Last Updated on 02/11/2023 by Liz @ HealthTenfold
Eucalyptus oil is known for most of us, but do we always know for what and how it can be used for? Lets have a look …
Here is a short and general overview of its most common benefits:
- relieve coughing and respiratory concerns
- Air purification – prevent the spread of airborne diseases
- Excellent for oral hygiene and minty fresh breath
- Relieve stress
But there is much more and this we will cover below.
Eucalyptus oil origin
The eucalyptus tree and its oil is native to Australia where about three-quarters of the forests are eucalypt forests. Over the time it`s grown world wide and can now also be found in Asia, Europe and Africa.
It’s a fast-growing tree with valuable timber. Besides the oil that we use for medical and healthcare reasons, the trees are also used for pulpwood (to manufacture paper products), furniture-making, as well as for honey production.
Eucalyptus oil is extracted from the leaves. To release the oil the leafs need to be dried, crushed and then distilled. The oil has a clean, sharp and cooling scent and it has been used for an array of purposes for centuries.
What can it be used for
As a medicine, it’s used to treat a variety of diseases from nasal congestion to cough and asthma. It can be used on the skin as a remedy for an array of health concerns such as arthritis and skin ulcers, but to do so the oil needs to diluted, oterwise its too strong.
Besides its health-improving qualities, eucalyptus oil is known for its other useful properties. Due to its chemical composition, it has an antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effect Hence the eucalyptus oil also makes a great sanitizer and cleansing product.
Below we describe the 4 best ways to use eucalyptus oil.
Air purification – prevent the spread of airborne illnesses
We often clean and sanitize surfaces in our homes to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria, especially when someone in our family gets sick. What about the air in our homes? Airborne diseases will spread easily when someone coughs or sneezes and that’s why it’s important to try to prevent the spread by keeping the air clean as well.
A simple way to clean the air in your house and stop and prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria is to diffuse eucalyptus oil in a vaporizer or diffuser.
Studies have been conducted confirming that eucalyptus oil (and actually tea tree oil as well) is a great way to kill bacteria and viruses in the air.
Relieve coughing and other respiratory concerns
Eucalyptus oil is known for its cough relieving effects and there are several ways how you can use eucalyptus as a cough remedy.
Most recommended:
Eucalyptus Pure Essential Oil
Manufactured by Spark Naturals.
Check the great reviews. Only pure oils, no additives.
Make your own eucalyptus chest rub
Mix 10-12 drops of eucalyptus oil with an ounce of carrier oil (for example with jojoba oil). Then rub gently on your chest and throat a couple of times per day. For children and elderly a more diluted chest rub is recommended (4-6 drops per ounce of carrier oil).
Inhale the oil
A great way to relieve respiratory problems like runny nose, sore throat, and nasal congestion is to add 10-15 drops of eucalyptus oil to a pot of boiling water and breathe in the steam. This will clear air passages and sinuses and increase oxygen in the bloodstream.
For a stronger effect, you can cover your head and pot with a towel. Always be careful around hot water!
Minty fresh breath and oral hygiene
Good health begins with a healthy mouth. Eucalyptus oil is rich in cineole – it’s an antiseptic that kills bacteria that can cause bad breath and other oral issues. That’s why eucalyptus is often added to mouthwashes which are often prescribed by dentists to prevent and treat several oral conditions.
Since eucalyptus oil is anti-inflammatory it can also help soothe receding gums and stimulate the growth of new gum tissue.
There are several ways how you can use eucalyptus oil for oral hygiene. For example, you can create your own mouthwash by mixing a few drops of eucalyptus oil with water. Like with any other mouthwash, be sure not to swallow it while rinsing.
Another option is to create a rub for your gums by mixing a bit of eucalyptus oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil for example.
PS! Do not rub pure eucalyptus oil on your gums. It always needs to be diluted with a carrier oil before applying it.
Relieve stress
Life around us can be very stressful and we can often feel overwhelmed. That is completely normal and we all go through this. However, it’s well known that too much stress will affect our relationships, health, and well-being and not in a good way. That’s why it’s important to find different ways to ease our minds and alleviate stress. There are several ways how you can use eucalyptus oil for stress relief.
Add to your bath or shower
Add a couple of drops (2-3) of eucalyptus oil to your bath water just before you get in. Grab a good book or a magazine and may the relaxing begin! Eucalyptus oil also has pain-relieving properties and it soothes aching and strained muscles. That’s why it can also be a great way to relieve muscle tension.
How to use eucalyptus oil under the shower? Just add couple of drops onto the bottom of your shower. The heat from the water will make the oil to a vaporizer and you will feel like you are in a spa steam room.
Add to your pillow before going to bed
Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to distilled water and put the mixture to a spray bottle. Shake thoroughly and spray on your pillow from enough distance. Eucalyptus also promotes deep breathing and provides respiratory support. That’s another reason why this is such a good way to have an all night long relaxed sleep.
Apply topically
Rub 1-2 drops on your temples, wrists, and ankles after a tiring day. The oil soothes your skin and the minty fresh smell will relieve stress.
Always make a patch test on sensitive skin (like the area inside of your wrist for example) to eliminate potential allergic reactions!
Conclusion
Eucalyptus oil has been used for centuries and for good reasons. Try out this essential oil and if you have other recipes for using eucalyptus oil, let us know by dropping us an e-mail!
Ps! Always remember to store essential oils away from sunlight. They should be kept in dark closets and away from the reach of children!
Most recommended:
Eucalyptus Pure Essential Oil
Manufactured by Spark Naturals.
Check the great reviews. Only pure oils, no additives.
Read more: https://www.healthtenfold.com/eucalyptus-oil-for-hair/
https://www.healthtenfold.com/what-essential-oils-are-good-for-cough-and-runny-nose/
