Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is obtained from fresh leaves of the tall, evergreen eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus globulus). Eucalyptus oil's history of medicinal use dates back to the days of Indigenous Australians and has spread in the past few centuries to other parts of the world including China, India, Europe, and South Africa. The potent medicinal benefits of eucalyptus oil are due to a compound called eucalyptol (also known as 1,8-cineole), which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Eucalyptus essential oil is commonly used in products to fight foreign pathogens and different forms of infections.
Eucalyptus oil benefits are due to its ability to stimulate immunity, provide antioxidant protection and improve respiratory circulation. Eucalyptol, or 1,8-cineole, which accounts for 70–90 percent of the contents of eucalyptus oil, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
Immune system
Eucalyptus oil, rich in 1,8-cineole, provides a good boost for the immune system due to its antimicrobial effects against various types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Relief from Cold & Flu
Eucalyptus oil is known for its anti-viral and anti-bacterial healing properties. Eucalyptus essential oil has the ability to inhibit bacteria such as S. pneumonia, H. influenza, and parainfluenza that cause sinus infections, fever, and flu and is therefore effective for fighting against a number of respiratory tract infections including cold, cough, running nose, sore throat, nasal congestion, bronchitis, and sinusitis.
Dental Care & Oral Health
Eucalyptus essential oil is very effective against cavities, dental plaque, gingivitis, bad breath (halitosis), and other dental infections owing to its germicidal properties. Some dentists recommend adding a drop of eucalyptus oil to your toothpaste before brushing to promote gum health.
Antifungal
Due to its antimicrobial and fungicidal properties, Eucalyptus oil may hold promise as a natural treatment for athlete's foot as well as other fungal infections.
Hair Growth
Eucalyptus oil has potent antiseptic and anti-fungal properties which help remove the build-up of germs in hair follicles. The active ingredients in eucalyptus oil also help to stimulate hair follicles by stimulating blood vessels to constrict. This promotes increased blood flow to the follicles and encourages healthy hair development.
Improve Respiratory Issues
Eucalyptus oil helps to improve respiratory issues such as sinusitis, bronchitis, and allergies.
Allergy Relief
Components of eucalyptus oil, such as eucalyptol and citronellal, have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects which can help to relieve seasonal allergy symptoms. Eucalyptus oil also works as an expectorant, helping to cleanse the body of toxins and harmful microorganisms that are acting as allergens.
Cough Relief
Eucalyptus oil is one of the most effective essential oils for cough because it works as an expectorant, cleansing your body of the microorganisms and toxins that are making you cough. Eucalyptus oil's decongestant properties can help to clear your chest by making your cough more productive loosening mucus so that when you do cough, the thinned mucus can be expelled out of your chest. To this day, some over-the-counter cough medications have eucalyptus oil as one of their active ingredients.
Improves Air Quality
Using Eucalyptus oil in an essential oil diffuser may be particularly beneficial combating the fungus and mold present in indoor air.
Asthma Relief
The anti-inflammatory properties of cineole in eucalyptus essential oil help relieve asthmatic symptoms.
Stimulant
Considered a vasodilator, Eucalyptus oil is commonly used to stimulate mental activity and alertness by relaxing the blood vessels and therefore increasing the blood flow allowing more blood to circulate.
Relieves Joint Pain
Eucalyptus oil is a stimulant that helps to increase blood circulation and thereby reducing pain and swelling. This result can be achieved through topical use or by inhaling its vapor from a diffuser.
Headache Relief
Eucalyptus oil is one of the best essential oils for headaches caused by sinus issues. When inhaled Eucalyptus oil has been known to open up the nasal passages, clear the sinuses, and help relieve the root cause of the headache, sinus tension.
Pain Relief
Traditionally, eucalyptus oil was used as an analgesic agent that helped to relieve pain, and it was valued for its ability to reduce inflammation. When it’s used topically on the skin with a carrier oil, eucalyptus has been known to help reduce muscle pain and swelling.
Control Blood Sugar
Some experts believe that Eucalyptus oil may play a role in lowering blood sugar in people with diabetes.
Fight Infections
Eucalyptus oil and its main component, eucalyptol, have antimicrobial properties that fight against many strains of bacteria and fungi.
Fresh Breath
Due to its antibacterial properties, Eucalyptus oil can be used to fight the germs that cause bad breath. You will find Eucalyptus oil is an active ingredient in some mouthwashes and toothpaste.
Relieve Muscle Pain
Eucalyptus oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties which influence both the central and peripheral nervous system. Add Eucalyptus to a carrier oil and massage on affected areas for best results.
Heal Wounds
The Australian aborigines used eucalyptus leaves to treat wounds and prevent infection. When eucalyptus essential oil is exposed to air, an ozone layer is formed that makes the oil a potent antiseptic used to treat wounds, burns, cuts, and abrasions. It protects the open wound or irritated area from developing infections due to microbial activity and exposure to air.
Where can you buy Eucalyptus oil?
Not all Essential Oils are made the same. When choosing an essential oil it’s important to trust your source, both to know what to expect from it and to trust them to use ethical and sustainable methods.
How it's used
You can diffuse, inhale or apply essential oils topically to the skin. In order to apply the oil to the skin, it is recommended to be mixed with some other oil that acts as a carrier.
Precaution
There are some groups of people who should avoid eucalyptus oil altogether, including young children and pregnant women. Eucalyptus oil is not safe for internal use.