For thousands of years, humans relied on essential oils for food, perfume, and medicinal uses. Modern science now confirms some of their health benefits. One quintessential favorite 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 Essential Eucalyptus 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. Can Help Reduce Coughing
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 you can expel it.
It’s why you often find eucalyptol in chest rub remedies and aromatherapy vaporizers.
•How To:
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. May Minimize Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Are you one of the thousands of people across the country who battle with seasonal allergies? These allergies are usually worse in the spring and summer when pollen count and other microbes are at their peak. Seasonal allergies are notorious for causing sneezing, coughing, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and 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 eucalypt can also affect your body’s immunity responses. So, it may be used to help suppress many of your seasonal allergy symptoms.
• How To:
Add 5-7 drops of pure eucalyptol oil in a diffuser to use at home or work. You can also mix three drops of it in a tablespoon of sweet almond oil to use as a vapor rub on your neck, chest, and under your nose.
3. Helps Respiratory Issues
Since eucalyptol oil has anti-inflammatory properties and may boost your immune system, it may also be useful for treating respiratory issues. It stated in a study published by the Alternative Medicine Review. These issues include chronic bronchitis, COPD, and asthma.
• How To:
If you have sinus issues or other mild to moderate respiratory issues, you can add 5-7 drops of eucalyptol oil to a vaporizer or diffuser in your home. You can also pour a cup of boiling water into a large bowl and add 3-5 drops of the oil. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the soothing vapors for about 15 minutes.
4. May Reduce Pain and Inflammation
If you have mild to moderate pain or inflammation, you may think about using eucalyptol as an aromatherapy treatment. A study published by Evidence-Based Alternative Complementary Medicine demonstrated promising results. Participants in the study had knee replacement surgery, and one group inhaled eucalyptol oil 30 minutes for three days.
When researchers compared the vitals and pain scale of these patients with the control groups, they found that the eucalyptol inhalation effectively minimized their pain. The study concluded that using eucalyptol inhalation may be a valuable tool for reducing pain and lowering blood pressure after total knee replacement surgery.
If using this essential oil shows promise after a painful surgery, it stands to reason that it may help with other acute and chronic pain, but more research about its potential needs to be completed.
• How To:
Sniff from a bottle of pure eucalyptol for 3-5 minutes. For a topical solution, add 2-3 drops of the oil to one-fourth cup 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 anything foreign enters your body, your white blood cells surround and attack it. The aftermath is inflammation and infection.
Some of the most common infections you may recognize come from microscopic pathogens like E. coli and S. aureus, which causes staph infections. According to research published by the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, eucalyptol oil showed promising results as an antibacterial and antifungal.
• How To:
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 the pure oil to a diffuser if you want to inhale it.
6. Helps Wounds Heal
For minor cuts and other wounds, eucalyptus oil may be a wise addition to your home remedy collection. Since it has antimicrobial and antibiotic properties, using eucalyptol topically may help cuts, bruises, minor burns, or bug bites.
According to an article published by Evidence-Based Complementary Alternative Medicine, eucalyptol oil may also be used to treat certain skin issues. Of the 88 essential oils studies, eucalyptol demonstrated potential for treating at least 20 dermatological conditions. These include dermatitis, athlete’s foot, boils, blisters, shingles, and even chickenpox.
• How To:
If you have a larger area to treat, mix 3-5 drops of eucalyptol oil with a ¼ cup 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 it heals.
7. Can Soothe Earaches
Earaches are painful conditions that are common in children, but adults can have them, also. They can be caused by infection or inflammation in your middle or inner ear. Sometimes, they present with fever, jaw pain, and fluid leaking from the infected ear.
Did you know that eucalyptol has antibacterial and pain-fighting properties that can soothe a painful earache? Sometimes, you can have infections and fluid building up in your ear due to colds and allergies. A little eucalyptol may help.
• How To:
Dilute the eucalyptol with a carrier oil, dab a little on a cotton ball, and gently place it in the affected ear.
8. May Boost 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 neuroprotection properties.
These oils also have naturally occurring antioxidants that protect cells and may minimize premature aging. Since eucalyptus oil can help protect brain cells, using it as an aromatherapy oil may boost your mental clarity.
Do you know that miserable brain fog that seems to descend right after lunch? Inhale a little pleasant eucalyptol oil and see the difference it can make.
• How To:
Mix 2-3 drops of eucalyptol oil with a carrier oil and pour it into a small glass roll-on container. Use it as aromatherapy throughout the day by just smelling it or dabbing a little on your wrists or under your nose.
9. May Soothe Tired and Aching Muscles
After coming home from a long day at work, your body may be aching from head to toe. You may also feel sore after a long work or your daily workout. It’s also common to experience worn, achy 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, using diluted eucalyptol topically may also reduce arthritis pain.
• How To:
Make your healing muscle balm by mixing 7-9 drops of eucalyptol in one-half cup carrier oil. Keep it sealed in a small dark-colored jar. Rub the scented oil generously on the affected muscles or joints.
10. May Help You Sleep Better
Do you feel exhausted and rundown even when you awaken in the morning? Perhaps you’re not getting enough sleep. It’s recommended that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
If you have problems falling asleep, essential oils like eucalyptol may help. An article published by the American Sleep Association recommends using eucalyptol oil topically or in a diffuser to open your sinuses more and help you sleep better possibly.
• How To:
Consider keeping a diffuser by your bedside at night. Add 5-7 drops of eucalyptol oil and allow it to diffuse while you sleep. You may also add a couple of drops of lavender oil to increase the soothing effect.
A Word of Caution
Just because eucalyptus leaves are vital food for koalas doesn’t mean the leaves or essential oil is safe for human consumption. Only use this natural product as an inhalant or topically. Don’t swallow the oil, and do not use it in your mouth or eyes.
Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Eucalyptus
These cited studies demonstrate the potential benefits of using eucalyptol topically and in your diffuser. It has an earthy, familiar scent that can make you breathe better and relax. If you show any signs of an allergic reaction, discontinue its use immediately.
If possible, always use natural remedies like essential oils to treat your ailments. Natural things like eucalyptus can soothe many of the things that ails you.
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