Eucalyptus Smithii Essential Oil
(Eucalyptus smithii)

About Eucalyptus smithii Essential Oil

Preferring wetter conditions than the other members of the Eucalyptus family, the Gully Gum (Eucalyptus smithii) is produced by steam distillation of fresh leaves. The “gully gum” tree grows rather quickly on low slopes and in watery wetlands where soil stays moist.

Note: All information on this page, above and below,  is provided for educational interest only. Nothing here is intended to make claims for our product “Eucalypts smithii Essential Oil”. Your experiences with an essential oil may differ from any one else’s  experiences.  No information provided here is intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness. Please pay attention to the safety information provided below in order to insure that your experiences with this product are good ones.

Eucalyptus smithii Essential Oil has the most mellow and softest aroma of all the Eucalyptus oils and has essentially the same claimed benefits as Eucalyptus globulus. It’s frequently said in aromatherapy references to be gentler in it’s actions than Eucalyptus globulus and therefor a better choice for children and the elderly but this may not be an accurate characterization since Eucalyptus smithii essential oil is high in the constituent known as 1,8 cineole and some samples will contain as much of this constituent as will some samples of Eucalyptus globulus. 1,8 cineole is a natural constituent of all eucalyptus oils and has strong actions that have raised some concerns about use with children.  Tisserand and Young, in their  book Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition, list Eucalyptus smitthi  with other cineole-rich essential oils and indicate the same safety precautions for use with children under ten years of age.

Like Eucalyptus globulus essential oil, the essential oil of Eucalyptus smithii has been claimed by aromatherapists to be helpful in cases of respiratory infections and achy muscles/joints. In addition, it’s been described by Shirley and Len Price (Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, 3rd Edition) as having great synergistic properties, which would mean that it could be expected to be an especially good choice for blending with other essential oils.

How to Use Eucalyptus smithii Essential Oil

Eucalyptus smithii Essential oil can be used as a “single” or in blends, but we especially like to use it in blends. For use in steam inhalations or pocket inhalers, it blends well with True Lavender, Thyme linalool, Tea Tree and Lemon essential oils, for example.

Studies have shown that steam inhalations are most effective when only one drop of essential oil ( or one drop of a blend) is added to a bowl of steaming water and then the steam is inhaled; repeating this several times has been shown to be preferable to inhaling a greater number of drops all at one time.

Up to 3 drops of this essential oil can also be added to the pad of a fan diffuser; that’s really all you need in most cases of everyday use. We don’t recommend diffusing large amounts in nebulizing diffusers in the home or the office. Alternatively, during the winter cold and flu season, you may enjoy placing a drop or two on the pad of an aroma locket or in a pocket inhaler (be sure the locket does not allow the undiluted essential oil to touch your skin.)

For topical application, you can add one or two drops of Eucalyptus smithii Essential Oil to a teaspoon or two of vegetable oil or jojoba and rub onto the chest area or onto painful joints or sore muscles.  To use in a warm bath, dilute up to 4 drops in a tablespoon of vegetable oil, jojoba, or Castile Soap and gently stir into the water. Do not let the oil-infused bath water get in your eyes; if you have used vegetable oil or jojoba be careful – the tub will be slippery.

Be aware that Eucalyptus smithii Essential Oil might have a strong drying effect and this could be aggravating in conditions where the respiratory tissues already feel dry, as they may do in some instances of bronchitis, for example. Used in a bath, it may also dry the skin, including the delicate tissues of the genital region and for this reason it may not be the best bath choice for those with dry skin or for peri- and post-menopausal women or other women experiencing vaginal dryness.

See below for precautions to follow when using this essential oil in the vicinity of children.

The use of essential oils with children under16 years of age is a specialized topic; please consult an aromatherapy reference book or, better yet, a properly trained professional aromatherapist, before using essential oils with children (see www.naha.org for appropriate training standards for aromatherapists and for help in locating a professional aromatherapist).

Eucalyptus Alternatives:

We Offer 7 types of Eucalyptus Essential Oil, each with somewhat different use, properties and/or aroma:

• Eucalyptus Blue Mallee
• Eucalyptus citriodora
• Eucalyptus globulus
• Eucalyptus globulus – Organic
• Eucalyptus polybractea
• Eucalyptus radiata
• Eucalyptus smithii

CAUTION: Used externally and in proper dilution, Eucalyptus smithii essential oil is generally non-toxic and non-irritant. Do not take this essential oil internally. Do not use this essential oil on or near the faces of infants or children under 10 years of age.