Tag Archives: rosalina

Rosalina, Nerolina, Niaouli – What’s the Difference?

Rosalina, Nerolina, Niaouli - What's the Difference header

What is the difference between rosalina and nerolina essential oils? Are nerolina and neroli the same oil? I was asked these questions last week and thought I would answer them in this blog post.

Nerolina and niaouli
Melaleuca quinuenervia tree Firstly its important to understand that both nerolina and niaouli are two chemotypes of the broad-leaved paperbark tree Melaleuca quinquenervia. Nerolina is Melaleuca quinquenervia CT nerolidol/linalool while niaouli is Melaleuca quinquenervia CT cineole.

The aroma of nerolina has been described as fresh, green and fruity while the aroma of niaouli has been described as strong, fresh and similar to that of eucalyptus.

Nerolina essential oil is a clear to amber yellow colour while niaouli is an almost clear, pale yellow to greenish colour.
Both essential oils are obtained by steam distillation of the leaves and twigs.

Chemical constituents in nerolina and niaouli vary but generally nerolina is high in nerolidol and linalool while niaouli is high in 1.8 cineole. Both contain alpha-terpineol, alpha-pinene and limonene in varying amounts.

Nerolina has been reported to help in cases of adrenal fatigue, shingles, cold sores and wound healing. Mark Webb has found nerolina ideal for small children with persistent dry, non-productive cough when applied as part of a chest rub formula.

Niaouli because of her high 1.8 cineole is beneficial for coughs, colds, bronchitis, sinusitis, muscular aches and pains.

Nerolina is calming, soothing and uplifting. Both are helpful for mental fatigue and exhaustion, confusion, poor focus, anxiety and stress.

Both oils are considered nontoxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising. If using on children nerolina may be the better choice because of her low cineole content and aroma.

Note: nerolina may be marketed as niaouli so it’s important to check the botanical name and chemotype so you know what you are purchasing.

Rosalina
RosalinaRosalina (Melaleuca ericifolia) is also known as lavender tea tree.
The aroma has been described as soft and medicinal with a slightly piney scent.

Rosalina essential oil is a clear, pale straw to golden yellow colour. An oil darker in colour may indicate inappropriate distillation.

Rosalina essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves and twigs.

The main chemical constituent in rosalina is linalool, with smaller amounts of 1.8 cineole, limonene, aromadendrene, alpha-terpinene and terpinene-4-ol.

Rosalina is useful for a sore throat, sinus infections, respiratory congestion, coughs, colds, flu, cold sores, insect bites, muscular aches and pains.

On an emotional level rosalina is very calming, nurturing, relaxing and uplifting so useful for stress, insomnia, nervous tension, irritability and anxiety.

Battaglia writes that the chemical profile of rosalina oil suggests that it would have properties similar to a blend of tea tree, lavender and eucalyptus essential oils.

This is another oil that can safely be used on children as she is considered nontoxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising.

Nerolina, niaouli and rosalina are all Australian essential oils from the genus Melaleuca and they all share similar properties. They are all helpful for respiratory issues, muscular aches and pains. All are helpful for anxiety, stress and nervous tension and all are calming and uplifting. They are all considered nontoxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising. They vary in their major chemical constituents which contributes to their varying aromas and some differences in their therapeutics.

Both nerolina and rosalina are considered safe oils to use on children and may be better received than the stronger smelling oils of niaouli, tea tree and eucalyptus.

Neroli and Nerolina
Those new to aromatherapy sometimes confuse neroli and nerolina. I think this is due to the similarity in the names but they are very different oils, used for different purposes.

Neroli flowerNeroli (Citrus aurantium var.amara)  is distilled from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree and is used for more emotional issues such as depression, stress, anxiety, and shock. Although nerolina can also be used for emotional issues she is more often used for respiratory and other physical issues.

Neroli is also a very expensive oil compared to nerolina. As was seen above nerolina is a Melaleuca from the Myrtle family whereas neroli belongs to the Rutaceae family.

