Citronella essential oil - benefits and methods of use

Chemical properties

Citral is an acyclic aldehyde of the monoterpene series. Has two isomers. In nature, it occurs in natural oils as a mixture of isomers, with a predominance of geranial and a lower content of neral . In appearance it is a yellowish or colorless viscous liquid with a characteristic lemon odor.

The compound is chemically active, easily oxidizes in air, undergoes hydrogenation ( citronellal ), and reduction reactions of the aldehyde group ( citronellol ). Molecular mass = 152.3 grams per mole. The product is contained in high concentrations with some essential oils, lemongrass oil (lemongrass), lemon oil, eucalyptus oil, etc. The pure substance is obtained from essential oils, by treatment with sodium bisulfite or sulfite , using oxidation, the Sommlet reaction .

, the product is used as a fragrance in perfumery, a flavoring agent in the food industry, and as a raw material for the synthesis of vitamin A. In pediatric practice, medicine with Citral is widely used. The composition of the mixture with Citral also additionally includes: magnesia , or motherwort extract , glucose, solvent (most often distilled water), sometimes diphenhydramine and sodium bromide .

pharmachologic effect

Citral is a mixture of trans isomers and cis isomers of linolenic and terpinolenic forms. This substance is obtained from coriander fruits, and is also produced industrially, isolated from lemongrass essential oil, and synthetically (by processing acetone, isoprene and acetylene). Chemically, citral is a fragment of the vitamin A molecule.

Citral has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect, and also has activity against a number of harmful microorganisms. The drug stimulates the healing processes of the skin, conjunctiva and cornea.

The drug destroys roundworm eggs.

The mixture with citral has a mild calming effect, as well as a weakly expressed ability to reduce intracranial and blood pressure.

Citral, instructions for use (Method and dosage)

For the treatment of eye diseases, a 0.01% aqueous-alcohol solution is used for topical use. Instill 1-2 drops of medicine into each eye, frequency of application up to 3 times a day.

To rinse the mouth, use a 1% alcohol solution of Citral, 20 drops diluted in a glass (200 ml) of water. The procedure is carried out 2-3 times a day.

When treating cracked nipples in nursing mothers, use 1% solution, 40 drops per 100 ml of water. A sterile gauze pad is applied to the damaged area and left overnight. Before feeding, it is necessary to remove any remaining medication from the areola.

Instructions for use of Citral for children

The mixture is prepared in a pharmacy according to a doctor's prescription. According to the instructions for use of the mixture with Citral, it is prescribed in a dosage of half to 1 tablespoon, 2 or 3 times a day.

Duration of treatment – ​​from 14 days to a month. The mixture needs to be changed to a fresh one every 10 days. Sometimes doctors prescribe medicine for long-term use.

Additional Information

The regenerating effect of Citral in the treatment of ophthalmic diseases is enhanced by riboflavin (vitamin B2), resulting in accelerated epithelization of the cornea and conjunctiva.

Immediately after instilling the solution into the eyes, a temporary deterioration in vision is possible, which does not require discontinuation of the drug.

It should be borne in mind that the product affects a person’s ability to drive vehicles and work with potentially dangerous mechanisms, since it contains 96% alcohol.

The drug can be stored for 36 months in a well-closed container out of the reach of children and protected from direct sunlight.

Dispensed from pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.

Half a century ago, poor sleep in newborns and frequent crying were explained by intestinal colic and temperature disturbances in the room.

This is still one of the most common causes of restless behavior in infants. At the same time, the fashion for neurosonography (ultrasound of the brain) has brought into use another circumstance that allegedly affects the state of sleep.

We are talking about increased intracranial pressure. In fact, almost any baby can have birth microtraumas. The most common is a cyst.

This is a vascular nodule with fluid inside, which puts pressure on the vessel and impedes blood flow. Over time, the cyst resolves on its own.

But while the process is going on, the baby may have a headache. Hence - bad sleep and crying. Parents are looking.

When something like this is diagnosed, an experienced pediatrician prescribes a mixture with citral.

Drugs containing (Analogs)

Level 4 ATC code matches:
Naftalan oil

Suporon

Naftaderm

Vinylin

Hydrogen peroxide

Potassium permangantsovka

Iodoform

Pantocide

Diamond green

Ectericide

Salicylic-zinc paste

Elekasol

Salicylic-Zinc ointment

Formalin

Formagel

Aseptolin

Xeroform

Vitaon

Olazol

Formidron

Medicine with Citral for children , Aqueous solution of Citral , Aqueous-alcoholic solution of Citral .

Additional Information

The regenerating effect of Citral in the treatment of ophthalmic diseases is enhanced by riboflavin (vitamin B2), resulting in accelerated epithelization of the cornea and conjunctiva.

Immediately after instilling the solution into the eyes, a temporary deterioration in vision is possible, which does not require discontinuation of the drug.

It should be borne in mind that the product affects a person’s ability to drive vehicles and work with potentially dangerous mechanisms, since it contains 96% alcohol.

The drug can be stored for 36 months in a well-closed container out of the reach of children and protected from direct sunlight.

Dispensed from pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.

