LEMON EUCALYPTUS

fresh-eucalyptus-leaves-isolated-on-260n

Common Names

Lemon Eucalyptus, Lemon-Scented Eucalyptus, Lemon-Scented Gum, Lemon-Scented Iron Gum, Blue Spotted Gum

Botanical Name

Eucalyptus citriodora

Family

Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)

Parts Used

The leaves.

Therapeutic Actions

analgesic

anesthetic

anodyne

anti-allergic

anti-bacterial

anti-catarrhal

anti-convulsant

anti-inflammatory

anti-microbial

anti-rheumatic

anti-septic

anti-spasmodic

anti-tussive

anti-viral

aromatic

astringent

bitter

bronchodilator

cicatrisant

cytophylactic

depurative

diuretic

decongestant

deodorant

expectorant

febrifuge

fumigant

hypoglycemic

insect repellents

mutagenic

phagocytic

refrigerant

rubefacient

vermifuge

vulnerary

Proper Use

Water-steam distillation of Eucalyptus citriodora leaves.

Diffuse to help clear the mind and make room for one to focus on positive thoughts
Add to fragrance soaps and room sprays for a deodorizing effect
Diffuse or add to blends to repel insects
Diffuse or apply topically with a carrier oil to inspire deep breathing

MUSCLE RELIEF

For sore muscles, joints and inflammation, mix 12 drops ofEucalyptus citriodora and 10 drops Helichrysum into 1/2 ounce of lotion. Apply a small amount to the area of concern several times a day.

Joint pains: Synergistic with wintergreen and rosemary

DANDRUFF/ DRY SCALP RELIEF

Add to shampoo to nourish hair, moisturize an itchy scalp and remove dandruff flakes.

BUG SPRAY

To make bug spray with Eucalyptus citriodora, use a small glass bottle with a misting cap and add 1 3/4 ounce distilled water to 2 tablespoons Witch Hazel alcohol. To this mixture add 40 drops Eucalyptus citriodora, 30 drops Rose Geranium, 30 drops Lavender and 15 drops Peppermint. Shake well before each use. Spray on clothes and skin, avoiding the eyes and mouth. Reapply as needed.

BUG BITES

2 drops German Chamomile
2 drops Eucalyptus citriodora
3 drops Lavender

Blend oils together and use them any of the following ways:

Apply straight to the bite
Add to a basin of water for washing affected skin
Add the oil blend to 2 tablespoons Cider Vinegar and dab a small portion onto bites with a cotton ball.

CLEANER

Household cleaners with Eucalyptus citriodora aid in disinfecting surfaces and emit a bright, lemony aroma. A few drops on a sponge after cooking fish to wipe down counter tops leaves a fresh clean smell, plus, it's natural antibacterial action is a fantastic way to eliminate germs. Eucalyptus oil effectively removes grease and grime, making it an excellent cleaning product for the kitchen. It may also be mixed-in with homemade hand soaps and laundry detergents. Added to natural homemade sprays as a cleaning agent, it can be used for washing toilet bowls, floors, countertops, and windows. The clean scent makes an effective fabric freshener, and it can be mixed with Lemon or Tea Tree Essential Oils, diluted with water, then applied to odorous materials such as the insides of shoes or a garbage can. Furthermore, as an air cleanser, Eucalyptus oil is beneficial for eliminating mold that could contribute to respiratory issues.

BLENDING RECOMMENDATIONS

Eucalyptus citriodora has a bold and lemony citronella scent with camphor undertones; it blends well with citrus, spice, mint and woody scents.

Bergamot, Black Pepper, Citronella, Clove, Cypress, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus radiata, Silver Fir, Frankincense, Rose Geranium, Ginger, Helichrysum, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Sweet Lime, May Chang, Melissa, Niaouli/MQV, Sweet Orange, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Peppermint, Ravintsara, Rosemary cineole, Rosemary verbenone, Sage, Tea Tree, Thyme, Vetiver, Vitex.

Help rid the mind of clustered thoughts, take a bath with 2 drops of eucalyptus, and 4 drops of frankincense.

CLARITY

This essential oil helps one to truly relax, revitalizing both body and mind, while assisting thought and decision making.

Synergistic with Helichrysum.

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Medicinal Uses

arthritis

bronchitis

sinusitis

sore throats

catarrh

cold sores

colds

coughing

fever

flu

muscle aches

stiff joints

inflammation

headaches

immune support

poor circulation

minor skin infections (viral, bacterial)

insect bites

devitalized skin

mild depression

apathy

infections (viral, bacterial)

muscle spasms

toenail fungus (onychomycosis)

