Can Citronella Have a Positive Effect on Histamine? ⁣

Okay. This is a bit of a weird one this, but we recently got back from a fab and exotic holiday in Thailand. I am feeling lucky, relaxed, and my histamine bucket is low. ⁣

To protect myself from the mosquitoes, I sprayed myself every night with this natural bug spray. ⁣

And here's the weird thing - I felt AWESOME every time I smelt it.

So I'm wondering about the ingredients. Can citronella (the strongest smell) have a positive effect on histamine? ⁣ (ps I know there is alcohol in this solution that I bought in Thailand. I normally would avoid that but in this instance I was fine with it).

I asked my audience on Instagram if there is something to the positive effect of essential oils like lemongrass, citronella and others on histamine intolerance or is it just a nice smell. Here are some of the responses:

“I hate so many smells, but I love lemongrass, citronella. They make me feel better.”

“I think it’s the interaction to what you may have as ‘mold toxicity’.. I just listened to a podcast in mycotoxins and citrus candles / sprays apparently soothe it / diffuse it .. so might be why you feel good.”

“I read that essential oils can trigger but calm as well. It's very individual. But some oils, like food can help to calm down the mast cells. My oil is mentha piperita. This let me feel better. It's an oil that is cooling. I think oils like cinnamon oil could be critical for it's more activating.

I read a lot about essential oils and illness and since I got histamine intolerance this oils got my focus again. Violet oil may cause histamine problems for it may trigger the mast cells. It is a more warming oil. Best you begin careful with testing for it is very individual like the food. Some can use chili but some not. Got no experience with citronella so far. Think I will try.”

Perhaps this is why I felt awesome.