Hello all,
Being in cold season now, an essential oil that you’re likely to hear mentioned time and time again is Eucalyptus essential oil. And while a lot of you quite enjoy the smell, there are also a number of you who find the smell to be a little too overpowering. Personally, I find that Eucalyptus is right up there as one of the best oils to use during cold season, but a good alternative – for those who like an essential oil that is a little less overpowering- is Niaouli essential oil. Also known as Melaleuca viridiflora and Melaleuca quinquenervia, Niaouli has a fresh and slightly sweet smell with a Eucalyptus undertone. Making it much more pleasant for those that don’t like a very strong Eucalyptus smell.
The botanical name was assigned in 1788 during Captain Cook’s voyage and was historically used in Obstetric wards in French Hospitals because of it’s great antiseptic properties.
Niaouli is a rather large evergreen tree that is native to New Caledonia, the French Pacific Islands and Australia. This tree can grow up to 20 meters tall and has a rather flexible trunk, pointed linear leaves as well as spiky yellow colored flowers. The trunk of this tree is covered by a grey, beige and white, thick papery bark; because of this some people refer to the tree as Paper Bark Tea Tree.
As the leaves fall off the tree and cover the ground below it, they actually make for a very healthy environment, and purify the water since the leaves act as a very strong natural disinfectant.
Precautions: Niaouli is considered a non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing essential oil.
This essential oil isn’t just a good alternative to Eucalyptus simply because of the softer Eucalyptus-type smell, but it’s also quite useful in some of the same areas. For instance, it can prove quite beneficial for the respiratory system when dealing with Sinusitis, Asthma, Bronchitis, whooping cough, sore throats along with many respiratory infections. Niaouli is also used to treat a lot of similar skin conditions such as minor wounds and burns, fungal infections, psoriasis, and insect bites. Similarly, it can also prove useful when dealing with muscular aches and pains, whether from overuse or due to arthritis. Niaouli essential oil also has some benefits for the immune system as well as the digestive system, but perhaps one of the most notable is it’s ability to aid in overcoming nervousness and aid in concentration.
If Niaouli is an essential oil you have used before, we’d love to hear what you used it for!
*Please note that all essential oils are extremely potent and need to be respected. Always make sure you dilute the oils you use. You also don’t need a lot of the oil to reap it’s benefits and it’s always wise to err on the side of caution, especially when using oils on or around small children, elderly or people with underlying health conditions. When in doubt, always consult a Certified Aromatherapist before use.*