Lavender & Citronella Essential Oils: Benefits, Uses, and How I Use Them at Home

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Hello Beautiful!

Essential oils have been a staple in my home for years. From creating a calming atmosphere at home to helping with health issues and repelling bugs, these essential oils are magic in small bottles. My two go-to oils are Lavender and Citronella. 

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Citronella and Lavender essential oils

Lavender oil is hands down one of the most versatile and soothing essential oils out there. For me, it’s more than just a lovely floral scent — it’s a mood-booster, a sleep aid, and my quick fix for creating a spa-like vibe at home. Who doesn't adore the calming, sweet scent of lavender? It's iconic for a reason. 

My absolute favorite way to use lavender is in my essential oil burner. After a long day, or even just when I want to create a serene ambiance in the house, I'll add a few drops of pure lavender essential oil to my burner. Within minutes, my living room (or bedroom, depending on where I place it) is filled with that beautiful, relaxing aroma. It instantly makes the space feel more inviting, calm, and honestly, just nice. It's like a mini spa treatment for my home!

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Aura Crafts Lavender essential oil

Benefits of Lavender Oil:

Sleep Aid: This is probably its most famous benefit! A drop on your pillow or diffused before bedtime can really help you wind down and promote a more restful sleep. If you struggle with drifting off, give this a try.

Stress Buster: The aroma itself is a natural anxiolytic. Just inhaling the scent directly from the bottle or from a diffuser can help ease feelings of stress and tension. Perfect for those hectic days!

Skin Soother: Lavender has amazing calming properties. Although I have not tried personally but its known to calm and soothe minor skin irritations. 

Lavender essential oil 

My next hero is the Citronella oil. I am not a huge fan of the fragrance but it has its uses. It serves as an excellent bug repellent. I am strictly against the harsh chemical formulations because I have seen them in action and they are super harmful and damaging to the skin. Here is why. 

Incident 1: My cousin once brought a mosquito repellent from Boots UK for her kids on her visit to Pakistan, so it was supposed to be a gentle formula, suitable for the kids. The spray bottle got a slight leak during travel. So she took it out and placed it on my wooden study table. No one touched it for 4 to 5 days. The day, the spray bottle was lifted, it had left a mark/indent on the table surface and the top layer of the wooden table was wiped due to the leaking bottle. That was an eye opener for me. It damaged the wood and it was designed to be used on kids!!! What???

Incident 2: I attract mosquitoes. I am their favorite source of meal in my home. No one would get the love bites from them in my home except me and now my kids. So the monsoon season and Winters are quite challenging for me. I used Mospel years ago, probably over 15 years ago and I experienced skin darkening. After a week my arms had tanned considerably as if my skin had burnt. I stopped using the harsh chemical bug repellants and switched towards a more organic and natural solution for myself any my kids which is - Citronella oil. 

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Aura Crafts Citronella essential oil

So just like with Lavender oil, I use Citronella in my essential oil burner and let the fragrance take over. It works to keep away the bugs and also makes the house smell fresh and fragrant killing the bad odors, if any. Other than this, I apply the essential oil to my kids before their bed time or while stepping out of home if its a mosquito season. 

Citronella essential oil

Benefits of Citronella Oil

Odor Neutralizer: Its strong, fresh scent makes it great for masking and neutralizing unpleasant odors. Think pet smells, stale air, or even gym bags!

Mood Uplifter: While not as calming as lavender, citronella's bright, citrusy aroma can be quite uplifting and invigorating. It's a great oil to diffuse when you need a little energy boost or to clear your head.

Cleaning Aid: Due to its natural properties, some people use citronella in homemade cleaning solutions for an extra fresh scent and cleansing boost.

Lavender and citronella may seem like two very different oils, but they’ve both earned a permanent spot in my collection for their unique benefits. Lavender brings me peace and relaxation, while citronella offers protection and freshness. Together, they help me create a home that feels safe, calm, and inviting — naturally.

Disclaimer: It is recommended to dilute essential oils in carrier oils like coconut oil etc. before application on the skin. I apply directly on myself and my kids and haven't observed any reaction so far. Its further advised to avoid contact with eyes as the strong aroma may cause irritation, burning and watering in the eyes. 

Do you use essential oils in your home? Which ones are your favorites? Let me know in the comments section. Stay healthy and beautiful. xoxo!!! 


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