Citronella Plant: A Simple Plant That Saves Lives and Supports Livelihoods

The citronella plant is widely known for its ability to repel mosquitoes, thanks to its strong citrus fragrance. Beyond this, it’s a bee-, butterfly-, and bird-friendly plant that is easy to grow and offers a variety of personal, household, and community benefits.

In 2011, the Rotary Club of Greater Mandaluyong began planting citronella in the backyard of our Charter President, Mila Puyat. What started as a small initiative soon blossomed into a livelihood project, empowering mothers to produce citronella-based soaps and lotions. This initiative earned the club a Significant Achievement Award from R.I. — a recognition of both the health benefits and the economic opportunities it brought.

Mosquitoes are not just pests; they can carry deadly diseases such as dengue and malaria—both of which are preventable and treatable when addressed early. Citronella offers a natural and effective line of defense, particularly when the crushed leaves are rubbed directly on the skin to release the essential oils. Indeed, citronella plants serve not only as a natural insect repellent in the form of lotion or oil, but also possess antibacterial and antifungal properties.

To this day, the club continues to plant and replant citronella—in backyards, in partnership with LGUs, other Rotary Clubs, religious groups, and communities. It has expanded the project to include citronella oil extraction, producing soaps, oils, and soon, scented candles. These products are sold to support fundraising efforts and create sustainable livelihoods, especially for housewives. Citronella is more than a mosquito repellent. It can also be used as a culinary herb in teas and desserts, dried and added to potpourri, incorporated into floral arrangements for fragrance and texture, and grown in pots or gardens for its aesthetic appeal and practical use. 

Consistent with its continuing commitment to protect the environment and promote community and economic development, the club led by Good President Henry Rosario undertook "Project Greenshield" this new Rotary Year by planting citronella in Barangay Manzante, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, and encouraged around ten (10) housewives there to grow Citronella plants as a natural personal insect repellent, with the potential to extract the oil and sell it as a side business. The club also supplied some seedlings for the housewives to propagate, and instructed others on how to do the same. Previously, or on 19 August 2025, another citronella planting activity was undertaken in Solarena, La Union, with 12 residents and staff participating.

Written by: Muffet Manahan