Alternative Treatments Information Update

French Translation

Bookmark and Share

Citronnelle


Remember the last Dumpling Festival? Did your mother or grandmother hang a pair of small bundle of sweet-scented grass in the morning on top of the door? Did they claim that the grass has the power to dispel evil when you use the water boiled with the leave for bathing? Did you remember the distinct, unmistakable lemon-like fragrance that left you feeling very invigorated? That leaf is none other than Citronnelle.

Description of Citronnelle

Like lemongrass and rosemary, citronnelle also belongs to the grass family, which is rich in essential oil. Citronnelle originates in India, belonging to the sweet-scented grass family there. These are about 40 different species of citronnelle; each contains high fibre and citral. It is a perennial herb widely cultivated in the tropics and sub-tropics. Its long narrow leaves are much like that of the wheat grass, and are easily mistaken for weeds. To differentiate between citronnelle leaves and weeds, just pluck a section of the leaf and rub it between the fingers. If it is a citronnelle that you have plucked, the distinctive lemon-like fragrance will immediately invigorate you. Although there are many different species of citronnelle, they all grow high and tall, reaching to a height of about 1.2m to 1.5m. Wild citronnelle can be found in highlands, while cultivated citronnelle is found along the coastal regions. Since the plant rarely flowers or yield seeds, propagation is by the roots or plant division. The leaves of the plant can be harvested when they reach 8 months old. The plant grows well in warm, humid climate, and this is exactly what Taiwan has to offer. The most popular species that is cultivated in Taiwan actually originated from Sri Lanka, New Guinea and Guyana.

Origins of Citronnelle

During the period of Taiwans reconstruction, Taiwan was very reliant on the natural resources that are widely found on this island. At that time, citronnelle was found growing wildly around the Xinzhu and Miaoli regions. Taiwan became the number one producer of citronnelle essential oil extracted from these wild plants. But, as chemically derived fragrances get more and more popular with consumers, the demand for pure citronnelle essential oil fell drastically. Presently, some 40 to 50 years later, even the younger generations do not know what citronnelle is! Fortunately, as the world progresses, many different cuisines started to be introduced to people worldwide. Our younger generations were re-introduced to citronnelle through the sourish, spicy Asian cuisine which uses a lot of citronnelle, especially in their seafood soup, sauces, curry and even desserts. Citronnelle not only provides us with essential oil, its long leaves could also be boiled to obtain scented water for a long refreshing bath. It could also be boiled with mint leaves to provide a pot of invigorating drink.

Effectiveness of Citronnelle

The citronnelle essential oil is extracted from its leaves through the process of steam distillation, and the colour of its oil range from amber yellow to dark brown, with a very distinct and strong lemon scent. According to ancient Chinese medicinal records, citronnelle helps to stop nausea and alleviate heart pains. Bathing with water boiled with citronnelle leaves helps to emanate an ethereal fragrance. According to records, citronnelle helps in indigestion, strengthens the stomach, eases muscle tension, nourishes the skin and beautifies the complexion. With such excellent benefits, Bel'Air is proud to bring you the citronnelle essential oil to give you the ultimate relaxation so that you can enjoy a better nights sleep.


MORE RESOURCES:

Los Angeles Times

Grammys 2012: 'Bon Iver' wins for alternative album
Los Angeles Times
The experimental folk act Bon Iver has won for alternative album at the 54th Grammy Awards for its second and self-titled album, beating several major-label peers for the honor. The project, led by Wisconsin-based singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, ...
Bon Iver wins Grammy for best alternative music albumMilwaukee Journal Sentinel
Bon Iver Grammys 2012: Justin Vernon and Band Win Best Alternative Music AlbumSpinner
Wisconsin's Bon Iver wins Best Alternative Music AlbumNewsradio 620
Wetpaint
all 773 news articles »


Alternative Medicine May Impact Physical and Emotional Health - Dr. Carol ...
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Fields associated to the New Biology suggest that alternative medicine tools may impact cellular health and biochemistry and psychological well-being. 12 of these tools will be taught Feb 16, 2012, by Psychologist Dr. Carol Francis in the Los ...

and more »


Stoughton Academy offers alternative to traditional high school
The Patriot Ledger
DiClemente started looking into alternatives when a friend considered dropping out of high school. Through her research, she came across Stoughton Academy. The school offers night classes for students who have dropped out of high school or adults ...

and more »


My Fox 8

School bra search case headed to NC Supreme Court
My Fox 8
RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The case of a teenager who had to untuck her shirt and pull out her bra with her thumb as part of a search for pills at an alternative school in North Carolina is headed to the state Supreme Court. A 2-1 ruling last year by the ...
NC high court to hear case of teen who had to lift bra as part of school's ...The Republic

all 62 news articles »


Philadelphia Inquirer (blog)

Science Hints at Alternative Recipes for Life. Evolution is the Common Thread
Philadelphia Inquirer (blog)
Some insight now is coming from earthly labs, where scientists are building alternative kinds of genetic codes, and showing how they can evolve. Whether life could be built with an alien biochemistry was among the more interesting questions that came ...



Alternative Valentine's Day ideas
Gaston Gazette
Valentine's Day is just days away, and if you haven't already purchased your heart-shaped box of candy for your sweetie, here are a few ideas to make your holiday a little more special, and a lot more green. Celebrating “love” on Valentine's Day is ...



Christian-based alternative to Girl Scouts grows in St. Louis area
STLtoday.com
American Heritage Girl "Tenderheart" Bailey Nagle salutes the flag during a flag ceremony which started the troop meeting Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at St. John's Lutheran School in Ellisville. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com ...

and more »


International Business Times

SpeakToIt Voice Assistant for iPhone - Not Your Average Siri Clone
PC Magazine
By BrothaTech I originally wrote about the Speaktoit voice assistant app as an alternative to Siri for Android users. Now that the app is available for the iOS platform, it also wants to be an alternative to Siri for iPhone users as well.
Top 5 Siri Alternatives for Your iPhone and Other SmartphonesInternational Business Times
Speaktoit Releases iOS App to Compete with SiriPadGadget

all 10 news articles »


CBC.ca

Rick Santorum is the conservative alternative to reality
Washington Post (blog)
By Stephen Stromberg Rick Santorum isn't the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. He's the conservative alternative to reality. He consistently mistakes belief for truth — and even fiction for fact. On abortion, belief becomes truth: He regularly ...
Conservatives: Romney's OK if Obama is alternativeHuffington Post
Santorum Pulls A Newt: It's A 'Two-Person Race!'TPM
Our opinion: GOP campaign is driven by a force of nature: VotersTimes Record News
CBS News -The Daily Campus
all 5,089 news articles »


Report urges alternative to mass deportation of illegal immigrants
Sierra Vista Herald
Recognizing the current political reality, they have sought to market the idea of attrition through enforcement as a kinder, gentler alternative to the harsh, expensive, and unworkable strategy of mass deportation,” states the Immigration Policy Center ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2010