Lemon eucalyptus oil – scent, properties and uses

Lemon eucalyptus is a plant found widely across the Australian continent, as well as in Madagascar. The Aboriginal people have always been aware of this plant’s powerful healing properties. The indigenous people of Australia used eucalyptus oil as a remedy for many ailments, including the treatment of wounds and inflammation. What is worth knowing about the properties of lemon eucalyptus oil, and also, why is it a popular remedy in aromatherapy?

Lemon eucalyptus – what is the oil extracted from it?

What is, and what is lemon eucalyptus oil not? The term ‘lemon eucalyptus oil’ refers to a refined oil extracted from the Australian plant Corymbia citriodora. Interestingly, despite its international name ‘lemon eucalyptus’, this tree does not belong to the genus Eucalyptus, although for many years Australian researchers believed otherwise.

The main component of lemon eucalyptus oil, which gives it its unique properties, is a chemical substance called p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD). It caught the attention of American scientists in the 1990s, when they discovered, that this substance is extremely effective at repelling a variety of insect species.

Today, the oil is a very common product used to alleviate all kinds of inflammation. In addition to its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, it also has a number of other health benefits.

What are the pharmacological properties of lemon eucalyptus oil?

• Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties – the oil has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. The active compound in the oil,, citronellal, reduces the levels of inflammatory mediators, and also has antioxidant properties. The oil’s local analgesic effect, in turn, is linked to the action of active compounds on muscarinic receptors and the opioid system;
• Antibacterial properties – lemon eucalyptus also has antiviral effects by inhibiting the expression and activation of the ACE-2 receptor in epithelial cells. What does this mean for us? The oil has antifungal and antiseptic properties, including against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which are often responsible for ailments that manifest shortly after returning from hospital. It also has antibacterial properties, even against resistant pathogens;
• Antispasmodic properties – the oil has an antispasmodic effect on muscles;
• Calming and relaxing properties – lemon eucalyptus oil relaxes the muscles, it also regulates the central nervous system, it calms, it soothes and regulates high blood pressure.

Lemon eucalyptus oil – what does it help with?

Lemon eucalyptus oil is a highly effective anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving agent. It is used for many ailments, although it has been shown, to be particularly helpful for:

• Treating pain and inflammation – thanks to its composition rich in terpene aldehydes, lemon eucalyptus essential oil acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. In other words,, helps regulate inflammatory responses in joints and muscles. In this way, it alleviates pain associated with physical exertion,, osteoarthritis or inflammation of the joints and tendons;
• Prevention of fungal infections – amongst its anti-infective properties, lemon eucalyptus has a beneficial effect on the prevention of skin fungal infections, including Derma tinea and candidiasis. It also helps to limit the growth of bacteria, effectively complementing the action of other antifungal and antibacterial agents;

What else is lemon eucalyptus oil good for?

Lemon eucalyptus oil for mosquitoes – how does it get rid of these pesky insects?

Lemon eucalyptus oil is also an effective insecticide. It works against mosquito larvae, as well as adult mosquitoes, deterring them from further attacks and attempts to bite. The oil is most effective when applied topically, by spreading it, after diluting it in vegetable oil, over all exposed parts of the body.

Depending on skin type and the intensity of outdoor activity, the application should be repeated regularly. Furthermore, the oil evaporates over time and its effect wears off. To this end, it is recommended to additionally cover exposed parts of the body with a thick cream or an additive of vanillin, which increases the oil’s longevity on the skin.

Lemon eucalyptus oil for ticks – an effective repellent?

In addition to its beneficial effect in reducing mosquito bites, eucalyptus oil is also an effective remedy against ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease, a condition dangerous to health and life.

Simply mix a few drops of the oil with water in a spray bottle and spray it onto your skin, and clothing, to effectively protect yourself against ticks. The effectiveness of lemon eucalyptus oil against ticks has been demonstrated in numerous experiments and studies. What’s more, the effectiveness of the PMD found in the oil is comparable to that of repellents such as DEET. – helpful for a good night’s sleep?

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, as well as calming and relaxing properties, using the oil can help reduce stress, promoting relaxation and improving overall well-being. This is particularly beneficial before bedtime, when we need to unwind in preparation for sleep.

Excessive stress linked to cortisol release and muscle tension determines the final quality of sleep, thereby negatively affecting the entire night. Lemon eucalyptus oil, used in a relaxing massage or pleasant diffusion, creates a refreshing atmosphere, that alleviates chronic stress.

Lemon eucalyptus oil – is it worth using in winter?

Traditionally, lemon eucalyptus oil has also been used to treat various respiratory problems, such as nasal congestion, sinusitis and bronchitis. When inhaled or diffused, its refreshing scent clears the airways and makes breathing easier, which is particularly helpful during the winter.

Furthermore,, the oil’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties also help to boost the immune system. As a result, the oil provides protection against environmental factors during winter, which may increase the risk of illness associated with a weakened immune system.

Lemon eucalyptus and aromatherapy – what is worth knowing?

Although lemon eucalyptus oil is most commonly used as a mosquito repellent, and to reduce the risk of tick-borne Lyme disease, it also has other, equally beneficial uses. The oil has long been used for relaxation, and to relieve stress and fatigue as part of aromatherapy practices.

Simply use an essential oil diffuser, to disperse the benefits of lemon eucalyptus into the air around you. A few drops of oil poured directly into the diffuser’s water tank are enough to create the perfect space for relaxation. The oil, diffused into the air, also deodorises the room, eliminating microorganisms that accumulate in the air.

“Acaricidal effects of Corymbia citriodora oil containing para-menthane-3, 8-diol against nymphs of Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) ” – F. H. Elmhalli, K. Palsson, J. Orberg, T. G. T. Jaenson, scientific journal Experimental & Applied Acarology, Springer, 2009.

“Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils of Eucalyptus” – J. Silva et al., scientific journal Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Elsevier, 2003.

“An TiB acterial activity of essential oils from Eucalyptus and of selected components against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens” – S. Mulyaningsih, F. Sporer, J. Reichling, M. Wink, scientific journal Pharmaceutical Biology, Taylor & Francis, 2011.

“Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities: Chemical constituents of essential oils of Ocimum gratissimum, Eucalyptus citriodora and Cymbopogon giganteus inhibited lipoxygenase L-1 and cyclooxygenase of PGHS” – G. B. Sahouo et al., scientific journal Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia, African Journals Online, 2003.

“Effect of the Topical Repellent para-Menthane-3, 8-diol on Blood Feeding Behaviour and Fecundity of the Dengue Virus Vector Aedes aegypti” – J. Lee et al., scientific journal Insects, MDPI, 2018.

“Evidence of the Sedative Effect of Neroli Oil, Citronellal and Phenylethyl Acetate on Mice” – W. Jager et al., scientific journal Journal of Essential Oil Research, Taylor & Francis, 1992.

“Fumigant Antifungal Activity of Corymbia citriodora and Cymbopogon nardus Essential Oils and Citronellal against Three Fungal Species” – R. W. de S. Aguiar et al., scientific journal The Scientific World Journal, TSWJ, 2014.

“Repellency of oils of lemon eucalyptus, geranium, and lavender and the mosquito repellent MyggA natural to Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) in the laboratory and field” – T. G. T. Jaenson, S. Garboui, K. Palsson, scientific journal Journal of Medical Entomology, Oxford Academic, 2006.

“The Efficacy of Some Commercially Available Insect Repellents for Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) ” – S. D. Rodriguez et al., scientific journal Journal of Insect Science, ESoA, 2015.