Eucalyptus in Penetrex Balm: the blue gum aroma
Blue gum leaf, a tree that lines Kenyan highways and farms, brings the green, camphor-fresh note of the balm.
Few plants are as familiar on the Kenyan horizon as the eucalyptus, with its tall grey-blue trunks along roads, school compounds and farm edges. The leaf of Eucalyptus globulus, the blue gum, is the first plant ingredient in the Penetrex Balm list and one of its main aroma notes.
| Plant | Blue gum, Eucalyptus globulus |
|---|---|
| Part used | Leaf |
| Aroma | Green, clean, camphor-fresh |
| Role in the balm | Fresh herbal aroma |
| Name on the label | Eucalyptus globulus leaf |
A tree you already know
Eucalyptus globulus, known as blue gum, is a tall evergreen tree native to Australia that has been grown in the Kenyan highlands for more than a century, for timber, poles and shade. Its long, curved, blue-green leaves are crushed in many households and dropped in a basin of hot water for steaming, and a few leaves in a cupboard are an old way of keeping a room smelling fresh.
The picture of eucalyptus on this page shows the round seed pods and the silvery juvenile leaves that blue gum is known for, next to a small bottle of leaf oil with a cork stopper.
The fragrance of eucalyptus
The scent of eucalyptus leaf comes mostly from a compound called 1,8-cineole, also known as eucalyptol. It smells clean, green and slightly camphor-like, a scent most people connect with fresh air, steam baths and the chest rub in the family medicine drawer.
That is the role of eucalyptus in a balm. It gives the formula a recognisable herbal freshness, so that Penetrex Balm smells like plants and not like a laboratory. It also pairs naturally with menthol, since the two share a cool, camphor-fresh character.
Eucalyptus in the Penetrex Balm formula
The ingredient is listed as Eucalyptus globulus leaf, the first item in the list supplied for Penetrex Balm. It sits with the other plant ingredients, safflower flower extract, lavender oil and Ligusticum chuanxiong oil, and with the two sensation ingredients, menthol and methyl salicylate.
The result is a balm with a layered aroma: the green freshness of eucalyptus on top, the soft floral note of lavender behind it, and the minty, sweet warmth of methyl salicylate and menthol. Most people find it pleasant enough to make the balm part of their evenings.
Care points for eucalyptus-containing products
Essential oils from eucalyptus are strong. Penetrex Balm is for the skin over the area of discomfort only: do not swallow it, keep it away from the eyes and nose, and do not use it near a baby's or a small child's face. If you are allergic to eucalyptus, or any product with a strong plant scent has ever made your skin red or itchy, do a small test first or leave the balm alone.
Wash your hands after applying. If your skin reacts, wash the balm off with mild soap and water and stop using it.
Where is eucalyptus globulus leaf on the Penetrex Balm label?
The carton prints it as Eucalyptus globulus leaf, one of 29 names in the key-ingredient list. It belongs to the group plants and plant oils, together with eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) flower extract, ligusticum chuanxiong oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil. Amounts are not published for any ingredient. See the complete ingredient list and the safety notes.
Questions about eucalyptus globulus leaf
Is eucalyptus in Penetrex Balm the same tree I see in Kenya?
The ingredient list names Eucalyptus globulus, the blue gum, which is one of the eucalyptus trees widely grown in the Kenyan highlands.
Why does the balm smell fresh and herbal?
Eucalyptus leaf, lavender oil, Ligusticum chuanxiong oil, menthol and methyl salicylate each add a note, and together they give the balm its fresh herbal scent.
Can I use the balm if I am sensitive to strong scents?
Try a small amount on a small area of skin first. If you notice irritation, wash it off and stop using it.
Can I use the balm near my face?
No. Keep Penetrex Balm away from the eyes, nose and lips, and apply it only to the skin over the area of discomfort.
KES 5,990 for the 50 g tube. An operator confirms your order by phone and you pay on delivery.