Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is widely recognized for its use as a natural insect repellent, and this use is supported by both traditional practices and scientific evidence. The primary active component in lemongrass essential oil is citronellal, along with other volatile compounds such as geraniol and citronellol. These compounds have been shown in multiple laboratory and field studies to possess significant repellent activity against various insect species, including mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Anopheles species, which are vectors for diseases like dengue and malaria.

Experimental evidence indicates that topical application of lemongrass oil can provide short-term protection against mosquito bites, with efficacy sometimes comparable to that of synthetic repellents like DEET, particularly in the first 2–3 hours after application. However, its effectiveness tends to decrease more quickly than DEET, necessitating more frequent reapplication. The World Health Organization and several public health agencies recognize lemongrass and its constituents as effective natural repellents, though they caution about potential skin irritation in some users.

Traditionally, lemongrass has been used in many regions, especially in Southeast Asia and Africa, where fresh leaves are crushed and rubbed onto the skin or placed around living areas to deter insects. This convergence of traditional use and scientific validation positions lemongrass as a credible, natural alternative for insect repellency, though users should be aware of its limitations in duration and possible skin sensitivity.

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