Eucalyptus Oil Uses and Benefits

There are a few hundred species of eucalyptus trees. The leaves and twigs or top branches produce fragrant volatile oil. The oil from the eucalyptus globulus, Tasmanian blue gum or Australian fever tree is widely used in aromatherapy and as medicinal oil.

Lemon eucalyptus oil of the eucalyptus citriodora or lemon scented gum tree is another favorite essential oil but its active constituent differ from eucalyptus globulus oil and so is the scent.

The most active ingredient in eucalyptus globulus oil is eucalyptol or also known as cineol. The eucalyptol produces a camphor-like smell. Eucalyptus essential oil also contains quercetin which is a powerful antioxidant and tannins. This page will talk about the uses and benefits of oil of eucalyptus globulus.

The essential oil of eucalyptus globulus is one of the ingredients used in antiseptic mouthwash, creams to relieve arthritis and muscular pain, ear cleaners, inhalant oil, massage oil, shower mist, smelling salt and vapor chest rub.

Eucalyptus Oil Uses No. 1 - Clears Nasal Congestion

Test tube and animal studies have shown that eucalyptus oil is an expectorant. It has the ability to loosen phlegm or thick mucus in the respiratory passages and makes it easy for you to cough it out.

So if you have chest congestion and breathing problems due to allergy or sinus problem, add a few drops of oil of eucalyptus in a bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam.

You can add a few drops of the eucalyptus oil in an oil warmer and allow the aroma to help clear your sinus as well as scent your room. Adding 2 parts of lavender oil and 1 part of peppermint oil to 4 parts of oil of eucalyptus would bring additional benefits. This is because lavender produces a mild sedative effect while peppermint also helps clear sinus and congestion.

You can also use eucalyptus oil as a chest rub or vapor rub and as a remedy for the common cold. It may help provide relief from the symptoms such as stuffy nose and sneezing. When you use it topically or on your skin, dilute it with any carrier oil such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil or sunflower oil to avoid skin irritation. If you don't have any carrier oil, you can mix oil of eucalyptus with mild vegetable oil.

Eucalyptus Oil Uses No. 2 - Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Because of the presence of tannins, eucalyptus oil produces analgesic and anti inflammatory activities. Using the oil may help relieve and treat muscle aches and pains, sprains, headaches, minor cuts, wounds and arthritis.

To use it as a remedy for tension headache, mix eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil and rub it at your temples. Besides relieving the pain, the combination soothes and will make you feel more relaxed. Furthermore, peppermint oil contains menthol which is also an analgesic.

To relieve muscle aches and joint pains, mix eucalyptus oil with carrier oil and massage on the affected area. You can also add a few drops of the oil to massage oil. For boils, minor cuts and wounds, dilute eucalyptus oil with water and use it as skin wash. The essential oil has antibacterial properties and may prevent bacterial infection.

Eucalyptus Oil Uses No. 3 - Alternative Remedy for Diabetes

In 1990 the Biomedical Sciences Research Centre, University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK did a 12 day treatment on diabetic mice by administering oil of eucalyptus globulus. According to the report published, the insulin production of the treated mice increased and the blood sugar levels were reduced.

Eucalyptus Oil Uses No. 4 - Potential Treatment for Herpes and Cold Sore

Another one of eucalyptus oil uses is its potential in treating herpes simplex. In 2001, the Department of Virology, Hygiene Institute, University of Heidelberg, Germany did a study to determine the antiviral activity of eucalyptus oil against herpes simplex virus in cell culture. The result shows that eucalyptus oil is capable of exerting a direct anti viral effect on the herpes simplex and may help prevent outbreak of genital herpes and cold sore.

Other Eucalyptus Oil Uses

1. You can use it as a mosquito repellent by applying the diluted essential on your skin.
   
   
   
2. Adding a teaspoon of the oil to your laundry helps remove odor and adds fragrance to your wash load.
   
   
   
3. Mix eucalyptus oil with water in a spray bottle and use it as a room freshener, to treat dust mites and as flea control.
   
   
   
4. Use it to revive someone who has fainted by putting a few drop of the oil on a cotton ball and place it under the nose.
   
   
   
5. If you want to use it as mouth wash to treat bad breath, gingivitis or soothe sore throat, make sure the oil is very diluted. It is however, better and safer to rinse with eucalyptus herb or eucalyptus leaf tea or over the counter antiseptic mouth wash which usually only contains less than 1% eucalyptol.

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