For more information on neroli click on the link to be taken to my post on neroli.

Sources:
Battaglia S, The Complete Guide To Aromatherapy. Third Edition. Black pepper Creative Pty Ltd, Australia (2018)
Rosalina photo Melburnian / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
Tisserand R and Young R, Essential Oil Safety Second Edition, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014
Webb M, Australian Essential Oil Profile – Nerolina, Aromatherapy Today, Vol.18 (2001)
Webb M, Australian Essential Oil Profile – Rosalina, Aromatherapy Today, Vol.17 (2001)
Webb M, Bush Scents. Griffin Press, Adelaide (2000)

A Quick Guide to 7 Australian Essential Oils

A Quick Guide to 7 Australian Essential Oils header

The 26th of January is Australia Day, a good time to give an overview of 7 Australian oils.

AUSTRALIAN SANDALWOOD (Santalum spicatum) is one of my favourite oils. She helps to relieve nervous tension, stress and mild anxiety. Use her also to help with dermatitis, eczema and dry skin. She can also be used in meditation to induce feelings of calm and serenity.

EUCALYPTUS (Eucalyptus radiata) is well known for her ability to help relieve the symptoms of sinusitis, colds and flu. She is also helpful for relieving muscular aches and pains – use with rosemary for an effective after gardening or sports massage blend.  She is also an effective wound healer and her anti-viral properties make her a candidate for inclusion in herpes simplex and herpes zoster (shingles) blends.

Eucalyptus radiata

On an emotional level if you are feeling hemmed in eucalyptus brings a sense of freedom by giving you room to breathe and to either accept the situation or change it. She clears mental fatigue and brings clarity.

EUCALYPTUS STAIGERIANA (Eucalyptus staigeriana) is also known as lemon scented ironbark. She can be used to help relieve the symptoms of colds and flu and to relieve muscular aches and pains. Use her also to treat minor cuts and wounds as she is anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory.

I prefer to use her to help uplift people emotionally when they are feeling down or dispirited. She calms the solar plexus and is very soothing and calming.

FRAGONIA™ (Agonis Fragrans) is another oil that can help relieve the symptoms of arthritic and muscular pain, sinus infections, colds and flu. She supports the immune system and is an excellent choice in viral infections including herpes simplex and zoster. She can be used to ameliorate the effects of jetlag. Useful for treating wounds, cuts and abrasions.

fragonia flowers

Fragonia™ can be used for stress, anxiety, depression as she helps uplift people emotionally and brings a sense of peace, harmony and balance. She works at a deep level to heal emotion scars and unresolved issues. Fragonia™ used before going to sleep may enhance lucid dreaming and recall.

KUNZEA (Kunzea ambigua) is the oil to use for pain whether of a physical or emotional nature. On a physical level she is helpful for colds and flu, muscular aches and pains and arthritis. Use also for skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, dermatitis, cuts and bruises.

Kunzea

Kunzea has the ability to work at on a deep emotional level releasing blockages that can result in nervous tension, anxiety and stress.

ROSALINA (Melaleuca ericifolia) is also known as lavender tea tree. Because of her strong anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties she is very effective for treating sinus infections, respiratory congestion, coughs, colds and the flu while being gentle enough to use with children. Use her also for headaches, acne, tinea, cold sores and insect bites.

On an emotional level rosalina is very calming, nurturing and relaxing. She can be used for stress, insomnia, nervous tension and anxiety.

TEA TREE (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a good antifungal and can be used for athlete’s foot. She is also strongly antiviral and antibacterial and so is helpful in easing the symptoms of bronchitis, colds and flu. Use her also to treat sinusitis, infected cuts and wounds, athlete’s foot, insect bites, cold sores and boils.

Tea tree

On an emotional level she can help you see things from another’s perspective and therefore negotiate your differences and come up with a solution or answer that is acceptable to both parties. She is also helpful for nervous exhaustion and stress.