Niaouli Essential Oil: History, Uses and Benefits

Also known as the broad-leaved paperback or the paper bark tea tree, niaouli is an evergreen tree native to Australia, New Caledonia, and surrounding areas.

The niaouli tree has been around for hundreds of years, traditionally used by the Kanaks of New Caledonia to heal wounds and conduct strength.

Its nickname as a “paper bark” tree refers to its soft exterior, which can be pulled off and ripped apart like paper.

A member of the eucalyptus family, niaouli is a lesser-known remedy with a fresh, balsamic scent, as well as powerful protective qualities for the body and mind.

What are the health benefits of Niaouli Essential Oil?

While it is compared - both in scent and in properties - to several other essential oils, niaouli is a powerful remedy on its own for many common ailments. Some niaouli oil benefits include:

• Antiseptic properties
• Improving oral health
• Nourishing skin
• Strengthening immunity

Is Niaouli essential oil an antiseptic?

Niaouli oil has strong antiseptic properties that allow it to fight against a lot of potentially harmful microorganisms, making it an ideal remedy for common irritation in the body.

The Kanaks, who famously utilised the oil for many medicinal purposes, were known to make a poultice from niaouli that they applied to wounds to prevent infection and speed healing.

Today, the bacteria-fighting properties of the oil continue to be documented in this same way.

A  study in 2013 showed that niaouli essential oil displayed significant antifungal activity - a quality that allows it to help keep us safe from causes of infection.

Can niaouli oil help take care of your teeth?

Whilst niaouli is useful for many types of deep cleaning, studies have suggested that it is particularly good at attacking the causes of tooth decay.

Some studies have suggested that niaouli oil displays strong antimicrobial activity against S. mutans - the main organism involved in the formation of dental plaque.

Because of these strong dental properties, oil-pulling with niaouli oil is a great way to improve oral health.

Simply mix one or two drops of niaouli with a carrier oil and swill around the mouth before spitting out.

You can find out more on how to oil pull with essential oils here.

Does niaouli essential oil cleanse skin?

Niaouli oil’s strong antibacterial properties make it ideal for deeply cleansing skin and ridding pores of harmful bacteria.

When diluted properly, the oil is a non-irritant, allowing it to soothe and gently treat skin conditions such as acne and other small imperfections.

Adding a few drops of niaouli essential oil to a carrier oil and sweeping it gently over the face may lead to cleaner, brighter skin as a result.

Using niaouli oil to help strengthen immunity

Niaouli oil is thought to stimulate blood circulation, metabolic processes, and the secretion of hormones and enzymes.

These processes allow it to help strengthen immunity in the body by giving us the best possible chance at fighting off and eradicating infection.

A  study in 2008 found that niaouli promotes cellular immunity in particular by encouraging T-cells to attack infected cells and reduce the level of infection in the body.

It may be that this immunostimulant quality is one that the Kanaks noticed centuries ago, leading them to closely associate the tree with protection.

How to use Niaouli Essential Oil

Aromatherapy

Though aromatherapy is one of the least common niaouli essential oil uses – largely due to its very strong scent – many of the oil’s properties can still be unlocked through this common practice.

Diffusing this strong and refreshing scent throughout your home, whether alone or in combination with other oils, can help strengthen the body’s immunity as well as fight airborne bacteria.

Combine 5-7 drops of the oil with water and add to an oil burner or diffuser for a fresh and powerful aroma.

Alternatively, you can simply hold a bottle of niaouli essential oil to your nose and gently inhale - or add a few drops to a tissue or cotton ball for on-the-go aromatherapy.

Massage

Dilute 5 drops to 10ml of carrier oil (such as sweet almond or jojoba oil) and massage evenly into the skin.

We always advise performing a patch test before applying niaouli essential oil to the skin.

Bath 

Add 6-8 drops of niaouli essential oil to warm bathwater for a refreshing, restorative experience for the body.

Adding niaouli oil to your bath can carry many of the same therapeutic benefits as aromatherapy, as the scent will carry through and fill the air with a balsamic aroma. This practice can also help to improve blood circulation.

Skincare 

Add a couple of drops of niaouli essential oil to a carrier oil (such as sweet almond or jojoba oil) or your chosen lotion and spread evenly, or onto affected areas.

Niaouli oils’ antiseptic and antibacterial properties make it a great choice for helping to heal infections - as well as reducing the appearance of small imperfections on the skin such as acne and scarring.

We always advise performing a patch test before using niaouli essential oil on the skin.

Soap & Candles 

Suitable for soap making and candle making. We recommend following a tested recipe.

Looking for creative ways to use your niaouli essential oil? Discover a number of fun candle and soap recipes in our Make at Home blog section.

History of Niaouli Essential Oil

Traditionally used by the Kanak people, native to New Caledonia, niaouli oil was praised for its cleansing properties as well as its ability to provide strength.

So revered was the tree in Kanak culture that new born babies were wrapped in niaouli leaves for protection.

Although it has a long history of medicinal use, it was only classified botanically in relevantly recent times and was first introduced to the Western world by a French industrialist who learned the infection-preventing power of the tree from indigenous people.

Niaouli was then used in French hospital obstetric wards as a result.

Powerful niaouli is tough on harmful microorganisms, but when diluted gently it still manages to be gently on our bodies and skin.

This ancient and yet newly-introduced remedy has a deceptive freshness to its scent, disguising an oil that comes down heavy on any threats to our health.

Shop our niaouli essential oil here.