Effect of Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) Aromatherapy Inhalation on Hematology Profile in Mice (Mus musculus)

Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) is one of the herbal plants that is almost spread throughout Indonesia. Citronella contains compounds with various benefits. This study aims to determine the effect of citronella essential oil given by inhalation on the hematological profile of Swiss webster mice. Citronella essential oil was obtained through steam-water distillation and tested for phytochemistry with color reagents. The mice were divided into five groups: negative control, positive control, P1 group with exposure duration of 30 minutes, P2 for 60 minutes and P3 for 90 minutes. The dose of essential oil given was 500 µL dissolved in pyrogen-free water in a ratio of 1:1. The results of hematological examinations were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis Test and found that the administration of citronella essential oil had no significant effect on all hematological parameters.