What is citronellol used for?

Citronellol is often used to repel mosquitoes and other insects. It’s also used for its citrusy fragrance in perfumes and cleaning products. Citronellol’s potential health benefits include anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and antifungal effects.

Is citronellol a terpene?

Yes. Citronellol is a terpene, which is a type of chemical compound that contributes to the effects, aroma, and flavor of plants, including cannabis, lemongrass, and eucalyptus.

Is citronellol safe for humans?

Citronellol is often used topically, and is generally considered safe for use when it’s diluted. Applying pure citronellol to the skin may cause irritation.

What are the effects of citronellol?

Citronellol has potential health benefits, including pain-relieving, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing effects. It may also help treat symptoms of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and more.

Citronellol: Benefits, uses, risks, and more

Citronellol is a terpene found in cannabis, citronella, and other plants. It’s commonly used as a mosquito repellent. It may also offer potential health benefits.

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What is citronellol?

Citronellol is the dominant terpene in the citronella plant. Smaller amounts can also be found in:

Cannabis
Geraniums
Lemongrass
Ginger
Eucalyptus
Catnip

Terpenes play a role in the smell, taste, and effects of plants. Citronellol has a citrusy aroma and helps protect plants against insects.

In addition to its possible health benefits, citronellol has several uses. It can be found in:

Insect repellents
Cosmetics and fragrances
Personal hygiene products
Household cleaning products

Citronellol benefits

There’s evidence that citronellol may offer certain health benefits.

Reduces pain and inflammation

A mouse study found that citronellol may help lower inflammation and pain levels. But, more studies in humans are needed to confirm these benefits.

Treats fungal infections

Citronellol may have antifungal properties that can help treat fungal infections, such as ringworm.

Promotes wound healing

One study found that applying citronellol to wounds can help them heal faster. Citronellol may reduce wound-related skin inflammation and fungal infections of the skin to promote healing.

Lowers blood pressure

A rat study found that citronellol may help lower blood pressure. But studies in humans are needed to confirm this effect.

Reduces brain inflammation

A rat study found that citronellol may help lower brain inflammation that can contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease.

Balances blood sugar

Insulin is a hormone that helps balance your body’s blood sugar levels. Diabetes is a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or doesn’t use it properly, which makes stabilizing healthy blood sugar levels a challenge.

A rat study found that citronellol may help regulate insulin in the body, which could play a role in treating diabetes.

Citronellol terpene in cannabis

Citronellol is one of over 150 terpenes found in the cannabis plant. Cannabis usually contains very trace amounts of this terpene. Most strains contain between 0.001% and 0.003% citronellol. There are no known strains of cannabis that contain higher amounts of citronellol.

Citronellol side effects

When used as directed, citronellol is generally considered safe. But applying pure citronellol to your skin may cause irritation. Always dilute the citronellol in essential oil forms with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, to help avoid irritation when using it topically.

The bottom line: Although it’s a minor terpene in cannabis, citronellol offers benefits

Cannabis produces very low amounts of citronellol, but the terpene still offers potential health benefits, from reducing inflammation and pain to lowering blood pressure and balancing blood sugar.

To learn more about how citronellol and other cannabis terpenes can affect you, talk to your doctor or schedule an appointment with a Leafwell provider who can answer all of your questions.

Resources

11 essential oils: Their benefits and how to use them https://health.clevelandclinic.org/essential-oils-101-do-they-work-how-do-you-use-them
Antidiabetic efficacy of citronellol, a citrus monoterpene by ameliorating the hepatic key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0009279716300564
Antifungal activity of β -citronellol against two non-albicans Candida species. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10412905.2020.1737588
Antifungal activity of geraniol and citronellol, two monoterpenes alcohols, against Trichophyton rubrum involves inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268529313_Antifungal_activity_of_geraniol_and_citronellol_two_monoterpenes_alcohols_against_Trichophyton_rubrum_involves_inhibition_of_ergosterol_biosynthesis
Chemical composition and anti-candidiasis mediated wound healing property of Cymbopogon nardus essential oil on chronic diabetic wounds. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4928018/
Citronellol, a monoterpene alcohol, reduces nociceptive and inflammatory activities in rodents. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11418-012-0632-4
Effect of citronellol on oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and autophagy pathways in an in vivo model of Parkinson’s disease. https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(22)02722-0
Hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects of citronellol, a monoterpene alcohol, in rats. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20002067/
Secondary terpenes in Cannabis sativa L.: Synthesis and synergy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9775512/
Terpenes in Cannabis sativa – From plant genome to humans. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168945219301190?via%3Dihub

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Guide to citronellol, a terpene in cannabis