What is citral mixture? Citral mixture is one of the most popular medicines prescribed to children from the first months of life. Most often it is prescribed by a neurologist, but sometimes it is prescribed by a pediatrician. A mixture with citral is prescribed as a mild sedative and slightly reduces increased intracranial pressure. Composition Main components Citral The constant component of the mixture is citral. This substance is found in lemons, lemon balm, eucalyptus and other plants. In medicine, citral solution is used as an antiseptic (antimicrobial), anti-inflammatory and analgesic. But it also has a mild calming effect. Citral can also slightly reduce blood and intracranial pressure - these are precisely its properties that are used in the mixture with citral. Magnesia Magnesium sulfate (magnesia) is a well-known remedy for lowering blood pressure, also has a calming effect and reduces intracranial pressure. Currently, these properties of magnesium preparations are very widely used by pediatric neurologists. In addition to the medicine with citral, the drug MagneB6 is often prescribed in combination with other medications. Magnesia also has a laxative effect, which is not always useful. Valerian and/or motherwort Infusion (tincture) of motherwort or valerian - reduces the increased excitability of the nervous system, calms, lowers blood pressure, has an antispasmodic effect, and enhances the effect of other components of the mixture. The effects of these plants are similar, so one of them is usually added to the mixture (they are interchangeable). Other components Diphenhydramine - the mixture uses not its main effect - anti-allergic, but its sedative, calming effect. Diphenhydramine is added to the mixture in a much lower dose than it is usually prescribed separately as an antihistamine (anti-allergic) agent. Sodium bromide – enhances inhibition processes in the nervous system. Restores the balance between the processes of excitation and inhibition during increased excitability. Glucose – can be added to improve taste. Distilled water as solvent. Diphenhydramine and sodium bromide are not always added to the mixture. How to use? A mixture with citral is prescribed, depending on the age of the child, from 1/2 tsp. up to 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is usually from 2 weeks to 1 month, but you can take it longer or repeat the courses several times. Side effects are rare. Allergic reactions – most often a skin rash. The reaction can be to any component of the medicine (except glucose and water). Diarrhea – magnesia has a laxative effect. Lethargy, drowsiness. Phenomena of bromism (caused by sodium bromide): conjunctivitis, cough, rhinitis, lethargy, rash. If the child develops the above symptoms, the citral mixture is discontinued. Disadvantages Citral mixture is a medicine that is prescribed by a doctor. It is prepared in the prescription department of the pharmacy in accordance with it. There is no ready-made standard form of medicine with citral. The shelf life of the finished mixture is 10 days; after 10 days you need to order a new mixture from the pharmacy. It needs to be stored in the refrigerator. The composition of the mixture may vary depending on the age of the child, the symptoms observed in him, whether the child is allergic to certain components, the doctor’s preferences, and the availability of the components of the mixture in the pharmacy. The number of individual components in the mixture can also vary significantly. Therefore, many doctors currently prefer ready-made sedatives with a standard dosage to citral mixture.

Citral is an oily yellowish liquid.

, insoluble in water and having a characteristic lemon odor.

Reviews

Reviews about the use of drugs with Citral are mostly good. Patients trust this remedy, considering it a natural natural medicine. Moreover, it is very rare to find reports of adverse reactions.

There are also many reviews about the mixture with Citral for children. The safety and advisability of using the drug are actively discussed on women's forums.

Reviews of the mixture with Citral for infants:

• “... We used this remedy according to a doctor’s prescription. My son began to sleep better, stopped shaking, eats well, and the medicine is well tolerated”;
• “... The neurologist prescribed the medicine, it seems to be helping, the child is sleeping better”;
• “... We were prescribed this medicine without examination, maybe that’s why it didn’t have any normal effect. The baby continues to spit up. I made an appointment for my daughter to see another doctor.”

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How to use citronella oil

Despite the specificity of the aroma, the product has found application in various fields, one of which is traditional medicine:

• increasing immunity - 1 drop orally, dissolved in 1 glass. tea or water;
• cough, runny nose - hot/cold inhalations 1 drop/1 cup. hot water, breathe for 5-10 minutes. or 1 drop. on a napkin, inhale for 4 minutes;
• muscle pain, sprains - massage with a solution in any base;
• papillomas, lichen, herpes, acne - spot application;
• nail fungus - rub into the nail plate daily until it grows completely;
• excessive sweating of the feet - baths (1 drop/500 ml of warm water with sea salt);
• relieving pain on the body, eliminating itching in places of insect bites - compress (solution in any base).

Before using it for medicinal purposes, you should consult a doctor so as not to cause an increase in the symptoms of the disease due to an incorrectly selected method of therapy.

May cause sneezing when used for inhalation

What it is

Citronella essential oil is a volatile liquid that is obtained by steam distillation of young twigs, shoots, and flowers of a herbal plant of the Poaceae family, growing in tropical climates:

• southern part of the African continent;
• southeast Asia;
• countries located in Central and South America.

The extract is isolated from Javanese (in Latin “Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt”) and Ceylon (Latin name “Cymbopogon nardus L.”) species, the distillates differ in the concentration of active substances. The herbaceous plant reaches a maximum height of one meter, the leaves are elongated and long.

Description of volatile fat:

• consistency – liquid;
• transparent, without turbidity and sediment;
• the shade ranges from light yellow to brown tones;
• The aroma is herbaceous-floral with a perceptible citrus note, the overall smell is reminiscent of geranium.

The product is often identified with lemongrass oil, extracted from the leaves of another representative of the same family, which is not true: essences have different chemical compositions and aromas.

Product rating

To make it easier to navigate and make a choice in favor of the most suitable product without having to look for an alternative after purchase, we have compiled a rating based on reviews from those who have already tried it.

Since this product is most commonly used as a repellent, we have included efficacy information for that parameter.

Buyers note the effect of repelling mosquitoes; girls use Zeytun brand products for home cosmetology and aromatherapy.