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Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus) is a tall, aromatic tropical grass — a close cousin of lemongrass — native to Sri Lanka and the islands of Indonesia. Long before it became famous in candles and garden torches, communities across South and Southeast Asia bruised its leaves to rub on the skin, burned it in dwellings, and hung it in bundles to keep biting insects at a respectful distance — a use so dependable that citronella oil has been registered in the United States as a plant-based insect repellent since 1948, one of the oldest botanical registrations on record. Its oil is rich in citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol, compounds studied for antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activity, and traditional systems from Ayurveda to Chinese folk practice have also reached for citronella in liniments for aching joints and to lift a weary, foggy mind with its bright, lemony scent. When that many traditions keep a grass this close to the house, there is usually a good reason.
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