Quick Specs
- Brand: Auric Blends – Escential Essences
- Scent: Citronella, Lavender, and Lemongrass
- Quantity: 16 sticks per pack
- Form: Masala-style stick incense
- Best for: Daytime rituals, workspace clearing, meditation, outdoor use
Fresh, Cleansing, and Grounded: What This Blend Actually Does
I carry this blend because the three plants at its center each do real work, and together they reinforce rather than compete with each other. Citronella comes from Cymbopogon nardus, a tropical grass native to South and Southeast Asia. Its scent profile sits at the intersection of citrus and green, sharper than lemon and more assertive than most floral notes. In folk and ceremonial traditions across parts of Africa and the Caribbean, citronella has long been used in cleansing and protective contexts. Its reputation as a natural insect deterrent is grounded in actual chemistry: the grass produces citronellal and geraniol, both of which interfere with insect olfaction. In stick form the concentration is lighter, but the association and the aromatic effect are both present.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is close botanical kin to citronella and adds a slightly sweeter, more lemony top note that lifts the overall profile. In Thai, Indian, and Balinese ritual contexts, lemongrass has historically signaled cleansing and mental clearing. It’s associated with focus and with cutting through the kind of low-level psychic static that accumulates in a space over days. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) brings the blend back down to earth. Where citronella and lemongrass push energy upward and outward, lavender anchors. Its calming, stress-reducing properties are among the most studied in aromatherapy research. It’s been used in Western and Mediterranean herbal traditions for centuries as a sleep aid, a balancer, and a marker of peace.
The combination reads as bright and fresh but not frantic. It’s a cleansing scent with enough grounding in the lavender to make it suitable for extended ritual work, not just a quick space refresh. I reach for this one when I want to open a session feeling alert, clear, and steady rather than heavy or sleepy. It works well in workspaces, reading rooms, and any space where you need presence without weight.
How to Use Citronella Lavender Lemongrass Incense
How to light and use citronella, lavender, and lemongrass incense sticks for ritual and daily clearing work.
- Set Up Your Holder
Choose a heat-safe holder and set it on a stable surface away from fabric or paper. Light the tip of a stick until a small flame appears, then gently blow it out. Position the stick at an angle so ash falls into the holder below.
- Settle In Before You Begin
Sit with the smoke for a few minutes before beginning your work. The citronella cuts through mental fog, lemongrass sharpens focus, and lavender settles the nervous system. Let the scent do its work before you pick up any tools.
- Set Your Intention and Let It Burn
Use this blend to open a morning ritual, clear a workspace before a reading, or wind down a busy afternoon. Light one stick, state your intention aloud, and let it burn completely for the fullest effect of the combined scent profile.
The Tarot Fellow Standard
I stock Auric Blends’ Escential Essences line because the sticks are made in the USA and the line covers many scents. These aren’t the cheapest sticks on the market and they’re not trying to be. Masala-style construction means the fragrance is blended into the stick material itself rather than applied as a coating, so you get a more even release through the full burn.
One practical note: citronella’s insect-deterring reputation is real, but it’s strongest in concentrated forms like essential oils and candles. In incense form the effect is lighter. You may notice fewer insects in the immediate area while burning, but treat that as a pleasant side benefit rather than the main event. The scent is the thing.
If this blend appeals to you, browse my Escential Essences stick incense collection for the full range of Auric Blends scents, or pick up a stick incense burner if you need a reliable holder to go with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
These sticks combine three plants: citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) for its sharp citrus-grass note, lemongrass for brightness and clarity, and lavender for calm. Together they read as fresh, uplifting, and clean without being heavy.
The citronella essential oil is a well-documented natural insect deterrent, but in incense stick form the concentration is lighter than in a candle or spray. You may notice fewer insects nearby, but don't count on it as your only line of defense.
Light the tip, let the flame die, and place the stick in a holder. Set your intention before lighting. This blend suits workspace clearing, morning focus work, or any ritual where you want a clean, alert headspace without a heavy resinous note.
Each pack contains 16 sticks from Auric Blends' Escential Essences line. That's enough for a solid stretch of daily practice. If you burn one stick per session you'll have two weeks of regular use before you need to restock.
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