Essential Oil Spotlight: Eucalyptus

Kyrra's eucalyptus oil is really special, and we're so excited to use it in our new Freyr organic candle. Because we source our oils independently, we can look for producers that share our ethical values.

Our eucalyptus oil ticks all the boxes for us. It's independently certified organic and sustainably wild harvested by small community producers in Angola. No trees are harmed in its making, as the freshly fallen leaves are harvested from the forest floor. The oil provides a source of income for impoverished communities, and encourages environmental stewardship so that community members don't have to turn to more destructive practices such as logging or burning areas for crops.

80% of the pickers are women, helping to supplement their family income and improve quality of life. The leaves are also sorted and processed in factories close to the harvesting locations- not only maximising freshness but also helping to create higher quality skilled jobs in the area. Our supplier helps to train local people in food science, quality control and chemical analysis- providing technical jobs that would have been otherwise unheard of in the largely rural areas.

The oil is extracted through gentle steam distillation and without harsh chemicals, ensuring that the whole process is as kind to the environment as possible.

Eucalyptus globulus is endemic to Australia, and was probably bought to Angola by Portuguese settlers, where it thrives in the Mediterranean climate of the Namibe province.

The medicinal and herbaceous scent has often been used for clearing the sinuses or as a topical antiseptic, but in our Freyr fragrance blend it acts as an uplifting and sharper note alongside sweet mandarin and basil and woody cedar to create an earthy and warm but fresh fragrance.