Steam-distilled from the leaves of Corymbia citriodora (formerly Eucalyptus citriodora). Light, sweet and strongly lemony with a citronella-like edge — and containing no citrus at all. Its character comes from citronellal, which makes up the great majority of the oil.
The thing that matters most: this is not the mosquito repellent
This oil is routinely sold with the line that "many people reach for it outdoors, where its fresh scent helps keep insects at bay". You will not read that here, and it is worth explaining properly, because this is the single most widespread misunderstanding in the essential oil aisle.
Two separate reasons:
1. It is a legal problem. A claim to repel insects makes a product biocidal under Regulation (EU) 528/2012, which requires an approved active substance and a product authorisation. A cosmetic or aromatic oil cannot carry that claim, and we will not make it.
2. It is also, more importantly, misleading. The genuinely effective repellent that people associate with this plant is PMD (p-menthane-3,8-diol), sold as Citriodiol — and PMD is not the essential oil. It is made by treating the oil with acid, which converts the citronellal into a different molecule entirely. PMD is a registered repellent active with real evidence behind it, recommended by public health bodies. Raw lemon eucalyptus essential oil is a different substance, far less effective, and far shorter-lasting.
Selling one as the other is how people end up bitten in a place where being bitten matters. If you want a repellent, buy a registered repellent product — one that names PMD, DEET or icaridin on the label. Buy this oil because it smells wonderful.
Cautions
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Citronellal is a skin sensitiser. Dilute to one per cent or below in a carrier oil (about 6 drops in 30 ml), patch test at your intended dilution and wait 24 hours. Never neat.
- Not for young children, and avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding unless a health professional advises otherwise.
- Not around pets — cats especially.
- It is not a cineole-type eucalyptus, so it does not carry the laryngospasm caution that Eucalyptus globulus and radiata do — but it is still an essential oil and still not something to put near a small child's face.
What it is genuinely good for
Its smell, which is one of the best value-for-money scents in aromatherapy — a bright, clean, sweet lemon that lasts far better in a diffuser than a true citrus oil, because it is distilled rather than pressed and does not oxidise nearly as fast. It is excellent in a summer room blend and superb in homemade cleaning preparations.
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Diffusion: a few drops in a ventilated room, twenty to thirty minutes at a time. It blends beautifully with lavender, cedarwood, rosemary, peppermint and pine.
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Household: a few drops in a vinegar-and-water surface spray. Keep it off unsealed wood and painted surfaces.
Safety — the essentials
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Never swallow essential oils without the direct supervision of a qualified health professional.
- Keep out of reach of children, in the original bottle with the child-resistant cap.
- In eyes: flush with plain vegetable oil rather than water.
- Accident or swallowing: in Portugal call CIAV on 800 250 250 — free, 24 hours. In an emergency, 112.
Storage: cool, dark, tightly closed, upright.
Propos'Nature
Propos'Nature
Propos'Nature
