Eucalyptus globulus: a fresh, camphor-scented essential oil

Crush a eucalyptus leaf between your fingers and the scent is unmistakable: clear, bold, almost minty. Eucalyptus globulus is probably the best-known species of this large group of trees. Its essential oil is mainly used to freshen the atmosphere of a room, as long as it is diffused in moderation.

What is Eucalyptus globulus?

Eucalyptus globulus, also known as Tasmanian blue gum, is a tall tree of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native to Tasmania and south-eastern Australia. It has since been planted in many mild-climate regions, including around the Mediterranean. It stands out for its two kinds of leaves: rounded and bluish on young shoots, long and sickle-shaped on mature branches. Its Latin name is said to refer to the shape of its fruit, small, round, knobbly capsules.

According to the product sheet, our Eucalyptus globulus essential oil has a fresh, camphor-like scent and is described as refreshing. To see how essential oils are grouped according to their main components, take a look at our guide to essential oil families.

How to use it

Our druggist recommends careful diffusion: short sessions, in a reasonably sized room, with no young children nearby.

• Add a few drops to a diffuser designed for essential oils, following the device's instructions.
• Keep each session to about a quarter of an hour, then switch the diffuser off and open a window.
• Avoid diffusing it in an occupied bedroom or overnight.
• If you find the note too sharp, blend it with a citrus or woody oil for a softer result.

What about the hydrosol?

We also stock a Eucalyptus globulus hydrosol in a 200 ml bottle. This is the water collected during distillation, much milder than the essential oil. Its product sheet suggests, for external use, soaking a cotton pad and sweeping it over the face morning and evening, using it as a compress or spraying it as a fine mist.

Precautions

Before you open the bottle. The essential oil must not be swallowed or applied neat to the skin. Avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes. Do not diffuse it near babies or young children, and ask for advice before any use with children, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, if you are taking medication or if your airways are sensitive, for example if you have asthma. Keep the bottle tightly closed, away from light and out of the reach of children.

Our products

• Eucalyptus globulus essential oil – fresh, camphor-like scent for diffusion.
• Eucalyptus globulus hydrosol, 200 ml – as a mist or on a cotton pad, for external use.

Fresh air, in moderation

A few drops are enough to give a room a clear, invigorating feel. Because camphor-scented oils call for a little more care than others, especially around children, have a chat with the team at Droguerie Perusset in Yverdon-les-Bains: we will help you choose between the essential oil and the hydrosol for your needs.