Essential Oil Guide
Guide To Native Australian Essential Oils
Australia is a vast country with a diverse environment which produces a wide variety of unique plants, many of which capable of producing incredible essential oils with fantastic therapeutic properties and beautiful fragrances which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Please note - the following is intended as a general guide to the oils only. It is not intended to provide specific medical advice or recommendation for any particular condition. Always refer to a qualified professional for therapeutic advice regarding your personal situation and whether or not a particular oil is suitable for you.
Anise Myrtle
Syzygium Anisata
The unique aniseed-like aroma of this wonderful oil is immediately noticeable. It is more subtle and pleasant than normal aniseed and blends much more effectively with other oils. This is a wonderful feminine oil which is hormonally balancing especially for those going through times of fluctuation with symptoms such as hot flushes or emotional imbalance.
It is calming, soothing and balancing, useful in times of stress and anxiety as well as promoting a sense of general calm and wellbeing. Not suitable during pregnancy, breastfeeding or following breast cancer.
Blends with lemon myrtle, honey myrtle, frankincense, cinnamon or sandalwood.
Balm Mint Bush
Prostanthera Melissifolia
This amazing oil is lesser known but should not be overlooked or undervalued. It is a distant relative of peppermint and has a fresh, bright aroma full of life and vitality.
It has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties and is used in aromatherapy for the treatment of colds and headaches.. It is refreshing, enlivening and invigorating great for times of mental fatigue when it can provide a renewed sense of energy and motivation. Avoid during pregnancy. Can be skin sensitizing in some individuals.
Blends with peppermint gum, eucalyptus, tea tree or lemon scented oils.
Blue Cypress
Callitris Intratropica
This oil gets its name from its incredible blue colour which has to be seen to be believed. It is antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory, the latter making it a great oil to use in sports recovery blends.
However it is the psychological and emotional effects which this oil is most widely recognized for. It is calming, grounding and soothing yet reinvigorating at the same time. Blue cypress is ideal for coping with stress and anxiety. It brings solace and comfort in times of grief, loss or emotional distress and aides the healing process helping you to move forward with your life in a positive way.
Blends well with white cypress, kunzea or other wood oils such as sandalwood or buddhawood.
Buddha Wood
Eremophila Mitchellii
Buddhawood has many similar properties to sandalwood. It has previously been used as a substitute for true sandalwood in aromatherapy blends however it has a distinct fragrance of its own, as well as subtle differences in its therapeutic properties making it a valuable oil in its own right.
As the name suggests, it is the perfect oil to use during meditation practice. It has a deep,earthy scent which is strongly grounding and provides an anchor to any blend in which it is included. It helps provide focus, clarity and draws dispersed energy back to the centre. It is a perfect choice for anyone wishing to achieve a deep state of meditation or connect with a higher power.
Blends well with sandalwood, kunzea and other calming and relaxing oils.
Eucalyptus Australiana
Eucalyptus Radiata
A popular and well known eucalyptus that grows naturally across the cooler regions of the Great Dividing Range. It is bright, positive and energising.
It also has medicinal qualities being antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory. Eucalyptus is often used in cleaning products due to these qualities. It may also help in respiratory and other infections as well as soothing aching muscles.
Blends well with tea tree, lemon-scented oils and most other natives.
Eucalyptus Blue Gum
Eucalyptus Globulus
A grand tree standing up to 70m tall, found mainly in Tasmania and southern Victoria. Due to its fast rate of growth, it is the most widely planted throughout the world for the production of eucalyptus oil.
This oil has a fresh, menthol-like aroma which energises and lifts the spirits. It is widely used in cleaning products, as a cough and cold remedy and for relief from aches, pains and arthritis.
Blends well with tea tree, lemon myrtle and other fresh or citrus scents.
