
Botanical Name: Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle
Synonyms: Andropogon nardus L.Ceylon, de Jong; Ceylon citronella, lenabatu, lenabatu pengiri.
Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt
Synonyms: Andropogon nardus Java, de Jong; Java citronella, maha pengiri, serai, miyah serai.
Family: Poaceae (Graminae).
Origin: Native to Sri Lanka (Ceylon citronella). Java citronella is cultivated in the tropics, especially in Indonesia, Guatemala, Vietnam, Africa, Argentina, Haiti, China, India.
Botanical Description: Both are tufted, aromatic perennial grasses, with long narrow leaves and numerous stems arising from short, rhizomatous roots.
Oil Extraction: Essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the fresh, partially dried grass. Citronella Oil Ceylon varies in color from yellow to brownish yellow mobile liquid. Citronella Oil Java is a colorless to very pale yellow mobile liquid. Yield 0.5 to 1.4%.
Aroma Profile: Ceylon citronella oil is more floral, with grassy, green notes. The Java citronella oil is more fresh, sweet lemony, grassy.
Major Constituents: Citronella Oil Ceylon- Geraniol up to 60%, citronellal up to 15%, citronellol up to 10%, limonene, camphene. Citronella Oil Java- Citronellal up to 50%, citronellol up to 20%, geraniol up to 45%, nerol.
Adulterants: Synthetic geraniol.
Regulatory Status: GRAS 182.20
Aromatherapy: Purifying, vitalizing.
Blends well with: Geranium, bergamot, lemon, orange, cedarwood, pine, jasmine.
Safety Data: Non-toxic, non-irritant. Mild skin irritant. Avoid during pregnancy.
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