Rhodinol is a term used to describe Citronellol and Geraniol- when they exist together. There are quite a few essential oils which contain rhodinol.

Essential Oils of Geranium, Rose, and a revolutionary new genotype of Lemongrass- are some of the examples- see the table below for a typical GC.

As a grower of bamboo, as well as essential oil crops- I, accidentally discovered an interesting application of rhodinol lemongrass for treating bamboo to protect it against pathogens and fungus, besides imparting a beautiful rosy aromatic note to our bamboo products.

Last few years, I have been experimenting with various oils- I found Oils of Rose and Geranium too expensive for my applications- though they also contain geraniol and citronellol in sizable proportions. I found Citral Rich lemongrass prone to oxidation, and very corrosive- The workers would complain of burning sensation- and hence shelved it too.

Our trials with Rhodinol Rich lemongrass turned out to be a success- and hence we have developed a curing process, where in we add Rhodinol Rich Lemongrass Oil to an oleo-thermal medium. Perhaps it's the anti- pest and anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of Citronellol and Geraniol (collectively called Rhodinol)- which get imbibed into the bamboo fiber that saves the bamboo from attack.

My interest in essential oils is multi-pronged-

a) -as a farmer and a distiller- our main crops are mints and rhodinol rich lemongrass

b) -as a raw material to treat and cure bamboo- bamboo handicrafts are a product of commerce for us.

c) -as a healing agent. Most civilizations have evolved methods of healing- into specialized activities. In India- ayurved is practiced - which uses dried plants- also called crude drugs. Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry are related sciences. The West, especially the Americas, have evolved aromatherapy as a healing procedure. 

In this regard, I found the following write ups on Rhodinol Lemongrass by some renowned names in aromatherapy very interesting.

http://www.aromahead.com/blog/2010/10/08/a-great-gentle-lemongrass-chemotype/

http://www.aromahead.com/blog/2011/07/22/lemongrass-that-does-not-irritate-your-skin-really/

http://www.whitelotusblog.com/2011/04/lemongrasscymbopogon-citratus-essential.html

https://www.aromatics.com/products/essential-oils/lemongrass-rhodinol-rich-india

https://www.facebook.com/aromatherapyoils/posts/136220063090506

Typical GC charts of geranium, rose and rhodinol rich lemongrass oils

Tags: anti-fungal, Bamboo Preservation, lemongrass, lemongrass oil, lemongrass rhodinol