For hundreds of years, the Aborigines of Australia have used the leaves of Eucalyptus for various incense and skincare applications. The radiata species of Eucalyptus has a compact crown, dense canopy and thin papery bark shredding in long, colorful ribbons. It was the first of the Eucalyptus species (then known as E. amygdalina[1]) commercially utilized for oil production in Australia in the mid-1800s. Since then, other Eucalyptus species (namely E. globulus, E. polybractea and E. australiana) have superseded E. radiata with regard to higher yields of oil, and it is from these species that most of the current Australian Eucalyptus oils of commerce are now produced.

Like other Eucalyptus types, Narrow Leaf Eucalyptus is suited for diffusion into the air, outdoor sprays, joint and muscle massage, chest rubs, foot lotions, and oily scalp and skin preparations. With its unique and highly beneficial combination of terpene alcohols, cineole, and the aldehydes neral and geraniol, Kurt Schnaubelt suggests that Eucalyptus radiata could be considered an aromatherapist’s “designer oil” due to its broad effects, attractive price point, and exceptionally pleasant aroma.[2]

Please Note: Although we consider Eucalyptus – Narrow Leaf to be the least problematic of our cineole-rich Eucalyptus oils for aromatherapy use, we recommend using it with caution. The primary constituent in Eucalyptus Narrow Leaf (E. radiata) is 1,8-cineole, a potent and volatile oxide. However, E. radiata has percentages of moderately volatile and extremely gentle constituents that mediate the intensity of 1,8-cineole.