The key difference between eucalyptol and eucalyptus oil is that eucalyptol is the major component present in eucalyptus oil, whereas eucalyptus oil is a medicine to treat a variety of common diseases.
Eucalyptol and eucalyptus oil are closely related terms because eucalyptol is the major component that we can find in eucalyptus oil, which is obtained from the eucalyptus tree, which is native to Australia.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Eucalyptol
3. What is Eucalyptus Oil
4. Eucalyptol vs Eucalyptus Oil in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Eucalyptol vs Eucalyptus Oil
What is Eucalyptol?
Eucalyptol is a type of monoterpenoid. It occurs as a colorless liquid that exists as a bicyclic ether. It also has a fresh, mint-like smell and a spicy-cooling taste. This substance is insoluble in water. However, it is miscible with organic solvents. Typically, eucalyptus makes up about 90% of the eucalyptus oil. Moreover, eucalyptol forms crystalline adducts along with hydrohalic acid, o-cresol, resorcinol, phosphoric acid, etc. The formation of these adducts is very important in purification.
Figure 01: The Chemical Structure of Eucalyptol
The chemical formula of this compound is C10H18O. Its molar mass is 154.249 g/mol. The density of this liquid is closely similar to that of water, and it has a low melting point, which is about 2.9 degrees Celsius. But its boiling point is comparatively high, which is around 177 degrees Celsius.
Eucalyptol has a pleasant, spicy aroma and taste, and we can use it for flavoring, fragrance, and cosmetics. We can use its oily form sparingly in different products such as baked goods, confectionery, meat products, and beverages. Moreover, eucalyptol is an ingredient in commercially available mouthwashes, and it is useful in traditional medicine as a cough suppressant.
What is Eucalyptus Oil?
Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil that is useful as a medicine to treat a variety of common diseases. These diseases and conditions include nasal congestion and asthma. We can also use it as a tick repellent. As a remedy, we can apply it to the skin for various health problems, including arthritis and skin ulcers.
Eucalyptus oil is obtained from eucalyptus trees, which are native to Australia. The oval-shaped leaves of this tree are useful in making this oil. We can dry, crush, and distill the leaves to release the essential oil. Moreover, we need to dilute the oil after its extraction and before using it as a medicine. It is also used for various creams and ointments. Furthermore, eucalyptus essential oil has a minty fragrance with hints of honey and citrus.
Uses and Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil
Some important uses and benefits of eucalyptus oil are as follows:
- Relieving cough
- Clearing the chest
- Keeping mosquitoes and other bugs away
- Disinfection of wounds
- Improving breathing conditions
- Controlling blood sugar
- Soothing cold sores
- Antibacterial properties
- Treating fungal infections and wounds
- Easing joint pain
What is the Difference Between Eucalyptol and Eucalyptus Oil?
Eucalyptol and eucalyptus oil are closely related terms because eucalyptol is the major component that we can find in eucalyptus oil, which is obtained from the eucalyptus tree. Eucalyptus typically makes up about 90% of eucalyptus oil. Therefore, the key difference between eucalyptol and eucalyptus oil is that eucalyptol is the major component present in eucalyptus oil, whereas eucalyptus oil is a medicine to treat a variety of common diseases.
The below infographic presents the differences between eucalyptol and eucalyptus oil in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Eucalyptol vs Eucalyptus Oil
Therefore, the key difference between eucalyptol and eucalyptus oil is that eucalyptol is the major component present in eucalyptus oil, whereas eucalyptus oil is an essential oil that is useful as a medicine to treat a variety of common diseases. In fact, eucalyptus makes up about 90% of eucalyptus oil.
Reference:
1. Pletcher, Peggy. “9 Amazing Eucalyptus Oil Benefits You Need to Know.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 25 July 2017.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Eucalyptol” By Edgar181 – en:Image:Eucalyptol.png (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Essential-oil-essential-oils” (CC0) via Pixabay