alpha aromatics®Eucalyptus oil is the generic name for distilled oil which is derived from the leaf of of the Eucalyptus tree and is considered a member of the Myrtle plant family.
It is indigenous to Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania, but is cultivated all over the world in tropical and subtropical regions (those falling within the geographical and climatical zone of the Earth immediately north and south of the Tropics).
While eucalyptus oil is renowned for its many health benefits, its inclusion as as an ingredient in fragrances is prized by modern master perfumers the world over.
Explore our guide to the essential oils most used in the notes of fragrances
A Short History of Eucalyptus
Aborigines living in the Australian outback have used eucalyptus oil as a traditional medicine for many centuries. Natives chewed the roots of the leaves because they held so much water, and tea made from these leaves was considered a remedy for fever.
In 1778, surgeons Dennis Considen and John White, who were onboard the First Fleet, which founded the penal colony of Australia, distilled eucalyptus that was growing wild on the shores of Port Jackson to treat convicts and soldiers.
Early colonists also extracted eucalyptus oil, but it wasn’t until 1852 when Joseph Bosisto, a Melbourne pharmacist, established the commercial eucalyptus oil industry by opening the world’s first commercial distillation plant.
In the 1870s, eucalyptus oil became an important Australian industry and was regularly exported to a burgeoning international market.
The Australian eucalyptus oil industry peaked in the 1940s, but by the 1950s, the cost of producing eucalyptus oil in Australia had increased so much that it could not compete against cheaper Spanish and Portuguese varieties.
Today, even though non-Australian sources still dominate the commercial eucalyptus industry, Australian high grade oils are still in demand.
Eucalyptus As A Perfume Ingredient
Adding eucalyptus to a fragrance can be a very tricky endeavor because it is so potent that it can easily dominate any scented formulation and deteriorate into ‘an unwanted hint-of-mothball’ aspect.
Typically used as a minty, woody, citrusy middle note in fragrances, eucalyptus is known for its fresh clean aroma and is often found in soaps, detergents, mouthwashes and lotions as well as perfume.
It adds an airiness to any fragrance with its fresh, green, camphor-like and lemony aspects.
Pungent, sharp and green, eucalyptus renders a scent marked by notes of wood and resin, and a certain sweetness. It infuses the senses and is loved by both sexes.
Uses And Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil
The cooling scent of Eucalyptus Essential Oil is used in aromatherapy to relieve mental exhaustion and rejuvenate the human spirit. It boosts circulation to the brain and reduces harmful surface and airborne pathogens upon contact.
Its power to heal is best exemplified in a story that dates back to Australia’s colonial period when an English settler accidentally cut his thumb with an ax.
He was advised to apply a bandage made of bound Eucalyptus leaves around the cut, and a surgeon who later examined the wound was astonished at both how quickly it had healed and the absence of infection.
A Few Little Known Facts About Eucalyptus
- There are more than 700 species of eucalyptus.
- Eucalyptus derives from the Greek words eu-meaning ,well, and kaluptos, meaning well-covered, which aptly describes the tree’s protective covering.
- Australia is covered by 227,336,951 acres of eucalyptus forest, comprising three quarters of the area covered by native forest land.
- Fast-growing eucalyptus trees can easily flourish in any tropical or subtropical region. In some areas, they have become extremely invasive to native species and there is some concern and controversy over their total environmental impact.
- Eucalyptus wood is commonly used to make didgeridoos, a traditional Australian Aboriginal wind instrument.
- In 1858, the Australian town of Kyneton, Victoria, was lit by a gas made from eucalyptus leaves. The oil was converted into a gas that lit the town’s shops, hotels and residences.
- The oil in a eucalyptus leaf is actually visible. Holding a leaf up to the light will reveal tiny pin pricks of white or yellow, which is the oil in the tissue of the leaf. Crushing the leaves in your hand, you can feel and also smell the oil.
- The Eucalyptus tree is also known as: Fever Tree, Blue Gum Tree, and Stringy Bark Tree, depending on its location in the world.
- Leaves of eucalyptus are positioned downwards in order to prevent direct exposure to the sunlight, which in turn causes a subsequent loss of water.
- The bark of the eucalyptus tree is usually brown in color, but the species known as Rainbow Eucalyptus sheds its bark several times per year, revealing an inner bark that is red, blue yellow, and purple.