Eucalyptus Blue Mallee
Eucalyptus Polybractea
A fresh, bright and clean scented eucalyptus from the goldfield areas of New South Wales and Victoria. It has antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
It is commonly used for coughs, colds as well as being used in massage blends to ease sore and tired muscles. Its antimicrobial properties mean that is makes an ideal alternative to chemical cleaning products.
Blends well with tea tree and mint or lemon scented oils.
Fragonia
Agonis Fragrans
Originating in Western Australia, this unique oil is one of the more recent discoveries having only been cultivated for aromatherapy purposes for a few decades despite having a long history of traditional use.
Its popularity is growing fast among aromatherapists and massage therapists throughout Australian because of its anti-inflammatory and painkilling properties which make it a wonderful oil for all those muscular aches and pains. It also provides a feeling of calmness, emotional balance and general wellbeing - the perfect oil to rid your mind and body of the stress associated with modern life. Its light fragrance is enhancing to many blends.
Blends with kunzea, white cypress, lemon myrtle or eucalyptus.
Honey Myrtle
Melaleuca Teretifolia
A beautiful, truly unique oil from Western Australia. A warm, comforting oil with a striking honey fragrance. This oil is emotionally supportive and comforting in times of stress or illness.
It may help to bring concentration and focus and so is used in study blends.
Blends well with anise myrtle, lemon myrtle or other lemon scented oils.
Kunzea
Kunzea Ambigua
Sometimes known as tick bush, kunzea first came to notice as native animals will often rest beneath it to ward off ticks. Research has shown that it is strongly analgesic and anti-inflammatory, making it an ideal choice for treating skin conditions as well as muscular aches and pains.
It is positive and uplifting yet at the same time grounding making it another wonderful oil for stress relief.
Blends well with fragonia, white cypress, eucalyptus, tea tree and many other oils.
Lemon Ironbark
Eucalyptus Staigeriana
A beautiful lemon-scented eucalyptus, eucalyptus staigeriana is more subtle in its approach than its better known cousin. It has a pleasant fragrance which blends wonderfully with other oils and is enhancing to blends.
Like other eucalypts, it is known for its antiseptic and antiviral qualities. However it is so much more. It has subtle yet positive qualities, bringing peace, confidence and optimism as well as general feelings of calm and wellbeing.
Blend with peppermint gum, eucalyptus, white cypress or fragonia.
Lemon Myrtle
Backhousia Citriodora
Lemon myrtle is another well-known oil with a wonderful, uplifting fragrance. It is often used in products such as skincare and soap due to its beautiful scent while the dried leaves will make a lovely addition to your cooking.
Like many of our native essential oils, it has both antibacterial and antiviral qualities making it useful in cleaning products and the treatment of coughs, colds and flu. It is energizing, refreshing and uplifting in nature. It is a wonderful oil in times of stress, anxiety or depression, bringing renewed vitality and optimism. May cause skin sensitization in some individuals.
Blends well with anise myrtle, honey myrtle, eucalyptus or tea tree.
Lemon Scented Gum
Corymbia Citriodora
This variety of eucalyptus has a strong, distinctive citrus aroma making it immediately recognizable as soon as you open the bottle. As with most varieties of eucalyptus, its antiviral and antibacterial qualities and is also known for its very high quality of citronella which is the key ingredient in natural insect repellants.
Certainly not an oil that you can ignore, eucalyptus citriodora is positive, assertive and confident and will leave you feeling the same way. This oil can be skin sensitizing in some individuals.
Blends well with eucalyptus, peppermint gum and tea tree. You only need a small amount of this powerful oil in any blend.
Lemon Scented Tea Tree
Leptospermum Petersonii
An evergreen shrub from southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. This beautiful oil has a fresh, uplifting citrus aroma with a strong, powerful quality. The plant has been traditionally used for colds and flu as well as an insect repellant due to its high citronella content. It has a bright, fresh fragrance ideal for cleansing any room.
It brings feelings of strength, positivity, motivation and enthusiasm while also being relaxing at the same time, a great oil for concentration and focus. This oil will help you feel able to take on the world.