osteoarthritis

congestion

respiratory tract conditions

asthma

candida

urogenital inflammation or cystitis

Emotionally and energetically, eucalyptus citriodora essential oil cools and calms. It is often used to help cleanse the mind, body, and spirit, especially when looking to reduce negative emotions.
Cubans place the leaves under the sheets of fever patients, and inhale the steam from boiled leaves for cold and various pulmonary problems. Cubans also use the poultice the leaves on ulcers, wounds, and other skin ailments.
Guatemalans decoct the leafy shoots for coughs (Morton, 1981).
Orally administered leaf extracts in artificially diabetic rabbits produced temporary hypoglycemia and reduced the blood sugar levels (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962). Myrtillin, in the leaf extract, is said to induce a temporary hypoglycemia (Atal and Kapur, 1981).
Lemon eucalyptus essential oil is a purifying, cleansing, clarifying, and immune-boosting oil that is ideal for use on skin, in aromatherapy, as well as a surface cleaning agent and fabric freshener.
There are around 500 varieties of eucalyptus that are used for the production of essential oils.
Used in aromatherapy, the cooling scent of eucalyptus essential oil is known to relieve mental exhaustion by boosting circulation to the brain, thereby stimulating the mind out of sluggishness, and rejuvenating the spirit.
Those suffering from sinus congestion can diffuse eucalyptus essential oil in the bedroom while sleeping to clear nasal passages and to eliminate harmful airborne bacteria.

Constituents

Eucalyptus citriodora essential oil contains 88 Compounds in total.
Betulinic and ursolic acids, eucalyptin and b-sitosterol in the leaves. Glabrous leaves may contain oil with 65.5% citronellal, 12.2% citronellol, and 3.6% isopulegol; hairy leaves contain more oil with 86.6–90.1% citronellal, 4.6–6.0% citronellol, and 0.7–0.8% isopulegol, 1-pinene, b-pinene, and isovaleric aldehyde are also recovered (Morton, 1981).
Bark contains 9% tannin (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962).
The young leaf is reported to contain citric-, glutaric-, malic-, quinic-, shikimic- (carcinogenic), and succinic-acids (Watt and Breyer Brandwijk, 1962).
Leaves and fruits test positive for flavonoids and sterols.

Energetics/ Organoleptics

SMELL: fresh, lemony, with balsamic tones (lemon-citronella fragrance)
COLOR: pale yellow to clear
TASTE: menthol, citrus, and pine; pungent, bitter and warm that finishes with a cooling sensation
VISCOSITY: Thin, thickening with age
NOTE: Top - Middle
ENERGETICS: Eucalyptus encourages, liberates, stimulates emotional healing and feelings of wellness. Helpful to those who are attached to illness, clingy, defeated, seeking escape, and feeling powerless.
CHAKRAS:
- Sacral (2nd) relationships, creation energy
- Solar Plexis (3rd) linked to the celiac, self worth, self confidence and self-esteem
- Third Eye (6th) perspective, clarity, energizing, protective and purifying.

Contradictions

Do not ingest. Avoid if epileptic or high blood pressure.
Maximum Adult Dilution: 10%; 60 drops per ounce of carrier
Kids Safety: Safe to use topically with children 2 years of age and older. Dilute to a .5-2% dilution rate for topical application.
Practice safe diffusing:
- Diffuse in an open, well-ventilated area.
- Keep children out of the direct line of mist.
- Diffuse in 30-60 minute intervals with ample break periods for safe and effective use.

History

Corymbia citriodora, commonly known as lemon-scented gum or spotted gum is a species of tall tree that is endemic to northeastern Australia. It has smooth white to pink bark, narrow lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and urn-shaped or barrel-shaped fruit.
The essential oil of the lemon-scented gum mainly consists of citronellal (80%),produced largely in Brazil and China.
An English legend narrates the first use of eucalyptus tree leaves for medicinal purposes: When an early English settler’s thumb was accidentally cut by an ax, his father advised him to apply a bandage made of bound Eucalyptus leaves around the stitched cut – something he had learned from studying Aboriginal folk medicine. A surgeon that later examined the wound was impressed by the speed of healing and the absence of infection in the finger. As stories like this spread throughout Australia, pharmacists began developing a plan to produce eucalyptus oil commercially. Shortly thereafter, leaves from the Eucalyptus radiata species began to be distilled.

Research & References

Jun, Y. S., Kang, P., Min, S. S., Lee, J. M., Kim, H. K., & Seol, G. H. (2013). Effect of eucalyptus oil inhalation on pain and inflammatory responses after total knee replacement: a randomized clinical trial. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2013, 502727. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/502727

Labate, Carlos & Assis, et al. (2009). Eucalyptus. 10.1002/9781405181099.k0902.

Chisowa, Esmort H. (1997). Chemical Composition of Essential Oils of Three Eucalyptus Species Grown in Zambia. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 9:6, 653-655, DOI: 10.1080/10412905.1997.9700805

Vecchio, Maria & Loganes, Claudia & Minto, Clara. (2016). Beneficial and Healthy Properties of Eucalyptus Plants: A Great Potential Use. The Open Agriculture Journal. 10. 52-57. 10.2174/1874331501610010052.

Yadav N, Chandra H. (2017). Suppression of inflammatory and infection responses in lung macrophages by eucalyptus oil and its constituent 1,8-cineole: Role of pattern recognition receptors TREM-1 and NLRP3, the MAP kinase regulator MKP-1, and NFκB. PLoS ONE 12(11): e0188232. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0188232