Eucalyptus Essential Oil

The earliest Aborigines of Australia were well aware of the healing powers of the foliage of the eucalyptus plant, the steeped infusions of which they regularly used as natural remedies for common colds, body aches, fever, and sinusitis. This infusion barely had a tiny portion of eucalyptus oil in it.

But today, the innate sanatory qualities of this oil is rather well-known around the globe. This strongly fragrant oil is extracted from not only the leaves, but also the branches of the eucalyptus tree, by a process termed as steam distillation.

However, what makes the obtention of this oil so laborious is the fact that about 110 pounds of branches and leaves of eucalyptus only gives something like 2 pounds of essential oil. However, the effort is not really a waste, given the number of benefits the oil has.

Usually made from the general ingredients of butylaldehyde, camphene, fenchen, globulol, limonene, pinene, pinocarvone, sequiterpene, terpineol, and valeraldehyde, about 70 to 85% of eucalyptus oil is made up of 1.8-cineole or the active ingredient commonly known as eucalyptol.

The oil is transparent and has a rather thin consistency. However, the most notable feature of this essential oil is its extremely strong woody, earthy, camphoric scent, which is soothing and refreshing, and works wonders as a potent aromatherapy oil.

A lot of sources inform that eucalyptus oil does help to control blood sugar levels, and, thus, help with the treatment of diabetes. It also gives relief in orthodontial problems, such as cavities, dental plaque, and gingivitis. However, for both these purposes, oral ingestion of the oil is necessary. It is here that one needs to be cautious.

Utmost care should be taken to not ingest eucalyptus oil internally without the guidance of a doctor, as the oil may prove to be toxic when taken in excess. The toxicity is inversely proportional to the weight of the person ingesting it. Even an amount as small as 4 mL to 5 mL can poison young children and severely underweight adults pretty easily.

So, children with their lower body weights are more susceptible to it than adults with normal or high body weight. This however, does not rule out adults or people with normal or high body weight from falling prey to the toxicity of this oil. So, seek the advice of a health care provider before you venture into consuming this oil orally.

Eucalyptus oil is basically used for its innumerable therapeutic effects, both at the physical and mental levels. Some uses are:

• Eucalyptus essential oil is known to antisepticize wounds and cuts which leads to their quick recovery. It is antimicrobic by nature, given the fact that it forms ozone when in contact with air, it effectively cures burns, scratches, sores, stings, and skin ulcers on topical application.

• Eucalyptus oil essentially lowers body temperature, and, therefore, is a natural pacifier of raging fevers.
• It is an extremely effective anthelminthic or excellent expeller and destroyer of parasitic worms dwelling in the intestines.

• It is widely used in aromatherapy as most experts in the field take it to be a cleanser of negative or derogatory energies in a person or a place. It is, therefore, that this essential oil is asked to be diffused in homes before one moves into one as it has the power to nullify any previous emotional negativity that may be present in the place.

• As a continuation of the previous point, eucalyptus oil is also known to ease depressive states of the mind and suffuses one with renewed mental vitality. It also aids an individual to de-stress and relax. Adding a few drops in bath water can produce very exhilarating results.

• The oil also destroys colonial bacterial growth, especially by staphylococcus bacteria, and thus heals infections.

• A natural anodyne which competently relieves muscle cramps and pain on topical application, eucalyptus oil also has anti-inflammatory properties which makes it great for helping patients of fibrosis, lumbago, rheumatism, sprains, muscle stiffness, and even neural pain.

• Research shows that certain toothpastes and mouthwashes which constitute eucalyptus oil successfully tackle dental ailments, like cavities, gingivitis, plaque, and other germ instigated dental infections. However, whether it is potent enough to cure these problems is yet to be probed.

• Eucalyptus oil can control sugar levels when ingested under the guidance of a doctor, therefore, helping diabetics.
• It is also used as a tick repellent as well as to heal infections related to tick infestations.

Now that you know the benefits, make the most of through the following blends.

Try these blends for multifarious purposes.

• For sinus relief, add 8 drops each of eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, and tea tree oil into a bottle and let it stand for half an hour after mixing the three well. Then pour it into a tub full of warm water and remain in the tub for a minimum of 20 to 25 minutes for good riddance of bad sinus pain.

• Just 10 drops of eucalyptus oil in a massage carrier oil and then some circular rubbing of this concoction can help you expel mucus and attain relief from congestion.

• To make a fantastic deodorant or room freshener, just add 5 drops of this essential oil to an ounce of witch-hazel oil along with some lavender oil and squirt away to glory. Also, adding 10 drops of eucalyptus and tea tree oil each into an ounce of witch hazel oil will also act as an insect repellent.

Make sure you keep away from eucalyptus essential oil during pregnancy as it is an emmenagogue, which means that it promotes menstrual discharge. Otherwise, eucalyptus also regularizes menstruation cycles.

Also, try mixing some clary sage, sandalwood, and frankincense oil along with eucalyptus oil and an ounce of sweet almond oil, and apply it on pulse points to facilitate a very soothing meditative session.

So, I hope you now know all that you need to about eucalyptus essential oil. Use a safe 5% to 20% oil-based preparation to keep all eucalyptus oil side effects at bay!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this story is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.