What Is Eucalyptus Oil?
Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil obtained through steam distillation of eucalyptus leaves and branch tips. It is part of many cultures, with items used for medical reasons, aromatherapy and as a fragrance of perfume. The smell of can be pungent, woodsy and lemony and can even provide a peppermint scent.
Geography
Originally, eucalyptus trees were found in Pacific countries. These countries include Australia, New Guinea, Tasmania, New Zealand and other close-by islands. Today, Eucalyptus trees are located around the world. It was from European discovery of the oil's use in Australia that spread it from localized use to widespread use in lives across the world.
Features
There are 700 plus species of trees within the genus Eucalyptus, which in turn is part of the Myrtle family. Useful oils from the trees of this genus are essentially divided into three grades for medicine, perfume and industry. These grades are based partly on the chemical eucalyptol (also known as cineol), a colorless or light yellow liquid found within the eucalyptus oil.
Eucalyptol is used to determine whether the oil is used as medicine or suited for other uses. The chief chemical components of eucalyptus oils are a-pinene, b-pinene, a-phellandrene, aromadendrene, 1, 8-cineole, globulol, limonene, piperitone,terpinen-4-ol and epiglobulol.
Types
Oil used for medical applications is from E. polybractea and E. globulus, due to their higher amounts of eucalyptol. For aromatherapy, E. globulus and E. citriod can be used. Lemon scented oil is obtained from E. citriodora. This oil along with E. Sturtiana and E. odorata are used for perfume ingredients. There is even a peppermint fragrance in the oil of E. radiate and E. dives. Industrial use oil is from E. dives, E. Smithii and E. amygdalina. Their level of eucalyptol is low.
Function
As a food additive eucalyptus oil can, among other uses, flavor baked goods and gum. In pharmaceuticals it acts as an analgesic, antibacterial, antiseptic, cough medicine, decongestant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, blood flow stimulant, diuretic, fever reducer and expectorant. It also has veterinary medicine applications.
It can be used as a cleaner, deodorizer, an insecticide and an insect repellant as well as to provide the fragrance for aromatherapy, soap products and perfume. In industry eucalyptus oil can be used in refining ore. The oil separates metallic sulphides from unwanted materials.
Considerations
Full strength eucalyptus oil used internally is toxic. Don't use it when there is a digestive problem, high blood pressure, epilepsy or during a pregnancy or when breast feeding, and don't give it to infants or children. Full strength oil shouldn't be used on skin and excessive use may cause headaches.
Eucalyptus oil's potential is still being studied. If processing costs can be reduced, the oil has a high enough octane rating to be used for fuel.
Time Frame
The use of eucalyptus as a medical aid was applied first by Australian aborigines. European explorers collected specimens of eucalyptus in the 1700s and returned them to Europe. A eucalyptus distilling and commercial enterprise in Australia was started by the pharmacist Joseph Bosisto in 1852 and is still processing eucalyptus oil in 2009.
Tags: eucalyptus used, Full strength, other uses, perfume industry, used medical,