24 Nourishing Niaouli Essential Oil Uses & Benefits You’ll Love

By Essential Oils Informer October 7, 2015 Essential Oils, Essential Oils for Aromatherapy, Essential Oils for Breathing, Essential Oils for Healing 0 Comments

Melaleuca quinquenervia (other scientific name is Melaleuca viridiflora), commonly known as broad-leaved paperbark, the paper bark tea tree, punk tree or niaouli, is a small- to medium-sized tree of the allspice family, Myrtaceae. The plant is native to New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and coastal eastern Australia, from Botany Bay in New South Wales northwards, into Queensland and the Northern Territory. It has become naturalized in the Everglades in Florida, where it is considered a serious weed by the USDA.

The broad-leaved paperbark grows as a spreading tree up to 20 m high, with the trunk covered by a white, beige and grey thick papery bark. The grey-green leaves are ovate and the cream or white bottlebrush-like flowers appear from late spring to autumn.

Niaouli grows from 8–20 m (26–66 ft) high with a spread of 5–10 m (16–33 ft), with thick white and beige papery bark. Arranged alternately, the leathery dull- or grey-green leaves are 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) long by 0.5–2.5 cm (¼–1 in) wide, and ovate to obovate in shape. Flowering occurs from spring to early autumn, September to March in Australia. The white or cream flowers are arranged in cylindrical brushes some 4–8 cm (1.6–3.1 in) long and 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) wide borne at or near the end of branchlets. They are followed by small woody seed pods containing many tiny seeds which are released annually.

Niaouli was first described as a member of Metrosideros by the Spanish naturalist Antonio José Cavanilles in 1797, with Stanley Thatcher Blake of the Queensland Herbarium later placing it in Melaleuca in 1958. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek melanos ‘black’ and leukos ‘white’ (this references the trunks of other plants of this species). The specific epithet is derived from the Latin quinque ‘five’, and nervus ‘nerve’ or ‘vein’ – referring to the leaves. It is commonly known as the broad-leaved paperbark, broad-leaved tea tree or simply paperbark or tea tree in Australia, and as punk tree in the United States. It is known as niaouli in New Caledonia.

Melaleuca quinquenervia grows in seasonally inundated plains and swampland in along the east coast of Australia south to Botany Bay in Sydney. It is a component of the savanna of western New Caledonia, scattered trees dotting the grassland habitat. Its spread through this landscape might have been facilitated by human fire regimes. In Australia, it is the third most diverse plant genus with up to 250 species. Major threats to M. quinquenervia are housing developments, roads, sugar canes and pine plantation. Remnants in Australia are not protected in reserves, with majority of its woodland located in private property where clearing continues.

It grows in silty or swampy soil along estuary margins or in swamps, and is often the dominant species. In the Sydney region it grows alongside trees such as Eucalyptus robusta and E. botryoides. Plants have grown in acid soil of pH as low as 2.5.

Melaleuca quinquenervia was introduced into Florida as early as 1900 when specimens were first planted near Orlando. There were two major introductions, one by J. Gifford to the East Coast in 1907, and one by A.C. Andrews to the west coast in 1912. The South Florida Water Management has recorded Melaleuca around the areas where they were originally introduced: southwest of Broward and northern Dade County on the east coast and southern Lee County and north of Collier County on the west coast.

What is Niaouli Essential Oil?

Yet another natural feather in the Australian cap along with Tea Tree and Cajeput, Niaouli belongs to the same species Melaleuca and is native to Australia. Along with these 3 trees, Melaleuca contains more than 200 species and these are the most popular ones used for extracting essential oils. Niaouli essential oil is extracted from the leaves and young twigs of this tree through steam distillation. The clean, camphoraceous and composed aroma of Niaouli essential oil heals one in a number of ways and never fails to remind you about Tea tree oil. Niaouli essential oil is used in Ayurvedic healing as an antiseptic, immune stimulant and expectorant for helping with respiratory and pulmonary infections.

Niaouli has been used in the Middle East for preparing herbal tea to support healthy bowels. It was also used in the ancient period to keep away from malaria. Since the pre-historic period Niaouli has been a valuable additive to toothpastes, gargles, mouth sprays and cough drops. This oil is also used as a substitute for Cajeput and Eucalyptus oil in the treatment of neuralgia, cold, cough and rheumatism.

