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Citronella Java

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(Cymbopogon winterianus) Java
Traditionally used to support healthy breathing and intestinal function, minor muscle and nerve pain, soothe minor troublesome skin issues and deter insects.

 Info

Citronella Java
Cymbopogon winterianus

Plant Origin: Indonesia
Method: Steam distilled from grass
Cultivation: Unsprayed (grown organically, but not certified)
Chemical Family: Aldehydes, Monoterpenes, Monoterpenols
Aroma: Fresh, lemony, slightly sweet (classic citronella scent)
Note (Evaporation Rate): Middle-Top

Key Constituents: Lot#115
citronellal 29.39%
geraniol 20.02%
citronellol 10.52%
geranyl acetate 4.83%
elemol 3.57%

Let's Compare Citronella Java (Cymbopogon winterianus) with Citronella Ceylon (Cymbopogon nardus):

Citronella Java has significant levels of citronellal and geraniol, which potentially may offer a broader range of therapeutic effects than Citronella Ceylon, which has a significant level of geraniol, but much less citronellal. It is generally felt that Citronella Java is a better insect repellant than Ceylon, and Ceylon is more commonly used in perfumery. Research demonstrates that citronellal and geraniol have strong properties against fungi by disrupting the membranes of a variety of fungal cells, thus "citronella oil provides a potential of being a safe and environmentally friendly fungicide." [See references below.]

Attributes of citronellal:

Airborn antimicrobial

Analgesic

Antibacterial
Antifungal

Antioxidant

Antitumoral
Bee deterrent

CNS depressant

Sedative

Attributes of geraniol:

Anti-inflammatory

Antifungal

Antioxidant

Cooling

Kills dust mites and proved more effective than DEET (see Jeon mite-control study referenced below)

Antitumoral: Invitro and invito research shows antitumoral effects on leukemia and cancers of the breast, colon, skin, pancreas and liver (see references below).
Citronella Java and Palmarosa are two essential oils with high geraniol. (Rose is high in geraniol also, but because of the cost, it would not be a good choice to diffuse or use as an insect repellant.) Note: Geraniol attracts bees, as it is produced by the scent glands of honey bees to help them mark nectar-bearing flowers and locate the entrance to their hives. Well-aged tobacco has geraniol in it as well.

Safety Information
Children: Suitable

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Suitable

Medication: Caution Orally: Drugs metabolized by CYP2B6 (if unsure, ask your MD or pharmacist)

Therapeutic Uses
Citronella Java essential oil may support, aid, ease, soothe, reduce, calm, relax, promote and/or maintain healthy function of the following:
Anxiety
Antioxidant
Astringent
Bacteria
Calming
Cancer
Fungal
Inflammation
Insect deterrent (see recipe below)
Joint pain
Nerve pain
Pain, joint, muscle, nerve
Stress

Hopewell Essential Oil Blends containing Citronella Java
Purify

Farm Animal Fly Spray Recipe (shared by a customer)
Quart Spray bottle
Apple Cider Vinegar - 1 cup
Rubbing Alcohol - 1 cup (HEO is not fond of using rubbing alcohol - we prefer a grain alcohol)
Basic H (Shaklee product) 1/4 cup
Citronella Java - 1/3 cup

Fill with water to line indicated on the spray bottle. Shake gently before spraying. This is not long lasting, but typically will work about as long as you need to be milking or working with your horse, cow or goat.

Peppermint as an farm animal insect deterrent
Testimony: I sprinkled drops of Peppermint oil at my goat stancion before milking to avoid the pesty flies and it did the trick! Sunflower, Daisy, Rose et all send their thanks. They stand much quieter when they aren't being pestered. My only complaint is that I can't help but think of mint chocolate chip goat's milk ice cream while I milk in 90+ degree heat. ;) - Robin

Research
A study done in Japan found that a combination of intramuscular citral and oral citronellal used to treat 121 cases of advanced cancer completely cured six (5%) people, having been followed up for 10-15 years. Osato S (1965) Chemotherapy of human carcinoma with citronellal and citral and their action on carcinoma tissue in its histological aspects up to healing. Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine 86:102-147

Geraniol had in vitro and in vivo antitumoral effects on leukemia and cancers of the breast, colon and skin (melanoma). In vitro effects in pancreatic cancer have been reported, as have in vivo effects in liver cancer. Its antitumoral action in skin cancer may be related to the fact that it is a TRPM8 agonist - similar to menthol, but less potent. TRPM8 agonists feel cold to the skin.

