Eucalyptus citriodora

Eucalytpus citriodora

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Eucalyptus citriodora combines the benefits of a eucalyptus with the refreshing aroma after which it is named – ‘citriodora’ is Latin for ‘lemon-scented’. Endemic to north-eastern Australia, lemon-scented eucalyptus has been used by Aboriginals as a bush medicine for a variety of uses, particularly to ward off unwanted insects.

Lemon-scented eucalyptus is distilled from the long, narrow, oil-rich leaves of the tree and has a very high citronellal content.

Eucalyptus citriodora now grows in other countries outside of Australia including very successfully, in Kenya – where Fairoils grows it both at Lunga Lunga on the Kenyan Coast (with out-growers), and in the Mara.

Fairoils first ran a trial crop at Lunga Lunga before establishing a seedling nursery so that our out-growers had access to hardy stock, prior to planting. The crop has been successful and is harvested and processed very similarly to tea tree, which many of our farmers also grow – so the skill-set has been very transferrable.

Fairoils continues to grow lemon-scented eucalyptus at both of these locations and will also soon start planting out at Taita Taveta (also in Kenya), as another out-grower project – due to the success and demand of the product.

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Eucalyptus citriodora production and extraction

Eucalyptus citriodora belongs to the Myrtaceae family and as a gum tree can grow to a great height (up to 50 metres). Despite this, our farmers keep the tree relatively low and “shrub-like” to ensure the trees remain ‘leafy’ and easy to harvest.

A healthy Eucalyptus citriodora will provide multiple harvests a year. Once the tree is cut or ‘coppiced’ it regrows quickly and leaves are best harvested when they are fresh. Much like tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Eucalytpus citriodora is a very hardy tree that can withstand fire, flood and drought.

Fairoils processes Eucalyptus citriodora twice a year at its facilities on-site to ensure the leaves are distilled as close to harvest as possible. This aids logistics for our farmers too.

Being a eucalypt, Eucalyptus citriodora has antibacterial and antifungal properties which make it useful for specific functional use in the correct quantities. Eucalyptus citriodora’s largest chemical component is Citronellal, an aldehyde (known for their strong aroma), which contributes to its potent but very pleasant, sweet lemon aroma.