Eucalyptus: Benefits and What You Can Use It For

Essential oils may seem like a buzzing trend in the beauty and wellness space, but there is no denying the extensive benefits found in age-old plant extracts—especially eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) is one of nature's miracle plants, with a vast range of health benefits and healing properties. This essential oil can help relieve sore muscles, clear your sinuses, combat stress, and so much more. But before you slather it over your entire body, let us break down what it is, its benefits, and how you can use it safely and effectively.

What is Eucalyptus? 

Eucalyptus oil is derived from the oval-shaped leaves of the Eucalyptus tree, which is native to Australia. These leaves are then dried, crushed, and distilled to extract and release the powerful essential oil. Like most essential oils, eucalyptus oil contains many natural components. The main ingredient is 1,8 cineole (also known as eucalyptol), which gives the oil its distinctive scent and medicinal value and is known for its aromatic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. Australian Aboriginals were known to have used eucalyptus as a natural remedy against fever, wounds, infections, aches, and colds. A potent antimicrobial, eucalyptus is an excellent multipurpose oil that works against bacteria and viruses.

Health Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil 

This essential oil has wide-ranging health benefits, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, antiseptic, decongestant, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties. Eucalyptus essential oil is packed with copious natural compounds that all work in synergy to produce a wide variety of health-promoting effects. Here is a rundown on how eucalyptus oil can benefit health.

1. High in antioxidants: 

The powerful antioxidant properties of eucalyptus help protect the body against free radicals that can lead to many diseases and boost immune health.

2. Cold and respiratory relief:

Inhaling eucalyptus can reduce symptoms of respiratory issues. The oil helps fight respiratory infections by killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Its cooling and soothing properties can help relieve coughing, cold, and sinus problems. This essential oil can alleviate symptoms associated with respiratory issues by reacting with the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract and lungs. Eucalyptus oil works as a natural decongestant and cough suppressant by helping your body break down mucus and phlegm. The pungent aroma aids in opening up the airways for smoother breathing. It causes tiny hair-like filaments in your lungs (called cilia) that sweep out mucus and debris from your airways to move faster.

3. Clear stuffy nose: 

Eucalyptus acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory and decongestant. It loosens phlegm and clears congestion to reduce sinus pressure and allow for easier breathing. Eucalyptus effectively breaks down mucus, opens up your airways, and decongests your sinuses, so you stop feeling all blocked and stuffy. The oil reacts with mucous membranes, reducing mucus and loosening up congestion. It works as a gentle expectorant and promotes drainage from congested sinuses.

4. Wound healing: 

As a potent natural antiseptic with antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, eucalyptus oil is ideal for treating minor cuts, wounds, and burns to keep the germs at bay, reduce pain, and promote healing. Eucalyptus essential oil significantly improves the healing process and accelerates skin repair by protecting affected areas from developing any further infections.

5. Pain relief: 

Eucalyptus acts as a pain reliever due to its anti-inflammatory compounds and analgesic properties. It can help alleviate headaches and ease sore muscles, joint pain, and chronic pain caused by certain conditions. Eucalyptus oil helps reduce pain and inflammation associated with many ailments and may prove especially helpful to those suffering from back pain or recovering from joint or muscle injuries. 

6. May treat dry skin: 

This essential oil can help alleviate and treat dry skin conditions by improving the skin's ceramide (fatty acid) content.

Other amazing benefits of Eucalyptus Oil 

Eucalyptus not only packs a brisk, fresh punch to the nose, but it is also a great little behind-the-scenes miracle worker when it comes to keeping both you and your family's health - and home - in good shape.

Mosquito repellent: 

The scent of eucalyptus oil can chase away mosquitoes as the high eucalyptol content in eucalyptus essential oil makes it a natural and potent insect and pest repellent. If you prefer not to spray strong chemical bug repellent on your skin, diluted eucalyptus oil makes for a handy natural mosquito repellent.

Freshen breath: 

Eucalyptus extract can reduce dental plaque and gingivitis and improve bad breath. Along with eucalyptol, eucalyptus oil is also rich in 1,8 cineole, serving as an antiseptic that kills bacteria causing bad breath. Thanks to the fact that it fights the germs that cause bad breath, eucalyptus also reduces foul mouth odor by gargling. It may also help with bad breath by removing excess tongue coating. Due to its antimicrobial properties, eucalyptus oil makes for an excellent natural mouthwash alternative to combat bad breath.

Ways to use Eucalyptus Oil 

Eucalyptus is truly one of those powerhouse multi-taskers in the essential oil world and can be used to fix more problems than you can imagine.

To create steam inhalation, you can place one to two drops in a bowl of steaming hot water. Focus the steam by draping a towel over your head, standing within arm's width from the bowl. Shut your eyes and breathe in deeply, allowing the vapor to enter your nose. Inhale the steam for 5 to 10 minutes.

Relieve sore muscles and joint pain: 

Mix one to two drops with a carrier oil, such as coconut, jojoba, or argan oil, and rub it onto the sore area in a circular motion.

Keep bad breath at bay: 

Simply add one or two drops to some water, gargle, and spit out. Be careful not to swallow; eucalyptus oil should not be ingested.

Eucalyptus essential oil for hair nourishment: 

Using eucalyptus essential oil stimulates hair follicles and the constriction of blood vessels. It encourages more blood flow to the follicles, which will promote hair growth. For best results, blend a few drops of eucalyptus oil with some coconut oil and gently work into the hair. The coconut and eucalyptus essential oils are also amazingly hydrating, which softens your hair. As a result, you will gain added volume and body to your hair, as well as soft and luminous locks that are not prone to breakage. Eucalyptus oil is also an effective insecticide for keeping head lice out of your hair.

Eucalyptus bath for muscle pain relief: 

For an effective muscle pain remedy, work 20 to 30 drops of eucalyptus oil into a hot bath. The oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that help relax tired muscles and soothe aches. You can reach the same effect by using eucalyptus massage oil on stiff and aching muscles.

Eucalyptus oil bath for smoother, more beautiful skin: 

Eucalyptus exfoliating salt scrub in rich oils helps remove dead skin cells and promotes healthier, younger-looking skin. Also, eucalyptus acts as an effective antifungal. When applied topically, eucalyptus oil can help ease itching caused by fungal infections like athlete's foot and ringworm. The oil also helps manage acne boils and cysts by helping to dry and clear blemishes. As an effective antibacterial, eucalyptus bath salt destroys the bacteria that clogs pores and causes acne boils, and, as an anti-inflammatory, it eases the pain and irritation. Overall, a eucalyptus bath (whether you medicate with oil, soap, or salt) has great benefits for the skin.

Eucalyptus Collection from Sonoma Lavender

Eucalyptus is a favorite of the spa industry and is one of our favorites as well. Throughout the ages, eucalyptus has been a staple in preparations for colds, flu symptoms, other respiratory illnesses, topical treatments for cuts and burns, and air fresheners, to name only a few.

Eucalyptus bath and body collection: 

Eucalyptus has an abundance of benefits for both health and body care. The best part is that it takes shape in various forms, offering an array of different uses and benefits. With our Eucalyptus bath and body collection, you have a choice of our eucalyptus soap, bath salts, essential oil, and massage oil.

Eucalyptus spa collection of pillows, wraps, and more: 

Our Eucalyptus spa collection is the ultimate luxury, with spa booties, bolster rolls, neck pillows, mittens, heat wraps, and spa blankies made from such decadent, soft fabric you will want to cuddle them all day, every day. More practically, our eucalyptus heat wraps, neck pillows, and bolster rolls can also be used to relieve pain and muscle tension.