Eucalyptus essential oil

One of my favourite essential oils is Eucalyptus essential oil. Maybe it is because I am Australian, but I have an incredible respect for this oil. This tall tree, which is so popular with koalas, produces an essential oil that is one of the first that I reach for in formulating the remedy for many conditions. In fact in Australia, it is quite common to open people’s medicine cupboard and see a bottle of eucalyptus oil.

At the moment, many people are contacting me for remedies to help their sinus conditions. These are quite an issue at the moment with the transition period from winter to spring and my favourite essential oil, eucalyptus, is great for all respiratory system issues such as sinus problems, colds, bronchitis and also chest congestion. And there is nothing quite like that head clearing effect that eucalytpus gives when being inhaled as it magically dries excess mucous. It is like ahhhh…I can breath again, thank you! It is also a very powerful antiseptic and antimicrobial oil, which makes it good for respiratory system infections, even pneumonia, and it helps the body’s immune system fight such infections. As such, it is a great oil to use as a preventative measure against illness when everyone else around you is becoming ill. But it is not only sinusitis that makes me reach for eucalytptus oil, it is also a regular ingredient in my massage oils, as it is great for aching muscles and joints and conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis and rheumatoid athritis. It is also a great oil for general exhaustion as it is stimulating and helps concentration. As if that wasn’t enough to make it a great oil, it is also a wonderful treatment for headaches and even migraine headaches. It has a very intense and camphor-like smell but is so wonderfully clearing and cooling as you inhale it. Mosquitoes and other bugs don’t seem to like the aroma of eucaltyptus, so it is great to use as an insect repellant. A word of caution, it needs to be be used with caution with people who have high blood pressure though.

There are many different types of eucalyptus; Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus radiata, Eucalyptus Smithii, Eucalytpus citriodora, Eucalytpus dives and Eucalyptus stageriana. Except for the dives and citriodora, the other four eucalytpus oils are quite similar with the exception of smithii being much more gentle and the choice for babies and children, although radiata is also milder than globulus and can be used with children. Although the stageriana oil is similar in what it can be used for aromatically, it is very different from the other eucalyptus oils and is a more gentle oil. Dives is great for heavy mucous conditions and citriodora is great as an insect repellant and to clear negative emotions. Even though their aroma is quite different across all of these oils, I love every single one of them and have all of them in my medicine box, I mean aromatherapy box!

If you haven’t got any eucalyptus in your medicine cupboard yet, I recommend that you start by buying some Eucalyptus radiata. You will experience a much healthier household if you do and make sure to use it during the winter months. You can start by making this simple spray to keep germs at bay. Mix 100ml of water and 1ml (25 drops) of Eucalyptus radiata in a spray bottle and spray wherever there are germs and illness, don’t forget door knobs too.

Enjoy your eucalyptus oil and let me know which one is your favourite!

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