Lemon eucalyptus: an essential oil that is not OLE repellent

Lemon eucalyptus smells like citronella, not like classic eucalyptus. Why it is not suited to colds, and why an essential oil is not the same as a repellent with PMD.

In brief: Lemon eucalyptus (Corymbia citriodora, formerly Eucalyptus citriodora) smells of citronella and contains almost no 1,8-cineole, so it is not suited to breathing in. An essential oil is not the same as OLE/PMD repellent: that is chemically modified and registered. In a diffuser 3–5 drops, on the skin 1–2%.

Latin name	Corymbia citriodora (syn. Eucalyptus citriodora)
Extraction	steam distillation of the leaves, at Pěstík from Australia
Main components	citronellal roughly 55–80%, also citronellol and isopulegol; only traces of 1,8-cineole
Dilution on the skin	1–2%, that is, 6–12 drops per 30 ml
OLE/PMD repellent	a refined product with p-menthane-3,8-diol, not an ordinary essential oil
Safety in one word	mild

Anyone who buys lemon eucalyptus instead of classic eucalyptus for a cold is usually surprised. It does not smell like menthol sweets, but like citronella or lemongrass. It is a different tree with a different oil and a different use.

This article explains how it differs from classic eucalyptus, how things stand with repellents "with lemon eucalyptus", and how to dilute and blend the oil. It is not medical advice.

A different eucalyptus: citronellal instead of cineole

Classic eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) is 70–85% 1,8-cineole, a substance with a sharp "pharmacy" scent, which is why eucalyptus is used for colds. Lemon eucalyptus contains mainly citronellal, roughly 55–80% depending on batch and origin. It has only traces of cineole, which is why it is not suited to inhalation for colds.

	Lemon eucalyptus	Eucalyptus globulus
Botanically	Corymbia citriodora	Eucalyptus globulus
Main component	citronellal	1,8-cineole
Scent	lemony, grassy, slightly sweetish	sharp, camphoraceous, cooling
Suited to	scenting a space, summer outdoors, cleaning	inhalation and sauna for adults
Faces of small children	no	never

We write about classic eucalyptus in detail in the article eucalyptus oil: use, dilution and safety. You can also grow the tree itself at home from lemon-scented gum seeds; instructions are in the article aromatic eucalyptus from seed.

Essential oil or OLE repellent? A difference that matters

On repellent packaging you find "lemon eucalyptus", "OLE" (oil of lemon eucalyptus), "PMD" or "Citriodiol". That is not an essential oil from a bottle, however. During refining, the citronellal in the oil is converted into p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), a substance that repels mosquitoes considerably longer. The resulting product is registered as an active substance of repellents, and its dose and duration of effect are verified.

Registered repellent with OLE/PMD: the US CDC recommends it alongside DEET and icaridin. The CDC and EPA state that products with OLE or PMD should not be used on children younger than 3 years.
Essential oil from lemon eucalyptus: it contains only a little PMD, acts for a short time and is not registered as a repellent. For unregistered natural products, the CDC states that their effectiveness is not known.

For a stay in the forest, where ticks are a threat, and for travel to areas with mosquitoes that transmit diseases, therefore buy a registered repellent. Take the essential oil from a bottle as a pleasant scent for the terrace, not as protection. An overview of research on oils against mosquitoes is in the article what science reveals about essential oils against mosquitoes.

Use in drops

Diffuser and oil burner

For a small room 2–3 drops, for a living room 3–5 drops, for a ceramic oil burner outdoors 4–6 drops. Lemon eucalyptus is distinctive and in the first few minutes may seem almost "chemical", then it softens.

On the skin

For lemon eucalyptus oil, Tisserand and Young give no special risks, but the general rules apply. Citronellal oxidises in air, and older oil may irritate.

Carrier oil	1% (sensitive skin, older children)	2% (adults, body)
10 ml	2 drops	4 drops
30 ml	6 drops	12 drops
50 ml	10 drops	20 drops

We count 1 ml ≈ 20 drops. We write about dilution in general in the article essential oils for the complexion and carrier oils.

Cleaning

The lemon scent suits cleaning sprays: 15–20 drops per 500 ml of a water and vinegar solution for the kitchen worktop, floor tiles or a waste bin. More recipes are in the article natural cleaning with essential oils.

Recipes

Fresh hallway (diffuser)

3 drops of lemon eucalyptus, 1 drop of tea tree, 1 drop of peppermint. A clean, herbal scent after cleaning. Not in a household with a cat that cannot leave, and not for children under 6.

Summer terrace (oil burner)

3 drops of lemon eucalyptus, 2 drops of lavender, 1 drop of frankincense. Lavender and frankincense take the sharpness out.

Citrus (diffuser)

2 drops of lemon eucalyptus, 3 drops of orange. Orange rounds off and sweetens the blend.

Fragrance oil for the legs after gardening (1.5%)

Pour 30 ml of jojoba oil.
Add 5 drops of lemon eucalyptus and 4 drops of lavender, 9 drops in total.
Mix, label with the date and test on the forearm; wait 24 hours.
Use as a fragrance oil, not as a repellent. Use within 3 months.

Traditional use and research

Lemon eucalyptus oil is produced mainly in Brazil and China and serves as a raw material for perfumery and for the production of citronellal. Laboratory studies investigate its action on insects and microorganisms. It is not traditionally used for the airways; that is the domain of the cineole eucalyptuses. The oil is not taken internally.

Children, cats and other safety

Children: at Pěstík we keep one rule for all eucalyptuses: from 6 years, dilution up to 1%, never near the face. For lemon eucalyptus this applies even though it contains almost no cineole. More in the article essential oils and children.
Pregnancy: it is not among the forbidden oils; on the skin keep it to 1%.
Cats: eucalyptus oils are among the risky ones. Use a diffuser only in a room the cat can leave, never on the fur. More in the article essential oils and pets.
Oxidation: close the bottle and store it in the cool and dark; use up an opened bottle within roughly 1–2 years.

How to recognise a good oil

The label should state Corymbia citriodora or the older Eucalyptus citriodora, never just "eucalyptus". Also the country of origin (Australia, Brazil, China), steam distillation of the leaves and dark glass. The oil is pale yellow and smells of lemon. If it smells camphoraceous and minty, it is a different species of eucalyptus.

Frequently asked questions

Is lemon eucalyptus oil the same as OLE repellent?

No. OLE or PMD repellent is a refined product in which citronellal is converted into p-menthane-3,8-diol. It is registered and its effect is verified. An essential oil from a bottle is not a registered repellent.

Does lemon eucalyptus help with colds?

It is not suited to inhalation; it contains only traces of 1,8-cineole. If you want an oil for a blocked nose for adults, choose Eucalyptus globulus.

How many drops of lemon eucalyptus for a diffuser?

For a small room 2–3 drops, for a living room 3–5 drops. Outdoors in an oil burner 4–6 drops.

Can I use lemon eucalyptus on a child against mosquitoes?

We do not recommend an essential oil as protection against mosquitoes and ticks. According to the CDC, registered repellents with OLE or PMD should not be used on children under 3; for older children choose a registered product according to the instructions.

What does lemon eucalyptus smell like?

Lemony and grassy, similar to citronella, with a slightly sweetish and woody undertone. It does not have the classic "menthol" eucalyptus scent.

Sources

Updated: 27 September 2026

Author: Jana Vránová, the editorial pen name of the Pěstík.cz team. She writes about the garden, herbs and essential oils. We take safety and dosage information from specialist literature and official sources, which we cite in every article.