A truly beautiful, fresh aroma straight from the Australian bush, Niaouli essential oil is extremely pleasant and fresh, highly recommended for those wanting fresh air in the home or workplace or those wanting to breathe a little easier, great in an oil burner. Niaouli essential oil is extracted via steam distillation of the leaves and green branchlets. Nerolina is grown in plantations, wild harvesting also occurs.

The aromatic profile of Niaouli essential oil is sharp, clear, pungent, medicinal, floral, slightly sweet, fresh, earthy, musty and harsh. It also has a spicy-camphoraceous, warm scent. It is similar to tea tree oil but the aroma is softer, sweeter, and to many people, more pleasant.

Chemical Constituents of Niaouli Essential Oil

The main components of Niaouli essential oil are alpha phellandrene, alpha pinene, beta pinene, cineole, gamma terpineol, limonene, linalool and piperitone.

Benefits of Niaouli Essential Oil

The health benefits of Niaouli Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties as an analgesic, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, bactericidal, balsamic, cicatrisant, decongestant, expectorant, febrifuge, insecticide, stimulant, vermifuge and vulnerary substance.

1. Analgesic

The pain relieving property of this oil makes it a very good analgesic. It eliminates pain by inducing numbness in the nerves and by desensitizing the area. It is very effective in relieving the pain of headaches, migraines, toothaches, earaches, and muscle and joint pain, as well as pain due to sprains.

2. Anti-rheumatic

This oil stimulates the circulation of the blood and lymph, thereby preventing the accumulation of uric acid in the joints and bringing warmth to various parts of the body. These two factors together help give relief from rheumatism, arthritis, and gout.

3. Antiseptic

Open wounds are prone to infections since bacteria, fungi, and other microbes have a very good chance of getting into the blood stream through these wounds. Bacteria also reside in the urogenital tracts, colon, prostrate, intestines, and kidneys and cause infections of the urethra and other sensitive body parts. The essential oil of Niaouli, thanks to its antiseptic properties, can inhibit bacterial growth in those areas and gives good protection against sepsis, tetanus, and infections of the other internal organs.

4. Bactericidal

This oil kills bacteria and inhibits bacterial growth and infections. Donoyama and Ichiman study on the effectiveness of six essential oils like eucalyptus, thyme linalool, lavender, tea tree, niaouli and sage in treating Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was tested. This study revealed that among the six essential oils tested “niaouli essential oil was found to be the most effective, reducing colony count to zero at 3.125%”.

5. Balsamic

Niaouli essential oil promotes growth and boosts health by promoting proper absorption and distribution of nutrients in the body. It also increases strength.

6. Cicatrisant

People don’t like to see scars on their face or skin. You may have tried those creams and lotions on the market but have gotten no results. If you are losing hope of ever having clear skin, why don’t you try using the oil of Niaouli? As a cicatrisant, it diminishes scars and the after marks left by acne, pimples, or pox on the skin. This oil also speeds up the growth of new tissues and cells in the affected area to give it a brand new look. These new tissues will replace the old and damaged tissues of the scars so the scars will ultimately fade away.

7. Decongestant

Niaouli essential oil also opens up any congestion of the lungs, bronchi, larynx, pharynx, trachea and the nasal tracts by clearing out the deposition of phlegm in those areas. This helps you breathe easier and guarantee a good sleep at the end of the day.

8. Expectorant

Niaouli essential oil has been approved in the German Commission E Monographs especially for its effective uses to the respiratory system. The expectorant property of this oil loosens up toughened depositions of phlegm or catarrh in the lungs, bronchi, larynx, pharynx, trachea and the nasal tracts, thereby giving relief from heaviness in the chest, as well as coughs and congestion.

9. Febrifuge

Niaouli essential oil helps to lower body temperature during fevers by fighting the infections that cause the fever and by promoting sweat. This also helps to detoxify the blood to some extent, thereby promoting faster relief from fever.

