Vietnam Lemon Eucalyptus Oil – Citronellal content up to 80%

1. Vietnamese Lemon Eucalyptus Tree

1.1 Characteristics of Vietnamese lemon eucalyptus tree

Bach Dan Chanh (English name is Lemon Eucalyptus), scientific name is Eucalyptus Citriodora.

The tree is a woody plant, has a long lifespan and a fast growth rate. The leaves contain many aromatic essential oils, which are a combination of the scent of lemon peel and lemongrass.

Lemon eucalyptus leaves are thin and long, with slightly curved tips and pointed ends. The leaf surface is covered with a layer of fine hairs. The tree has a slender and large trunk, and the leaves are evenly distributed on the trunk.

Seed propagation is a common way to grow lemon eucalyptus. However, the germination rate only reaches 30-50% in warm climate conditions of 25-30 degrees Celsius and high humidity, the seeds will germinate quickly. The tree is easy to grow, suitable for many types of soil, avoid waterlogged soil. Vietnamese lemon eucalyptus is easy to care for, does not need fertilizer, and likes strong light, so it needs a lot of sunlight to grow appropriately for the climate. In the rainy season, should reduce the amount of water or stop watering, instead, should drain the tree promptly, before the tree becomes flooded, leading to root rot.

1.2 Lemon Eucalyptus growing area

The tree was brought to the South – Vietnam by seed in the 1950s. Before 1970, Vietnam imported over 50 species of Eucalyptus for testing. From the 1980s onwards, about 200 provenances of many eucalyptus species have been provided by projects and international organizations (UNDP, FAO, PAM, SIDA, SAREC, CSIRO…) to testing and afforestation, including Eucalyptus citriodora Hook.f. The initial purpose of the trials was to select origins and varieties with fast growth and high wood yield to serve the purpose of planting forests to provide wood for paper materials.

Lemon eucalyptus is grown widely in the northern mountainous provinces of Vietnam such as Phu Tho, Hoa Binh, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen…

The wood is used to produce paper and the leaves are used to extract essential oils.

Lemon Eucalyptus field in Phu Tho, Vietnam

2. Vietnamese lemon eucalyptus essential oil

Although the name is lemon eucalyptus, its composition is not related to lemon peel essential oil. With lemon peel essential oil, the main ingredient is limonene (like pomelo, orange) and with lemon eucalyptus essential oil, the main ingredient is citral, similar to the composition of lemongrass essential oil.

Leaves are raw materials for extracting essential oils (the amount of essential oil in leaves accounts for 0.5-2%). Lemon eucalyptus essential oil has a light yellow color and the characteristic aroma of fresh lemon peel.

Density at 20^oC: 0.860 – 0.880.

Refractive index at 20^oC: 1.451 – 1.465

Polar rotation capacity at 20^oC: -5 to +5

2.1 Ingredients of Vietnamese lemon eucalyptus essential oil

Main ingredients include: Citronellal 80-85%, citronellol 7-10%. There are also other natural compounds such as Limonene 1-2%, α-pinene: 1-1.5%, Eucalyptol 2%…

Citronellal and citronellol are ingredients widely used in the pharmaceutical, perfume and cosmetics industries.

2.2 Extraction method of lemon eucalyptus essential oil

Extraction method: steam distillation.

Leaves can be harvested for the first time 6 months after planting. The leaves are fresh, not old, and free of pests and diseases. The time to harvest leaves to distill essential oils should be in the morning when the sun is not yet strong and the plant is photosynthesizing well. Collected leaves should be distilled as soon as they are fresh and need to be chopped.

After being extracted from water, essential oils need to be filtered of organic impurities and remaining water to achieve the best quality for export.

Lemon Eucalyptus trees are ready for harvesting leaves and branches

2.3 Uses of Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil

The therapeutic power of lemon eucalyptus essential oil begins with citronellal, a terpene aldehyde with a content of up to 80%. Terpenoids are a large group of natural organic compounds that are very common in essential oils. Normally, terpenes inhibit the accumulation of toxins and support the secretion of toxins through the liver and kidneys. In addition, citronellal also has excellent insect repellent properties and creates the characteristic fresh lemon scent of lemon eucalyptus essential oil.

Citronellol is a monoterpene alcohol with insect repellent properties and is highly effective against mosquitoes. Citronellol is also used in many perfumes thanks to its similar scent to roses.

2.3.1 Anti-infection

Lemon eucalyptus essential oil has antibacterial properties and effectively prevents infection in cases of damaged skin, cuts due to trauma or burns.

2.3.2 Reduce pain

Lemon eucalyptus essential oil is used with carrier oil to massage and reduce pain in the body. In particular, this essential oil can relieve pain in the joints by massaging the muscles surrounding the affected area.

2.3.3 Repel insects

Thanks to its high Citronellal and Citronellol content, lemon eucalyptus essential oil is as effective at repelling insects as lemongrass and Javanese lemongrass.

2.3.4 Air purification and aromatherapy

Using a lemon eucalyptus essential oil diffuser in your living space helps purify the air. The fresh scent helps relax and reduce stress effectively. Using lemon eucalyptus essential oil to clean furniture helps kill bacteria and create scent. In addition, this essential oil also has excellent deodorizing properties, helping to eliminate unpleasant odors.

2.3.5 Support the respiratory system

One of the popular uses of lemon eucalyptus essential oil is using it in essential oil steaming to support the treatment of sinusitis. The properties of lemon eucalyptus essential oil can thin mucus, a cause of congestion. In addition, the antibacterial properties of lemon eucalyptus essential oil also stimulate the immune system, help clear nasal passages and reduce nasal congestion.

Steam Distillation Equipment in VIPSEN factory, Hanoi, Vietnam

3. Lemon eucalyptus essential oil at VIPSEN essential oil factory

VIPSEN is one of the leading researchers and producers of natural essential oils in Vietnam. Essential oil products are produced using advanced methods, achieving high quality with 100% natural ingredients, without additives or mixtures.

Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil products are produced by VIPSEN from selected raw materials, from famous raw material growing areas in Vietnam such as Phu Tho, Hoa Binh, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen… Production process from stage to stage Planting, harvesting raw materials, producing and preserving finished products are always closely monitored by a team of experienced experts and technicians. VIPSEN’s Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil products are not only popular in Vietnam but are also exported to many countries around the world.