By 10 Scientific Reasons Eucalyptus is Good for Your Health
For thousands of years, humans depended on essential oils for food, perfume, and medicinal uses. Modern science now confirms some of its health benefits. One of the quintessential favorites comes from the eucalyptus tree.
Most essential oils are safe for your skin if you dilute them with a carrier oil. These unscented oils safely dilute the essential oil without affecting its effectiveness. Some common ones include sweet almond, jojoba, coconut, and olive oil.
Ten Potential Benefits of Using Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Are you interested in trying essential oils for your health? Eucalyptus may be one to consider. Here are ten possible benefits of using eucalyptus oil for its health benefits.
1. May help reduce cough
Coughing not only irritates the chest and lungs, it often drains your energy. According to an article published by the American Lung AssociationCoughing is a vital reflex that helps clear the airways of irritants and excess mucus. Although coughing is beneficial, it can make your throat feel raw and irritated.
An article published by the Florida Naturopathic Physicians Association states that eucalyptol is a powerful expectorant. An expectorant is a substance that helps thin excess mucus in your airways so that you can expel it.
That is why eucalyptol is often found in chest rubbing remedies and aromatherapy vaporizers.
•How:
Add 2-3 drops of eucalyptol oil to a tablespoon of your favorite carrier oil. Rub the mixture on your chest, neck, and back.
2. Can minimize seasonal allergy symptoms
Are you one of the thousands of people across the country who struggle with seasonal allergies? These allergies are usually worse in the spring and summer, when pollen counts and other microbes are at their peak. Seasonal allergies are known to cause sneezing, coughing, congestion, runny nose, throat painand itchy eyes.
If you want to minimize your symptoms naturally, you might consider trying eucalyptol oil. According to a study published by BMC Immunology, the anti-inflammatory properties of eucalyptus can also affect your body’s immune responses. Therefore, it can be used to help suppress many of your seasonal allergy symptoms.
• How:
Add 5-7 drops of pure eucalyptol oil to a diffuser to use at home or at work. You can also mix three drops in one tablespoon of sweet almond oil to steam on your neck, chest, and under your nose.
3. Helps respiratory problems
Since eucalyptol oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can boost your immune system, it can also be helpful in treating respiratory problems. He stated in a study published by the Alternative Medicine Review. These problems include chronic bronchitis, COPD, and asthma.
• How:
If you have sinus problems or other mild to moderate respiratory problems, you can add 5-7 drops of eucalyptol oil to a vaporizer or diffuser at home. You can also pour a cup of boiling water into a large bowl and add 3-5 drops of oil. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the soothing vapors for about 15 minutes.
4. Can reduce pain and inflammation
If you have mild to moderate pain or inflammation, you may consider using eucalyptol as an aromatherapy treatment. A study published by Evidence-Based Alternative Complementary Medicine showed promising results. Study participants underwent knee replacement surgery and one group inhaled eucalyptol oil for 30 minutes for three days.
When the researchers compared the vital signs and pain scale of these patients with the control groups, they found that inhaling eucalyptol effectively minimized their pain. The study concluded that the use of eucalyptol inhalation may be a valuable tool in reducing pain and lowering blood pressure after total knee replacement surgery.
If using this essential oil shows promise after painful surgery, it stands to reason that it may help with other acute and chronic pain, but more research is needed on its potential.
• How:
Smell from a bottle of pure eucalyptol for 3-5 minutes. For a topical solution, add 2-3 drops of the oil to a quarter cup of carrier oil and rub it gently into the affected area.
5. It can fight infections
Your body has a unique self defense network called your immune system. Whenever something foreign enters your body, your white blood cells surround and attack you. The sequelae are inflammation and infection.
Some of the most common infections you can recognize come from microscopic pathogens like E. coli and S. aureus, which cause staph infections. According to research published by the Asia Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, eucalyptol oil showed promising results as an antibacterial and antifungal.