Monoterpene (−)-citronellal affects hepatocarcinoma cell signaling via an olfactory receptor by ScienceDirect

Citronella oil (Cymbopogon winteratus) for the Prevention of Mosquito-borne Diseases
"The topical application of citronella oil can be employed as an easily-available, affordable and effective alternative mosquito repellent to prevent mosquito-borne diseases in rural areas such as Tikapur, Nepal."

Effectiveness of Adding Vanillin to Citronella in Preventing Mosquito Bites
"Citronella products are less effective than DEET products in terms of duration of protection. Adding vanillin to citronella oil products could prolong the protection time."

Application Suggestions (See Essential Oil Usage for more information and a Dilution Chart.)
Topical: Topical: Dilute with a carrier oil, unscented lotion or unscented cream and apply on area of concern or as desired. Consider using a roll-on applicator for ease of application of prediluted oil. Maximum topical use limit is 18%.

Since Citronella Java does not have a limiting dilution parameter, we suggest that adults follow the General Guidelines found on the Dilution Chart, which is:

2-3% for daily application

Up to 25% for short-term use

Children: For infants and children, please follow the Dilution Chart on the Babies and Children page.

Inhalation: Diffuse. May help deter pests.

Internal: Citronella is suitable for internal use within safe parameters if such use is deemed appropriate. We feel that internal use is rarely *needed* and should only be used with respect for how concentrated the oils are. HEO does not advocate internal use of essential oils without appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to administer, for what purpose, how much, which essential oils, safety concerns and so on. In our experience, essential oils are generally more effective used topically with proper dilution or inhaled. Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D. notes that "French aromatherapy literature contains many references to using oils orally." He goes on to note that "generally 1 drop is always enough when ingesting essential oils." A potential toxicity hazard could occur when untrained people use essential oils orally and ingest too much.Keep in mind that while medical doctors or health care practitioners may prescribe essential oils for internal use, they are trained and experienced in the safe application of essential oils. It is not a matter of using "French" or "British" methods, it's a matter of experience and appropriate application. Click here for more information about internal usage.
Contradicted orally with Antidepressants (CYP2B6 substrates)
Click here for information about internal usage.

Safety
Oral use caution if taking drugs metabolized by CYP2B6 (Tisserand p. 251).

Avoid contact with the eyes and other sensitive areas. Essential oils are both lipophilic and hydrophobic. Lipophilic means they are attracted to fat—like the membranes of your eyes and skin. They are also hydrophobic, meaning they do not like water. Flushing with water will only send the essential oil back to the eye's membranes. Applying a carrier oil will create another fat for the essential oil to be attracted to other than the membranes of the eyes or skin. We’ve not known this to cause permanent injury or long-term discomfort, but if you feel concerned, please call your health care provider.

References
Purchon, Nerys; Cantele, Lora, Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness, page 24.

Tisserand, Robert; Young, Rodney, Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, Elsevier Health Sciences UK 2nd Edition 2014, pages 251-253.

Burke YD, Ayoubi AS, Werner SR et al (2002) Effects of the isoprenoids perillyl alcohol and farnesol on apoptosis biomarkers in pancreatic cancer chemoprevention. Anticancer Research 22:3127-3134.

Carnesecchi S, Bras-Goncalves R, Bradaia A et al (2004) Geraniol, a component of plant essential oils, modulates DNA synthesis and potentiates 5-fluorouracil efficacy on human colon tumor xenografts. Cancer Letters 215:53-59.

