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Citronella

Sả Java

Cymbopogon nardus, Cymbopogon winterianus

Poaceae · Lá · Leaves · Steam-distilled

Botanical illustration of Cymbopogon nardus, Cymbopogon winterianus; leaves used to extract Citronella essential oil
Citronella essential oil, extracted from the leaves of Cymbopogon nardus, Cymbopogon winterianus. Botanical illustration, Lê Mai Library.

Safety

Skin sensitization · Methyleugenol

Theoretical drug interaction via CYP2B6. May contain methyleugenol. Low risk of skin sensitization.

GRAS status. Maximum dermal use level 18.2 percent, based on 29.1 percent geraniol and a dermal limit of 5.3 percent.

Two types: Sri Lanka type (Cymbopogon nardus, geraniol-citronellal balanced) and Java type (Cymbopogon winterianus, citronellal-rich, cleaner aroma).

In a clinical trial, 3.7 percent citronella oil repellent used daily for 4 months on 103 children recorded only 1 case of slight itching.

US EPA permits continued use as insect repellent. Canada's PMRA proposes phase-out, EU prohibits use as insect repellent (regulatory registration grounds, not safety). Citronella oil is unrestricted in EU cosmetics.

Usage guidelines

Maximum dermal level
18.2 percent
GRAS
Yes

Chemistry

Volatile constituents
Citronellal5.2 – 46.8 % (Sri Lanka) · 34.8 – 42.8 % (Java)
Geraniol16.8 – 29.1 % (Sri Lanka) · 22.1 – 25.4 % (Java)
(−)-Citronellol3.0 – 21.8 % (Sri Lanka) · 9.7 – 11.5 % (Java)
(+)-Limonene2.6 – 11.3 % (Sri Lanka) · 2.6 – 5.5 % (Java)
Geranyl acetate2.1 – 5.1 %
Methyleugenol0 – 1.7 %

Botanical source

Cymbopogon nardus (Sri Lanka type) is the longest-traded species, produced in Sri Lanka.

Cymbopogon winterianus (Java type) is produced in Java, Taiwan and China in large volumes. Cleaner and more pleasant aroma than Sri Lanka. Most commercial citronella today is Java type.

Family Poaceae, same family as lemongrass and palmarosa.

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