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 of eucalyptus is rather well-known around the globe. The strongly fragrant eucalyptus oil is extracted from not only the leaves but also the branches of the eucalyptus tree, by a process termed 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 us something like 2 pounds of essential oil. However, the effort is not really a waste, given the number of benefits eucalyptus essential oil has. But before we move on to that, let us see some general properties of this oil.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil Characteristics
Usually made from the general ingredients of butylaldehyde, camphene, fenchen, globulol, limonene, pinene, pinocarvone, sequiterpene, terpineol, and valeraldehyde, about 70 - 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 orthodential 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 of eucalyptus oil 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 bodyweight. This however, does not rule out adults or people with normal or high bodyweight from falling prey to the toxicity of this oil. So, seek the advice of a health care provider before you venture into consuming eucalyptus oil orally.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil Benefits
Eucalyptus oil is basically used for its innumerable therapeutic effects, both at the physical and mental planes. Some eucalyptus oil 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 as well, 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.
• Eucalyptus oil 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 of eucalyptus essential oil in bath water can produce very exhilarating results.
• Eucalyptus oil destroys colonial bacterial growth, especially by staphylococcus bacteria, and thus heals infections.
• On using eucalyptus oil for hair one can successfully tackle hair problems such as dandruff, hair loss and actually work on stimulating hair growth.
• 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 only eucalyptus oil 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.
• A tick repellent as well as a healer of infections related to tick infestations.

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

Eucalyptus Essential Oil Uses at Home
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 then remain in the tub for a minimum of 20-25 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.

So, try these out to make the most of beneficial eucalyptus oil properties. But 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!