Site logo

All About Niaouli

Long ago, indigenous Australians employed Niaouli in multiple health-boosting brews, even using the long leaves to wrap around affected areas and drinking the flowers’ nectar.

To the rest of the world, the colossal island nation of Australia automatically brings to mind a host of interesting creatures, including bouncing kangaroos and those oh-so-cuddly looking koalas. But Australia also has unique plant life to offer! Native to this continent down under is the niaouli (nee-oo-lee) tree and the essential oil that bears its name. We agree, it seems those four consecutive vowels could together create a host of different sounds phonetically; so how about asking an Aussie if you want to learn the perfectly accurate pronunciation. Though native to coastal Australia and surrounding regions including New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea, the niaouli tree also thrives in a variety of other places around the globe. One of these places is the island nation of Madagascar, where dōTERRA® sources Niaouli essential oil from the leaves and twigs of this very special tree.

The appearance of the niaouli tree, a small member of the myrtle family, is quite unforgettable. Its tiny flowers, masterfully arranged in groups of three, grow in spikes on the ends of branches. Are you curious yet? You may have seen these trees in parks or gardens without even knowing what you were looking at. Creamy, yellow-white stamens appear in bundles around the small flowers, making the growth resemble a bottlebrush. Imagine a fluffy spike, if there could be such a thing – that’s niaouli! The trunk itself can take on a flaky appearance, so nicknames for the niaouli tree include both bottlebrush and paperbark. A variety of birds, bats, and insects find fine dining on this fascinating tree, but what’s in there for us to discover?

Not surprisingly, due to its Australian origin, Niaouli essential oil shares some chemical commonalities with Eucalyptus. It also merits comparison with Tea Tree oil, although their uses can be fine-tuned to emphasize their strengths. How do we best use sweet, woody Niaouli? Its stimulating properties are well suited for helping keep the skin clean and healthy-looking. Just be sure to remember the importance of proper dilution for sensitive skin as you begin to experiment with Niaouli. Want a failsafe way to try it out and get to know its aroma? Add one drop of this stimulating oil to your facial cleanser. Niaouli is renowned for its power to rejuvenate struggling skin, so don’t waste any time in experiencing it for yourself.

Just as you added a drop to your facial cleanser, you might also add a drop to your toothpaste because Niaouli oil is a tried and true go-to for oral wellness. To promote feelings of clearer breathing, place 2 drops dōTERRA Niaouli in a bowl filled with hot water. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the steamy, soothing vapor. Interested in using this oil’s cleansing properties and sharp, earthy smell to clean surfaces in your home? Go for it by adding 3-5 drops Niaouli to your cleaning spray. Create your own stimulating blend to diffuse by combining Niaouli with Eucalyptus, Lavender, Wild Orange, or even Fennel, if you’re feeling really adventurous.

Today, inspired by their creative uses of the natural beauty that surrounded them, we can appreciate Niaouli essential oil as the clarifying, cleansing helper that it is.