dōTERRA Citronella Essential Oil - 15ml
dōTERRA Citronella Essential Oil - 15ml
Citronella is steam distilled from the long leaves of Cymbopogon winterianus, a tall grass in the same family as lemongrass. doTERRA processes the cut leaf quickly after harvest, which keeps the top note bright rather than letting it turn dull or hay-like.
The aroma is sharp and citrus-green, brighter and less sweet than Lemongrass, with a soft woody note underneath that keeps it from feeling one-dimensional. It is a top note through and through, so it announces itself quickly and fades faster than heavier oils.
It is a regular fixture in a diffuser set out for a long evening outside — on a patio table, near a fire pit, or wherever a group happens to be sitting once the sun goes down. A few drops alongside a citrus or woody oil rounds it out nicely.
Why people choose it
- Sharp, citrus-green aroma with a soft woody undertone
- Steam distilled from the leaf of Cymbopogon winterianus
- A regular choice for diffusers on warm evenings outside
- Brighter and less sweet than Lemongrass
- Blends well with citrus and woody oils
How it smells
Sharp and citrus-green up front, softening into a mild woody base — brighter and less sweet than Lemongrass.
How to use it
- In a diffuser
- Add four to five drops to a diffuser set out wherever you are sitting on a warm evening outside.
- On skin
- Dilute with a carrier oil before applying to the wrists or back of the neck.
- Dilution
- One to two drops of Citronella to four drops of fractionated coconut oil for topical use.
- Worth knowing
- It is a bright top note, so it fades faster than heavier oils — top up the diffuser through a long evening if you want it to carry.
Details
- Botanical name
- Cymbopogon winterianus
- Plant part
- Leaf
- Extraction
- Steam distillation
- Key compounds
- Citronellal, Geraniol
- Size
- 15 ml
Safety
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing or under a doctor's care, speak to your practitioner before use. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears and sensitive areas. Dilute with a carrier oil for topical use.
This information is for general use and is not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or nursing, speak to your GP, midwife or pharmacist.
Blends well with
Common questions
What does Citronella smell like?
Sharp and citrus-green, with a soft woody base underneath — brighter and less sweet than Lemongrass.
What does it blend well with?
Lemongrass or Wild Orange sharpen it further, while Cedarwood or Arborvitae give it a woodier base for an evening blend.
When do people usually diffuse it?
Most often outside in the evening — on a patio table, near a fire pit, or wherever a group is sitting once it gets dark.
How is Citronella different from Lemongrass?
Both are grass oils from the Cymbopogon family, but Citronella reads greener and sharper, while Lemongrass leans more citrus-sweet.
How many drops should I use in a diffuser?
Four to five is a good starting point outdoors, more if there is a breeze moving the air around.