Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus Oil – [Eucalyptus Globulus]
Eucalyptus originated in Spain and of the estimated 300 known varieties ‘Eucalyptus Globulus’ is the most widely used.
Eucalyptus Oil – characteristics
Eucalyptus has a fresh and very distinctive camphorous and woody smell. It is almost colorless to pale yellow in color and watery in viscosity.
Eucalyptus Oil – uses
Eucalyptus has many uses. Most important of these is its very powerful bactericidal and anti viral action. Eucalyptus has a cooling and deodorizing effect on the body, helping with fevers, migraine and malaria.
Eucalyptus Oil – decongestant
Eucalyptus is best known as a decongestant through inhalation for colds and catarrhal conditions. For the respiratory tract, it relieves coughs, sinusitis, throat infections and asthma. It calms inflammation and releases mucus, clearing the head from the stuffiness of colds and hay fever.
A steam inhalation with Eucalyptus is an effective natural treatment for colds because not only does it ease normal congestion but it inhibits the spread of the cold virus.
Eucalyptus Oil – skin care
It is useful for septic or congested conditions and combines well with Bergamot for treating burns, blisters, cuts, wounds, skin infections, insect bites, cold sores, genital herpes and for the blisters which appear when you have shingles.
The Eucalyptus is called ‘kino’ by Australian Aborigines who use it to treat serious wounds by covering the wound with the leaves.
Eucalyptus Oil – muscular pains
Eucalyptus oil is beneficial as a warming oil when used for muscular pains, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains and poor circulation. Eucalyptus can be used in massage to relieve pain in rheumatism, muscular aches and fibrosis but it has a strong medicinal smell. Some people feel that if an essential oil has a strong smell the it must be doing them some good!
Eucalyptus Oil – mosquito bites
Eucalyptus is an excellent insect repellent and if you blend it with oils such as Lavender or Bergamot it will keep your room smelling fresh and help to keep out mosquitoes, flies and any other non-desirables!
Eucalyptus Oil – therapeutic properties
anti-rheumatic, analgesic, anti-neuralgic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, balsamic, deodorant, diuretic, expectorant, decongestant, insecticide, stimulant and rubefacient.
Precautionary note: Care should be taken when using Eucalyptus oil and people with high blood pressure and epilepsy should avoid it. It is not advisable to use it on young children. Excessive use of the oil may cause headaches.
Eucalyptus Oil – tar stain
If you get tar on your clothes or skin from a polluted beach, this essential oil is an effective and harmless way of removing it.
Safety
You should not use Eucalyptus on young children.
You should not drink any essential oils without first consulting a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. You should not apply any undiluted essential oil, absolutes, CO2s or any other concentrated essences directly onto the surface of your skin.
You should only use essential oils when under the proper supervision of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner if you have a medical condition or you are pregnant or suffering from liver failure, cancer or epilepsy.
Always use a skin patch test when using an essential oil for the first time.
Children: you must exercise extreme care if using essential oils with children. Use only very small quantities and only gentle essential oils. You are strongly advised to consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner prior to using essential oils with children.
Please refer to ‘Safety Guidelines’
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