The 6 Most Common Eucalyptus Oil Benefits

The 6 Most Common Eucalyptus Oil Benefits

Eucalyptus essential oils have been used for various reasons over the span of many years. Native to the eucalyptus trees of Australia (also called the fever tree), a few drops of eucalyptus oil extracted from these special leaves can make a world of difference as a home remedy for bug bites, sunburn, sore gums, and more! No wonder it can be found in so many healing inhalants, ointments, and creams.

The benefits of eucalyptus range from respiratory benefits, disinfectant properties, and much more. 

1. Cough and Congestion 

One of the benefits of eucalyptus oil is its ability to help relieve your cough and help decongest the chest. It was shown to react as an efflux pump inhibitor, helping the body to better deal with bacteria. Because of this, it will help the body push up any congestion that will not come out on its own, such as when you have a dry cough. 

In order to help with these, you can always mix the essential oil with a carrier oil like a few tablespoons of coconut oil or jojoba oil, then apply it to the chest. Bubbly Bell offers a roll-on that makes applying it easier, given that it is already diluted for you. Aside from that, you can also insert the oil into a diffuser and leave it on for about 45 minutes to an hour, or you can put a few drops into a bowl of hot water, onto a towel, or even on a cotton ball. 

2. Respiratory Benefits

Aside from helping with cough and congestion, the use of eucalyptus can also help with different respiratory problems and illnesses. It was said that eucalyptus oil can help with Pharyngitis, sinusitis, and bronchitis, as well as a few other respiratory ailments. 

The way it helps with these is similar to the way it aids decongestion. The inhaled steam from the oil helps react with the mucous membranes. This means that it will reach the mucous membranes, then it will loosen the mucous from the membrane walls, making it easier to cough it up. 

The one thing all of these ailments have in common is congestion and swelling. Eucalyptus oil helps with congestion, which in turn helps reduce the swelling in the areas. For example, sinusitis happens when the sinuses are congested and in turn become inflamed. By helping to loosen the mucus from these areas, the eucalyptus makes it easier for the body to rid of the excess mucus and reduce inflammation.

In order to do these things, the oil must be steamed and inhaled. To do that you can place it in a diffuser, or in a hot bath. Aside from this, you can place it in either a personal sauna or a sauna where you have permission to do so. Many people will also boil the water with the essential oils added.

3. Insect Repellent 

Aside from being helpful for keeping your lungs and respiratory tract clear, it is also helpful by keeping the bugs and insects at bay. Mosquitos and other bugs can carry life-threatening diseases, such as malaria and other blood-borne pathogens. 

That is why repelling them is a very much-needed benefit. In order to avoid these pathogens spreading through mosquitos and other biting insects, as well as the added chemicals in the repellents, you can use eucalyptus oil. It was approved by the CDC to repel insects for up to three hours depending on the amount used. 

In order to use this as an insect repellent, you can easily dilute it into almond oil, jojoba oil, or even grapeseed oil in a spray bottle. Grapeseed oil helps to reduce the absorption of UV rays, so if you are outside it may be a better choice for you. After diluting the eucalyptus oil into it, you can place it on your skin and enjoy your time without bugs on you and without the worry of mosquitos. 

4. Disinfectant for Wounds 

Eucalyptus oil has been used to disinfect wounds and sores for a great amount of time, due to its antimicrobial properties. The oil is placed on the wound, disinfects it, and then reduces inflammation. The antimicrobial properties fight the bacterias around the wound, and on the wound, allowing it to heal properly without the fear of infection. This keeps the wound from worsening, and also maintains a clean environment for it. 

In order to apply it to the skin wound, you can either use the Immunity Boost Roll-On or dilute it with almond or olive oil. After diluting, place it on the affected area and let it do its thing! You can reapply once you need more, but make sure to never apply it directly on the skin without diluting, doing so will do more harm than good.

5. Joint and Back Pain

As described before, eucalyptus oil helps greatly with inflammation. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it can be helpful with joint pain. It has the ability to reduce swelling in the affected area, as well as contribute to numbing. It was said that eucalyptus oil had a numbing effect on the nerves, so it can most definitely help with both joint and back pain. 

In order to use it, you can either apply it topically to the area, or you can apply it to your bath. Regardless of the chosen method, you do need to dilute it as well. After diluting it, you can apply it on the joints and on the painful or swollen areas. As you do, it will help to numb the pain as well.

Inserting it into your bath has the same effect, it allows you to sit there and relax your muscles as well, adding a bonus benefit. For both, you can use the Immunity Boost essential oil, but if you wish to do it topically and do not have time to dilute, you can always use the roll-on.

6. Hair and Scalp 

Eucalyptus oil can help the hair and scalp, a benefit widely known and used. Many shampoos and conditioners use this oil in the product, but the problem is whether the shampoo or conditioner is right for your hair type. 

Essential oil helps to reduce inflammation, which could in turn help with hair growth. It also helps to reduce dandruff through the antifungal and antiseptic characteristics in eucalyptus oil. You can apply diluted essential oil into the hair with argan oil as the carrier oil in order to provide moisture to the hair.

When you do this, you can dilute the essential oil, and place it on the scalp. You can either leave it on for an entire day, or you can leave it in for a couple of minutes, then wash it off. One other method would be to mix it with your shampoo and conditioner, that way it helps whenever you shower or take a bath.

Benefits and Warnings

For aching knees to cold sore relief, there are multiple benefits to using eucalyptus oil. Even beyond the uses outlined above, this essential oil may help combat bad breath, plaque, and gingivitis, clean mold and fungi, or manage symptoms of the common cold. But though the benefits include healthy scalp and pain-numbing, using it incorrectly can harm your hair and skin. For this reason, make sure you are always diluting the oils. If you do not dilute the oil before placing it in the hair it can dry out the hair and even cause damage to the hair. It can also increase skin peeling if placed directly on the skin as well. 

Because of these things, you want to make sure you either buy the already diluted roll-ons, or you continue to dilute them with carrier oils, like argan oil. When used on the skin and hair, the different carrier oils can also have benefits to you, so choosing the right one can increase different benefits. 

Sources:

9 Amazing Eucalyptus Oil Benefits You Need to Know | Healthline

10 Essential Oils for Cough: What to Use and How to Use Them | Healthline

10 Natural Ingredients That Repel Mosquitos | Healthline

Eucalyptus Oil for Hair | Healthline

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