Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil

Famous as a strongly smelling essential oil, blue gum eucalyptus has long been a source of natural fragrance. This pungent aromatic tree joins other plant-based scents in the natural fragrance library behind the smell of Beaverton’s small batch cold process soap bars.

The blue gum eucalyptus tree ; Image: Wikipedia

One of the more commonly encountered species of eucalyptus tree in scented products, Eucalyptus globulus is valued as a source of pungent oils. This member of the gum tree family is sometimes known as the “southern blue gum tree” or “blue gum eucalyptus”, but it is also frequently referred to by its species name. An evergreen tree native to southeastern Australia, blue gum eucalyptus has smooth bark and long lance-shaped leaves, with small grouping of white flowers that produce hard fruits. The tree was first formally documented by French botanist Jacques Labillardière in 1800 after encountering the plant during an expedition to Australia in 1792. Blue gum specimens were first collected by Labillardière in Tasmania, and wood from the trees was used by his travel party to make improvements to their boats. During the gold rush of the 19th century, the blue gum trees were preferred as a source of timber for rapidly growing Australian settlements due to its strength and fast rate of growth. The benefits of planting this tree were shared by countries around the world, with blue gum trees spreading across the globe. Blue gum eucalyptus trees were planted for a wide variety of uses including building material, fuel, shade, crop protection, and as a source of pungent aromatic oils. Because of its popularity and usefulness, blue gum eucalyptus is now one of the most commonly planted species of eucalyptus tree in the world. With no shortage of new places to encounter the southern blue gum tree, it only makes sense that this plant would also find a home in the fragrance blends of handmade naturally derived bar soaps, where essential oils extracted from Eucalyptus globulus join other plant-based ingredients in the natural fragrance library of Beaverton's.

Leaves of the blue gum eucalyptus tree ; Image: Biolandes

The oils of Eucalyptus globulus are used in many different scented and flavoured goods, including foods, perfumes, and skincare products. Popular in aromatherapy and perfumery, E. globulus essential oil varies in its composition depending on the subspecies of the plant that it was extracted from, but it always contains a significant quantity of eucalyptol, also known as “cineole”. The recognizable scent of E. globulus is primarily the result of its high eucalyptol content, which is sometimes purified from the tree to use as a concentrated flavouring in products like baked goods, beverages, candy, and mouthwash. The deep earthy aroma of the blue gum tree’s eucalyptol rich oil is perfect for use in naturally derived fragrance blends. Southern blue gum essential oil can be found in the handmade small batch soap bars from Beaverton’s along with oils from other aromatic herbs. 

Eucalyptus globulus essential oil ; Image: Supplements Global

With its fresh and herbaceous scent, Eucalyptus globulus adds a soothing smell to bars of Beaverton’s naturally derived soap. Together with organic plant fats and other naturally derived fragrances, the smell of blue gum eucalyptus will soothe the senses and spur calmness during the washing and bathing experience with Beaverton’s cold process soap.