is citronella plant poisonous to humans

When applied to the skin: Citronella oil is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied to the skin as an insect repellent. It might cause skin reactions or irritation in some people. When inhaled: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to inhale citronella oil. Lung damage has been reported.

Are Citronella plants poisonous?

Citronella candles and oils are a popular mosquito repellent, but the citronella plant is toxic to pets.

Is citronella toxic to humans?

The US Environmental Protection Agency states that citronella oil has little or no toxicity when used as a topical insect repellent, with no reports of adverse effects of concern over a 60-year period. Some products are applied to human skin, so EPA requires proper precautionary labeling to help assure safe use.

Can citronella plant be eaten?

Citronella geraniums are edible, yes! This plant is part of the (edible) geranium family. Both the flowers and leaves are scented, and both are edible. For this citronella syrup, we're using the leaves (not the flowers).

Can citronella make you sick?

While citronella products are made from natural oils, there are still some dangers to using them. For most adults, citronella oil is safe when it's used on the skin, but it can cause skin allergies in some people, especially young children. If your pets ingest citronella, it can cause severe illness or death.

Is it safe to breathe in citronella?

When applied to the skin: Citronella oil is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied to the skin as an insect repellent. It might cause skin reactions or irritation in some people. When inhaled: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to inhale citronella oil. Lung damage has been reported.

What bugs does citronella repel?

List of pest-repelling plants

Plant	Pests
citronella grass	repels insects, may deter cats
citrosa	proven not to repel mosquitoes
clovers	repel aphids and wireworms
common lantana	repels mosquitoes

Is citronella safe to use indoors?

Burning citronella candles indoors is not recommended, according to Life123. The scent emitted by citronella can be very difficult to remove from indoor fabrics, and the candles emit a secondary organic aerosol particulate into the air which can cause difficulty breathing and headaches.

Can citronella kill dogs?

They are all natural, but that does not mean they are safe. Citronella in large quantities can kill humans, and in relatively smaller quantities it is dangerous to animals of all types. ... That being said, a citronella collar uses very little. Just enough to make your dog unhappy.

What is citronella from?

Citronella oil is an essential oil that's made from the distillation of the Asian grass plant in the Cymbopogon genus. This fragrant grass got its name from the French word meaning “lemon balm,” due to its floral, citrus-like aroma.

What happens if you eat citronella?

Oil of citronella can be mildly irritating to the skin and eyes. It may also cause skin allergies for some people with prolonged or frequent exposure. If eaten, people may cough or experience throat irritation.

What happens if you drink citronella oil?

When aspirated into the lungs, citronella oil fuel coats delicate tissues with toxic vapors, causes chemical pneumonia, and can trigger fatal pulmonary arrest. As this incident illustrates, it is especially dangerous when ingested by small children.

What can you use citronella plant for?

Citronella Grass

Cymbopogon nardus is a tropical-looking, clumping grass native to Southeast Asia. Oil from this citronella grass is extracted commercially and used to make products like citronella candles, incense and sprays. Most researchers say they're effective, natural mosquito deterrents, at least to some extent.

How do you get rid of citronella smell?

Place a bowl of baking soda or coffee grounds in the room affected by the scent; these household products will absorb the odor.

What does citronella do to mosquitoes?

In areas of limited air movement, the citronella can keep mosquitoes away.

Why is citronella banned UK?

Under EU legislation described as “a nightmare” by one manufacturer, insecticides containing the substance will be banned from sale from 1 September. ... Horses occasionally have an allergic reaction to citronella, classed as a “natural chemical”, but no more than to any other ingredient, according to H&H vet Karen Coumbe.

Is citronella and lemongrass the same?

Though citronella grass may sometimes be called lemongrass, they are two different plants. ... However, citronella grass has reddish colored pseudostems, while lemongrass is all green. The oils can be used similarly, though they are not exactly the same.

Does citronella oil deter cats?

Citronella oil is a home made cat repellent that many people have had success with. Citronella is best known as a mosquito repellent, but cats find the Citronella odor to be distasteful. Simply mix one part Citronella oil to four parts water and spray liberally in the troubled areas.

Is citronella harmful to babies?

Purified forms of plants like citronella, cedar and soybean can help ward off bugs — although less effectively than DEET-containing products. Protection usually lasts less than a couple of hours, and because they need to be reapplied often, these oils shouldn't be used on babies younger than 2 months of age.

How effective is citronella?

But while the oil of citronella does repel mosquitoes to some degree, “in the amount and concentration that is put out via candles, it's not very effective,” says Joseph Conlon, a technical adviser for the American Mosquito Control Association.

Do citronella candles keep flies away?

Burning a citronella oil candle or incense sticks will not only repel flies, but mosquitos too. You can also buy special preparations of citronella oil to apply directly to your skin as a fly/mosquito repellent, but it does need to be applied more often than synthetic repellents.

What really works to keep mosquitoes away?

A lotion or spray containing DEET (it's safe, even for kids, when used as directed), picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon or eucalyptus is your best bet for keeping mosquitoes away, but it will wear off after a certain number of hours, depending on the formula, says Fredericks.