Eucalyptus oil is mainly produced from the leaves of the tree. Mostly dried leaves are a good source of this oil. Though many eucalyptus trees exist, only a specific tree can generate liquid. Species named Eucalyptus Globulus is the primary root of producing oil.
The eucalyptus tree is one of the common trees that you will see all over the world. This tree originated in Australia and has now been spread across the globe. You may know this tree for its timber. But there is significant use of its oil for medical, health, and beauty purposes.
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History Eucalyptus Globulus
At first, aboriginal people from Australia used the leaves of a eucalyptus tree as medicine for pain, cold, and fever. Eventually, the first fleet of European settlers arrived in Australia and discovered this remedy.
Notably, Dennis Considen and John White were the surgeons on the fleet. They distilled oil from leaves and used it on injured soldiers. Later this oil gained its name during the influenza pandemic in 1919-1920 to apply to influenza-affected patients.
What is Eucalyptus Oil?
Oval-shaped leaves are used for producing eucalyptus products. This specific kind of tree grows in Australia. It is mainly the essence of these dried leaves. At the very first, eucalyptus leaves should be dried. Then it is crushed and finally distilled.
People don’t use this oil directly for any purpose. One should dilute this oil with water or any carrier oil. Carrier oil is mostly coconut oil or almond oil. These leaves carry a compound called “eucalyptol.” This compound possessed the spectacular scent of the oil and the medical benefits.
How to Make Organic Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus tree grows typically in comparatively warmer territory. If you are in this corner of the world, you would be fortunate to find some fresh eucalyptus leaves.
- Step 1: Find some fresh leaves. You will need roughly ¼ cup of leaves to make a full cup of oil.
- Step 2: You should wash these leaves thoroughly.
- Step 3: Take one cup of carrier oil. Your choice could be coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil.
- Step 4: Here, you have two options. Either you can strip these leaves or chop them with a sharp knife. After this step, you will notice oil extracted from these leaves.
- Step 5: Mix the chopped or striped leaves and extracted oil with the carrier oil in a pot. Put the pot on the stove and set the temperature very low.
- Step 6: Now, leave the pot to cool down. Then you filter this essential oil through a mesh strainer.
- Step 7: Now store the ready oil in a dark jar.
There is a caution that you should keep the jar in the dark corner of your house. The longevity of this oil depends on the time you keep it in the dark corner and away from light.
How does it work?
Eucalyptus oil is a good medicine for some familiar diseases like colds, fever, asthma, etc. This essential oil is also a good tonic for arthritis and skin ulcer. For this purpose, you should apply this to the skin. It is also known for its ability to perform aroma therapy. Sometimes you can use it as a mouth freshener.
Mostly we see that this essential oil is far more different than another oil based on its medical benefits. Besides, it possesses a pleasing aroma which is also beneficiary in some cases.
Cultivation Eucalyptus tree
The main ingredient of the liquid is dried leaves from the eucalyptus tree. Generally, Eucalyptus globulus is the best species to produce the finest oil. This species is found in Australia. Eucalyptus Kochii and Eucalyptus Polybractea are also considered good sources of it.
The eucalyptus tree grows well in the tropical zone because of its high temperature. This tree can spike up to roughly 2000m to 2200m. This tree needs 4-40 cm of rain annually. It needs soil with good moisture and the ability to drain water well.
Uses and Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus products are very familiar for their curing ability for some common diseases and pleasing aroma. Here we will discover some benefits of this oil.
1. Best for Alopecia
Alopecia means hair loss. You can prevent hair loss by massaging eucalyptus. At first, you have to mix 2 or 3 tablespoons of oil with carrier oil and then massage to the scalp. You can make a face mask by mixing three tablespoons of oil with an egg. Then applies this to your head and leave for 30 min.
2. Good oil for body massage
The oil is good for relaxing your muscles while massaging them. It penetrates and targets your joints and fiber of muscle. For effective results, you should use it on your shoulder and back. It is also known for its stress-relieving ability and mental exhaustion.
