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One of the most common of all eucalyptus essential oil uses for health is in the treatment of respiratory problems. Anyone who has inhaled this oil to clear a stuffy nose or get rid of phlegm will tell you that it works like magic. Your nose will start to clear within minutes as you inhale the heady vapors of the oil.
Eucalyptus oil inhalation is the go-to remedy in my home for managing all kinds of respiratory problems.
If you are traveling with kids who are prone to the sniffles, I would strongly recommend packing a bottle of eucalyptus essential oil along with your travel aromatherapy dispenser. It won’t take up much space and you’ll be glad you did.
Studies Done on the Health Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, which is native to Australia. It is also called the Tasmanian Blue Gum tree.
The leaves of this evergreen tree are the primary food source of koala bears. We’ve all seen pictures of these cute little animals munching on their favorite leaves. But eucalyptus leaves are much more than just koala bear food.
The leaves of the eucalyptus tree offer an oil that comes with an extensive catalog of health benefits. Used to make medicines, lotions, perfumes, cosmetics, a number of other products, eucalyptus is one of the more widely used essential oils.
The long list of eucalyptus essential oil uses stems from its cineole content. This is an organic compound that is found in abundance in the leaves of the eucalyptus tree.
More than 1,200 studies that have been done on the benefits of cineole show that it has powerful analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal and expectant properties. Cineole can be used for a wide range of medical purposes, from reducing pain, fever, and inflammation to alleviating respiratory tract infections and treating wounds and infections.
Whether you’re struggling with a respiratory ailment, attempting to soften your skin, looking to boost your hair’s moisture and shine, or creating your own products, eucalyptus oil can help you out in some way or another.
And that’s only scratching the surface of the many benefits of eucalyptus essential oil. As you will see below, essential oil uses span the full gamut. This is one oil you will definitely want to keep in your essential oil kit.
A Look At The Top 10 Eucalyptus Oil Uses
Eucalyptus essential oil has a wide repertoire in terms of what it can be used for. Here are some of the more powerful eucalyptus essential oil uses:
1. Helps Relieve Colds & Flu
Eucalyptus oil is widely used to clear congestion and get rid of phlegm following a cold. As an antiviral, it works well against colds and the flu.
Its powerful expectorant properties help get rid of toxins and other harmful microorganisms that are the root cause of several ailments.
There are two ways you can get the benefits of eucalyptus oil for colds and the flu – steam inhalation and diffusion.
Diffusion – Putting a few drops in your diffuser before you go to sleep will give you the healing benefits of eucalyptus oil all night long.
Steam inhalation – Steam inhalation is faster working and will give you immediate relief from a severely blocked nose. To do this, put 5-8 drops of eucalyptus oil in a bowl of steaming hot water. Place a towel over your head and the bowl to prevent the steam from escaping. Inhale deeply for five to ten minutes. Repeat this 3 to 4 times a day.
2. Supports Therapy For Respiratory Infections
Eucalyptus essential oil is commonly used to support treatment of various respiratory infections. Its anti-bacterial properties hinder the actions of disease-causing bacteria that cause conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, and whooping cough.
If you are suffering from bronchitis, asthma or congestion, you can improve the lung function by using an inhalation tent to breathe in the eucalyptus-infused steam. Inhaling the vapors by steam inhalation can help manage the symptoms associated with these conditions.
Another way to use eucalyptus essential oil to manage respiratory ailments is by massaging it onto your chest. You can make your own home-made vapor rub by blending together 2-3 drops eucalyptus oil and 2-3 drops peppermint oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil. Rub this blend gently over the chest.
You must keep in mind though that eucalyptus oil should only be used as support therapy for respiratory infections. It should not be used as a replacement or substitute for any medication that your doctor prescribes, especially if the symptoms are severe.
If you are already taking prescription medicine for any respiratory ailment, you must consult with your doctor before using eucalyptus oil, even as support treatment. This is because eucalyptus oil does not react well with some anti-asthmas medications.
3. Alleviates Sinusitis and Allergies
Several studies that have been conducted show that eucalyptus is very effective for treating sinusitis and for reducing the severity of seasonal allergies because of its strong decongestant and antibacterial properties.
The decongestant properties work to relieve the symptoms by soothing the inflammation and pain while the antibacterial properties hamper the actions of the bacteria responsible for the infection.
4. Boosts The Immune System & Reduces Infections
An anti-inflammatory, eucalyptus can work wonders when it comes to nasty infections. It is also an analgesic (painkiller), an antibacterial, and it is anti-infectious, which means it has all the makings of an effective medication for different types of infections that may plague the body.
