 Botany
Balaniu is an erect, stout, leafy and fairly tall grass, 50 to 100 centimeters in height. Leaves are long and narrow, 30 - 50 centimeters long, 6- 12 millimeters wide. Panicle is large, often supra-decompound; the branches are loosely or closely packed, erect at length, often drooping. Spathes are laxly or closely imbricate, 1 to 2 centimeters long, with spikes provided with 4 to 5 pairs of spikelets, sessile, awned.
Distribution
- In many parts of Luzon, In open grasslands at low and medium altitudes.
- Also occurs from Japan southwards through Taiwan and southeast China.
- Cultivated in India, Ceylon and other tropical coutries for its essential oil.
Constituents
- Culm and leaves yield a small quantity of extractable aromatic oil.
- When the grass is distilled, yields a pale-yellow oil with a strong odor, known commercially as citronella oil.
- Oil reportedly contains an aldehyde, a terpene, an isomer of borneol (citronellol), acetic and valeric acids.
- The local variety tortilis yields an oil used locally to perfume soap. If studied, it is expected to yield citronella oil.
- Major constituents of essential oil are: citronella 31.6, neral 28.6, citronellol 10.6, elemicine 7.3, geranyl acetate 4.6, elemol 3.7, limonene 3.2, and isopulegol 2.7%.
 Properties
- Oil is considered antispasmodic, carminative, repellent, stimulant.
- Considered astringent, rubefacient, antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal.
Parts used
Oil.
Uses
Folkloric
- Used as antispasmodic, carminative and stimulant.
- In India, the oil is used as externall application for rheumatism and is also used to stimulate hair growth.
- Used for muscle pain and neuralgia.
Others
Oil: Although uncertain if the variety tortilis yields citronella oil, the oil distilled from this variety is used locally to perfume soap. Also used in tea preparations and as flavoring.
Insecticide: Ointment made from the oil used as protection against mosquito bites. Oil used in making insect repellent in sprays and candles.
Fodder: Grass provides fodder and pasture for livestock.
Paper: Stem and leaves can be source of paper material.
Studies
• Fungistatic / Atmospheric Preservative:
Study evaluated 37 essential oils for potential use as atmospheric preservatives. Cymbopogon nardus var. narudus was one of the most active essential oils. By micro-atmosphere method, C. nardus and C. martinii were the most fungistatic.
• Antifungal:
Study of C. nardus (citronella oil) showed antifungal activity, suppressing the growth of several species of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Eurotium.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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