GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Citronella (Indonesia)
Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt
Chemotype: Java type
- PLANT PART
- leaves
- EXTRACTION
- steam distillation
- AROMA NOTE
- top-mid
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 60 / 100
- Note layer
- top-mid
If you like this scent, explore
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- 18.2%
- Phototoxicity
- Not flagged in this profile
- Oxidation risk
- medium
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
No furocoumarin-related phototoxic restriction identified.
Contraindications & cautions
- moderateMay cause skin sensitization in sensitive individuals and may contain restricted methyleugenol depending on chemotype and origin.
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
This Indonesia Java citronella profile follows ISO 3848 ranges for Cymbopogon winterianus and is centered on citronellal, geraniol, and citronellol, with smaller acetate and monoterpene fractions.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| citronellal | 35.5% | 31–40% | monoterpene aldehyde | View sourceISO 3848:2016 Essential oil of citronella, Java type PDF p.2 lines 141-159 |
| geraniol | 22.5% | 20–25% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceISO 3848:2016 Essential oil of citronella, Java type PDF p.2 lines 156-159 |
| citronellol | 11.25% | 8.5–14% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceISO 3848:2016 Essential oil of citronella, Java type PDF p.2 lines 155-157 |
| geranyl acetate | 4% | 2.5–5.5% | monoterpene ester | View sourceISO 3848:2016 Essential oil of citronella, Java type PDF p.2 lines 153-155 |
| citronellyl acetate | 3% | 2–4% | monoterpene ester | View sourceISO 3848:2016 Essential oil of citronella, Java type PDF p.2 lines 149-152 |
| limonene | 3.5% | 2–5% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceISO 3848:2016 Essential oil of citronella, Java type PDF p.2 lines 145-147 |
| linalool | 1% | 0.5–1.5% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceISO 3848:2016 Essential oil of citronella, Java type PDF p.2 lines 146-149 |
| Elemol | 4.5% | — | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourcePMC9099579 'Evaluation of the In Vitro Antiparasitic Effect of the Essential Oil of Cymbopogon winterianus', full GC-MS table (geraniol 42.13, citronellal 17.31, elemol 6.71, germacrene 4.44, beta-elemene 2.69, nerolidol 3.38, delta-cadinene 1.05, guaiol 1.14); elemol range 0.8-8.2% per J. Essent. Oil Res. 32(5) 2020. |
| Germacrene D | 3% | — | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourcePMC9099579 'Evaluation of the In Vitro Antiparasitic Effect of the Essential Oil of Cymbopogon winterianus', full GC-MS table (geraniol 42.13, citronellal 17.31, elemol 6.71, germacrene 4.44, beta-elemene 2.69, nerolidol 3.38, delta-cadinene 1.05, guaiol 1.14); elemol range 0.8-8.2% per J. Essent. Oil Res. 32(5) 2020. |
| beta-Elemene | 2.5% | — | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourcePMC9099579 'Evaluation of the In Vitro Antiparasitic Effect of the Essential Oil of Cymbopogon winterianus', full GC-MS table (geraniol 42.13, citronellal 17.31, elemol 6.71, germacrene 4.44, beta-elemene 2.69, nerolidol 3.38, delta-cadinene 1.05, guaiol 1.14); elemol range 0.8-8.2% per J. Essent. Oil Res. 32(5) 2020. |
| Nerolidol | 2% | — | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourcePMC9099579 'Evaluation of the In Vitro Antiparasitic Effect of the Essential Oil of Cymbopogon winterianus', full GC-MS table (geraniol 42.13, citronellal 17.31, elemol 6.71, germacrene 4.44, beta-elemene 2.69, nerolidol 3.38, delta-cadinene 1.05, guaiol 1.14); elemol range 0.8-8.2% per J. Essent. Oil Res. 32(5) 2020. |
| delta-Cadinene | 1% | — | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourcePMC9099579 'Evaluation of the In Vitro Antiparasitic Effect of the Essential Oil of Cymbopogon winterianus', full GC-MS table (geraniol 42.13, citronellal 17.31, elemol 6.71, germacrene 4.44, beta-elemene 2.69, nerolidol 3.38, delta-cadinene 1.05, guaiol 1.14); elemol range 0.8-8.2% per J. Essent. Oil Res. 32(5) 2020. |
| Guaiol | 1% | — | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourcePMC9099579 'Evaluation of the In Vitro Antiparasitic Effect of the Essential Oil of Cymbopogon winterianus', full GC-MS table (geraniol 42.13, citronellal 17.31, elemol 6.71, germacrene 4.44, beta-elemene 2.69, nerolidol 3.38, delta-cadinene 1.05, guaiol 1.14); elemol range 0.8-8.2% per J. Essent. Oil Res. 32(5) 2020. |
Profile source: ISO 3848:2016 Essential oil of citronella, Java type; Citronella Essential Oil (Java) product sources · ISO chromatographic range table; New Directions / Chemistry Store snippets identifying Indonesia origin, leaves, steam distillation, and medium aroma for Java citronella
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used to help deter biting insects in outdoor blends
- used in aromatherapy for an uplifting, fresh, lemony-green top note
- reported to support a clean, refreshed mood when diffused
- used in household and candle fragrance for its bright citrus-herbal character
- traditionally associated with cleansing, purifying atmosphere in folk use
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 1 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- The public source trail for the 18.2% oil-level maximum is secondary and derived from geraniol-based reasoning rather than a directly readable primary Java citronella safety monograph.