Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) Essential Oil

Eucalyptus Essential Oil


 Eucalyptus oil has a cooling and deodorizing effect on the body, helping with fevers, migraine and malaria. For the respiratory tract, it helps with coughs, asthma, throat infections, sinusitis and catarrhal conditions. It soothes inflammation and eases mucus, clearing the head from the stuffiness of colds and hay fever.

Eucalyptus oil is useful as a warming oil when used for muscular aches and pains, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains and poor circulation.

In skin care it can be used for burns, blisters, herpes, cuts, wounds, skin infections and insect bites. It can furthermore boost the immune system and is helpful in cases of chicken pox, colds, flu and measles.

Eucalyptus oil can dissolve blood cots and prevent them from forming in the blood vessels near the skin when applied topically with lemon essential oil. Useful before, during and after flights.

 Upon direct inhalation or use in vapor therapy, its powerful immune-enhancing properties make eucalyptus oil a star support of the respiratory system's natural process of decongesting. By encouraging oxygen uptake, it promotes expectoration of mucus and encourages detoxification and a deeper level of immune support, especially during cold and flu season.

Cleansing and penetrating, eucalyptus oil may be used topically, diffused, or used in inhalation therapy to support cerebral circulation, a healthy immune system and the health of muscles and joints. A topical calmative for body and skin, eucalyptus essential oil promotes tissue repair and a healthy inflammatory response, thereby encouraging healthy skin. It may also be used topically as an insect repellent.

Eucalyptus has a refreshing and stimulating action on the mind, helping to improve concentration. It is associated with the alleviation of grief and sorrow, as well as opening the heart and intellect while equalizing emotions.

 Eucalyptus oil is very helpful when used for headaches, fevers, ailments of the respiratory tract, muscular aches and pains and in skin care. It has a soothing and calming effect on the whole body and helps with the immune system.

The oil is also effective against bacteria - especially staphylococci, and has a refreshing and stimulating action on the mind, helping to improve concentration.

Burners and vaporizers
In vapor therapy, eucalyptus oil may be used for: frequent sneezing, hay fever, flu, respiratory problems, as an insect repellant, headaches and for helping to improve concentration.

Blended massage oil or in the bath
Eucalyptus oil can be used in blended massage oil, or diluted in the bath, to assist with arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, mucous congestion, colds, headaches, rheumatism, sinusitis, catarrh, fatigue and muscular aches and pains.

In a cream or lotion
Apart from giving pain relief to muscular spasms and rheumatism, eucalyptus oil can also help speed up the healing of slow healing wounds and ulcers, calm skin eruptions and clear congested skin.

Used neat or dab on with a bud
Eucalyptus oil can be used neat on the skin for insect bites or wounds, but care should be taken when doing so.

Gargle
When very diluted eucalyptus oil is added to a gargle, so it can be used for soothing a sore throat.



BOTANICAL NAME
Eucalyptus globulus

COMMON METHOD OF EXTRACTION
Steam distilled

PARTS USED
Leaves and twigs

NOTE CLASSIFICATION
Top

AROMA
Fresh, penetrating, woody, camphoraceous

LARGEST PRODUCING COUNTRIES
Australia, Brazil, and Spain

TRADITIONAL USE
Eucalyptus is one of the oldest native medicines used in Australia. It is known now for its use in inhalants and vapor rubs, and as a household disinfectant and cleaner.

PROPERTIES

The therapeutic properties of eucalyptus oil are analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-neuralgic, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, balsamic, cicatrisant, decongestant, deodorant, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, rubefacient, stimulant, vermifuge and vulnerary.
Chemical composition

The main chemical components of eucalyptus oil are a-pinene, b-pinene, a-phellandrene, 1,8-cineole, limonene, terpinen-4-ol, aromadendrene, epiglobulol, piperitone and globulol.


BLENDS WELL WITH
Benzoin, cedarwood, chamomile, cypress, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, junipbenzoin, thyme, lavender, lemongrass, lemon, marjoram, peppermint, pine, rosemary, thyme

OF INTEREST

The Australian Blue-gum can sometimes reaches a height of 100 meters (300 feet), making it one of the highest trees in the world. There are over 500 species of Eucalyptus trees, with tough long and narrow blue-green leaves, creamy white flowers and smooth pale bark.

The 'eu' and 'kalypto' means 'well' and 'covered' in Greek, referring to the cup-like membrane that covers the flower bud, which is thrown off as the flower expands.

The Australian Aborigines calls it 'kino' and they use the leaves to cover serious wounds. Eucalyptus oil was introduced to Europe in 1788, and the first oil exported to England was called 'Sydney peppermint'. It was extracted from Eucalyptus peperita which is a more industrial type of oil.

The tree uses a lot of water while growing and has been used to clear water-logged land, draining the water from swamps where malaria mosquito may be found. The tree was thought to prevent malaria in the past, due to this draining action.


SAFETY DATA
Avoid while pregnant and with homeopathics. May cause skin irritation.