How to Make Eucalyptus Oil

Co-authored by Lorena Barcal

Last Updated: February 2, 2023 Approved

The leaves of the eucalyptus tree are a popular health remedy all over the world. These leaves have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. When distilled into oil, eucalyptus creates an effective inhalant or a chest rub. A few drops of eucalyptus oil in a bath soothes aches and pains. Anyone can make eucalyptus oil with a few simple ingredients.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Crock Pot to Make Eucalyptus Oil

1
Find or buy fresh eucalyptus. Eucalyptus trees grow wild in warmer climates. In colder climates, eucalyptus is sold by nurseries as a potted plant or shrub. You'll need a good handful - approximately 1/4 cup - of leaves for every cup of oil you intend to make.^{[1]
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- Eucalyptus is found at most florists, as it is a favorite addition to many floral displays.
- In warmer climates, you might find eucalyptus for sale at farmer's markets or gardening stores.
- You may find eucalyptus for sale online. Although it's technically a tree or shrub, it's also labeled as an herb for its fragrance and medicinal properties.
- The best time of day to cut eucalyptus is early in the morning, when its leaves contain a high concentration of oil.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Lorena Barcal
  Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist
  Expert Interview. 28 June 2020.}^{[3]
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2
Wash the leaves in the sink with water. Rinse well, and set aside to dry. You may also choose to dry the leaves with a clean, dry cloth or towel.^{[4]
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- This step is particularly important when buying eucalyptus from a florist, as the leaves may be sprayed with preservative.
- Get the leaves as dry as you can, but if there's a little water left it will evaporate,
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3
Measure 1 cup (8 oz) of oil. The best oil will be a light carrier oil, either cold-pressed virgin olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Lorena Barcal
Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist
Expert Interview. 28 June 2020.} A strong scent is unnecessary because you want the eucalyptus scent to dominate the oil.
- If you'd like to make less than 8 oz of eucalyptus oil, use less oil and fewer leaves. For example, if you'd like to make 4 oz (1/2 cup) of oil, measure 4 oz of oil, and use approximately 1/8 cup eucalyptus leaves.
- If you want to make more, just keep the proportions the same: 4 parts oil to 1 part leaves.
4
Strip eucalyptus leaves from stem, and gently crush with your hands. This will start to extract the oil, and your hands will smell of the leaves.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Lorena Barcal
Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist
Expert Interview. 28 June 2020.}
- You can also chop the leaves with a sharp knife. If there are bits of stem and twig in the mix, that's okay.
- If you want to use mixed herbs to create your oil, you should add them at this time.
5
Combine oil and leaves in a crock pot set on low. Make sure the lid is on your crock pot. There should be about 1/4 cup of oil resting above your leaves.
- Allow the mixture to steep for at least 6 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger your eucalyptus oil will be.
- The scent of the steaming oil will be fairly strong throughout your home. Make sure you're making your eucalyptus oil at a time you can enjoy it.
6
Pour the eucalyptus oil through a fine mesh strainer when the oil is cool. Catch the oil in a jar. Ideally, this will be a dark glass jar, but any jar will serve so long as it's kept in a dark location in your home.
- It's important to wait until the oil has cooled before pouring, so the glass doesn't crack from the sudden heat.
- Use clean, glass jars with tight fitting lids. Make sure they are dry as well. Any water or moisture in the jars can cause mold.
7
Label the eucalyptus oil. You can be as creative as you like in designing labels for your homemade essential oils, but you'll definitely want to identify it by type (Eucalyptus Oil) and by the date it was completed.
- The oil will be good for approximately 6 months from the time you make it.^{[7]
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- If you've included other herbs to your eucalyptus oil, include this on the label. Some popular additions are: Sage, Lavender, Spearmint, or Rosemary.
- To store oil for a longer time, keep in the refrigerator.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Infusing Oil With Eucalyptus Leaves in the Sun