- Eucalyptus trees are uniquely equipped to survive Australian bush fires. Deep inside the roots of the tree are dormant shoots that will germinate under the influence of hormones that are triggered by the heat of fires.
Alpha Aromatics and Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Our master perfumers understand that the end product must always be unique, as scent has remained down through history as the only accessory we wear that is always present, and yet completely invisible.
According to Roger Howell, Alpha Aromatics’ Vice President and chief perfumer: “We drive the scent trends that guide product branding for a wide range of clients in the personal care, household cleaning, and institutional industries… We know how important branding is for the continued growth of our clients’ product lines, and we pride ourselves on building scents that build great brands.”
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Both a leader and pioneer within the industry, our custom compositions are used for the production of superior quality perfumes, personal care products, candles and diffusers and fragrances for home products, just to name a few.
All of the researchers that comprise our scientific teams intimately know and respect the artistic allure of perfume creation that is always balanced by the application of the principles of industrial science.
In the words of Bryan Zlotnik (pictured below), Chief Operating Officer of Alpha Aromatics, “Perfume creation is big business, and fragrance is in the air everywhere. It influences our memories and our spending habits, and the true power of scent lies in its connection to the human brain. Our sense of smell is directly linked to the limbic system, which is the brain’s matrix for memory formation and emotion. The human nose can detect thousands of scents and recall fragments of memories associated with them. Our master perfumers know how to tap into this scientific fact and are well aware that it is the key to developing potent signature scents that both create and cement consumer loyalty.”
5 Alpha Aromatics Fragrances That Feature Eucalyptus
The following are a few of our fragrance creations that feature eucalyptus within their middle notes:
Rosemary Vetiver Tangerine
A top note of juicy and delectable blood orange, uplifting lemon, gingery mango and honeyed tangerine initiates this bright herbal scent.
This blend soon fades into a middle note punctuated by pungent, fresh green eucalyptus, clean crisp lemongrass, sharp and earthy vetiver and strong, slightly medicinal rosemary.
A leafy, woody base note completes the scent.
Eucalyptus Mint
Perfect for large-scale events such as banquets, conventions and conference arenas, this stimulating and zesty fragrance invigorates brain cells and encourages the exchange of ideas and strategies.
Top notes of citrus energize and fold into middle notes of earthy, dry, fresh and herbal eucalyptus and sweet mint.
A soft wood and peppery sage base note finishes the fragrance.
Genoa Lemon
The epitome of fresh and clean, a bright top note of lemon and zesty mandarin orange provides a dash of mystery and energy to this scintillating scent.
Seamlessly blending into a sophisticated and warm middle note of cloying magnolia blossom, sharp eucalyptus, light, bitter neroli and juicy orange, this unique fragrance finishes with a green base note that is fresh, floral and uncommonly feminine.
Beachwood Vetiver And Sea Spray Driftwood
Evoking glorious, sun-filled days spent by the shore with the tug of endless ocean waves embracing toes dug into the warm sand, this fabulous fragrance begins with a top note of milky, sweet smelling coconut, earthy vetiver oil and salty sea air.
A middle note of pungent eucalyptus, savory, grassy seaweed and rich exotic jasmine seamlessly surrenders to a base note of sun-dried driftwood and marine, sea kelp, which finishes the fragrance.
This scent is a wonderful incentive for sales in stores selling soaps and lotions; salons; day spas; beauty and massage parlors; tables on small beach-side cafés and restaurants, just name a few choice locations.
Holiday Harvest
This potent, spicy mélange is a fall/wintry scent evocative of nostalgic holiday foods and joyful family times.
It is a blend of energizing citrus, sharp, sweet, fresh eucalyptus, woody minty wintergreen, spicy cinnamon and warm, aromatic clove.
One whiff is enough to transport the user to sleigh rides along a frozen landscape, snow drifting by a picture window and the dazzling beauty of the holiday season.
In Conclusion
Eucalyptus represents only one of the many essential oils that comprise the worlds’s finest perfumes.
If you’re a brand owner, product developer or formulator, cosmetic chemist, product development scientist or you’re simply looking to start your own perfume line, call our teams today and get your company started on yours.
Final thought on eucalyptus: Where there is eucalyptus oil, there is hope. ~ Pinterest
