Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus globulus)
A steam-distilled single oil from Eucalyptus globulus leaves, valued for its strong, camphoraceous, clearing aroma.
How to use it
3–5 drops alone, or with peppermint and lemon for a sharper, energizing blend.
Dilute generously in a carrier oil — this species is strong and can irritate skin or airways.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- Dilute well before topical use
- Phototoxic
- No
- Very high in 1,8-cineole: never apply near the face, nose, or chest of infants and young children — it can cause breathing problems.
- Never ingest; even small amounts can be toxic, especially to children.
- Not phototoxic. Keep out of reach of children.
Sources: Balacs (1997), International Journal of Aromatherapy
Composition & chemistry
Aggregated from 12 GC-MS samples across 12 peer-reviewed open-access studies (2021–2026). Figures are the distribution across those samples — median with interquartile range — not a single reading.
- Oxygenated monoterpene 68.5%
- Monoterpene hydrocarbon 27%
- Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon 2.7%
- Oxygenated sesquiterpene 1%
- Unclassified 0.8%
| Constituent | Median | Typical range | Max | Detected in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,8-cineole ↗ C10H18O | 50.3% | 11.1–65.2% | 78.2% | |
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| α-pinene ↗ C10H16 | 7.3% | 3.6–11.4% | 18.1% | |
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| α-terpineol ↗ C10H18O | 2.3% | 0.6–3.3% | 5.4% | |
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| γ-terpinene ↗ C10H16 | 2.0% | 1.1–3.6% | 90.1% | |
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| p-cymene ↗ C10H14 | 2.0% | 1.0–5.5% | 10.0% | |
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| limonene ↗ C10H16 | 1.4% | 1.1–4.2% | 6.9% | |
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| myrcene ↗ C10H16 | 1.3% | 1.0–1.6% | 1.7% | |
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| terpinen-4-ol ↗ C10H18O | 1.2% | 0.7–1.9% | 2.3% | |
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| β-pinene ↗ C10H16 | 1.0% | 0.7–2.4% | 11.4% | |
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| α-phellandrene ↗ C10H16 | 1.0% | 0.3–2.6% | 4.8% | |
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| camphene ↗ C10H16 | 0.5% | 0.4–0.7% | 1.0% | |
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+ 47 more compounds reported across the dataset.
12 peer-reviewed sources behind these figures
- Beba Pozharani L, İlktaç M, Ak-Sakallı E, Alhadi M, Ozbil E, Hanoglu A, Demirci F, Erdem M, Baser KHC, Kosar M. (2026). Nanoencapsulation of Eucalyptus Essential Oils via Box-Behnken Design: Phytochemical Profiling and Enhanced Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Efficacy. ACS omega.
- Teshome Z, Animut A, Legesse BA, Giday M, Aklilu E. (2026). Repellency and chemical composition of essential oils from four medicinal plants against Anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidae) under laboratory conditions. PloS one.
- Kifle F, Girma M, Gebresilassie A, Woldehawariat Y, Ele E. (2025). Chemical composition and insecticidal potential of botanical fractionation extracts for the management of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, 1855 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in stored maize. Heliyon.
- Mohebodini H, Jazi V, Ashayerizadeh A, Salehi MS, Kahyani A, Bidarnamani E, Sharifi F. (2025). Eucalyptus globulus essential oil alleviates cold-induced ascites and physiological disturbances in broiler chickens. Poultry science.
- Zaher H, Quílez Del Moral JF, Lemrabet S, González-Coloma A, Bencharki B. (2025). GC/MS Analysis, Cytotoxicity, and Antimicrobial Properties of Six Moroccan Essential Oils Traditionally Used for COVID-19 Prevention. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Čmiková N, Galovičová L, Schwarzová M, Vukic MD, Vukovic NL, Kowalczewski PŁ, Bakay L, Kluz MI, Puchalski C, Kačániová M. (2023). Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Eucalyptus globulus Essential Oil. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Brantom P, Chesson A, Schlatter J, Westendorf J, Dirven Y, Manini P, Dusemund B. (2023). Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (eucalyptus oil) for all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority.
- Nasir Shah S, Khan I, Tul Muntaha S, Hayat A, Ur Rehman M, Ali Shah T, Siddique F, Salamatullah AM, Mekonnen AB, Bourhia M. (2023). Bioactive, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of chemically fingerprinted essential oils extracted from Eucalyptus globulus: in-vitro and in-silico investigations. Frontiers in chemistry.