Duncan RE, Lau D, El-Sohemy A et al (2004) Geraniol and β-ionone inhibit proliferation, cell cycle progression, and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells independent of effects on HMG-CoA reductase activity. Biochemical Pharmacology 68:1739-1747.

Ong TP, Heidor R, de Conti A et al (2006) Farnesol and geraniol chemopreventive activities during the initial phases of hepatocarcinogenesis involve similar actions on cell proliferation and DNA damage, but distinct actions on apoptosis, plasma cholesterol and HMGCoA reductase. Carcinogenesis 27:1194-1203.

Shoff SM, Grummer M, Yatvin MB et al (1991) Concentration-dependent increase of murine P388 and B16 population doubling time by the acyclic monoterpene geraniol. Cancer Research 51:37-42.

Yu SG, Hildebrandt LA, Elson CE (1995) Geraniol, an inhibitor of mevalonate biosynthesis, suppresses the growth of hepatomas and melanomas transplanted to rats and mice. Journal of Nutrition 125:2763-2767.

Zheng G, Kenney PM, Lam LK (1993) Potential anticarcinogenic natural products isolated from lemongrass oil and galanga root oil. Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry 41:153-156.

Behrendt HJ, Germann T, Gillen C et al (2004) Characterization of the mouse cold-menthol receptor TRPM8 and vanilloid receptor type-1 VR1 using a fluorometric imaging plate reader (FLIPR) assay. British Journal of Pharmacology 141:737-745.

Mahieu F, Owsianik G, Verbert L et al (2006) TRPM8-independent menthol-induced Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 282:3325-3336.

Jeon JH, Kim HW, Kim MG, et al (2008) Mite-control activities of active constituents isolated from Pelargonium graveolens against house dust mites. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 18(10):1666-1671.

Abbaszadeh S, Sharifzadeh A, Shokri H, Khosravi AR, Abbaszadeh A. (2014) Antifungal efficacy of thymol, carvacrol, eugenol and menthol as alternative agents to control the growth of food-relevant fungi. J Mycol Med. 2014 Jun;24(2):e51-6. doi: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2014.01.063. Epub 2014 Feb 26. PMID: 24582134.

Lang, G. and Buchbauer, G. (2012) A review on recent research results (2008-2010) on essential oils as antimicrobials and antifungals. A review. Flavour and Fragrance Journal 27, 13-39.

Li WR, Shi QS, Ouyang YS, Chen YB, Duan SS. (2013) Antifungal effects of citronella oil against Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2013 Aug;97(16):7483-92. doi: 10.1007/s00253-012-4460-y. Epub 2012 Oct 19. PMID: 23081773.

OuYang Q, Liu Y, Oketch OR, Zhang M, Shao X, Tao N. (2021) Citronellal Exerts Its Antifungal Activity by Targeting Ergosterol Biosynthesis in Penicillium digitatum. Journal of Fungi (Basel). 2021 May 29;7(6):432. doi: 10.3390/jof7060432. PMID: 34072578; PMCID: PMC8229684.

Pereira Fde, O., Mendes, J.M., Lima, I.O., Mota, K.S., Oliveira, W.A., Lima Ede, O. (2015) Antifungal activity of geraniol and citronellol, two monoterpenes alcohols, against Trichophyton rubrum involves inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis. Pharmaceutical Biology. 2015 Feb;53(2):228-34. doi: 10.3109/13880209.2014.913299. Epub 2014 Nov 21. PMID: 25414073.

Wu, Y., OuYang, Q., & Tao, N. (2016). Plasma membrane damage contributes to antifungal activity of citronellal against Penicillium digitatum. Journal of food science and technology, 53(10), 3853–3858. doi /10.1007/s13197-016-2358-x

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May the Lord guide you continually, preserving your health and watering your life when you are dry. May you be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring full of hope for your future in His care.
From Isaiah 58:11 & Jeremiah 29:11