Ceylon Citronella

At a glance

Origin / distribution: Egypt, Mexico, Turkey, Java, Haiti, Panama(Cuna)

Cultural traditions: not documented

Recorded uses: Ache(Head), Anodyne, Carminative, Dentifrice

Science studied: BOURBONENE, 1-CARVOTANACETONE, D-CITRONELLAL, D-CITRONELLOL-N-BUTYRATE

Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗

Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.

Names and identity

Family: Poaceae

Scientific name: Cymbopogon nardus

Common names: Ceylon Citronella, Citronella, Ceylon citronella, Ceyloncitronell, Citronella Grass, Citronellgras, Isichunga, Serai wangi, Sereh, Seré, Syrian Nard, Sả Sri Lanka, Tambuti, Té limón, capim-de-cheiro, capim-santo, citronela, citronela-de-Java

POWO: 396972-1 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone

History

The source record documents this plant in Egypt, Mexico, Turkey, Elsewhere, Java, Haiti, Panama(Cuna).

It records these historical or traditional applications:

• Ache(Head)
• Anodyne
• Carminative
• Dentifrice
• Diaphoretic
• Disinfectant
• Dyspepsia
• Insecticide

This summary is limited to the cited source record.

Origins and distribution

• Egypt
• Mexico
• Turkey
• Elsewhere
• Java
• Haiti
• Panama(Cuna)

Documented cultural uses

• Ache(Head)
• Anodyne
• Carminative
• Dentifrice
• Diaphoretic
• Disinfectant
• Dyspepsia
• Insecticide
• Repellant(Insect)
• Malaria
• Neuralgia
• Rheumatism

Cultural record detail

These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.

• Ache(Head) · Egypt · "
• Anodyne · Mexico · "
• Carminative · Turkey · "
• Carminative · Mexico · "
• Dentifrice · Elsewhere · "
• Diaphoretic · Mexico · "
• Disinfectant · Elsewhere · "
• Dyspepsia · Java · "
• Insecticide · Elsewhere · "
• Repellant(Insect) · Elsewhere · "
• Malaria · Elsewhere · "
• Neuralgia · Mexico · "
• Rheumatism · Mexico · "
• Rubefacient · Turkey · "
• Rubefacient · Mexico · "
• Soap · Turkey · "
• Soap · Elsewhere · "
• Spasm · Mexico · "
• Stimulant · Mexico · "
• Stomach · Egypt · "
• Sudorific · Haiti · "
• Tea · Panama(Cuna) · "
• Thirst · Elsewhere · "
• Cholera · Mexico · "

3 additional documented entries remain in the source record.

Contemporary uses

Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.

Scientific research

Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.

Indexed research records

• Evaluation of Larvicidal Potential of Nepeta cataria and Cymbopogon nardus Essential Oils Against Aedes aegypti. · 2026 source ↗
• Acute and Subacute Dermal Toxicity Evaluation of a Combined Cymbopogon nardus and Eucalyptus globulus Essential Oil Formulation in Albino Wistar Rats · 2026 source ↗
• Assessment evaluation of ointments based on Lavandula angustifolia and Cymbopogon nardus on wound healing · 2026 source ↗

Scientific compounds

Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.

• BOURBONENE
• 1-CARVOTANACETONE
• D-CITRONELLAL
• D-CITRONELLOL-N-BUTYRATE
• CITRONELLYL-BUTYRATE
• P-CYMENE
• EO
• ETHANOL
• FARNESOL
• GERANIOL
• GERANYL-ACETATE
• GERANYL-BUTYRATE
• HEXANOL
• L-LIMONENE
• LINALOL
• LINALYL-ACETATE

Legality

No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.

Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.

Reference images

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0

CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive

Contributions and revisions

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