EUCALYPTUS OIL MANUFACTURING

Eucalyptus oils are obtained by distillation of the leaves of Eucalyptus and have aromas characteristic of the particular species used.

The oils are classified in the trade into three broad types according to their composition and main end-use: medicinal, perfumery and industrial. Of these, the most important in terms of volume of production and trade is the medicinal type, characterized by a high cineole content in the oil. This, and the perfumery type, are discussed below. The so-called industrial oil, produced from E. dives, now has a very small and diminishing market and is not discussed further.

The medicinal type of oil may be sold as such, neat, in pharmacies and other retail outlets or in the form of sprays, lozenges, cough sweets and ointments or in formulation with other oils. It is used as an inhalant or chest rub to ease breathing difficulties, as a mouthwash in water to refresh or ease the throat, and as a skin rub to provide relief from aches and pains. Anti-plaque solutions in dental hygiene are a recent application. Although employed for medicinal purposes, the pleasant flavour and fragrance properties of cineole-rich eucalyptus oils play an important role in their acceptance and utilization on such a large scale. Eucalyptus oil is also used as a general disinfectant, cleaner and deodorizer about the house.

Of the two principal perfumery oils, that from Eucalyptus citriodora is produced in the greatest volume. It differs from the medicinal oils in containing citrinellal, rather than cineole, as the major constituent. The oil is employed in whole form for fragrance purposes, usually in the lower cost soaps, perfumes and disinfectants, but also as a source of citrinellal for the chemical industry. The citrinellal obtained by fractionation of the crude oil may be used as such as an aroma chemical or converted to other derivatives intended for fragrance use.

The only other perfumery oil produced in any quantity is that from E. staigeriana. No single chemical predominates in the oil and it is used in whole form for perfumery purposes. It has a lemon-type character.

Eucalyptus oil is extracted from fresh or partially dried leaves and young twigs, and undergoes steam distillation. You can make oil from eucalyptus leaves on your own, saving you money and allowing you a fresh supply of the oil.

Eucalyptus oil is a pure essential oil that has practical and industrial uses, as well as healing properties. It comes from a fast-growing evergreen tree native to Australia, with global eucalyptus oil production mainly from Eucalyptus globulus or “Blue Gum.”

Eucalyptus oil is the distilled oil that comes from the dried leaves of eucalyptus – a colorless liquid with a strong woody and sweet smell. There are more than 700 different species of eucalyptus in the world, of which at least 500 produce a type of essential oil.

1. Eucalyptus polybractea — This is commonly known as “Blue Mallee,” a small mallee type tree. The crude or single-distilled oil is high in cineole (a colorless, liquid terpene ether with a camphor-like odor and is found in essential oils) and usually assays between 80 and 88 percent.

2. Eucalyptus globulus — This is the species that has received the most attention from botanists and chemists, and its oil is best known and most used of all eucalyptus oils. It’s cineole is between 60 and 70 percent.

Since the properties of the crude oil usually do not meet the requirements of most pharmacopoeias, the oil has to be treated to increase the cineole content.

3. Eucalyptus radiata — Commonly known as “narrow-leaved peppermint,” this is a medium-sized tree with fibrous bark. The crude oil has a cineole content of 65 to 70 percent and has a very refreshing aroma.

4. Eucalyptus citriodora — Referred to as the “lemon-scented gum,” this large tree has gone through a name change and is now called Corymbia. The principal constituent of the oil is citronellal, and the oil is used for industrial and perfume purposes.