches 45 percent.The Javanese chemotype has much less geraniol (average 11-13 percent), some geranyl acetate (up to 8 percent), and only 1-4 percent limonene.

Application of Citronella EO:

• It is a component of hygiene products, fragrances, soaps, perfume compositions, household chemicals.
• Used as a plant repellant and biopesticide.
• Citronella EO has antifungal properties.
• As a cosmetic product, aroma oil refreshes and tones the skin. It is used to cleanse and reduce pores, even out skin texture during aging.
• Citronella oil helps in the fight against sagging facial skin, neck wrinkles, double chin, calluses, rough skin and warts.

The juice obtained from citronella is used by cosmetologists because it has a tonic effect. This juice helps to remove toxins from the body and restore metabolism. It is added to lotions, masks and skin creams.

• Due to the presence of lemon aroma, the plant is successfully used as a seasoning for fish, poultry, and meat dishes.
• Citronella is used both fresh and dried.
• Raw citronella is added to the salad. For this, the core of the stems is used, since it is softer than the leaves.
• Tea is brewed from the leaves of the plant. Lemon tea can be prepared from fresh citronella, but the plant is also often dried for the winter. This tea has a calming effect, so enjoying its lemon smell is worth it during stress and nervous tension. Also, drinking this tea will help remove toxins from the body.

Take 15 grams of fresh citronella and 5 grams of fresh mint, as well as 10 grams of fresh ginger root. Place in a teapot and pour 500 ml of boiling water over it. After insisting 10 minutes, you can drink without adding sugar or add honey, sugar or maple syrup to the drink. If desired, the drink can be cooled.

For 8 servings you need:

• 1500 g chicken fillet
• 3 branches of citronella
• 2 small onions
• a pinch of paprika
• According to 2 tbsp. tablespoons Vietnamese fish sauce and soy sauce
• sweetener
• Pepper
• Salt

Cut the chicken breast into thin strips, and the onion into rings. Fry the meat in a few drops of oil until browned. Add the onion, finely chopped citronella, sauces and spices to the chicken. Reduce the heat, cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 45 minutes.

• The healing effect is due mainly to aromatic oil. Citronella EO is used for dizziness, vestibular disorders, attacks of weakness, VVD, anemia.
• The plant strengthens the body and has a stimulating effect on the immune system. It is often prescribed during the rehabilitation period to speed recovery from surgery or injury.
• Citronella is able to rehabilitate hearing after suffering otitis media. Its use will eliminate noise in the ear, and also make hearing more acute.
• The plant is recommended to optimize digestion. It reduces appetite, therefore it is in demand as an assistant in getting rid of excess weight.
• Oil well clears thoughts, effective for migraines and headaches.
• The plant has a tonic effect. At the same time, its reception normalizes the work of the nervous system and the heart.
• For its antiseptic properties, citronella is often used in the fight against infections.
• Citronella EO has the property to help with rheumatic pains.
• By treating the feet with oil, you will eliminate their smell, sweating, and also relieve fatigue.

• Juice is obtained from the plant, the action of which is the normalization of digestion. It helps in getting rid of excess weight.
• Citronella also has the ability to reduce appetite.

Citronella can be used as:

• insect repellent;
• component for the production of soap;
• a substance that eliminates the smell of fish, seasonings or fat (can be washed dishes and used to disinfect the air, as well as to neutralize the smell of smoke);
• means for warming up muscles and ligaments in sports.

The plant grows best in light, sandy soil that drains well. To grow citronella, the soil must be moist and nutritious. Water the plant abundantly, preferably with rainwater.

Plant seeds are placed in moist soil to a depth of 5 mm. Next, the container is covered with a film and placed in a room with a temperature above +20 degrees. Since seedlings grow better in the sun, it is best to place the container on the south window. In the garden, citronella is planted at the end of May, after giving the seedlings the opportunity to get used to the new conditions for several days (put the container with the seedlings in the garden during the day, and bring it into the room at night).

In the middle lane and the northern region, citronella can be grown in open ground only as an annual. If you are interested in perennial cultivation, plant it in buckets, boxes or containers. Having made holes in their bottom, the containers can simply be placed in the garden or buried in the ground. If you plant citronella near your resting place, you will be protected from mosquitoes.

Now the world produces about 4 thousand tons of citronella oil. About 40 percent of world production comes from Indonesia and China. Essential oil is also produced in India, Mexico, Brazil, Madagascar, Argentina, Guatemala and other countries.