What is the difference between lemongrass and citronella

Moreover, the citral component in lemongrass can actually act as an insect repellant. Citronella grass Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus is a clump-forming perennial grass native to tropical Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Burma, and India.

This grass can grow up to 2m and have red base stems. Citronella oil is an essential oil we use in soaps, candles, and insect repellents. Citronella is especially effective as a mosquito repellent. You can use the oil as a spray or as a diffuser. Moreover, the oil is sometimes infused in creams and ointments to be used as a topical application.

Furthermore, geraniol and citronellol, which are the main chemical constituents of citronella, are antiseptics. This is why we use them as household disinfectants and soaps. Besides, citronella also has some health benefits too: it can act as an antifungal agent, treat parasitic infections, help wound healing and fight fatigue.

Most people tend to confuse citronella grass with lemongrass. Lemongrass is among the many plants known to repel mosquitoes. However, lemongrass itself would not significantly affect mosquitoes. This repellent plant will only deter mosquitoes when leaves are crushed, and the oil extract is rubbed on the skin for personal protection. Essential oils extracted from lemongrass could repel mosquitoes either by targeting their olfactory system or activating gustatory and other sensory systems, causing them to avoid contact.

The high repellency of lemongrass essential oil can be attributed to citral an active constituent and other compounds such as geraniol, linalool, and citronellal. Commercially available products made from the formulation of lemongrass oil includes ointment and cream for topical application and organic mosquito patch, which were all successful in repelling mosquitoes. Oil constituents present in lemongrass have inherent repellent and irritant qualities against Aedes aegypti and other anthropods.

Mosquitoes exposed to lemongrass essential oils tend to exhibit behavioral changes such as irritancy and avoidance of contact. In higher concentrations, lemongrass essential oil has also been found to be toxic to mosquitoes. Lemongrass is not only effective against mosquitoes. The chemicals present in lemongrass essential oils were also found to be effective against the insects below:.

Stable flies Stomoxys calcitrans are livestock pests that primarily attack cattle and horses. They attack humans and pets dogs, cats too. These pests are harmful, especially when they attack in huge numbers, as they could draw huge quantities of blood from their victims. Lemongrass oil is found to be effective against stable flies. In a laboratory experiment, the stable flies were recorded to have spent more time flying around the pad soaked in bovine blood but untreated with lemongrass oil.

The attractiveness of the untreated pad eventually led stable flies to feed on it. Researchers concluded that the stable flies detected the neral and citral the active components of lemongrass oil in the atmosphere, caused them to avoid contact with the pad treated with lemongrass oil. However, further tests are necessary to determine if the stable flies would exhibit the same behavior in the field. House flies Musca domestica L. When placed inside a jar containing cotton balls soaked in lemongrass oil — acetone solution, all house flies died in only about 4.

Moreover, behavioral changes have also been observed, such as hyperextension of the legs and abdomen. Sandflies Phlebotomus duboscqi transmit various diseases to humans and animals. Primarily, sandflies are controlled using synthetic insecticides. A laboratory test showed that lemongrass essential oil could effectively control sandflies. Further studies are needed to determine the appropriate formulation that is safe for human applications. Management of these pests often employs heavy applications of pesticides and costly sanitation services.

The overall good performance of lemongrass oil suggests that it could be chosen as an alternative control for house flies, stable flies, and sandflies, depending on availability and individual preference.

Lemongrass is a low-maintenance perennial grass that can easily adapt to various climatic conditions. It can be grown from stem or root division. In areas with cooler climates, lemongrass is usually grown in containers. Therefore, this plant is easy to grow. Citronella grass can repel mosquitoes. However, it must be understood that the oil present in citronella grass is the one that has the repelling ability and not the plant itself. Chemicals present in citronella essential oil keep mosquitoes at a distance by disrupting their olfactory system.

Citronella oil derived from C. Thus, the use of citronella oil would pose no unreasonable risks to people or the environment.

However, exposure to citronella oil may cause irritation of the skin and the eyes. It could also cause skin allergies and other reactions. Thus, it is necessary to follow the label and instructions when using products containing citronella oil. To achieve optimum growth, fertilizer application is necessary. Application of nitrogen at planting, usually in an NPK compound, would promote initial growth and thus shorten the first harvest time. In addition, citronella grass also requires high potassium.

Application of 40 to 60 kg of potassium per hectare is recommended. Subsequent application of nitrogen and potassium will increase both herbage and oil yield.

Citronella thrives well in moist conditions; thus, plants should be watered regularly when rainfall is sparse. Weed control is necessary, especially during the earlier months of cultivation. Joseph Kinkade — We do not recommend using our oil as lamp oil. It is not a pure oil which is what you would want for burning.

The pray has a carrier oil so it safe on your skin. Can you use your lemongrass oil as a lamp oil and if so, is it effective at repelling mosquitoes when burned in this manner? Thank you for your advice. Facebook Pinterest YouTube. Menu Cart 0.