- Landeo-Villanueva GE, Salazar-Salvatierra ME, Ruiz-Quiroz JR, Zuta-Arriola N, Jarama-Soto B, Herrera-Calderon O, Pari-Olarte JB, Loyola-Gonzales E. (2023). Inhibitory Activity of Essential Oils of Mentha spicata and Eucalyptus globulus on Biofilms of Streptococcus mutans in an In Vitro Model. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland).
- Iseppi R, Mariani M, Benvenuti S, Truzzi E, Messi P. (2023). Effects of Melaleuca alternifolia Chell (Tea Tree) and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Essential Oils on Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Biofilms. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Mekkaoui M, Bouidida EH, Naceiri Mrabti H, Naceiri Mrabti H, Ouaamr A, Lee LH, Bouyahya A, Cherrah Y, Alaoui K. (2022). Investigation of Chemical Compounds and Evaluation of Toxicity, Antibacterial, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Three Selected Essential Oils and Their Mixtures with Moroccan Thyme Honey. Foods (Basel, Switzerland).
- Sheikh Z, Amani A, Basseri HR, Kazemi SHM, Sedaghat MM, Azam K, Azizi M, Amirmohammadi F. (2021). Repellent Efficacy of Eucalyptus globulus and Syzygium aromaticum Essential Oils against Malaria Vector, Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae). Iranian journal of public health.
Every figure above traces to a named table in one of these open-access papers. How this was built →
- 1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol) — the dominant constituent; studied for airway/respiratory effects in isolation Fischer & Dethlefsen (2013), Cough
Its cineole is the same compound found in many over-the-counter chest rubs and cough drops.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
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1,8-cineole, the dominant constituent of E. globulus, has been studied for respiratory support — for example a randomized trial in acute bronchitis. Promising but specific to the isolated compound and single conditions, not proof the oil treats illness.
Fischer & Dethlefsen (2013), Cough
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Eucalyptus Globulus's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
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E. globulus is the highest-cineole common eucalyptus, overwhelmingly 1,8-cineole — the source of its strong, camphoraceous aroma.
Jerbi et al. (2017), Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants -
Cineole-rich eucalyptus carries a documented safety caution around the faces of infants and young children.
Balacs (1997), International Journal of Aromatherapy
Frequently asked questions
How is globulus different from other eucalyptus?
E. globulus (blue gum) is the strongest, highest-cineole type — punchy and camphoraceous. E. radiata is softer and gentler; E. citriodora is lemony. Globulus is the classic 'eucalyptus' smell but the most intense. Jerbi et al. (2017), Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants
Is eucalyptus globulus safe for young children?
Because it's so high in cineole, never apply it near the face, nose, or chest of infants and young children — it can trigger breathing problems. Keep it out of reach and never let a child ingest it. Balacs (1997), International Journal of Aromatherapy
Is eucalyptus globulus phototoxic?
No — it isn't phototoxic. The main precaution is its high cineole content around young children, not sun exposure.
Gallery
Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus globulus), commonly called blue gum eucalyptus, is native to Australia but now grown commercially in several regions worldwide, including parts of Africa and South America where Young Living sources its supply. It’s one of the more potent eucalyptus species available, prized for a sharp, medicinal-cool aroma that clears a room almost instantly.
Extraction & Character
The oil is steam-distilled from the leaf, yielding a high concentration — often 70–85% — of 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), the compound responsible for eucalyptus’s signature camphoraceous, clearing scent. This is the same compound found in many over-the-counter chest rubs and cough drops, which is part of why the aroma feels so immediately familiar.
Traditional & Everyday Uses
In the diffuser: 3–5 drops alone delivers a bracing, wake-up-the-senses aroma, or blended with peppermint and lemon for a sharper, more energizing combination suited to morning routines or a work-from-home setup that needs a mental reset.
On skin: dilute generously in a carrier oil before any topical use — this species is stronger than gentler varieties like Eucalyptus Radiata, and its high cineole content can irritate sensitive skin or airways at moderate-to-high concentrations, particularly in young children.
Pairs Well With
Peppermint and lemon are classic partners for an energizing blend; rosemary adds an herbaceous depth for a slightly more complex aroma.
Safety Note
Avoid use near the face of infants and young children altogether, since strong cineole-rich oils have been linked to breathing difficulty in that age group when applied or diffused too close to the nose and mouth. Anyone with asthma should introduce this oil cautiously and in small amounts.
Sourcing Note
Eucalyptus species vary widely in chemical profile depending on which species is actually distilled, so knowing exactly what’s in the bottle matters — a reason to look for a named, traceable source rather than a generic “eucalyptus oil” label.
Found in these blends
Eucalyptus Globulus is one of the oils inside 3 Young Living blends.