How to extract citronella oil from citronella plant?
Citronella oil is the result of distillation (distillation) of citronella leaves. Distillation of citronella oil can be done by three methods, namely distillation with water (water distillation), distillation with water and steam (water and steam distillation) and distillation with steam (steam distillation). Apart from the most commonly used steam distillation method, citronella essential oil can also be extracted through solvent extraction and supercritical CO₂ extraction.There are two ways of making essential oil at home. The first thing you can do is get a steam distiller. The easiest way to make essential oil is by using the distillation process, wherein you use the steam that rises when you heat your herb or the plant that you’re going to make the essential oil from.Steam distillation is the most common extraction technique for essential oils. In a still, pressurized steam is passed through the biomass, where it ruptures the plant structures that hold the essential oils, releasing constituent volatile and non-volatile compounds.
What is citronella plant oil used for?
The oil is extensively used in perfumes, soap, candles and incense, cosmetics, and flavouring industries throughout the world. Citronella oil is also a plant-based insect repellent (biopesticide) with a non-toxic mode of action and has been registered for this use in the United States since 1948. Scientifically called Pelargonium citrosum, citronella belongs to the Geraniaceae family and is often referred to by various names including mosquito plant, Citrosa geranium, citronella scented geranium, and lemon-scented pelargonium.Based on these properties, the citronella oil can be extracted in 4 ways, namely distillation (destillation), pressing (pressing), solvent extraction (solvent extraction), and adsorption by vaporizing solid fat (enfleurage). Thus, the quality and quantity of the oil yield depends on the extraction technique used [9].Citronella plants, (Pelargonium citronellum) are perennial in zones 9, 10, and 11, but can be grown as patio plants or annuals in cooler climates throughout the United States.Citronella is an oil derived from the leaves and stems from a cousin of lemongrass (specifically, Cymbopogon). While most humans don’t mind the light citrus scent, mosquitoes reportedly hate it, so citronella is used in a variety of products like candles and wristbands and sprays.
What is the raw material of citronella oil?
The chief raw material is Java citronella grass which grows on sandy loamy soil. It has high affinity for moisture but cannot withstand waterlogging conditions. The most favorable planting period is during the rainy season from April to September though planting during other seasons is also possible with irrigation. Citronella grass plant is native to tropical areas of Asia. It is grown commercially in Indonesia, Java, Burma, India and Sri Lanka. Citronella is introduced recently in India and is mainly cultivated in the lower hills of Assam, Karnataka and southern parts of Gujarat covering about 2000 hectares of land.Citronella plants are easy to propagate to make new plants. Take cuttings from an existing mother plant and remove most of the leaves to minimize water loss (transpiration). Stick the cuttings into a pot with a 50-50 blend of potting soil and perlite. Keep the soil moist and cover the pots.
What are the side effects of citronella oil?
What are some signs and symptoms from a brief exposure to oil of citronella? 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. Natural citronella oil may contain methyleugenol, which has been shown to be carcinogenic in animal studies. Citronella can cause lung cancer if ingested.It might cause skin reactions or irritation in some people. When inhaled: Citronella oil is likely unsafe. Lung damage has been reported.The only concern is skin irritation. Because some products are applied to human skin, EPA requires proper precautionary labeling to help assure safe use. Therefore, if used according to label instructions, citronella is not expected to pose health risks to people, including children and other sensitive populations.Citronella is toxic to pets. Citronella candles and oils are a popular mosquito repellent, but the citronella plant is toxic to pets. Use caution when using citronella products around your pet, and make sure they don’t have access to any citronella plants in your garden.Potential Side Effects of Citronella Grass While citronella is generally safe when used as directed, some individuals may experience side effects: Skin Irritation: Applying citronella essential oil directly to the skin can cause irritation in some individuals.