Botanical Name: Cymbopogon nardus L. (Andropogon nardus L) Common name: Read More
Botanical Name: |
Cymbopogon nardus
L. (Andropogon nardus L) |
Common name: |
Ceylon, citronella, citronella grass, geranium grass,
nardus grass |
Plant family: |
Poaceae |
Genus: |
Cymbopogon |
Appearance/Color: |
A clear light yellow to brownish liquid |
Odor: |
A top note of medium aroma, citronella has a well-rounded lemony
scent, through it is much softer and has subtle wood tones. |
Blends With: |
Bergamot, orange, cedarwood, geranium, lemon, lavender
and pine. |
Origin |
Sri Lanka |
Source |
Leaves |
Method of
Extraction |
Steam Distillation |
The genus Cymbopogon belongs to
the family Poaceae, which is widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical
regions of Africa, Asia, and America. This genus is famous for its high content
of essential oils, which have been used for cosmetics, pharmaceutics, and
perfumery applications. Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle, popularly known
as citronella, native to Ceylon is one of the Cymbopogon species. The essential
oil obtained from the leaves of Cymbopogon nardus is commonly used as an
insect repellent. Many Studies have shown the antiviral, antibacterial, and
antifungal activities of this oil. Furthermore, a higher cytotoxic activity of
Cymbopogon nardus L. essential oils on human epidermic cell line HaCaT was
demonstrated. Thus, the essential oil of Cymbopogon nardus could be quite
suitable as an active component in pharmaceutical formulations for skin
treatment and its damages repairing. Moreover, Cymbopogon essential oil can be
used for the control of foodborne pathogenic bacteria in the food industry.
Citronella oil comes from the
Asian grass plant known as Cymbopogon nardus. It’s most commonly used as a
natural fragrant oil, in insect repellents, as well as in beauty, household and
perfume products. According to dozens of clinical studies, pure citronella oil
is an antiseptic, antimicrobial and antifungal treatment. The most popular use
for citronella is as a constituent in homemade or commercially sold insect
repellents, since it naturally repels mosquitos and other bugs. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency considers citronella to be a “biopesticide”
that has a nontoxic mode of action against insects.
Cymbopogon nardus (C. nardus) (L) Rendle, a Poaceae is a medicinal
plant widely used as culinary and for perfemury. The Chinese use the leaves
more specifically for rheumatism and other uses in the treatment of fever,
intestinal parasites, digestive and menstrual problems. C. nardus produced a yellow essential oil which
present some pharmacological properties as antifungal, repellent against
mosquito.
Citronella Oil in Pharma
Cymbopogon nardus
is a local
medicinal plant,
traditionally used for
post-partum bath. Scientific studies have proven C. nardus to possess several biological activities,
such as antiviral, antibacterial and insect repellent. Essential oils are known
to possess antibacterial activity, which has been evaluated mainly in liquid
medium. The essential oil extracted
from tulsi leaves
contains eugenol, a phenolic
compound which may
be attributed to its
antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties.
Essence of Citronella Oil
C. nardus is the
source of citronella oil, used in perfumery and as an insect repellent.
Inexpensive soaps sold in Asian markets are scented with citronella oil.
Citronella oil can be mixed with other vegetable oils and used in massage or
rubbed on the skin for an insect repellent. Citronella candles and incense,
however, are less effective.
Practitioners claim citronella
oil is a stimulant when inhaled or rubbed on the skin, and an antiseptic that
can be used to sterilize food preparation surfaces. It is also used in Chinese
medicine and traditional medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, digestive
problems, fever and intestinal problems, and in aromatherapy to treat colds,
flu and headaches
COMMON USAGE
·
Anti-inflammatory properties
·
Remove bad odor
·
Eliminates toxins
·
Stimulates urination
·
Reduces fever
·
Inhibits fungal growth
·
Insects repellant
·
Prevents stomach disorders
·
Stimulant
Ingredients:
S.No |
Key Constituents |
Strength (%) |
1 |
Citronellal |
24.8-52.8 |
2 |
Geraniol |
16.1-28.5 |
3 |
()-citronellol |
8.9-21.8 |
4 |
Elemol |
2.2-5.16 |
5 |
(P)-limonene |
02.4-4.5 |
6 |
Geranyl acetate |
2.8-4.1 |
7 |
b-Elemene |
1.8-3.1 |
8 |
Eugenol |
1.2-2.4 |
9 |
g-cadinene |
1.17-2.3 |
10 |
Citronellyl acetate |
02.10-2.0 |
11 |
T-amorphol |
0.8-1.5 |
12 |
d-cadinene |
0.4-1.3 |
13 |
Linalool |
0.4-1.2 |
14 |
Methyl-eugenol |
0-0.011 |
TOXICOLOGICAL
INFORMATION
Safety Summary
·
Hazardous: Not Known
·
Contraindications Not Known
Organ Specific Effects
·
Adverse skin reactions No Additional Data
available.
·
Reproductive toxicity No Data Available
Systemic Effects
·
Skin corrosion/irritation: May be irritating to
skin.
·
Serious eye damage/irritation: May be irritating
to eyes. Prompt rinsing and removal of the substance will avoid damage.
·
Respiratory sensitization: May cause irritation.
·
Reproductive toxicity: Not specified
·
STOT-single exposure: Not specified
·
STOT-related exposure: Not specified
ECOLOGICAL
INFORMATION
·
Toxic
to aquatic organisms, may cause long term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment.
·
Results of PBT and vPvB assessment
o
PBT: Not applicable.
o
vPvB: Not applicable.
·
Persistence and degradability No further
relevant information available.
·
Bio-accumulative potential No further relevant
information available.
·
Mobility in soil No further relevant information
available.