It works to boost the immune system by stimulating the cells that support immunity.
If you are susceptible to catching infections, this is a handy oil to have with you when flu season comes around or if you are going to be exposed to large crowds of people. Put a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale the vapors every once in a while to get the immune-boosting benefits of eucalyptus oil.
5. Provides Relief From Sore & Aching Joints & Muscles
Eucalyptus oil is a lifesaver for sore muscles, joint and tendon pain, sprained ligaments, rheumatism, fibrosis, and arthritis.
The oil’s energizing aroma and its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties help to soothe and reduce pain, providing much-needed relief.
For relief from soreness, inflammation, and pain, blend a few drops of eucalyptus oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil and massage the painful area using gentle, soothing strokes.
When added to a bath, it can soothe sore muscles and melt away stress, stiffness, and tenderness.
6. Treats Wounds, Burns & Bug Bites
The clean, cooling effect of eucalyptus oil helps to soothe pain from burns and encourage healing of wounds.
Its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties are effective for preventing wounds, burns, cuts, abrasions, and scrapes from getting infected and for speeding up their healing.
A eucalyptus based salve also helps to soothe bug bites and stings.
7. Brings Down Fevers
The cooling effect and painkilling properties in eucalyptus oil also work well to relieve the heat, discomfort and other symptoms that a fever brings. Body aches, headache, weakness, and tenderness can be reduced and improved with the help of this essential oil.
The best way to get relief from a fever and its related symptoms, is by spritzing a few drops of the diluted oil on your body.
A eucalyptus oil spritz also acts as a cooling, refreshing spray in particularly hot weather.
8. Boosts Energy Levels
Whether you have trouble waking up in the morning, struggling with jet lag or are just tired, adding some eucalyptus oil to your bath or shower or simply diffusing eucalyptus oil in the room can do wonders for your energy level.
9. Combats Tension & Mental Exhaustion
Eucalyptus essential is an excellent pick-me-up when you are feeling down and out. The cooling and refreshing effects of the oil have an invigorating effect that helps to relieve tension and stress and boost mental energy. This is helped by its ability to promote blood flow and circulation to all parts of the body including the brain.
To combat the tension and mental exhaustion, inhale the vapors using a diffuser or soak in a warm bath to which you have added a few drops of the oil.
10. Soothes Itchy Scalp
Eucalyptus oil nourishes the hair and soothes any annoying itchiness caused by excessive oiliness or dandruff.
For an excellent nourishing and moisturizing hair mask, mix a few drops of eucalyptus oil with a carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil and massage this blend into your hair. Leave this hair mask on for at least 20-30 minutes before washing it off.
To soothe an itchy scalp, rub the same blend into the scalp and leave on for a while before washing off.
3 Best Ways To Use Eucalyptus Essential Oil For Health
Eucalyptus essential oil can be used a number of ways, depending upon what you are using it for.
- Diffuser: An aromatherapy diffuser fills the air in a room with eucalyptus vapors and is a wonderful way to gain its therapeutic value. Diffusers can be used in living rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms and even on your office desk. I highly recommend the URPOWER Essential Oil Diffuser if you travel a lot. It is portable and can be used anywhere. You can read my URPOWER Essential Oil diffuser review here.
- In the Bath: The best way to get the health benefits of eucalyptus essential oil in the bath is by blending it with sweet almond oil or any other carrier oil and adding 10 to 14 drops of the blend directly to your warm bath. This will give you the benefits of eucalyptus oil as well as the moisturizing effects of the carrier oil.
- Massage: Eucalyptus essential oil is also commonly used as a massage oil. It is great for soothing sore muscles and relieving stress and can even help improve blood circulation to the brain, keeping mental fatigue at bay and helping you think more clearly.
Always make sure to buy only 100% pure therapeutic essential oil for best results.
Caution: Side Effects and Possible Poisoning
Eucalyptus oil is very strong and should never be applied directly to the skin. Always dilute according to instructions before use.
Ingesting undiluted eucalyptus oil can cause nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea and vomiting. Always consult with a doctor before ingesting and make sure it is properly diluted.
Eucalyptus poisoning presents itself a little differently. Watch out for these symptoms:
- Suffocation feeling/Difficulty breathing
- Small pupils
- Dizziness
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor straight away.
Where to Buy Eucalyptus Essential Oil
The best place to buy eucalyptus essential oils is on Amazon. Not only will you find the best quality at this online marketplace, but you will also get it at the best price possible.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before using any natural medication or if you experience any unusual symptoms. See Full Disclaimer here.
