Herb
Citronella
An aromatic grass oil used to help repel mosquitoes and other biting insects.
⤢📊 How it ranks (our editor score) — 63/100Tap to see the breakdown
👶 Safe for children?
This remedy carries age-related cautions. Please read them before giving it to a child, and check with your pediatrician or pharmacist first.
- Keep away from eyes and use cautiously around young children and pets.
🌱 What it is
Citronella is derived from lemongrass-family plants and is a common natural ingredient in insect repellents.
📜 Where it comes from
Citronella oil, distilled from lemongrass-family plants native to South and Southeast Asia, has been used for well over a century as a natural insect deterrent. It became a common ingredient in candles and topical repellents across the West in the 20th century, continuing an older regional tradition of using aromatic grasses to keep insects at bay.
✨ Why it's good for you
- Pleasant-smelling natural insect deterrent
- Widely available and inexpensive
- Useful outdoors and in candles or diffusers
🥄 How to use it
Dilute citronella essential oilA very concentrated plant oil — always diluted before it touches skin. How to make an essential oil → in a carrier oil (a few drops per tablespoon) and apply to skin, or add a few drops to clothing or candles. Never apply undiluted oil to skin.
How much: Dilute 2-3 drops per tablespoon of carrier oil for skin use; follow product label.
Why it works: The oil's scent compounds mask attractant odors and help repel mosquitoes, flies, and other insects.
⚠️ Cautions
- Pure (undiluted) oil can irritate skin — always dilute before applying.
- Never ingest citronella oil.
- Reapply often; less reliable than DEET-based repellents in high-risk areas.
📚 Learn more
🌿 Deeper natural detail
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🩺 The conventional view
💬 Ask Remy about Citronella
📚 Resource confidence
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