Top 10 Health Benefits of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil has long been used to treat respiratory ailments due to its ability to clear sinuses and lungs and relieve coughs and sore throats.
With its cooling properties, it can also help alleviate stress and tension headaches by improving blood flow to the head.
For best results, use eucalyptus essential oil diluted in a carrier oil such as jojoba or coconut, or the diffuser of your choice. Here are the top 10 health benefits of eucalyptus essential oil.
1) It relieves muscle pain
While eucalyptus essential oil may not be as well-known as some other essential oils, it is still powerful and effective in its own right.
Not only does it smell great, but it has a variety of health benefits to offer. One common use for eucalyptus essential oil is as a muscle rub or massage oil to relieve tired and sore muscles.
Research shows that it’s particularly helpful with muscle pain caused by rheumatism or injuries that have affected muscles.
If you like using essential oils in your skincare routine, adding eucalyptus oil can help loosen tight muscles while leaving your skin soft and smooth at the same time.
2) Improves breathing quality
Diffusing eucalyptus essential oil in your home can help improve breathing and air quality. One study found that out of ten essential oils tested, eucalyptus ranked highest for respiratory and pulmonary problems.
The authors note that these results are not surprising because eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) is a major constituent of eucalyptus oil...and has a significant anti-inflammatory effect on animal cells.
Other researchers agree with these findings—in one study where mice were exposed to both bacteria and dust mites (as a model for humans who suffer from asthma), those treated with eucalyptol were less likely to experience breathing difficulties than those who did not receive treatment.
3) Helps you sleep better
When you have trouble sleeping at night, eucalyptus essential oil is a great natural way to calm your mind and relax your body so that you can get a good night’s rest.
Aromatherapy benefits are wonderful ways to enjoy all-natural remedies for insomnia and other sleep disorders without any unwanted side effects or harmful medications.
Try using eucalyptus oil at bedtime along with some soft music or perhaps a guided meditation CD; soon enough, you’ll be peacefully drifting off to sleep!
Besides improving your sleep quality, many other aspects of your health will also benefit from eucalyptus essential oil.
It can help calm and soothe coughs and colds as well as alleviate various aches and pains. For instance, rubbing a small amount on your chest or shoulders can relieve sinus congestion or headaches.
4) Boosts your immune system
The wide range of essential oils found in eucalyptus leaves have potent antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that make it an excellent option for colds and cases of flu.
Add a few drops to a vaporizer or diffuser to cleanse your home from airborne germs and viruses. Once diluted, eucalyptus can also be applied directly to your skin for faster relief.
Skin infections are often caused by Candida albicans, which are suppressed with eucalyptus oil. Furthermore, lavender essential oil fights off common skin irritants like insect bites, poison ivy rashes, ringworm outbreaks, and other signs of dermatitis.
5) Treats wounds, cuts, and bruises
The chemical properties in eucalyptus essential oil also help kill bacteria and treat wounds, cuts, and bruises.
Just add a couple of drops to a cotton ball, tissue or bandage to create an antiseptic salve that is naturally powerful without being toxic.
It can also help clean out wounds; try applying a drop or two directly to cuts for fast relief from infection and pain. You can even use it on insect bites.
6) Has anti-inflammatory properties
As a powerful anti-inflammatory, eucalyptus essential oil can help calm irritated skin and muscle tissues.
This can also reduce swelling and pain, which is why it's a popular ingredient in many topical medications. If you've ever had an injury or illness that left you feeling painful or swollen, you may want to try using eucalyptus essential oil topically.
Just keep in mind that some people may experience photosensitivity to its use—the same symptom that leads many people to stay out of direct sunlight after spending time in the water.
Eucalyptus has traditionally been used as a disinfectant for cuts and wounds. As a powerful anti-inflammatory, eucalyptus essential oil can help calm irritated skin and muscle tissues.
7) Soothes nausea, colds, coughs, asthma, and bronchitis
Eucalyptus essential oil is a powerful decongestant and an effective treatment for many respiratory ailments.
In addition to fighting coughs, eucalyptus essential oil can be used as a natural remedy for bronchitis, sinus congestion, asthma, and seasonal allergies.
The health benefits of eucalyptus extend to soothing nausea and stomach upset and even colds when used topically or aromatically.
As with all essential oils, you should use caution when using eucalyptus to treat children under two years old.
8) Aids with digestion problems
Several studies have found that eucalyptus essential oil has a positive effect on digestion. This is due to its ability to stimulate peristalsis (the coordinated contractions of digestive muscles that push food along through your digestive tract) and improve both intestinal transit time and intestinal function.
The anti-spasmodic properties in eucalyptus essential oil also make it great for relieving abdominal pain, cramps and bloating.
So, if you're looking for an effective way to deal with indigestion or an upset stomach, use a few drops in water or tea—or better yet, diffuse a few drops throughout your home.
9) Promotes hair growth
Promoting hair growth might seem like an impossible feat, but it can be achieved with regular use of essential oils.
When applied directly to the skin or scalp and taken internally, essential oils can help promote hair growth by stimulating blood flow and increasing circulation.
Plus, essential oils have been shown to relieve scalp itchiness often associated with some types of hair loss.
For example, eucalyptus oil is a natural anti-inflammatory that can alleviate discomfort and even pain associated with dandruff or psoriasis—two conditions that commonly affect those dealing with hair loss.
10) Treats acne and inflammation
In addition to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, eucalyptus essential oil can also be used as a gentle treatment for acne.
In fact, in one study, researchers found that people with mild cases of acne had better results when they used eucalyptus essential oil than when they used a cream containing benzoyl peroxide.
Plus, if you’re experiencing any skin inflammation (including redness), try massaging a drop or two into your skin.
Eucalyptus has an anti-inflammatory effect that can help soothe irritated skin.
Very informative