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| Eucalyptus Globulus |
The fever tree or eucalyptus has been planted to help fight contagious diseases and get rid of mosquitoes. The main component in eucalyptus oil used for aromatherapy is eucalyptol which has expectorant properties and is used in cough drops and throat lozenges. Also often added to these formulas is peppermint oil. Lemon eucalyptus, often used in the perfume and cosmetic industry, contain geraniol and citronellal. Eucalyptus oil is derived from the steam distillation of branch tips and eucalyptus leaves from several types of eucalyptus trees including Eucalyptus Radiata and eucalyptus citriodora. Many oils blend well with eucalyptus oil including lavender oil, peppermint essential oil, lemon oil, oil of wintergreen, bergamot oil, and rosewood essential oil. Add to a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil to use in aromatherapy diffusers. Try oil of lemon eucalyptus in an energizing blend and wintergreen oil in a blend for aching joints. Also try a patio spray using lemon eucalyptus.
Almost three quarters of the plant species in Australia are from the Eucalyptus genus. Botanists in the late 1700s began describing more than 500 species of eucalyptus trees and still are not finished. New varieties and hybrids are still being found, and old classifications changed.
The genus name eu kalyptos meaning "well cover" refers to the cone shaped flower buds that open as the flowers mature, creating a good covering. It also covers a variety of common conditions well. Eucalyptus oil is used for its energizing and clarifying aroma. Kino is a sticky, tannin-rich substance that comes from gum Eucalyptus trees. Its astringent properties make it beneficial for medicinal use. Many cold and flu formulas, such as cough drops, throat lozenges, and chest rubs contain eucalyptus oil and its derivatives.
Another name for eucalyptus is fever tree. In the 1800s, British colonists planted eucalyptus trees in tropical regions ridden with fever to try to drive away insects and contagious diseases. The trees also tended to dry out water-logged soils, making land habitable and deterring disease-carrying insects, especially mosquitoes, which need standing water to breed.
Today eucalyptus oil is distilled in Australia, Tasmania, Brazil, California, China, India, Portugal, Russia, and Spain.
The many different eucalyptus species and their oils can be divided into three groups:
1. Medicinal and aromatherapy oils such as E. globulus and E. radiata
2. Industrial oils
3. Perfume oils, mainly E. citriodora
The main active constituent in the medicinal/aromatherapy eucalyptus species is cineol, also known as eucalyptol. Cineol's medicinal, camphoraceous aroma has antiseptic and expectorant properties with a brisk energizing aroma.
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| Eucalyptus Radiata |
Eucalyptus species used for industrial purposes contain constituents used in flotation, a process mostly used in the mining industry to separate ore particles from unwanted minerals.
The eucalyptus oil used most often in perfumery is eucalyptus citriodora, a lemon-scented eucalyptus, containing up to 90% citronellal along with geraniol. These two constituents are major compounds used in the perfume and cosmetics industry. Using citronellal in a high percentage makes the products very cost-effective.
Fresh leaves and branch tips are steam distilled to produce eucalyptus oils. The first steam distillation yields darker yellow oil than most commercial oils. This is due to the crude oil being redistilled to remove less stable constituents that lead to more rapid deterioration. Also, redistilling produces a more consistent product. The sweet, fresh-woody aroma of green eucalyptus leaves contrast with the more medicinal aroma of the oil. The difference is due to the chemical changes that occur during steam distillation and redistillation. Some of the aroma constituents in the living plant are absent in the essential oil as well. Lemon-scented eucalyptus oil is sweeter, less medicinal aroma.
Eucalyptus aromatherapy relies on activating, vitalizing, and energizing actions the aroma inspires. For an activating eucalyptus massage oil effective for sore and aching muscles, combine:
* 20 drops eucalyptus oil
* 20 drops lavender oil
* 5 drops peppermint oil
* 20 drops rosewood essential oil
* 5 drops oil of 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.
For an activating, inspiring workout spritzer for the gym to spritz on the face lightly and inhale the fresh, invigorating aroma, combine the following essential oils:
* 20 drops eucalyptus oil
* 40 drops lavender oil
* 20 drops lemon oil
* 10 drops petitgrain
* 10 drops spearmint
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.
Eucalyptus oil has limited application for spiritual aromatherapy due to the powerful, medicinal aroma. However, when used in small amounts with uplifting, gently inspiring oils such as bergamot, lemon, and lavender, the blend supports and activates superior work, opposed to reflective or meditative.
Try this spiritually energizing blend:
* 30 drops bergamot oil
* 50 drops lemon oil
* 20 drops lemon eucalyptus
Add 10 to 15 drops of this blend to 1/4 cup distilled water and place the mixture in one of the appropriate aromatherapy diffusers. The gentle diffusion created by a flickering candle lamp is very effective in spiritual aromatherapy work.
Used in medicine, industry, perfumery, and aromatherapy, eucalyptus applications are varied and can be depended upon for its benefits.
To learn more about aromatherapy, click Learn and view topics under Aromatherapy, Essential Oils, & Lavender. See items under Aromatherapy Oil Information & Recipes to learn more about individual essential oils and the plants from which they come with more aromatherapy recipes included.
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