Eucalyptus oil or “Nilgiri oil” has a wide range of medicinal uses. Discover the amazing health benefits of Eucalyptus Oil in this article.
Extracted from the plant called Eucalyptus Globulus, the oil has multiple different applications. It is used as an antiseptic cream, repellent, flavoring agents and fragrance in the perfume.
We use the leaves of Eucalyptus tree to manufacture oil. The leaves are dried, and the oil is distilled from the dried leaves. The oil, then produced is colorless, and it has a strong woody and sweet smell.
Eucalyptus oil contains 70-85% 1, 8-cineole which has great anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. This oil can be used orally or applied topically on your skin for various purposes.
Did you know this oil is frequently used in Cosmetics and perfumes due to its aromatic properties?
In addition to its aromatic properties, Eucalyptus oil also has its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, it is used to treat infection, fever, asthma, cold and cough.
Further, you can also use eucalyptus oil for treating mental exhaustion, diabetes, tuberculosis and pneumonia and for skin care purpose.
Table of Contents
Health Benefits Of Eucalyptus Oil
1. Eucalyptus Oil For Cold And Cough
If you are suffering from cold and flu, instead of using pill and syrup, you can try eucalyptus oil which is a natural remedy.
Studies show that eucalyptus oil helps in increasing the circulation in the body, help to dilate air passages, kills bacteria and even viruses, which will make it easier to breathe during cold and flu.
For a blocked nose, you can make a steam bath by pouring hot water into the bowl and by adding ten drops of eucalyptus oil to it. You can then take a cover over yourself and inhale deeply for five to ten minutes. This will help to reduce the inflammation in the mucous area and make breathing easier.
Also for easy breathing and relieving the blockade during the day, you can apply a drop of eucalyptus oil to a cotton ball and sniff it. This will help to keep your nasal tracks open and make it easier for you to breathe.
2. Eucalyptus Oil For Hair
There are some benefits of using eucalyptus oil for hair. If you want strong, shiny, thick hair without dandruff and lice, eucalyptus oil can be one of the natural solutions for you.
The antifungal properties and vasodilation properties of chemicals found in eucalyptus oil help to increase your hair health.
3. Follicle Stimulation
Hairs on the head grow from follicles. Massaging the scalp with eucalyptus oil helps in promoting the hair follicles to grow, as eucalyptus oil contains compounds which help in vasodilation and increases the blood flow to the hair follicles. As a result, using eucalyptus oil will give you long shiny hair.
4. Scalp Care
If you have dandruff and dry scalps eucalyptus, oil can be a good choice for you. Vaso-dilating properties of eucalyptus oil increase blood circulation which prevents bacteria inside the hair follicle to stop growing. Also, eucalyptus oil has anti-bacterial and antifungal properties which help in eliminating fungal growth in the hair.
5. Treating Lice
We all know how stubborn lice are. They need some strong chemicals to be used in our head to remove them. But then these strong chemicals, not only does away with lice but also harms our skin.
Lice treatment is one of the factors; eucalyptus oil can act as. It has insect repellent properties and does not contain any chemicals. Thus, it is a natural solution for lice control.
Despite the fact that eucalyptus oil has so many benefits, it should be, however, used in small amounts. You should not apply the oil directly to your scalp.
Instead, you should mix it with your shampoo or some oil and apply to your hair.Here, you can also view the article Essential oils for Hair, which will help you to deal with different hair problems.
6. Eucalyptus Oil For Babies
Is your baby feeling congested or having some difficulty in breathing due to cold? Instead of using Vicks vapor rub or any antibiotics for your baby, you can use a natural remedy for congestion; that is eucalyptus oil.
You can mix two drops of eucalyptus oil with a teaspoonful of olive oil. This mixture can be then rubbed on the baby’s back or the chest to remove congestion or difficulty in breathing.
The volatile nature of the oil helps in soothing the respiratory tracts and help them breathe properly. Also, you can use this oil for topical massage in babies. This oil has coolant properties, blood flow and has antiseptic properties which are good for children.
However, it should be noted that eucalyptus oil should not be ingested by babies as it causes eucalyptus poisoning. Concerned parents can also refer to the article saying Essential Oils For Babies.
7. Eucalyptus Oil For Skin
Eucalyptus oil can be applied to the skin to cure-related skin disease and infection. This oil is used in cosmetics. Usually, it is mixed with other oils so that they are readily absorbed by the skin. The eucalyptus used in such way will act as a moisturizer and sunscreen.
8. Helps To Make Skin Softer
Mixing few drops of this oil into coconut or almond oil and applying the mixture to skin helps to make skin softer. If you want softer skin, Eucalyptus oil can be a good option for you.
9. Helps To Treat Acne
Are you suffering from acne problem or have acne marks?Have you tried all the medicines for your acne and nothing has worked?If yes then, Eucalyptus oil can be the best solution for you.
You can dip a cotton swab into diluted eucalyptus oil and apply to your skin. This will prevent from any acne outbreak in your body. Also, applying this diluted solution will help you get rid of acne blemishes if you have any.
10. Helps To Treat Wounds
Eucalyptus oil can be your first aid when you have cuts and bruises. Eucalyptus oil has antiseptic qualities. Hence, you can use this oil for healing ulcers, cuts, and sores.
The oil helps in soothing the affected area and also helps to protect the wound from developing an infection. Also, you can use this oil for insects’ bites and stings.
You can add ten drops of eucalyptus oil in 2 cups of water and put the diluted mixture into a spray bottle. You can spray this solution on the cloth and apply to wounds or cuts.This homemade antiseptic will prevent infection in the wounds and also heal scabs.
