• Botanical Name: Cymbopogon winterianus
• Family: Graminae
• Flowering and fruiting:
• Parts Used: Leaves
• Distribution: Cultivated throughout plain area of Nepal.
• Method of Extraction: Steam Distillation

Description:

Citronella is a tall fragrant perennial grass, growing up to a height of 1 - 1.5 m. The leaves are sessile, simple, green, linear, equitantly arranged and can grow to an average size of 60 cm long x 2.5 cm wide. The leaf is glabrous, venation parallel with an acuminate apice and sheathing base. There are no true stems. The leaf sheath is tubular and acts as a pseudostem.

Specification of Citronella
1. Organoleptic Properties
Appearance	Fluid liquid
Color	Light yellow
Aroma	Fresh & Sweet
2. Physico-chemical Properties
Specific gravity	0.8820 to 0.8875 at 23° C
Optical rotation	(-) 2 TO (-) 4 AT 23C
Refractive index	1.4750 to 1.4885 at 23° C
Acid number	0.5 TO 3.5
Ester number	20 TO 40
Ester number after acetylation	250 TO 280
Solubility	Soluble in 0.8 to 1.5 vol. of 80% alcohol
3. Chemical constituent:
Geraniol, citronellal.
4. Uses
In perfumery for the scenting of soaps and in the production of technical preparations Medicinal & Aromatherapy use: Anti-infectious, antiseptic, antibacterial, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, deodorant, diaphoretic fungicidal, insect repellent (mosquito), stomachic, excessive perspiration, oily skin and hair, room deodorizer, rheumatism and arthritic pain