Essential Oil - Aromatherapy

Lemon Eucalyptus

The anti-inflammatory essential oil for joints

Latin name

Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson

Syn. Eucalyptus citriodora - Family

Myrtaceae

History & Botany

Lemon eucalyptus is a tall tree native to Australia, where Aboriginal people used its sap directly on wounds to accelerate healing. It can reach 40 to 50 meters in height and is recognized by its smooth, grayish-white bark, which renews annually, and its long, persistent leaves that immediately release a powerfully lemon-scented fragrance when crushed.

Introduced to Europe in the 19th century, it is now cultivated in Madagascar, Brazil, China, and South Africa for essential oil production. In Madagascar, it is called kininina oliva ("quinine tree"), referring to its anti-malarial properties. Its official botanical name has been Corymbia citriodora since 1995, but it remains universally known as Eucalyptus citriodora. Distillation is preferably carried out in the early afternoon when the citronellal concentration in the leaves is at its highest.

Morphology

Majestic tall tree with a slender trunk, smooth pinkish-white bark that renews annually in characteristic patches. Persistent lanceolate leaves, alternate, intense green, extremely fragrant when crushed. White flowers in corymbs. The tree can live for several centuries in its natural habitat.

Distilled part & extraction method

The leaves, harvested twice a year (early summer and late autumn), are steam-distilled within hours of harvesting, preferably in the early afternoon to maximize citronellal content. Yield: 0.5 to 1.2%.

Corymbia citriodora

Fragrant lanceolate leaves and characteristic pinkish-white bark

Active Principles & Biochemistry

Organoleptic Properties

Appearance

Essential oil

A fluid and clear liquid. Color: pale yellow to colorless, slightly more colored than niaouli. Absence of sediment in a quality essential oil.

Odor

Pure and diluted EO

Fresh, powerfully lemon-scented, slightly floral and mentholated in the base note. Simultaneously reminiscent of lemon, verbena, and slightly rose. Very pleasant and immediately recognizable.

Taste

Diluted internal use

Fresh, lemony, and slightly camphorated. Much more pleasant in the mouth than other eucalyptus oils. Internal use only under professional advice.

Olfactory Note

Perfumery & Diffusion

Fresh, lemony top note, highly appreciated in perfumery. In diffusion, creates a tonic, purifying, and anti-stress atmosphere. Excellent synergy with lavender and lemon.

Density & Solubility

Physical characteristics

Density: 0.854 to 0.875 g/cm³, very fluid and penetrating. Lipid-soluble, insoluble in water. Miscible with 90% ethanol. Refractive index: 1.449 to 1.455.

Medicinal Properties & Traditional Use

Major Anti-Inflammatory & Analgesic

Reference action in aromatherapy for ostearticular pain. Osteoarthritis, arthritis, polyarthritis, rheumatism, sciatica, tendinitis, muscle contractions, sprains. Citronellal inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 with efficacy comparable to some NSAIDs in topical application.

Insect Repellent & Natural Deterrent

Citronellal and citronellol are powerful and proven natural repellents against mosquitoes (including Aedes, the dengue vector), ticks, flies, ants, and wasps. Effective in diffusion and diluted cutaneous application. Natural alternative to chemical insect repellents.

Relaxing & Soothing

Calming properties on the central nervous system. Reduces tension and stress through atmospheric diffusion. Facilitates falling asleep. Soothes skin irritations, insect bites, and inflammatory redness in diluted topical application.