What is Citronella Java Essential Oil?
Citronella Java is a multi-purpose oil steam distilled from the leaves of the native Cymbopogon winterianus plant, found mainly in tropical regions including Indonesia, Java, Burma, India, and Sri Lanka. It has a refreshing scent and can be used to repel bugs, freshen rooms, relax muscles, boost your mood, and as a household cleaner. The oil has many therapeutic benefits and is a popular choice for natural remedies due to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes citronella oil an excellent addition to any essential oil collection.
Benefits of Citronella Java
As an insect repellent, citronella Java can be used to repel mosquitos, flies, and other biting insects. Its anti-fungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties make it useful for relieving skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. When used as a room freshener, it can help eliminate unpleasant odors and freshen up the air in your home. Its natural calming effects make it a great choice for relieving muscle tension, reducing stress and improving mood. Finally, citronella is an excellent cleaner that can be used on surfaces throughout the home as well as in the laundry.
Top Chemical Components of Citronella Java Essential Oil
Citronella Java's top chemical components are citronellal, geraniol, and citronellol.
Citronellal
Citronella Java's top component, makes up around 30-45% of the oil. It gives the oil its fresh, lemony smell and helps to repel insects.
Geraniol
Another top chemical component that makes up about 15-25% of the oil. It has a sweet, flowery smell and is known for its ability to fight germs and reduce swelling.
Citronellol
Lastly, citronellol makes up around 10-20% of the oil and gives it a calming, soothing smell.
All three of these chemicals have different properties that make citronella Java useful for things like keeping bugs away, fighting germs, and helping people relax.
Environmental factors such as climate, soil quality, altitude, and harvesting time can influence the chemical composition of essential oils, lending to their varying percentages from batch to batch. This is why it's important to know which batch of oil you're working with to ensure consistent quality and composition.
What Does it Smell Like?
Citronella Java essential oil has a strong, fresh, and lemony aroma with a slight woody undertone. The scent is often described as uplifting, invigorating, and energizing. When used as an insect repellent, the scent of citronella Java essential oil masks other attractants to insects, making it a natural and effective alternative to synthetic insect repellents.
How to Use Citronella Java Essential Oil for Insect Repellent
Insects do not like citronellal, the top chemical component in citronella Java oil. To make your own natural insect repellent, dilute it with a carrier oil and apply it to areas of exposed skin. It should be reapplied every 1-2 hours, especially when sweating or swimming. To make a DIY spray, mix it with water or hydrosols like yarrow or catnip, and/or other oils such as peppermint or lemongrass in a spray bottle and shake well before use. If you're planning to spray the repellant on your skin, you'll want to include the use of a dispersant like Solubol. Solubol helps keep the oils and water portion of the spray well blended, and makes it safer for topical use.
Note: We recommend a 4:1 ratio of Solubol to essential oil. This means adding 4 drops of Solubol for every drop of essential oil in your blend. This will help ensure consistent dispersion of the EOs into the water-based portion of your blend.
DIY Bug Spray Recipes:
New to making your own insect sprays? Click here to read our guide to DIY bug repellent with essential oils.
How to Use Citronella Java as a Room Freshener
Citronella essential oil can be used to freshen up any room in your home. To use it, add a few drops of the oil to a diffuser and turn it on, or place cotton balls soaked in citronella oil around the house in order to eliminate unpleasant odors (this is referred to as passive diffusion).
Additionally, you can make a wonderful room spray with citronella essential oil. In an empty bottle with spray cap, add 10-15 drops of citronella essential oil + 4 drops of Solubol for every drop of essential oil. Next, add water or hydrosol to fill the bottle, cap the bottle and shake gently to disperse the essential oils into the water or hydrosol. Then, spray around your home to freshen your environment.
How to Use Citronella Java to Relax Muscles
Citronella Java has calming and soothing properties that can help relieve muscle tension and reduce stress. To use it, mix a few drops of the oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut or almond oil, and massage it into the affected muscles. Doing this regularly can help to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
Note: Not sure how many drops to use to safely dilute your oils for topical use? Check out this article and blend both safely & confidently.
How to Use Citronella Java as a Household Cleaner
Citronella oil is a natural cleaner that can help eliminate germs and bacteria while leaving your home smelling fresh. It makes a wonderful surface cleaner for things like counter tops, bathrooms, sinks and more. To use it, mix a few drops with water or hydrosol in a spray bottle, add some solubol, and shake well. You can also add a few drops of the oil to laundry detergent or soap for an extra cleaning boost. Try substituting citronella essential oil for one of the other essential oils in this Minty Surface Spray.
How to Use Citronella Java to Boost Your Mood
Citronella Java's calming and uplifting properties can help to boost your mood naturally. Just add a few drops of citronella essential oil to your diffuser and turn it on. You can also mix a few drops of the oil with a carrier oil and massage it onto your skin or add a few drops of the oil to an aromatherapy bath. Doing this regularly can help to improve your mood and reduce stress.
Safety Considerations
Citronella Java is generally safe for use, but it should be diluted before applying topically. It can cause allergies in some people, so a patch test is recommended. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should use the oil with caution, and it should not be used on children under 6. It's important to use essential oils safely and consult with a healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
Oils that Pair Nicely with Citronella Java
1. Lemon Oil
Latin name: (Citrus limon)
Lemon essential oil has a fresh, citrusy scent that complements the lemony aroma of citronella Java oil.
2. Eucalyptus Oil
Latin name: (Eucalyptus globulus)]
Eucalyptus has a refreshing, minty scent that pairs well with the lemony aroma of citronella Java oil. It can help to create a more complex and invigorating scent.
3. Lavender Oil
Latin name: (Lavandula angusifolia)
Lavender has a sweet, floral scent that can help to balance out the strong lemony aroma of citronella Java oil. It also has calming and relaxing properties, which can be beneficial for creating a soothing environment.
4. Peppermint Oil
Latin name: (Mentha x piperita)
Peppermint has a cool, refreshing scent that can help to add a minty note to the lemony aroma of citronella Java oil. It can also help to create an invigorating and energizing atmosphere.
5. Cedarwood Oil
Latin name: (Juniperus virginiana)
Cedarwood has a warm, woody scent that can help to add depth and complexity to the lemony aroma of citronella Java oil. It can also help to create a grounding and calming environment.
6. Lemongrass ct Rhodinol Oil
Latin name: (Cymbopogon citratus ct. rhodinol)
Lemongrass has a fresh, citrusy aroma with a slightly earthy undertone, which can help to complement the lemony scent of citronella Java oil. Together, these two oils can create a refreshing and uplifting scent that is perfect for promoting relaxation and repelling insects.