11. Eucalyptus Oil In Bath
After a long tiring day, using eucalyptus oil in the bath is a good way to rejuvenate yourself. Aromatherapy, as it is called will give health benefits that include boosting your respiratory health, strengthening the immune system and lowering the blood pressure.
Also, using eucalyptus oil in the bath helps to fight against bacterial infection, relieve pain and enhance blood circulation in the body.
You can add few drop of oil in the bath, let it disperse in the water and enjoy the cool chilling bath along with aromas of the oil. This will help you to relax and give you a feeling of well-being.
This oil can also be used in the sauna as it has the refreshing ability. It will relax your muscles and gives a refreshing feeling after bathing.
12. Eucalyptus Oil For Dental Care
Using Eucalyptus oil a day keeps the dentist away. Yes, Eucalyptus oil is very effective for dental care. This oil is very effective against numerous dental problems like cavities, dental plaques, gingivitis and dental infection.
Research has shown that chewing gum which has 0.3% of eucalyptus will help in reducing dental plaque in people. The germicidal and antimicrobial property of Eucalyptus oil makes it a fundamental ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwash.
You can also try Clove Oil or Cinnamon Essential Oil for dealing with dental problems
13. Eucalyptus Oil To Treat Mental Exhaustion, Migraine, And Headaches
Do you feel tired after office work?If yes, then eucalyptus oil is the best solution for you.
Eucalyptus oil helps to reduce the stress and mental slanginess and helps to rejuvenate energy into you. Eucalyptus oil acts as a vasodilator, which means it will help in increasing the blood flow to the brain.
This will help to relax the blood vessel and circulate more blood to your brain, making you feel more relaxed.For relieving mental stress, you can smell the oil from vile for few seconds. The camphor-like cold sweet fragrance of the oil helps to relax the mind.
Also during headaches and migraine, you can add 4-5 drops of eucalyptus oil in 30 ml of cool water. The cloth is dipped into the solution and is applied to the temples. This action will help to dilate the blood vessels and increase blood circulation, and hence ease the headaches.
14. Eucalyptus Oil For Muscle Pain
Normally when we go to the gym and do heavy exercise we end up having muscle pain. And sometimes, work at the office is also too much, which will give us physical stress. During these cases of physical pain and stress, eucalyptus oil is of great benefit.
If you suffer from muscle pain, massaging with eucalyptus oil will help in reducing joints and muscle pain. This oil has analgesic properties which will help to reduce pain.
You can massage the muscle with diluted eucalyptus oil 2-3 times a day. This will act as a painkiller and also relax muscle as well.
15. Eucalyptus Oil For Respiratory Problems
If you are suffering from congestion, Bronchitis or Asthma, using eucalyptus oil on your chest will help you do a lot better. If you have an asthma attack, you can put some drops of this oil on your chest and massage properly. It will help you to breathe better.
This oil will also help you get rid of Bronchitis and congestion symptoms, as it helps you to reduce inflammation of your respiratory track and make breathing easier for you.
During Bronchitis and Congestion, you can either massage few drops of oil in your chest or put few drops of diluted oil in a cotton swab and sniff it. Doing as such will help you gain instant relief.
16. Eucalyptus Oil For Diabetic Patients
If you are a diabetic patient, you often face a problem on your blood circulation, especially to your feet and extremities. Using eucalyptus oil for massage purpose will increase the blood circulation to the body. This eases the cramps, discomforts that diabetic patient experiences.
17. Eucalyptus Oil For Inflammation Caused By Different Disease
Apart from the different uses mentioned above, you can use eucalyptus oil to decrease the inflammation caused by the various disease.
You can massage your abdomen with eucalyptus oil to decrease the inflammation caused by diarrhea.Also use eucalyptus oil to ease the pain caused by a kidney stone. You can massage the abdomen with eucalyptus oil. This will help to get instant relief to the pain you are having.
How To Use Eucalyptus Oil?
We have already discussed the benefits of this miracle oil. However, there is some precaution that needs to be undertaken while using this oil.
Taking concentrated eucalyptus oil will cause poisoning symptoms. Even 3.5 ml of undiluted eucalyptus oil can be fatal to human health. Some of the signs are stomach burning, suffocation, dilation of pupils, etc. Also, it causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
So, Eucalyptus oil should only be consumed in its dilute form.You should also not apply eucalyptus oil directly into your skin without diluting as this may also cause topical poisoning in you.
Precaution While Using Eucalyptus Oil
1. On Children
Using eucalyptus oil should be less when one is a child. Because children are young, and they have higher body surface area to mass ratio, the absorption of the oil is high in them.
Thus, children are more vulnerable to the poison absorbed Transdermally. We should be careful because there are cases that showed even small amount as 5ml of oil caused poisoning in the child.
2. For Patients Who Are Taking Diabetes Medication
If you are taking medicine related to diabetes, it is better if you avoid taking eucalyptus oil. As both diabetes medication and eucalyptus oil help to decrease the blood sugar level, consuming them together might cause blood sugar to go too low.
3. On A Patient Undergoing Surgery
If you are undergoing a surgery sooner, the best option for you is to stop consumption of Eucalyptus oil. Since this oil affects the blood sugar, the concern is that it might make your blood sugar level difficult to control.Thus, it is better to stop taking eucalyptus oil, at least, two weeks before the surgery.
If you keep these conditions in mind and use eucalyptus oil moderately, it is a good natural remedy for you as it has a lot of health advantages.
