Latin (Botanical) Name: Melaleuca viridiflora
Plant Family: Myrtaceae
Common Extraction Method: Steam distillation
Typically Used Plant Part: Leaf
Color: Clear
Aromatic Characteristic: Eucalyptus-like, medicinal and camphor-like aroma
Niaouli Oil comes from the young leaves of Melaleuca viridiflora, an evergreen tree or shrub from the Myrtaceae family native to Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the French Pacific Islands. It typically grows 10 to 20 m tall and has a spongy white, brownish or gray flexible stem, pointed leaves and delicate flowers of cream, pale yellow, green or red.
It is said to have been given its botanical name by British explorer Captain James Cook when he set out from Australia in the mid-1700s.
Traditionally, niaouli has been valued for its cleansing properties, which are widely considered to boost immunity. Centuries ago, it was believed that babies were wrapped in niaouli bark to provide strength and protection in communities where trees grew wild. The traditional use of niaouli that first caught European attention was in the 19th century when the leaves of the tree were used by New Caledonian coffee pickers to treat wounds and prevent infection. Later, after its purifying properties were discovered in France, niaouli oil became widely used as a cleaning agent in hospital maternity wards. Niaouli trees were first introduced to the United States in 1900.
Today, niaouli oil, which is widely used in various cosmetic products such as lotions, creams and soaps, offers many health benefits thanks to the active ingredients it contains.
KEY COMPONENTS / ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
BENEFITS
Niaouli oil helps to sharpen mental focus, elevate mood and supports a quality sleep [4].
Thanks to the 1.8 Cineole component in its content, it helps to reduce pain and aches, especially in the joints, caused by aging [5] [6].
Niaouli oil helps treat wounds such as scratches and scrapes, reduce infections and sterilize [7] [8].
Niaouli oil, thanks to its 1.8 Cineole component, helps to clean the respiratory tract and breathe easier, especially during seasonal pollen threats [5].
WARNINGS
ACADEMIC STUDIES
[1] W.-W. Chao, C.-C. Su, H.-Y. Peng, S.-T. Chou (2017). Melaleuca quinquenervia essential oil inhibits α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced melanin production and oxidative stress in B16 melanoma cells. August 2017, Phytomedicine 34.
[2] De Luca, I.; Pedram, P.; Moeini, A.; Cerruti, P.; Peluso, G.; Di Salle, A.; Germann, N. Nanotechnology Development for Formulating Essential Oils in Wound Dressing Materials to Promote the Wound-Healing Process: A Review. Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 1713
[3] H. N. Jang, S. N. Park (2014). Antimicrobial Activity of Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia) Leaf Extracts against Skin Flora. Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea 40(3):313-320.
[4] Ka Young Kim, Hyo Jin Seo, Sun Seek Min, Mira Park, Geun Hee Seol (2014). The Effect of 1,8-Cineole Inhalation on Preoperative Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2014, Article ID 820126, 7 pages, 2014.
[5] U. R Juergens (2014). Anti-inflammatory Properties of the Monoterpene 1.8-cineole: Current Evidence for Co-medication in Inflammatory Airway Diseases. May 2014Drug Research 64(12)
[6] S. K. Brown, W. S. Garver, R. Orlando (2017). 1,8-cineole: An Underappreciated Anti-inflammatory Therapeutic. January 2017, Journal of Biomolecular Research & Therapeutics 06(01).
[7] A. Diallo, Y. Tine, A. Diop, I. Ndoye (2020). Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oil of Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake (Myrtaceae). May 2020Asian Journal of Applied Chemistry Research.
[8] J-F Yala, R. M. Mabika, B. Camara, S. Tuo, A. Souza, A. N. Lepengue, D. Koné, B. M’batchi (2017). Assessment of the antibacterial activity of four essential oils and the biobactericide Neco. International Journal of Phytomedicine, Vol. 9, No. 3, 2017.
