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- Eucalyptus
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 | Eucalyptus Essential Oil |
| The genus Eucalyptus makes up nearly
3/4 of Australia's total number of plant species. In the late 1700s, early botanists first
tackled the job of describing the more than 500 species of eucalyptus trees. The job isn't
yet complete. New varieties and hybrids are still being discovered, and old
classifications revised. The genus name is derived from the Greek eu, meaning "well", and kalyptos, meaning "cover". Eu kalyptos refers to the well-covered flower buds, which are cone shaped and have a lid-like structure that opens as the flowers mature. Aromatherapists and over-the-counter pharmaceutical manufacturers might take the name to mean that eucalyptus covers well a variety of common conditions. Aromatherapists use the oil for its energizing, clarifying aroma. Lots of the hundreds of colds and flu preparations available -- cough drops, throat lozenges and chest rubs -- contain eucalyptus oil and its derivatives. Eucalyptus trees are known as gum trees because they exude a sticky, tannin-rich substance known as kino. Thanks to its astringent properties, kino has a history of medicinal use. At one time it was also used as a tanning agent in the manufacture of leather goods. Another common name for eucalyptus is fever tree. Nineteenth-century British colonists, noting the fragrant, medicinal aroma of eucalyptus groves, planted the trees in tropical fever ridden districts throughout the Empire in an effort to drive away insects and contagious disease. An added plus (in the colonists' eyes) was that the trees also tended to dry out water-logged soils with their extensive, hungry root systems, making marshy soils into arable, habitable land. This deterred disease-carrying insects, especially mosquitoes, which need standing water to breed. Today eucalyptus essential oil is distilled not only
in Australia and Tasmania but in Brazil, California, China, India, Portugal, Russia and
Spain.
The primary active constituent in the medicinal/aromatherapy eucalyptus species is cineol, also known as eucalyptol. Cineol's medicinal, camphoraceous aroma has antiseptic and expectorant properties. The brisk aroma is energizing. Species of eucalyptus oils that are used in industry contain constituents used in flotation, a process used mainly in the mining industry to separate ore particles from unwanted minerals. The eucalyptus oil most often used in perfumery is eucalyptus citriodora, the lemon-scented eucalyptus. Lemon eucalyptus contains up to 90% citronellal along with geraniol. Both of these constituents are primary fragrancing compounds in the perfume and cosmetics industry. Such a high percentage of citronellal in one botanical source makes its extraction very cost-effective. |
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All eucalyptus oils are produced through steam distillation of the fresh leaves and branch tips. The initial distillation yields a darker yellow oil than most commercially available oil. This is because the crude oil is redistilled or rectified, removing various less stable constituents that would cause the oil to deteriorate more rapidly. It also produces a more consistent product with the characteristic cineol constituent predominating. People familiar with the sweet, fresh-woody aroma of green eucalyptus leaves are often confused by the more medicinal aroma of the oil. This difference is due to the chemical changes that naturally take place when heat is applied in distillation and redistillation. Also, some aroma constituents in the living plant are not a part of the essential oil. For those wishing to use a sweeter eucalyptus the lemon-scented variety is a good alternative.
Aromatherapy applications rely on the activating, vitalizing and energizing actions the aroma of eucalyptus inspires. An activating eucalyptus massage oil is effective for sore and aching muscles. Combine the following:
| 20 drops eucalyptus | 20 drops lavender | 5 drops peppermint |
| 20 drops rose | 5 drops wintergreen |
Add no more than 36 drops of this blend to 3 ounces of sweet almond oil. Shake briefly. Massage a small amount into tired, achy muscles and joints.
The brisk scent of eucalyptus adds an inspiring note to a water based workout spritzer. This activating formula is great to carry in the gym. Whenever a workout routine needs a little boost simply spritz your face lightly and inhale the fresh, invigorating aroma. Combine the following essential oils:
| 20 drops eucalyptus | 40 drops lavender | 20 drops lemon |
| 10 drops spearmint | 10 drops orange |
Add no more than 36 drops of this blend to 3 ounces of distilled water. Shake vigorously and add to a bottle with a spray atomizer attachment. Be sure to shake the bottle before each application. Not only is this blend inspiring, it also combats locker room odor.
The use of eucalyptus oil in spiritual aromatherapy is limited, probably because its aroma is so powerful and medicinal. But small amounts of eucalyptus oil skillfully blended with uplifting, gently inspiring oils such as bergamot, lemon and lavender support and activate transcendent, as opposed to deeply reflective, meditative inner work.
A spiritually energizing blend might include the following essential oils:
| 30 drops bergamot | 50 drops lemon | 20 drops eucalyptus |
Add 10 to 15 drops of this blend to 1/4 cup distilled water and place the mixture in an aromatherapy candle diffuser lamp. The gentle diffusion created by a flickering candle lamp is very effective in spiritual aromatherapy work.
The uses and aromatherapy applications of eucalyptus essential oils are as varied and adaptable as the widely planted trees themselves. Medicine, industry, perfumery and of course aromatherapy have all come to rely on the properties of eucalyptus oil, and are likely to do so in the future.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This web site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
