A Cup of Nostalgia: Remembering My Grandmother Through Citronella
- ZanouNelie
- Apr 14
- 2 min read
This morning, I woke up feeling nostalgic about my childhood. About one particular scent I just couldn't get out of my mind. Citronella.
Growing up, we didn’t have fancy tea bags or essential oils neatly packaged for convenience. Healing, nourishment, and comfort came straight from nature—often from the plants growing around us. My grandmother had farms, and for a few years, my brother and I lived with her. Almost everything we ate came from her harvest. Almost every ailment was treated with a plant or its derivatives.
Citronella was one of them.
She used it to make tea. I can still see her, cutting a handful of leaves, rinsing them under water, and adding them to a pot. As the water came to a boil, the scent would fill the entire kitchen—fresh, powerful, and citrusy, like lemon but with its own unique warmth. When it was ready, she’d pour the golden liquid into cups, unstrained, and serve it to us.
That aroma still lingers in my mind, even after all these years.
Bringing the Past Into the Present
Today, I grow citronella in my backyard. I bought the plant at Home Depot, and after almost four years, it’s still thriving. On days like today, when nostalgia calls, I do what my grandmother did. I pick a few leaves, rinse them, and steep them in hot water. And just like that, the scent transports me back in time.
But now, I have the luxury of research.
I learned that citronella is a perennial grass, originally derived from managrass in Sri Lanka. That’s an interesting detail, considering I grew up in Cameroon. I also discovered its many uses—it's an antiseptic, an antispasmodic, a deodorant, and more. The essential oil is extracted through steam distillation and is commonly found in perfumes and aromatherapy. It’s even used to relieve colds and flu.
And, of course, it’s a well-known mosquito repellent.
The Wisdom in Tradition
Suddenly, it all made sense. My grandmother wasn’t just making tea—she was protecting us. In Cameroon, malaria was (and still is) a serious threat. Mosquito bites carried the risk of a deadly disease, so prevention was everything. By keeping citronella around the house, she was ensuring we stayed safe.
She knew, instinctively, what I am only now coming to understand.
So today, as I sip my citronella tea, I think of her. I think of the wisdom she passed down without ever needing a book or an article to validate it. I think of the ways she cared for us, using the resources she had, trusting in nature’s ability to heal and protect.
And I am grateful.
As ever, thank you for being here. Until next time, be kind to yourself and others, and take care!
Zanounelie
Reference:
*The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Sourcebook* by Julia Lawless
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