Blends with peppermint gum, eucalyptus, tea tree, citronella or pine.
Nerolina
Melaleuca Quinquinervia ct. Nerolidol
Growing naturally in the swamps and wetland areas of Australia’s east coast, this is one of two oils from different varieties of the same melaleuca. It has a fresh, uplifting fragrance reminiscent of eucalyptus. It has antibacterial and antiviral qualities and is often used to treat coughs and colds while its analgesic qualities are used by massage therapists to treat muscular aches and pains.
Its distinctive scent is both refreshing and uplifting while at the same time having a calming and relaxing effect, and can help to relieve stress at the end of a long day.
Blends well with rosalina, lemon myrtle or tea tree.
Niaouli
Melaleuca Quinquinervia ct. cineole
The same member of the melaleuca family as nerolina, but a slightly different variety with a different chemical profile
This oil is often used as a gentler alternative to tea tree with many of the same therapeutic properties including anti-bacterial and anti-viral. It can be used to treat respiratory ailments, skin conditions or in cleaning products.
Blends well with tea tree, eucalyptus or lemon scented oils.
Peppermint Gum
Eucalyptus Dives
Imagine the freshness and liveliness of peppermint combined with the cleanness of eucalyptus. This wonderful oil combines the best of both. Traditional peppermint oil can be skin sensitizing and is also considered unsafe for children or pregnant women. However the eucalyptus dives contains much lower concentrations of menthone, making it much safer to use.
It is used by aromatherapists in footcare preparations and also to encourage clear breathing. Its fresh, invigorating scent helps to bring feelings of clarity and focus as well as positivity and inspiration.
Blend with eucalyptus, tea tree, blue cypress or lemon-scented oils.
Rosalina
Melaleuca Ericifolia
Sometimes known as lavender tea tree, this beautiful oil has a gentle fragrance which is much more subtle than either lavender or tea tree, yet contains many similar therapeutic properties. This makes it an ideal substitute for those who find the other oils overpowering.
It is calming, relaxing and soothing, bringing a feeling of peace and releasing tension and anxiety. Its gentle nature makes it a wonderful choice for sensitive individuals who are easily overwhelmed.
Blends with fragonia, lemon ironbark, tea tree, nerolina.
Sandalwood
Santalum Spicatum
Sandalwood is one of the most precious and luxurious of the essential oils. It is far superior to the Indian sandalwood (santalum album) which is frequently used in aromatherapy, but is also critically endangered. The Australian variety (santalum spicatum), on the other hand, is environmentally sustainable as well as having amazing therapeutic properties and one of the most attractive scents of all the oils.
On a physical level, it has soothing, moisturizing, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties leading to its use in skincare. However it is also recognized and widely used for its emotional and spiritual effects. Sandalwood is uplifting, calming, grounding and focusing all at the same time. It is used in times of stress and anxiety and is the ideal oil for aiding concentration and meditation.
Blends with white cypress, blue cypress, kunzea and fragonia.
Tea Tree
Melaleuca Alternifolia
Along with eucalyptus, tea tree is one of the best known and most recognizable of all the essential oils. It is often mass produced on a vast scale which can lead to a loss of therapeutic value so it is important to make sure you only use a good quality oil.
Tea tree is bright, fresh, invigorating and stimulating. It is well known for its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral qualities and is often used in natural cleaning products as well as to treat infections. Its fresh scent will leave you feeling positive, stimulated and ready to take on the world.
Blends with eucalyptus, lemon myrtle or peppermint gum.
White Cypress
Callitris Glaucophylla
This native cypress grows widely across the inland regions of Australia. A wonderfully light, uplifting oil that will help to calm and relax, bringing a sense of lightness and inner peace.
An ideal oil to include in a meditation blend, it helps bring spirituality and a connection to a higher plane.
Blends with blue cypress, fragonia or lemon ironbark.
