Synthetic Variants, Disappearing Trees Threaten Nilgiris Eucalyptus Oil Heritage

Eucalyptus oil on display at a shop in Udhagamandalam | Photo credit: M. Sathyamoorthy

The scent of eucalyptus was synonymous with the mist-covered Nilgiri hills. Tourists visiting any part of the Nilgiris always bring home small bottles of eucalyptus oil as a signature product of Ooty.

Now, Nakubetta Agri Development Initiative Producer Company Limited, Kotagiri, Nilgiris and the Tamil Nadu State Council of Science and Technology have applied for a Geographical Indication (GI) designation for Nilgiris Eucalyptus Oil (Nilgiris Eucalyptus Oil) which falls under the category of essential oils.

Manufacturers believe that such recognition could help distinguish genuine products from the counterfeit and synthetic variants that flood the market. But another part of the industry says it comes at a time when the eucalyptus oil industry is facing a serious downturn.

Eucalyptus trees in the reserve forest at Udhagamandalam | Photo credit: M. Sathyamoorthy

“We are one of the last few who still sell pure natural eucalyptus oil. Today, most of the products on the market are synthetic oils mixed with a small amount of natural oil. There are very few traditional distilleries left in the Nilgiris. The communities that once climbed trees and worked in the forests to extract the oil are slowly disappearing and almost no one is taking up the profession,” said the 70-year-old, who has been in the profession for four decades.

Few surviving trees

“Eucalypts have almost disappeared. They used to be spread across acres and acres in the Nilgiris. Today they survive only in a few pockets and private plots. Now I produce oil only for the local market. We used to trade extensively all over India, but this trade has declined drastically over the years,” he added. He also pointed out that there is a shortage of workers in this industry.

According to people in the hills involved in the trade, today eucalyptus oil is sold everywhere from bakeries to petrol pumps, but there is very little awareness among consumers about its actual medicinal and therapeutic uses. Industry players say the market is flooded with synthetic variants whose color and fragrance fade quickly, unlike the authentic Nilgiris Eucalyptus oil known for its purity and long-lasting properties. Similar oil from China also reaches stores at Hill Station.

Crude eucalyptus oil is filtered at a distillery in udhagamandalam | Photo credit: M. Sathyamoorthy

Skepticism about the GI brand

A second producer, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “There was a time when we produced almost 5,000 liters of eucalyptus oil a week. Today, our production has dropped to barely 200 liters a week,” he said. He expressed skepticism about the proposed GI mark, adding, “I feel it may be too late for such measures to revive the industry.” Those in the sector are urging the government to crack down on fakes, introduce measures to support traditional producers and encourage younger generations to enter the business.

The GI application was facilitated by the Department of Biotechnology, Mother Teresa University for Women, Kodaikanal. A. Usha Raja Nanthini, Professor and Head, Department of Biotechnology, Mother Teresa University for Women, said, “Even now there is a demand for this oil and the GI tag would help and encourage more people to venture into this business.”

The oil is processed at a distillery in Udhagamandalam | Photo credit: M. Sathyamoorthy

The Eucalyptus tree grows up to 150 feet tall and plantations are located in the upper Nilgiris including Manjoor, Dodabetta, Chincona, Barex and Coonoor. Collection of fallen dried leaves of Eucalyptus globulus is mainly done by local and rural women. The leaves are loaded into the distillation chamber (distillation chamber) and filled with water. It heats up from the bottom and the water starts to boil. Steam is created, which carries with it the vaporized essential oil. The steam and oil vapors then pass through a condenser where they cool and turn back into a liquid. The resulting mixture of water and oil is collected; the oil floats to the top, allowing it to separate.

Published – May 21, 2026 12:07 PM IST