Eucalyptus oil

Description

An essential oil obtained from the dry leaves of several species of Eucalyptus trees (especially E. salicifolia, E. Dives and E. globulus) and each type of tree produces a slightly different composition. Most eucalyptus oils contain cineole as the primary component. Cineole is a water-insoluble liquid that has a camphor-like odor. Eucalyptus oil is also used for leather conditioning, as a textile lubricant, as a synthetic sperm oil, as an insect repellent and as a cleaner/deodorizer. Small amounts of the oil are added to cough drops and decongestants.

Synonyms and Related Terms

eucalyptol; esencia de eucalipto (Esp.); huile d'eucalyptus (Fr.); olio di eucalipto (It); cineol; cineole; cajeputol; piperitone

Risks

May yellow and solidify with age.

Physical and Chemical Properties

CAS	8000-48-4
Refractive Index	1.456

Resources and Citations

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 382

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• The Merck Index, Susan Budavari (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Whitehouse Station, NJ, 12th Edition, 1996 Comment: entry 3840

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Eucalyptus." Accessed 7 Apr. 2005 .

• CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980 Comment: ref. index=1.456 (cineol)