• How:
If you have an infected area, mix 2-3 drops of eucalyptol oil with a tablespoon of carrier oil and gently treat the area. Add 3-5 drops of pure oil to a diffuser if you want to inhale it.
6. Helps heal wounds
For minor cuts and other wounds, eucalyptus oil can be a good addition to your collection of home remedies. Since it has antimicrobial and antibiotic properties, topical use of eucalyptol can help with cuts, bruises, minor burns, or insect bites.
According to an article published by Evidence-based complementary alternative medicine, eucalyptol oil can also be used to treat certain skin problems. Of the 88 essential oil studies, eucalyptol demonstrated the potential to treat at least 20 dermatological conditions. These include dermatitis, athlete’s foot, boils, blisters, herpes, and even chickenpox.
• How:
If you have a larger area to treat, mix 3-5 drops of eucalyptol oil with ¼ cup of carrier oil. For smaller sores or cuts, mix 2-3 drops in a tablespoon of carrier oil. Rub it gently on the affected area until healed.
7. Can relieve earaches
Earaches are painful conditions that are common in children, but adults can get them too. They can be caused by an infection or inflammation in the middle or inner ear. Sometimes they present with fever, jaw pain, and fluid leakage from the infected ear.
Did you know that eucalyptol has antibacterial and pain relieving properties that can relieve earache? Sometimes you can get infections and fluid buildup in your ear from colds and allergies. A little bit of eucalyptol can help.
• How:
Dilute the eucalyptol with a carrier oil, dab a little on a cotton ball, and gently place it in the affected ear.
8. Can increase mental clarity
Frontiers in anti-aging neuroscience published a study of several prominent essential oils, including eucalyptol oil. They concluded that eucalyptol oil, as well as seven other essential oils, have neuroprotective properties.
These oils also have natural antioxidants that protect cells and can minimize premature aging. Since eucalyptus oil can help protect brain cells, using it as an aromatherapy oil can stimulate your clarity of mind.
You know that miserable mental fog that seems to descend right after lunch? Inhale some nice eucalyptol oil and see what a difference it can make.
• How:
Mix 2-3 drops of eucalyptol oil with a carrier oil and pour it into a small roll-on glass container. Use it as an aromatherapy throughout the day just by smelling it or rubbing it a little on your wrists or under your nose.
9. Can relieve tired and sore muscles
After returning home from a long day at work, your body may ache from head to toe. You may also feel pain after prolonged work or your daily workout. It’s also common to experience wasted and sore muscles when you have a cold or flu.
Why not mix the benefits of massage with a soothing essential oil like eucalyptol? According to an article published by the Arthritis Foundation, Topical use of diluted eucalyptol can also reduce arthritis pain.
• How:
Make your healing muscle balm by mixing 7-9 drops of eucalyptol in half a cup of carrier oil. Keep it sealed in a small dark colored jar. Liberally rub the scented oil on the affected muscles or joints.
10. It can help you sleep better
Do you feel drained and exhausted even when you wake up in the morning? You may not be getting enough sleep. It is recommended that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
If you have trouble falling asleep, essential oils like eucalyptol can help. An article published by the American Sleep Association recommends using eucalyptol oil topically or in a diffuser to open up your sinuses more and possibly help you sleep better.
• How:
Consider keeping a diffuser next to your bed at night. Add 5-7 drops of eucalyptol oil and let it diffuse while you sleep. You can also add a couple of drops of lavender oil to increase the calming effect.
A word of caution
Just because eucalyptus leaves are a vital food for koalas does not mean that the leaves or essential oil are safe for human consumption. Use this natural product only as an inhalant or topically. Do not swallow the oil and do not use it in the mouth or eyes.
Final thoughts on the benefits of eucalyptus
These cited studies demonstrate the potential benefits of using eucalyptol topically and in its diffuser. It has a familiar, earthy scent that can make you breathe easier and relax. If it shows any signs of an allergic reaction, discontinue use immediately.
If possible, always use natural remedies such as essential oils to treat your ailments. Natural things like eucalyptus can alleviate many of the things that afflict you.
