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10 Sept 2007

Citronella Oil

Essential Citronella oil is distilled from the leaves of the Cymbopogon Nardus plant and should not be mixed up with Citronella lamp oil which is basically a petroleum by-product with a Citronella perfume added. The plant originates from Ceylon and is suitable for growing indoors or outdoors in mild to tropical areas. It grows to around 36 inches/90cm with lavender flowers.

Citronella Oil has a pleasant lemony smell and a fruity taste. It is used for flavor in manufactured goods like beverages, cereals, and sweets, and as a perfume in candles and soaps.

Note that Citronella oil must NEVER be used by pregnant women or young children. Keep out of contact with the eyes. It can cause irritation on sensitive skin, so do a patch test on the skin when using it for the first time. Always dilute Citronella oil by mixing a few drops to 2-3 tablespoons of neutral oil, like almond, grape seed or avocado oil, before applying to the skin. Do not use internally without approval from your doctor or homeopath.

It is a warming, antiseptic oil which can be used externally to relieve PMS, exhaustion, colds, flu, aching muscles and headaches. It can be applied by massage, aromatherapy treatment or by adding a few drops to bath water. It is popular as an mosquito repellent and commonly used by adding it to candles or a burner in the evening. Aromatherapists often blend it with lavender, citrus or geranium oil.

An excellent essential oil to add to your collection.

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Flea Powder Recipe
From EssentialBlend

2 cups baking soda
5 drops citronella essential oil
5 drops pennyroyal essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil

To baking soda add essential oils and mix well. Store in a powder sifter. Sprinkle a small amount onto your carpets or put a small amount on your animal bed. Let sit and then vacuum.


Useful Tips for using Essential Citronella Oil
From Sunspirit - see website for more tips.

Cockroaches : Add a few drops of Citronella oil to cotton wool and place in the back of cupboard. An additional drop of Peppermint oil or Lemongrass oil can be added for extra strength.

Flies : Place a handful of dried cloves in a bowl and sprinkle with a few drops of Clove oil and Lavender oil, Citronella oil or Peppermint oil. Recharge with additional oil from time to time.

Mozzies : Add a few drops of Lemongrass oil or Citronella oil to a bowl of steaming water or vapourise in a burner to keep mozzies at a distance. Or add five drops of Lemongrass oil, Peppermint oil, Lavender oil or Citronella oil to a ribbon and hang it from window or doorways.

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Wishing my Jewish readers a wonderful New Year

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5 comments:

Lance said...

I love the flea powder recipe!
Excellent and thanks!

Marion said...

I'm going to try the recipe for flies. We are inundated with those pesky critters this year!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your Shinade Award !!! And thank you for stopping by Mustang 'n' Cowboys.
We need the flea powder recipe for our dogs and the fly recipe for our horses, great post!!!

What is a mozzie?

Anonymous said...

Hoping I can find a way to use this with a lamp oil. Is there a non petroleum based oil that would be safe to mix this with and burn? Could i just put a drop or two on the wick?

Jake Ng said...

Citronella oil has been widely used as a perfume. Besides having a sweet smell, it was discovered that citronella oil has many other benefits. Citronella Oil can be used to ward off pests, mosquitoes and insects. It can also be used to disinfect floors, kills bacteria and dust mites in bed sheets and laundry, and even to remove fleas and odour from pets.
Mosquito Repellent Singapore