The essential oil of Niaouli comes from the large, evergreen tree that is scientifically called Melaleuca viridiflora. It is indigenous to Australia and it belongs to the same family as Tea Tree and Cajeput! It is extracted from a process of steam distillation of the leaves and twigs of the tree.

The scent is faintly reminiscent to that of the tea tree oil, with its clean, sweet and pleasant aroma but it is thought to be milder and gentler on the skin than the tea tree essential oil. Its use dates back to aboriginal times, where it was used by the natives of Australia as a form of respiratory aid and to protect against scurvy.

In French Polynesia and Caledonia, niaouli has been regarded as a “cure-all” medicinal herb and a national flower. In the Middle East, niaouli has been used to promote healthy bowel movement and to keep away from malaria. Its use has dated back since centuries ago, and it still continues to be relevant today, with its myriad useful properties and constituents! Read on to find out more about the health benefits of niaouli essential oil and why you should get this sweet oil today!

Health Benefits of Niaouli Essential Oil:

1. Heals the Skin

With its bactericidal, antiseptic and antibiotic qualities, niaouli essential oil is a great first aid agent for any wounds, cuts, bruises or scrapes incurred on the skin. It effectively cleans out the wounds and prevents the onset of bacteria or viruses from lingering on your skin. Therefore, it helps to prevent wounds from becoming septic and from getting infections, which could lead to complications if left unchecked.

For example, a 2006 study that was conducted and subsequently published in The International Journal of Aromatherapy found that niaouli essential oil was highly effective (out of eucalyptus, sage, thyme, lavender and tea tree essential oils) in inhibiting the growth of S. aureus, which is a type of bacterial strain.

Its vulnerary and cicatrisant properties also help to promote the fast and speedy recovery of these wounds, without leaving a nasty and dark scar or spot behind since it also facilitates cell growth and tissue regeneration underneath the skin.

As such, niaouli essential oil also has the additional beneficial effect of helping to manage acne to promote a smoother complexion, just like tea tree oil, only it is much gentler on your skin! With its antibacterial and cicatrisant properties, it prevents new pimples from forming since it removes the buildup of bacteria and it promotes the active healing of acne scars, dark spots and other marks on the skin.

Therefore, you do not need to spend so much on laser treatments and scar removal creams, which might not work. Simply fall back on niaouli essential oil to facilitate the growth of new skin cells and tissues to treat your scars and stretch marks!

How to Use it: You can apply a few drops of niaouli oil mixed with a tablespoon of of jojoba or coconut oil onto the wounds/affected areas. Alternatively, you can also add 2 drops of it into your regular skincare products to treat your skin.

2. Offers Pain Relief

Niaouli essential oil is a potent analgesic, which means it helps to offer pain relief and comfort through the numbing of nerves, thus serving as a natural anesthetic. This means that it can help to offer relief from headaches, migraines and even muscle aches as well as stiff joints.

Therefore, it serves as a potent, all-natural remedy for people who are suffering from arthritis, gout and rheumatism. This is because it also stimulates circulation of the blood and the lymphatic system, therefore removing toxins from the body and preventing the accumulation of toxins such as uric acid that are deposited in your bloodstreams and muscles. Thus, it helps to provide great, immense relief from the pain, inflammation and swelling associated with these conditions.

How to Use it: You can mix 2 drops of niaouli oil with coconut or sesame oil and proceed to massage onto the affected areas.

3. Offers Respiratory Relief

With its expectorant and decongestant properties, niaouli essential oil is a great, all-natural remedy for curing various respiratory problems ranging from the common cold, flu, cough to bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma and laryngitis.

By loosening up excess mucus and phlegm that is lodged within your nasal and respiratory passageways, the oil helps to promote a much freer and unobstructed airflow as it gets rid of congestion and the clogging up of such passageways. As such, it promotes great relief from coughing spells and difficult breathing.

As such, you can sleep better and breathe more easily after having a decongested and freer air tract. Its antimicrobial properties also help to promote a speedy recovery from these respiratory ailments, and you will be out and about in no time!

How to Use it: You can add 2-3 drops of niaouli essential oil into a steam inhalation device or vaporizer and let the wafts clear your nasal tracts. Alternatively, you can gently massage diluted niaouli oil to your neck, chest and back for quicker relief.

4. Promotes Urinary Tract Health

Since it contains antiseptic properties as abovementioned, the essential oil of niaouli can also be used to treat infections internally within the body, such as infections in the colon, kidneys, uro-genital tract, intestines and urethra. This therefore helps to maintain the proper functioning of such important and vital excretory and digestive organs in the body, thus augmenting overall health of the body!

How to Use it: You can add in 10 drops of niaouli oil with 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil (such as jojoba, coconut or almond oil) in warm, bathing water and use it to cleanse your urethra opening. Alternatively, you can also create a massage blend and rub it on your abdominal region and the area near the bladder to offer some comfort from the pain associated with urinary tract infections.

5. Kills off Worms

Intestinal worms, such as tapeworms and roundworms can be dangerous because it obstructs the proper absorption of useful nutrients consumed into the bloodstream. This can lead to stunted and obstructed physical and mental growth, which is especially harmful for children.

However, niaouli essential oil contains vermifuge properties, which means it can effectively kill off such intestinal worms. This thus helps to promote proper absorption of the nutrients into the bloodstream, ensuring proper mental and physical development of the body.

As a potent insecticide, niaouli essential oil can also be used to kill off unwanted insects and creepy crawlies that may linger in your house as uninvited guests!

How to Use it: You can add 3-5 drops of the oil in warm, bathing water or proceed to diffuse 2 drops of the oil in a diffuser and let the aromatic wafts engulf you. As a natural insecticide, you can add about 5-10 drops of the oil in a spritz bottle containing water and spray it all over your house to get rid of pesky insects and bugs.

6. Helps in Meditation

Niaouli essential oil is also said to drastically help while meditating as it can stimulate and revive your senses, provide an uplifting mood to your emotional spirits and it also boosts your memory and concentration levels since it induces feelings of relaxation, calm and tranquility in your soul.

How to Use it: Simply diffuse about 2-3 drops of niaouli essential oil into your diffuser or vaporizer.

Safety Precautions:

Niaouli essential oil is generally safe and non-toxic to be used. It is also non-sensitizing and non-irritant, providing a milder and gentler alternative to tea tree essential oil. Niaouli essential oil can be blended with juniper, lavender, lemon, lime, myrtle and rosemary essential oils.

However, as with all other essential oils, never ingest niaouli oil and always dilute it with a carrier oil first before topical application onto the skin. Be sure to do a skin patch test first too to ensure that you do not have any sensitive, irritant or allergic reactions from usage.

If you are pregnant or nursing, be sure to always consult your medical practitioner for professional healthcare advice before using essential oils as a form of treatment. Do not apply directly to the eyes or to the mucous membranes.

References:

Donoyama N, Ichiman Y “Which essential oil is better for hygienic massage practice?” The International Journal of Aromatherapy (2006): 16 http://roberttisserand.com/2012/04/hygienic-massage-with-essential-oils/