Citronella is the most widely recognized organic insect repellent. It is used in sprays, soaps, candles and other mosquito repellent products. What, exactly is Citronella?

Citronella is a tall, blue-green, lemon-scented perennial grass which grows to 3 to 5 feet tall. The leaves are used to make citronella oil. When the grass is 2.5 – 3 months old it is cut above the leaf sheath. The leaves are left to wilt in the sun. It can then be harvested again after about a month and a half.

Fresh, partly dried or wholly dried grass is steam distilled to remove the essential oil. The oil is yellow-brown and has the aroma we are all familiar with. Citronella oil is used a lot in candles and repellents in the US.

July 4th Decorative Doormat.

Citronella is native to southeast Asia. It is grown commercially in Sri Lanka, India, Burma, and Indonesia.

Besides being an effective insect repellent it has been used for rheumatism, colds, headaches, lower back pain, migraines, fevers, pain, sprains, muscular aches, intestinal parasites, digestive problems, menstrual problems, stomach complaints, an after childbirth wash, to speed healing, fatigue, depression, household germicide/antiseptic, repelling cats, excessive perspiration, conditioning oily skin & hair, and to increase mental alertness.

Celebrate the 4th with Red, White and Blue Citronella Candles – place them throughout the area you are celebrating to keep those nasty insects at bay.