Are you seeking an essential oil that will strengthen your defences against various illnesses? Prevent you from getting sick, and treat respiratory issues? One of the greatest essential oils for headaches, seasonal allergies, coughs, and sore throats, is eucalyptus. In this article we will examine the 7 incredible benefits of eucalyptus essential oil, the fever tree, which include increased respiratory activity, antioxidant protection, and immune system stimulation.
Eucalyptus trees are currently cultivated all over the world, yet they were originally endemic to Australia. The trees are a member of the Myrtaceae plant family, which is indigenous to Australia, Tasmania, and other neighbouring islands. More than 500 different eucalyptus species exist, but the essential oils of Eucalyptus salicifolia and Eucalyptus globulus—also known as fever tree or gum tree—are sought after for their therapeutic benefits.
To extract the essential oil, the leaves are first dried, then crushed and distilled. Before the oil can be used as medicine, it must be diluted once it has been extracted. It has a clean, fresh aroma and is well-known for its numerous health advantages.
Benefits of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
1. Respiratory Health
Eucalyptus oil is often used as a remedy for respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis. It can help to open up the airways and improve breathing.
Because it offers antioxidant protection, and enhance respiratory circulation, eucalyptus essential oil aids a variety of respiratory ailments. Eucalyptus triggers the cold receptors in your nose, making it easier to breathe when you’re stuffy and your nose is running. It also functions as an organic sore throat treatment.
One of the primary ingredients in eucalyptus oil is cineole. This was examined in a placebo-controlled double-blind experiment on patients with acute bronchitis in 2014. Comparing those who received the placebo to those who received 200 mg of cineole three times a day for ten days, the patients’ bronchitis symptoms significantly improved. After four days of treatment, those receiving cineole experienced considerably fewer cough episodes.
Moreover, eucalyptol appears to function as a natural cough suppressant and decongestant by assisting your body in the breakdown of mucus and phlegm and by widening your airways. Just add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of hot water. After inhale the steam for calming home treatment.
2. Pain Relief
Eucalyptus oil has analgesic properties, which means it can help to reduce pain and inflammation. It is often used to relieve muscle and joint pain, as well as headaches.
According to a 2013 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, adults healing from total knee replacement experienced noticeably reduced pain after inhaling eucalyptus oil for 30 minutes three days in a row as opposed to those who didn’t.
3. Promotes Wound Healing
According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine, eucalyptus oil’s antibacterial qualities can aid in the prevention of infection and even enhance wound healing when coupled with olive oil.
Again, if you’re dealing with a minor cut, extremely diluted eucalyptus oil can make for a safe, natural alternative, but conventional techniques like topical antibiotic lotions and ointments are still the first-line advice.
4. Fights Infections
A few studies have demonstrated the antibacterial properties of eucalyptus oil and its primary constituent, eucalyptol, against a variety of bacterial, viral, and fungal strains. Eucalyptus can be used topically or utilised aromatically to combat pathogenic bacteria. Because of this, one of the benefits of eucalyptus oil is its capacity to strengthen your immune system.
According to a laboratory research in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, eucalyptus oil inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (which can cause a staph infection).
Another laboratory experiment revealed that eucalyptus oil directly inhibits the herpes simplex virus, which can cause diseases like genital herpes.
5. Alleviates Headaches
One of the greatest essential oils for headaches is eucalyptus oil. It may reduce sinus pressure, which can be very painful and tense. Moreover, it has energising qualities that can improve mental clarity and encourage the relaxation of stiff facial muscles. Both of these are beneficial when you have a headache brought on by stress or weariness. These effects appear to be most pronounced when peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and a carrier are used.
Eucalyptus oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in a 2011 randomised research. For those with respiratory issues, it can aid in preventing the buildup of mucus in the airways and improve breathing, which helps lessen the tension in the head due to sinus pressure which causes headaches.
6. Boosts Energy & Mental Clarity
You can use eucalyptus oil to increase energy and mental clarity because of its energising, calming, and purifying qualities. Your airways may open up, allowing more oxygen to enter your lungs and reducing brain fog.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised cross-over trial with 32 healthy volunteers, it was discovered that when large portions of the forehead and temples were covered with a mixture of eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, and ethanol, the participants’ cognitive performance improved. Also, the essential oil blend produced calming benefits on the mind and muscles.
7. Insect Repellent
Other incredible benefits of eucalyptus essential oil is the fact that it acts as an insect repellent. Dilutions of eucalyptus oil make for an effective natural mosquito repellent if you’d prefer not to spray your skin with potent chemical insect repellents.
You can use the natural insect repellent eucalyptus oil to keep ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects away.
According to a 2014 trial, in 3 hours a solution containing 32% lemon eucalyptus oil can offer over 95% protection from mosquitoes,
Uses of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Inhalation
Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam to help with respiratory problems.
Massage
Mix eucalyptus oil with a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil and use it to massage sore muscles and joints.
Skincare
Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to your bathwater or mix it with a carrier oil and apply it to your skin to help treat acne and other skin infections.
Aromatherapy
Use a diffuser to diffuse eucalyptus oil into the air to help with stress and anxiety.
Final Thoughts
Decongestant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial characteristics are just a few of the many health advantages of this essential oil.
The use of eucalyptus oil internally is not advised. Only topically or aromatically should you use it. Make sure to spit the eucalyptus out after using it for dental health purposes. Before applying eucalyptus oil to their skin, those with sensitive skin should dilute it with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil).
To learn more about the incredible benefits of eucalyptus essential oil you can check this article, Healthline and Sonoma Lavender Co. You can also check Aromavibes for a wide range of essential oils!