For thousands of years, eucalyptus has been used in essential oils for coughs, to fight colds and combat sinus congestion. Many people also swear by it for relief from allergies, treatment for headaches and pain, to combat stress, to soothe burns and wounds, and even to keep mosquitos at bay. It’s a powerful plant that, when made into an essential oil, really packs a punch.
The properties of this essential oil make it a must-have. In this guide, we’ll discuss the best ways to use eucalyptus oil. We’ll also offer advice so that you can use this oil safely and effectively and make the most of all it has to offer.
What is eucalyptus essential oil?
The eucalyptus tree (aka gum tree) is an indigenous Australian plant that belongs to a genus of over 700 species of flowering trees or shrubs. It’s part of the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and is one of the tallest plants on the planet. However, it can also grow as a shrub. Australia’s indigenous people, the Aborigines, consider the tree to be a holy one, and they believe that it represents the division of heaven, the earth and the underworld.
The Aborigines first used eucalyptus to treat fevers, so it’s sometimes referred to as the Australian Fever-Tree, but we’ve found many other ways to use it since then.
As in the case of most essential oils, eucalyptus oil contains many active natural compounds, but the most important is 1,8 cineole. This gives the oil its unique scent and imparts many medicinal properties.
Eucalyptus essential oil - quick facts
🍃 Latin name: Eucalyptus globulus🍃 Also known as: Blue gum tree
🍃 Country of origin: 🇦🇺 Australia
🍃 Scent note: Camphoraceous
🍃 Annual production: Upwards of 17,000 tonnes
🍃 Popular uses: cold and flu symptoms, pain, relaxation, disinfection
How is eucalyptus essential oil made?
Although Eucalyptus globulus is native to Australia, China has become the world-leading producer, with India producing a fair amount as well.
Generally, extraction methods for creating eucalyptus oil include hydro-distillation, microwave-assisted hydro-distillation, solvent-based distillation, steam distillation, and ultrasound-assisted extraction.
Distillation is defined as a process that involves the conversion of liquids into vapor and then condensing this back into liquid. A great example of distillation is when steam from a kettle gets deposited as drops of water on a cold surface.
Benefits of eucalyptus essential oil
This essential oil offers many advantages, and this is the reason why it’s so well known and widely used the world over. It is mainly used for:
Let’s look at each of these in a bit more detail.
Eucalyptus essential oil for coughs, colds and flu
When you’re feeling unwell, have a blocked nose, and are hacking your lungs out, eucalyptus oil can offer relief. This is why it’s one of the main ingredients in Vicks® VapoRub!
Eucalyptol works as a natural decongestant which is why it’s such a great essential oil for coughs, suppressing them by assisting your body to organically break down phlegm and mucus. This opens up your airways and you can get these effects by simply adding a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a bowl of hot water and breathing in the steam.
Eucalyptus essential oil for chronic and acute pain
The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of eucalyptol may also mean that using this essential oil can help to ease pain.
You can treat aches and pains at home by inhaling the oil. Put between one and three drops in a diffuser to see if it works for you, but don’t expect to use it as a replacement for the medication you may be prescribed for pain.
Eucalyptus essential oil for disinfection
While one of the reasons eucalyptus is used in steam rooms is because of its ability to ease congestion and breathing difficulties, it has a two-fold purpose: eucalyptus oil is actually an excellent antimicrobial! Its main compound 1,8-cineole is effective against various kinds of bacteria, viruses and fungi!
Not only does its antimicrobial benefits make it good for fighting infection, it’s also a great antimicrobial disinfectant! Use it to clean your kitchen, bathroom and any other surfaces that might need wiping down, all while giving your home a fresh spa-like scent.
Eucalyptus essential oil for skin health
Skin health is a lesser-known use for eucalyptus, but it can be very helpful for the skin, improving the moisture and lipid levels of the skin and also helping to disinfect wounds and sores.
How to use eucalyptus essential oil
Eucalyptus essential oil can be used in a variety of ways, depending on its intended purpose:
🍃 Inhalation🍃 Topical application
🍃 Aromatherapy bath
🍃 DIY Cleaner
Let’s take a look at each of these uses of eucalyptus essential oil in more detail.
Inhalation of eucalyptus oil
Inhaling eucalyptus oil is one of the easiest ways to put it to good use. Simply add a few drops to your diffuser and enjoy its relaxing, cleansing scent. If you’re looking to use it as a cough remedy, add a couple drops to a steaming bowl of water, cover your head and inhale deeply. Alternatively, if you’re in a hurry, you could rub a drop or two with some carrier oil between your palms and inhale the scent.
Topical application of eucalyptus essential oil
Eucalyptus oil helps improve the hydrolipidic balance of the skin, making it an excellent addition to your skin care routine. Because it’s also antimicrobial, it can be used to help disinfect wounds and heal sores, such as cold sores.
When using essential oils topically, always dilute them with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil or fractionated coconut oil to reduce the risk of irritation, to increase their effectiveness and extend your supply!
Aromatherapy bath with eucalyptus oil
Whether you’ve got a cough or cold, aches and pains or you just want to relax, adding eucalyptus oil to your bath will turn your ordinary bath into a spa-like treat! Not only do you get to benefit from inhaling it, you get to absorb it through your largest organ, which is your skin, maximizing its benefits to your body.
As with topical application, just be sure to add some carrier oil to your bath with the essential oil. Yes, it makes for more cleanup afterward, but we promise it’ll be worth it!
DIY Cleaner using eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus essential oil’s antimicrobial benefits make it the perfect DIY cleaner. Just fill up a spray bottle with water and add 5-10 drops of eucalyptus oil, and voila - you have an amazing cleaner that will leave your home smelling like a spa!
Eucalyptus is effective against multiple types of bacteria, viruses and fungi. So whether you need to disinfect your kitchen, bathroom or just prepare for guests arriving, eucalyptus is the perfect all-natural and safe cleaner that even the kids can use!
