The Many Health Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil
Are koala bears onto something? Could be; they eat nothing but eucalyptus leaves, and I've never heard them complaining of chest congestion. While we humans would be missing out on a lot of essential nutrients if we ate eucalyptus exclusively, we can learn a thing or two from our cute, cuddly, marsupial friends.
Uses of Eucalyptus
People have been using eucalyptus medicinally for a long time. You’re probably already using eucalyptus – its one of the active ingredients in many lozenges and cough drops. It’s also in many brands of mouthwash. The medical benefits of eucalyptus were probably first discovered by the Australian Aboriginals, who used it to reduce fever, ease congestion and speed recovery from wounds.
Eucalyptus for the Soul
Lots of people use eucalyptus for psychological stress as well. It stimulates the mind and relaxes the body. So, you can use eucalyptus to replace some of the over the counter medications you use when you’re sick, and add it to your daily routine to have a more harmonious, balanced and productive life.
Eucalyptus Oil
The best way to harness the healing and soothing power of eucalyptus is by using eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil derived from the leaves of the eucalyptus plant and contains a high concentration of the active chemical, eucalyptol. You should never ingest eucalyptus oil without explicit instructions from your doctor or nateropath. The safest, most effective and most popular methods of delivery for eucalytus oil are topical application and fume inhalation.
Eucalyptus and Congestion
Massage eucalyptus oil into your chest to soothe bronchial congestion. Or add a few drops of it to you steam humidifier. The fumes will get the gunk in your lungs and sinuses moving. Don't have a steam humidifier? Sleeping with a bag of dried eucalyptus leaves augmented with some oil in your pillow case is another great way to clear up that congestion.
Cooling Effect of Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus has a cooling effect, too. Rub a couple of drops on your temples to ease a headache or reduce fever. Feeling overwhelmed or stressed but don't have a headache or a fever? That's okay -- applying eucalyptus oil has a soothing, calming, tingling effect that can increase mental clarity and and induce a sense of serenity.
Eucalyptus, the Antibiotic
Eucalyptus oil also has a strong antibacterial effect. It's one of the natural antibiotics. Eucalyptus is esspecially handy for fighting dental plaque and gingivitis, that’s why they put it in moutwash. When applied topically to wounds, eucalyptus oil speeds healing by killing off invading bacteria (never put eucalyptus oil on an open wound, though, or a sunburn -- it'll burn like crazy!).
As if all this weren't enough, eucalyptus oil works great as an insect repellant too and soothes joint and muscle pain from tension and arthritis.
Get hip to what the aboriginals have know for millennia: koala bears are more than just adorable – they’re onto something!
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