Eucalyptus essential oil
- Type
- Essential oil
- Botanical name
- Eucalyptus globulus; Eucalyptus polybractea; Eucalyptus smithii
- Other names
- eucalyptus oil
How the oil is made
Steam is passed through the fresh leaves or branch tips; after cooling, the oil separates from the water and is collected.[1] Eucalyptus globulus oil is often rectified where it is made: redistillation removes the lower aldehydes, which are blamed for a cough-provoking effect, raises the cineole content and improves the keeping qualities.[2]
Types
The medicinal, cineole-rich oils are sometimes called "Eucapharma" oils. In the 1960s Eucalyptus globulus was pharmaceutically the most important type and the largest eucalyptus oil grown and distilled in Europe. Eucalyptus polybractea oil contains up to 92% cineole and lacks the unpleasant-smelling lower aldehydes, and Eucalyptus smithii grows faster and gives more oil, with as much cineole or more.[2]
Other eucalyptus species give quite different oils, for example the fresh, rosy, citronella-like oil of Eucalyptus citriodora, rich in citronellal, or the piperitone-rich oil of Eucalyptus dives, a raw material for synthetic menthol.[2]
Uses
The main use of Eucalyptus globulus oil is in pharmaceutical preparations: cough drops, vaporisers, gargles and toothpaste, and as a rubefacient and general germicide, though its germicidal effect is not outstanding. In perfumery it is used in cheap scents, including those for technical products, and to mask odours, and in scents for soap it makes the other ingredients stand out.[2]
Herbal medicine
On the strength of long experience, eucalyptus oil medicines are traditionally used for cough with a cold and for localised muscle pain. Medicines taken by mouth are for adults and adolescents from 12 years; those inhaled, applied to the skin or added to a bath may be used from 4 years. A cough that lasts more than a week, or muscle pain that lasts more than one to two weeks, needs a doctor.[1]
Safety
No side effects had been reported with eucalyptus oil medicines at the time of the assessment. They must not be given to children under 30 months of age or to children who have had seizures, with or without fever. The reason is the risk of a spasm of the larynx (voice box). People with large skin injuries or open wounds, acute skin disease, high fever or severe infections should not take hot baths with eucalyptus oil. The same applies to people with severe circulation problems or heart failure.[1]
Quality and adulteration
In the 1960s, fractions from rectified Eucalyptus globulus oil were often used to cut other essential oils such as rosemary, spike lavender, thyme and Spanish sage oils.[2]
Products containing it
- 33 Herbs Essential Oil Blend (E 119)
- 33 Herbs Strong Essential Oil Blend (E 144)
- Aftershave Gel, Eucalyptus Nun's Valley Madeira (I 139)
- Body Cream With Eucalyptus Madeira (I 143)
- Body Cream With Juniper Oil (I 873)
- Body Cream With Thyme Oil (I 875)
- Energizing Face Cream, Eucalyptus Nun's Valley Madeira (I 140)
- Eucalyptus Madeira Essential Oil (E 150)
- Get Up! “Wind” Oil Blend (E 131)
- Mama Mia Aromatic Spray, Viva Plus (E 118)
- Massage Oil, Eucalyptus Nun's Valley Madeira (I 141)
- Shower Gel, Eucalyptus Nun's Valley Madeira (I 142)
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 European Medicines Agency, Eucalypti aetheroleum: herbal medicinal product. Retrieved 14 October 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Steffen Arctander, Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, Elizabeth, NJ, 1960: Eucalyptus Citriodora; Eucalyptus Dives; Eucalyptus Globulus; Eucalyptus Polybractea; Eucalyptus Smithii.