1
Gather two mason jars. One jar will be used for making the eucalyptus oil in, and the other for storing it. You can use pint jars, quart jars, or larger jars, depending on how much eucalyptus oil you intend to make.^{[8]
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- Make sure your jars are clean and dry, as any water or moisture can result in mold.
- The jar you use for making the oil can be clear or dark glass. A dark glass jar is best for storing the eucalyptus oil.
2
Gather eucalyptus leaves, as in preceding steps. You will use the same proportion of leaves to oil as you did in the crock pot method - about 4 parts oil to 1 part eucalyptus leaves. Use 1/4 cup of eucalyptus leaves for every cup of oil.
- Place the eucalyptus leaves in the jar, followed by a thin layer of sea salt.^{[9]
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  Research source} The salt will help to extract the oil from the leaves.^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Lorena Barcal
  Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist
  Expert Interview. 28 June 2020.}
- With the handle part of a long spoon, smash the eucalyptus leaves into the bottom of the jar, releasing their natural oils.
3
Pour the oil over the smashed eucalyptus leaves and salt mix. Allow to steep for at least 2 weeks in the warm sunshine. The longer you allow the mixture to steep, the stronger it will be.
- Make sure your jar is tightly sealed, and give it a good shake to stir the leaves together with the oil. Continue to shake the jar every 12 hours or so until the steeping is finished.^{[11]
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  Expert Source
  
  Lorena Barcal
  Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist
  Expert Interview. 28 June 2020.}
- The spot where you keep your mixture while it's steeping should receive 8-12 hours of direct sunshine per day for maximum benefit. Keep it in an area that's not hidden from site, so that you don't forget to shake it.
4
Strain leaves from oil by pouring through a tea strainer or cheesecloth. Hold the strainer or cloth over the open mouth of the jar, and pour the oil into your storage jar.
- The strainer will catch the leaves, which you can discard.
- Wipe down any excess oil from your storage jar with a damp cloth.
5
Label the eucalyptus oil. You can be as creative as you like in designing labels for your homemade essential oils, but you'll definitely want to identify it by type (Eucalyptus Oil) and by the date it was completed.
- The oil will be good for approximately 6 months from the time you make it.^{[12]
  X
  Research source}
- If you've included other herbs to your eucalyptus oil, include this on the label. Some popular additions are: Sage, Lavender, Spearmint, or Rosemary.
- To store oil for a longer time, keep in the refrigerator.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you make eucalyptus oil without a double boiler?

Lorena Barcal
Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist
Lorena Barcal is a Clinical Herbalist, Clean Beauty Specialist, and Writer for IslandBeauty.co, a blog dedicated to sharing the benefits of using all-natural beauty products and recipes created by herbalists. Lorena specializes in studying and developing natural alternatives for beauty products. After finishing her herbal studies, Lorena managed an herbal lab in Barcelona developing natural beauty products. As a writer for IslandBeauty.co, she shares knowledge and insights to promote the natural beauty industry.

Lorena Barcal

Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist

Expert Answer

Crush the eucalyptus leaves and add some olive oil. Keep the mixture in a jar for 2-4 weeks, shaking it every 12 hours.
Question

How do you extract essential oils from eucalyptus leaves?

Lorena Barcal
Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist
Lorena Barcal is a Clinical Herbalist, Clean Beauty Specialist, and Writer for IslandBeauty.co, a blog dedicated to sharing the benefits of using all-natural beauty products and recipes created by herbalists. Lorena specializes in studying and developing natural alternatives for beauty products. After finishing her herbal studies, Lorena managed an herbal lab in Barcelona developing natural beauty products. As a writer for IslandBeauty.co, she shares knowledge and insights to promote the natural beauty industry.

Lorena Barcal

Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist

Expert Answer

Add a little sea salt into your mixture. This helps pull out the oils from the leaves, and can also prevent mold.
Question

What's the reason behind harvesting eucalyptus oil from leaves in the morning?

Zora Degrandpre, ND
Natural Health Doctor
Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

Zora Degrandpre, ND

Natural Health Doctor

Expert Answer

In the plant, the concentration of eucalyptus oil is highest in the morning. This may be because of the function of the eucalyptus oil in the plant. Some studies indicate that eucalyptus may act as an anti-parasitic agent in the plant. The parasites that attack the plant may be most active in the morning, and that is why the level of eucaplytus is higher in the morning.