Quick Summary

Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) is a plant primarily studied for its essential oils, which have shown potential insecticidal, acaricidal, and repellent activities, particularly against mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. Research emphasizes its role as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides in vector control and agricultural pest management. Clinical evidence on human health effects is limited, with most data coming from in vitro, animal, or formulation studies.

What is it?

Citronella is a tropical plant species belonging to the genus Cymbopogon. It is widely known for its aromatic essential oils, commonly extracted for use in pest repellents and insecticides. These oils are rich in volatile compounds that contribute to its insect-repellent properties.

Traditional Uses

Traditionally, citronella has been used in folk medicine and household applications mainly for repelling insects and pests. Its essential oils have been utilized in candles, sprays, and topical formulations to reduce nuisance from mosquitoes and other biting insects.

Active Compounds

The active constituents in citronella essential oil include various terpenoids and related compounds responsible for its insecticidal and repellent activities. The chemical composition can vary based on plant chemotypes and extraction methods, which influences efficacy and safety profiles.

Potential Benefits with Evidence Levels

  • Insect repellent activity (Preclinical and laboratory evidence): Studies highlight citronella oil’s repellent effects on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks, shown in vitro and in field settings. Formulations such as gum arabic microcapsules have been reported to enhance oil release and repellent efficacy (Kanmaz et al., 2026; Shi et al., 2026; Asadollahi et al., 2019).
  • Potential bioactivity in pest/vector control (Preclinical and formulation studies): Citronella essential oils demonstrate insecticidal and acaricidal activities with multi-target mechanisms that may help mitigate resistance in pests. Techniques such as nanoemulsions and microencapsulation improve stability and sustained delivery (Bava et al., 2026; Echeverría & Alves de Albuquerque, 2019; Kanmaz et al., 2026).
  • Potential improvement of livestock feed digestibility (In vitro and animal feeding study): Treatment of citronella straw via ammoniation and fungal fermentation increased digestibility, nutritive value, and palatability in ruminants like sheep and goats, indicating a promising sustainable feed source. Further in vivo studies are needed to confirm these findings (Pamungkas et al., 2025).

Side Effects

No specific adverse effects related to citronella use in humans have been reported in the reviewed literature. However, clinical safety data are lacking, and most studies focus on efficacy and formulation properties without detailed safety assessments.

Drug Interactions

No information on drug interactions involving citronella or its essential oils has been identified in current studies.

Who Should Avoid It

There are no formally documented contraindications for citronella based on available research. However, due to limited data, particularly during pregnancy and breastfeeding, individuals in these groups should consult healthcare professionals before use. Caution is advised given the lack of comprehensive human safety data.

Evidence Limitations

Current evidence on citronella is primarily preclinical, relying on in vitro, animal, and formulation studies with a focus on pest control activities. Human clinical trials assessing efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, or contraindications are not available. Data on long-term use, optimal dosages, and systemic effects in humans remain insufficient. Variation in essential oil composition and challenges in formulation stability may limit the direct application of laboratory findings to clinical practice.

References

  • Bava R, Bulotta RM, Castagna F, et al. (2026). Essential Oils for Flea and Tick Control in Companion Animals: A Critical Review of Efficacy, Safety, Resistance Mitigation and Integrated Pest Management. Europe PMC. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13024315.
  • Shi L, Huang S, Shu Y, et al. (2026). Integrated strategies for mosquito-borne disease control: a comprehensive review with emphasis on repellents and China’s practices. Europe PMC. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13088624.
  • Kanmaz D, Yildiz S, Koral Koc S, et al. (2026). Assessment of the Oil Release and Insect Repellent Activity of Spray-Dried Gum Arabic/Citronella Oil Microcapsules. Europe PMC. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC12845582.
  • Pamungkas D, Yusriani Y, Solehudin S, et al. (2025). In vitro evaluation of ammoniation-fungal fermentation of citronella straw: Impacts on digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and palatability in Indonesian native sheep. Europe PMC. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC12668730.
  • Petrović S, Leskovac A. (2026). Biopesticides and Human Health Risks: A Critical Review. Europe PMC. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13030798.
  • Asadollahi A, Khoobdel M, Zahraei-Ramazani A, et al. (2019). Effectiveness of plant-based repellents against different Anopheles species: a systematic review. Europe PMC. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC6925501.
  • Echeverría J, Duarte Galhardo de Albuquerque RD. (2019). Nanoemulsions of Essential Oils: New Tool for Control of Vector-Borne Diseases and In Vitro Effects on Some Parasitic Agents. Europe PMC. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC6630918.

Last Reviewed

April 2024

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Citronella products should not be used as a substitute for professional healthcare. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have existing health conditions, or are taking other medications.