Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus, known for its vibrant, medicinal, and refreshing aroma, is a popular ingredient in fragrances. It is indigenous to Australia but is cultivated all over the world in tropical and subtropical regions. Eucalyptus oil is renowned for its many health benefits, and its inclusion as an ingredient in fragrances is prized by modern master perfumers the world over. Aborigines living in the Australian outback have used eucalyptus oil as a traditional medicine for many centuries. In 1778, surgeons Dennis Considen and John White, who were onboard the First Fleet, which founded the penal colony of Australia, distilled eucalyptus that was growing wild on the shores of Port Jackson to treat convicts and soldiers. Early colonists also extracted eucalyptus oil, but it wasn't until 1852 when Joseph Bosisto, a Melbourne pharmacist, established the commercial eucalyptus oil industry by opening the world's first commercial distillation plant. In the 1870s, eucalyptus oil became an important Australian industry and was regularly exported to a burgeoning international market. The Australian eucalyptus oil industry peaked in the 1940s, but by the 1950s, the cost of producing eucalyptus oil in Australia had increased so much that it could not compete against cheaper Spanish and Portuguese varieties. Today, even though non-Australian sources still dominate the commercial eucalyptus industry, Australian high grade oils are still in demand. Typically used as a minty, woody, citrusy middle note in fragrances, eucalyptus is known for its fresh clean aroma and is often found in soaps, detergents, mouthwashes and lotions as well as perfume. It adds an airiness to any fragrance with its fresh, green, camphor-like and lemony aspects.

Natural or Synthetic?
Eucalyptus oil is naturally extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree. Due to its distinct, sharp, and fresh aroma, synthetic versions are also formulated for consistent scent profiles in perfumery.