Eucalyptus Oil is the common generic name for raw concentrated essential oil from the leaves of Eucalyptus trees, a genus of the aromatic plant family Myrrhaceae, native to Australia and other parts of the world. This tree or bush grows up to 50 feet high with dense branched leaves and aromatic oil that can be used both for medicinal and perfumery purposes. The tree is cultivated in the temperate to tropical areas all over Australia, Asia, South Africa and other places. Eucalyptus is a perennial herb that flowers in spring and dries out in the summer.
The uses of Eucalyptus are numerous, and it is often used in combination with essential oils for skin benefits. It has been proven to have strong therapeutic properties and is a popular treatment for a range of conditions, including cough and colds, sore throats, arthritis and rheumatism. It is also used to treat anxiety, depression, stress and blood pressure. Some research even indicates that eucalyptus oil may help lower blood sugar levels, protect against prostate cancer and improve the sexual health of men by delaying the start of male menopause. Eucalyptus also contains compounds that have anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
Eucalyptus oils are popular for treating burns, cuts and inflammation, as they are a natural antibiotic. A few drops of eucalyptus oil contains a mild amount of tannin, which is said to help relieve pain from gout, toothaches and kidney stones. However, its powerful analgesic action is not enough to render it useful for treating acute pain, since it can only be applied externally. Soaking a few drops under the tongue twice a day for about 30 seconds, is said to yield some relief from pain.
If you like to take supplements to fight off allergies, then eucalyptus oil and essential oil combinations are also very effective. Essential oil combinations include two to three drops of eucalyptus essential oil and one to two drops of peppermint essential oil, which have strong antiseptic properties to counteract allergies. One of the best combinations is to combine eucalyptus oil with lavender essential oil, which has antimicrobial, antifungal and antibacterial properties. A couple of drops of cypress oil blended with a couple drops of rosewood oil is another good combination for fighting allergies, although, these combinations are only recommended for external application. For more details, visit Essential Oil Remedies.
Lavender is known as a ‘people’s herb’, since it is used by millions of people around the world for its many healing properties. Lavender has antimicrobial, insecticide and antibacterial properties, making it suitable for external application. To make a potent antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal mixture, simply mix together a few drops of rosewood essential oils with eucalyptus oil. You can also add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to this blend to increase the potency. Essential oils are very potent in their own rights, but when combined with other potent ingredients they become even more powerful.
One of the most commonly asked questions is how to apply eucalyptus oil to a cold sore. Since cold sores usually cause intense pain, applying eucalyptus oil directly to the area is not a good idea, since it can burn the skin and worsen the condition. Instead, use a thin, dry cotton pad to apply the eucalyptus oil, and keep the area damp. The idea is to soothe the pain, so that the area around the cold sore is less sensitive, allowing the area to heal faster.
If you have chest congestion, you may also find that eucalyptus oil helps relieve the chest congestion. Eucalyptus also promotes faster healing of sore throats and coughs. When applied topically, eucalyptus oil relieves chest congestion by increasing the airways’ capacity and allowing better circulation. Chest congestion is caused by congestion of the bronchi, which are located in the back of the throat. When eucalyptus oil helps increase airways’ capacity, it allows better oxygen flow, which in turn will relieve the pain caused by chest congestion.
When you have sore throats or bronchitis, apply eucalyptus oil directly to the sore to relieve the pain. Also, do not forget to take fresh leaves with you if you plan to travel because the fresh leaves will help relieve and prevent bronchitis and other infections when you are abroad. Remember that these are just some of the many benefits of eucalyptus oil, so you should now be able to see why it is such a popular essential oil. In fact, when used in combination with other essential oils, it can even become stronger anti-inflammatory remedies for the body, relieving skin inflammation as well as easing cold symptoms.
