Niaouli

Melaleuca quinquenervia cineolifera

Like eucalyptus, niaouli is a tree of the Myrtaceae family, native to New Caledonia and Australia, that can grow to a height of twenty five metres.
It has persistent and fragrant leaves and its soft pale bark can be easily torn off like paper, thus leading to its also being known as the paper bark tree and nicknamed "skin tree". It was acclimatised to Madagascar at the end of the 19th century to retimber marshland.

Main aromatic molecules: Terpene oxides (1,8-cineole or eucalyptol), monoterpenes (α and β-pinenes, limonene), monoterpenols (α-terpineol), sesquiterpenols (viridiflorol)
Family: Myrtaceae.
Productive organs: Leaves.
Yield: maximum 700g of essential oil per 100kg of leaves.
Equivalence: 1ml → 32 drops (dosage calculated for a calibrated dropper European Pharmacopoeia).

Bath
Skin application
Oral route
Respiratory route

Main properties

Niaouli essential oil has multiple virtues. Similar to eucalyptus radiata, niaouli stimulates the immune system and treats sinusitis and rhinitis. As a healing agent, niaouli essential oil protects and restores the skin (including after a radiotherapy session if used with with aloe vera gel), and is antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial and antimycotic. As a circulatory tonic, it decongests heavy legs, varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

Find all the virtues and uses of niaouli essential oil in our dedicated article.

RECIPES

Superficial burns
From the age of 7, dilute 2 drops of niaouli essential oil in 10 drops of rose hip or hemp oil, and apply this mixture to the area to be treated, 3 times a day, until healed.

Colds and blocked nose
From the age of 12, inhale 1 drop of niaouli essential oil and 1 drop of thujanol thyme essential oil in a bowl of simmering water, morning and evening, for 5 days.

Otitis
From the age of 7, dilute 2 drops of niaouli essential oil in 5 to 6 drops of calophylla vegetable oil. Apply this mixture around the ear, avoiding the ear canal, 3 times a day for 6 days. Recipe suitable for children aged 7 and over

Find all niaouli recipes in our dedicated article.

CULTIVATION AND PRODUCTION

The tree is studied and used in New Caledonia by the Medicinal plants laboratory of the French national centre for scientific research (CNRS), in the context of the systematic exploration of the island's extreme biodiversity. Essential oil of niaouli is used to manufacture Gomenol, a brand name medicinal product registered in 1892 by an industrialist established in Gomen, who was struck by the tree's therapeutic virtues. It is comprised of partially deterpenated essential oil of niaouli, and is used to treat upper respiratory tract and bronchial congestion.

FRAGRANCE

The fragrance of essential oil of niaouli is balsamic, with a strong note of eucalyptus.

EXTRACTION AND YIELD

Leaf distillation yield is variable, though it does not exceed 0.7%, i.e. seven hundred grams for one hundred kilos of plant.

CHEMICAL FORMULA

Essential oil of niaouli consists mainly of terpene oxides (1,8-cineol: 38 to 48%), monoterpenols, sesquiterpenols including viridiflorol (6 to 15%) and monoterpenes (alpha and beta-pinene, limonene) that are eliminated to obtain "purified" oil. This composition corresponds to the essential oil from Madagascar, that from New Caledonia consisting mainly of sesquiterpenols (65 to 70%) and monoterpenols (approximately 20%).

Precautions for use

As essential oil of niaouli contains high levels of terpenes, the prescribed doses must be scrupulously respected.

Warning: there is a risk of drug interference it the use exceeds more than a few days.

Do not use in: pregnant or breast-feeding women, children under the age of three years, persons allergic to one of the components (geraniol, linalool, limonene), subjects with asthma without the advice of an allergologist before the first use, subjects with epilepsy (or children who have had fever seizures).

RELATED SPECIES

Cajeput (Melaleuca cajuputi).

Jules Garnier, who, during his geological explorations, discovered nickel in New Caledonia, came across niaouli in the west coast savannahs. In his travel account, he wrote "It is the saddest but most useful of trees on the island, as it hides its qualities and virtues under the most unhappy appearance." But who cares whether their benefactor looks pitiful? Certainly not the Kanaks, who have always swaddled their newborns in its bark to protect them and give them strength. They applied a poultice of young niaouli leaves to wounds to speed healing. As a decoction, the bark was – and is still – used on the island to heal rheumatism pains, aches and colds.

AROMATHERAPIA

Extracts from the book 'Aromatherapia - All about essential oils', by Isabelle Pacchioni, watercolors by Patrick MORIN, Aroma Thera Editions . Extracts from the book '41 essential oils essential for treating yourself differently' and '48 essential oils which every home needs to be healthy' by Isabelle Delaleu and Isabelle Pacchioni, Publications of the Mandadori France group. Botanical illustrations by Agathe Haevermans.

The properties, benefits and method of use are given for information; they cannot in any case constitute or replace medical information that only health professionals can provide. For any use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes, please consult your GP or pharmacist.