Eucalyptus oil is the generic name for distilled oil from the leaf of Eucalyptus, a genus of the plant family Myrtaceae native to Australia and cultivated worldwide. Eucalyptus oil has a history of wide application, as a pharmaceutical, antiseptic, repellent, flavouring, fragrance and industrial uses. The leaves of selected Eucalyptus species are steam distilled to extract eucalyptus oil.
	Eucalyptus oil in the trade are categorized into three broad types according to their composition and main end-use: medicinal, perfumery and industrial. The most prevalent is the standard cineole based "oil of eucalyptus", a colourless mobile liquid (yellow with age) with a penetrating, camphoraceous, woody-sweet scent.
Lemongrass

China produces about 70% of the world trade, but most of this is derived from camphor oil fractions rather than being true eucalyptus oil. Significant producers of true eucalyptus oil include South Africa, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Australia, Chile and Swaziland.

Global production is dominated by Eucalyptus globulus. However, Eucalyptus kochii and Eucalyptus polybractea have the highest cineole content, ranging from 80-95%. The British Pharmacopoeia states that the oil must have a minimum cineole content of 70% if it's pharmaceutical grade.[3] Rectification is used to bring lower grade oils up to the high cineole standard required. Global annual production of eucalyptus oil is estimated at 3,000 tonnes.

The eucalyptus genus also produces non-cineole oils, including piperitone, phellandrene, citral, methyl cinnamate and geranyl acetate. Eucalyptus oil should not be confused with the term "eucalyptol", another name for cineole.

Uses :

Medicinal and antiseptic :

    »    The cineole-based oil is used as component in pharmaceutical preparations to relieve the symptoms of influenza and colds, in products like cough sweets, lozenges, ointments and inhalants.

    »    Eucalyptus oil has antibacterial effects on pathogenic bacteria in the respiratory tract.Inhaled eucalyptus oil vapor is a decongestant and treatment for bronchitis.Cineole controls airway mucus hypersecretion and asthma via anti-inflammatory cytokine inhibition.

    »    Eucalyptus oil also stimulates immune system response by affects on the phagocytic ability of human monocyte derived macrophages.

    »    Eucalyptus oil also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities as a topically applied liniment ingredient.

    »    Eucalyptus oil is also used in personal hygiene products for antimicrobial properties in and soaps. It can also be applied to wounds to prevent infection.