10. Insecticide

Niaouli essential oil kills insects (barring cockroaches and a few other very stubborn survivors) and also keeps them away. This can be used in sprays and vaporizers to achieve this effect and keep your area insect-free.

11. Stimulant

It is a stimulant for the systems functioning inside the body. Niaouli essential oil stimulates blood circulation as well as the secretion of hormones, enzymes, and other juices while also stimulating metabolic processes. These include digestion, absorption, and excretion. In this way, it stimulates growth and strengthens immunity. Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt says “Niaouli is an excellent general immune system booster and an agent to help one with allergic reactions.” Niaouli essential oil enhances the resistant power of your body to withstand against infections and micro organisms by strengthening your immunity.

12. Vermifuge

Niaouli essential oil also kills intestinal worms. It is effective on both round worms and tape worms. The presence of worms obstructs the normal physical and mental growth and also interferes with the absorption of nutrients by the body. The use of this oil can eliminate this obstructed growth by eliminating the worms responsible for the condition. It can also be safely given to children, who suffer from worms more often than adults.

13. Vulnerary

The essential oil of Niaouli helps your wounds heal faster and keeps them protected from infections when applied as an external application on the wounds mixed with any lotion or cream. This oil is equally beneficial in healing internal wounds, cuts, and ulcers. It activates the leucocytes and platelet particles in the infected place and prevents the intrusion of microbes. The disinfectant property of this oil itself inhibits microbial infections or growth in the affected place.

Uses of Niaouli Essential Oil

A number of Niaouli essential oil uses are suggested here to guide you in any practical remedy applications.

Add 1 drop of Niaouli essential oil in a cup of lukewarm water to make a natural cleanse for washing your wounds, skin ulcers, blemishes, cuts, acne, insect bites and burns. This cleansing solution aids in removing the harmful organisms like bacteria on your affected part of the skin and initiates its quicker healing process.
Mix 2 drops of Niaouli essential oil in coconut oil or your regular skin care cream or lotions and apply it gently on the infected area.
Applying 2 drops of Niaouli essential oil blended with jojoba oil can assist you in diminishing your scars and marks left by pimples, post-pregnancy stretches, acne or pox by influencing the faster growth of new skin cells and tissues.
When gently massaged on to the painful area with 2 drops of Niaouli essential oil blended with coconut oil, the analgesic properties of this oil acts like a general anesthetic by numbing the nerves in the painful parts and consoles pain.
Massaging 2 drops of Niaouli essential oil added to sesame oil helps in stimulating the lymphatic system and enhancing blood circulation in the body, which controls the amassing of toxic substances and uric acid in the joints.
Using 2 drops of Niaouli essential oil in steam inhalation or in vaporizer can help you fight against cold, flu, bronchitis, whooping cough, sinusitis, catarrh, pneumonia, asthma, laryngitis, sore throat, tuberculosis and cough.
You can also add 2 drops of Niaouli essential oil in your rubs and massage it gently on your neck, chest and back for quicker relief.
You can add 3 to 5 drops of Niaouli essential oil in warm bathing water or inhale the aroma of this oil by adding 2 drops to your diffuser for eliminating worms from your body.
This oil has been proven mild and safe for everyone so you can add 2 drops of Niaouli essential oil to your diffuser to facilitate the fostering aroma of this oil fortify your immune power every day.
Follow this with an oil rubbed on to the chest, sinus area, temple and nape of neck: mix 10 ml (2 tsp) soya oil, 5 drops niaouli, 2 drops eucalyptus and 1 drop myrtle.
To protect against air-borne infections, make a room spray by mixing 300 ml (1/2 pint) warm water with 5 ml (1 tsp) niaouli in a spray bottle. This is particularly effective sprayed in public places like waiting rooms.

Precautions for Niaouli Essential Oil

Niaouli essential oil is considered a safe oil, since it is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing. It is a powerful stimulant, so be sure to use it early at night and only in combination with more sedative oil. Do not take niaouli essential oil internally. Do not apply directly to the eyes or to mucous membranes. Potential for Skin Irritation: Medium. The information on this web-site is not intended to diagnose or prescribe for any disease or health condition. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should not use this product without first consulting a licensed healthcare practitioner. The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.