Citronella oil is often used as an insect repellent, although research has indicated it may also have antifungal properties and help with wound healing. You can use citronella oil in a diffuser or spray bottle, or you can dilute it in an oil or lotion before applying it to your skin.
When applied to the skin: Citronella oil is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied to the skin as an insect repellent. It might cause skin reactions or irritation in some people. When inhaled: It’s LIKELY UNSAFE to inhale citronella oil. Lung damage has been reported.
Beside this, Can citronella make you sick?
Oil of citronella can be mildly irritating to the skin and eyes. It may also cause skin allergies for some people with prolonged or frequent exposure. If eaten, people may cough or experience throat irritation.
Likewise, Is it safe to breathe in citronella?
When applied to the skin: Citronella oil is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied to the skin as an insect repellent. It might cause skin reactions or irritation in some people. When inhaled: It’s LIKELY UNSAFE to inhale citronella oil. Lung damage has been reported.
Also, Can you rub citronella leaves on your skin?
Rubbing the crushed leaves on your skin may repel mosquitoes like any citronella-based repellent for the skin. Some people are sensitive to the oil when it’s applied to their skin, though, so test a small amount and wait a day or two to make sure there’s no rash or redness, before trying more.
Can I rub citronella plant on my skin?
Even true citronella grass, Cymbopogon nardus, must be applied to the skin to be effective as a repellent.
22 Related Question Answers Found
What can I diffuse for mosquitoes?
– 4 drops patchouli essential oil (find pure patchouli EO here)
– 3 drops lemongrass essential oil (find pure lemongrass EO here)
– 3 drops clove essential oil (find pure clove EO here)
What happens if you ingest citronella?
When aspirated into the lungs, citronella oil fuel coats delicate tissues with toxic vapors, causes chemical pneumonia, and can trigger fatal pulmonary arrest. As this incident illustrates, it is especially dangerous when ingested by small children.
What can I rub on my skin to repel mosquitoes?
– Lemon eucalyptus oil. Used since the 1940s, lemon eucalyptus oil is one of the more well-known natural repellents. …
– Lavender. …
– Cinnamon oil. …
– Thyme oil. …
– Greek catnip oil. …
– Soybean oil. …
– Citronella. …
– Tea tree oil.
Can citronella candles make you sick?
While citronella products are made from natural oils, there are still some dangers to using them. For most adults, citronella oil is safe when it’s used on the skin, but it can cause skin allergies in some people, especially young children. If your pets ingest citronella, it can cause severe illness or death.
Is citronella toxic?
The US Environmental Protection Agency states that citronella oil has little or no toxicity when used as a topical insect repellent, with no reports of adverse effects of concern over a 60-year period. Some products are applied to human skin, so EPA requires proper precautionary labeling to help assure safe use.
Are citronella candles safe to inhale?
For most adults, citronella oil is safe when it’s used on the skin, but it can cause skin allergies in some people, especially young children. If your pets ingest citronella, it can cause severe illness or death. … When pets inhale the smoke from citronella candles, it can cause breathing issues.
Which essential oil is best for mosquito repellent?
– Lemon eucalyptus oil. Used since the 1940s, lemon eucalyptus oil is one of the more well-known natural repellents. …
– Lavender. …
– Cinnamon oil. …
– Thyme oil. …
– Greek catnip oil. …
– Soybean oil. …
– Citronella. …
– Tea tree oil.
Is citronella same as lemongrass?
Though citronella grass may sometimes be called lemongrass, they are two different plants. … However, citronella grass has reddish colored pseudostems, while lemongrass is all green. The oils can be used similarly, though they are not exactly the same.
Which essential oils are best for insect repellent?
– citronella.
– lemon eucalyptus.
– lavender.
– lemongrass.
– peppermint.
– sweet orange (+ other citrus essential oils like lemon & grapefruit)
– spearmint.
– tea tree.
How do you keep mosquitoes from biting you?
– Dump out any standing water near your home. …
– Keep mosquitoes outside. …
– Use mosquito repellent. …
– Wear light-colored clothing, especially outdoors. …
– Stay indoors during dusk and dawn. …
– Make yourself less appealing. …
– Try a natural repellent.
What blends well with citronella essential oil?
Blends Well With: Bergamot, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Cypress, Eucalyptus (Narrow Leaf), Geranium, Ginger, Helichrysum, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Litsea Cubeba, Myrtle, Neroli, Orange, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Peppermint, Petitgrain, Pine, Rosemary, Sage, Spearmint, Spruce, Tangerine, Vetiver, …
What is the difference between citronella and lemongrass?
Though citronella grass may sometimes be called lemongrass, they are two different plants. … However, citronella grass has reddish colored pseudostems, while lemongrass is all green. The oils can be used similarly, though they are not exactly the same.
Last Updated: 8 days ago – Co-authors : 14 – Users : 7
