Today’s spotlight of the all-about-oil topic is Eucalyptus Essential Oil. It is one of my favourite essential oils. I love its herbaceous scent and how it is refreshing every time when I am diffusing it at home.
Eucalyptus is a general name for up to 750 different species of the genus Eucalyptus, of which at least 500 produce essential oils. Even within the ones available to the aromatherapist, there are many subspecies and chemotypes. Today we are going to look into 4 species of eucalyptus essential oil that we commonly use in aromatherapy. Since it is such a huge topic to discuss, this entry will be a summary of types of eucalyptus essential oil that most commonly used in aromatherapy. Information is organized in the table for comparison, in order to help you make your choice easily.
Summary of eucalyptus essential oil
| Eucalyptus Species | Eucalyptus Gobulus | Eucalyptus Radiata | Eucalyptus Citriodora | Eucalyptus Dives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botanical Name | E.Gobulus | E.Radiata | C. citriodora | Eucalyptus dives piperitoniferum |
| Botanical Family | Myrtaceae | Myrtaceae | Myrtaceae | Myrtaceae |
| Other Name | southern blue gum or blue gum | narrow-leaved peppermint or Forth River peppermint | lemon-scented gum or spotted gum | broad-leaved peppermint or blue peppermint |
| Part of the plant extracted | Leaves | Leaves | Leaves | Leafy twigs |
| Extraction method | Complete distillation by steam distillation and rectification by successive distillation | Steam Distillation | Steam Distillation | Steam Distillation |
| Native Country | southeastern Australia | south-eastern Australia | north-eastern Australia | south-eastern Australia |
| Scent Profile | A very herbaceous scent with soft woody undertones | A crisp, clean, aroma with a hint of citrus and floral. | Light, sweet lemony citronella-type scent | Strong, Herbaceaous, Woody & Minty |
| Major chemical components | 70~85% cineole | 60~70% cineole | 60~75% citronella | 40~55% piperitone |
Types of Eucalyptus and uses
When it comes to choosing which eucalyptus essential oil is what you need, we have to first understand what is the result of aromatherapy you are looking for. Each eucalyptus species contains different major chemical components that lead to different therapy results.
| Eucalyptus Species | Eucalyptus Gobulus | Eucalyptus Radiata | Eucalyptus Citriodora | Eucalyptus Dives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major chemical components | 70~85% cineole | 60~70% cineole | 60~75% citronella | 40~55% piperitone |
| Properties | Anticatarrhal, powerful and mucolytic expectorant Antibacterial Antifungal Antiviral Airborne antiseptic Positive Refreshing | Promotes the proper functioning of the immune system Antibacterial and antiviral, Expectorant, anticatarrhal, mucolytic (facilitates the evacuation of bronchial secretions) Nasal decongestant, it gently unclogs the nose and facilitates breathing. Traditionally used to ward off insects | Powerful anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and analgesic Anti fungal, antiviral and antiseptic for the skin Repellent against mosquitoes | Helps stop sniffles and clear up congestion. Can help revitalize the senses and give you a mental boost. The clean aroma can freshen the space you are in and be a useful oil in cleaning products. Fights blemishes when added to your skincare routine. |
| Respiratory Infections | very useful | very useful | useful | useful |
| Fungal Skin Infections | useful | useful | very useful | useful |
| Muscle / Joint Pain | useful | useful | very useful | not known |
| Insect Repellent | useful | useful | very useful | not known |
DIY Projects with Eucalyptus essential oil
Diffuser blend recipes with eucalyptus essential oil
| Eucalyptus Species | Eucalyptus Gobulus | Eucalyptus Radiata | Eucalyptus Citriodora | Eucalyptus Dives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scent Profile | A very herbaceous scent with soft woody undertones | A crisp, clean, aroma with a hint of citrus and floral. | Light, sweet lemony citronella-type scent | Strong, Herbaceaous, Woody & Minty |
| Blends well with | Basil Linalool, Cajeput, Cedarwood Atlas, Citronella, Frankincense Serrata, Ginger Root CO2, Lavender, Lemon, Spearmint and Tea Tree. | Basil Linalool, Cajeput, Cedarwood Atlas, Citronella, Frankincense Serrata, Ginger Root CO2, Lavender, Lemon, Spearmint and Tea Tree. | Basil Linalool, Cajeput, Cedarwood Atlas, Citronella, Frankincense Carteri, Ginger Root CO2, Lavender, Lemon, Spearmint and Tea Tree. | Balm Mint Bush, Basil Linalool, Black Pepper, Cajeput, Cedarwood, Citronella, Fragonia, Frankincense, Ginger Root CO2, Kunzea, Lavender, Lemon, Rosemary 1,8-Cineole, and Tea Tree. |
Clean the air
Deodorize and cleanse the air with this eucalyptus oil blend that will leave your space refreshed.
- 3 drops Eucalyptus
- 3 drops Lemon
- 3 drops Sweet Marjoram
Respiratory rescue blend
This essential oil breathing recipe offers respiratory support and aid when you need it most. You can also use this oil blend in an aromatherapy in haler so you can take it on the go.
- 3 drops Eucalyptus
- 3 drops Peppermint
- 2 drops Lemon
- 2 drops Rosemary
You can use whatever type of eucalyptus oil you prefer in these diffuser blends. These diffuser blends are also designed for a diffuser with 200~250ml water tank. If you have a bigger diffuser, please adjust the recipe accordingly.
safety information
| Eucalyptus Species | Eucalyptus Gobulus | Eucalyptus Radiata | Eucalyptus Citriodora | Eucalyptus Dives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diffusing over 3 months | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe |
| Topical max: 3 months – 3 years old | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Topical max: 3 – 6 years old | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% |
I hope this brief summary will help you to determine which eucalyptus essential oil is what you needed. Be well!
resources
- Wikipedia: Eucalyptus Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus, Eucalyptus Radiata, Eucalyptus Dives, Eucalyptus Citriodora
- Robert tisserand institute: Types of eucalyptus ā uses and safety
- Essential Oil Safety Own Safety Profiles for 400 Essential Oils and 206 Constituents Authors: Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young
- The Complete Book Of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Includes 125 Essential Oil Profiles Author: Valerie Ann Worwood
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Calleigh
Hi, I am Calleigh, MEng Chemical Engineering and a process engineer, and I'm here to show you how to DIY your skincare and household products with the correct formulation and using only natural ingredients. I believe that eating good food (Yes I have cooking recipes too!) and living in a chemical-free environment are the keys to having a healthy lifestyle. And that doesn't need to be expensive.