3. Remove Dark Circles
Apart from medical usage, eucalyptus also protects your skin. Regular use of this oil around your eyes exhilarates blood circulation. This oil restricts the cell around the eyes to form dark patches beneath your eyes. Since the eye is a sensitive organ, you should dilute this oil with a suitable carrier oil. You must also be aware that this oil should not enter your respiratory system.
4. Good oil for ear
It is pretty annoying when someone is facing an ache in their ear. It possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory compounds. These help to prevent earaches. So this oil is an excellent home remedy for those who want to eliminate this annoyance.
5. Eucalyptus oil for growing a beard
This oil is well-toned to make your beard grow smooth, soft, and shiny. First, take a few drops of this oil on the palms of your hand. Then gently rubs it against your beard. You may leave it for 1-1.5 hours to soak into the pores and follicles of your facial skin.
6. Good Oil for headaches
It is the best medicine if you are facing headaches created by sinus issues. It opens the nasal passages, and then it clears the sinuses. Older research tells that a mixture of oil, peppermint, and ethanol relaxes muscles and the mind, eventually curing headaches.
You should apply this oil to your chest with a gentle massage. Otherwise, you can inhale its vapor.
7. Oil for knee pain
The oil is a natural medicine for knee pain like arthritis. Regular massage on your knee can save you from this unendurable pain. You will be surprised to know that famous creams and ointments for Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis contain eucalyptus ingredients. You can use this oil to avoid inorganic creams or ointments.
8. Oil for lice
The ingredients contain a compound names Eucalyptol. This essential oil is a repellent to insects and antiseptics. It will kill lice and protect your scalp too. For accurate results, you should mix 15 tablespoons of oil with four tablespoons of carrier oil, like olive oil. You should apply it on your scalp and leave it for 2-3 hours before bath.
9. Good for oily scalp
Oily scalps produce oil on your scalp more than natural need. It causes fungal infection and hair loss. Sometimes oily scalp helps bacteria to grow. The oil controls this oil production on your scalp so that problems like bacteria and fungal attacks, hair loss, and dandruff cannot grow more.
10. Works for toenail fungus
To cure toenail fungus, one should use undiluted oil. But it works more slowly than medicine. It takes time, but it is a good tonic for this disease. It is soaked by the skin very well. For this reason, this oil treats the fungus on the nail’s surface and beneath the nail bed.
11. Oil for tattoo
The oil mixed with vaseline is used during the tattoo process. This essential oil removes the excessive ink of tattoos pretty well. It also calms and soothes the skin where the tattoo is put and prevents pain. Even this is also used after the tattoo process to ensure radiant color.
12. Perfect for under-eye bags
“Under eye-bag” means puffy eye. The puffy eye can be visible for many reasons, such as allergy, crying, stress, sinusitis, overconsumption of alcohol, and salt imbalance. It has inflammatory compounds which help to reduce under-eye bags effectively.
13. Good for varicose veins
Varicose veins are enlarged and swollen veins. These are generally found in the feet and legs and cause pain and entanglement in veins. Essential liquids like eucalyptus can not cure varicose veins completely. But it can increase blood flow, reduce discomfort and minimize puffiness of veins.
14. Removes wrinkles
The oil contains a significant number of Flavonoids. These particles usually are anti-oxidants. It protects your skin from the free radicals which are causing damage to the skin. It maintains the collagen level of the skin. As a result, the formation of fine lines and wrinkles is delayed.
15. Remedies for mosquito repellent
A special liquid made from lemon eucalyptus is a natural repellent for mosquitoes. Extract from lemon eucalyptus contains a substance named PMD. This PMD repel mosquito and other insects. But be aware of using it on children under the age of three.
16. Uses for clearing a stuffy nose
The oil kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It deals with respiratory infections. For this reason, you will find oil in nasal wash. It also produces small hair-like compounds that wash away mucus from your lungs. Finally, clear your stuffy nose and helps you inhale air smoothly.
17. Eucalyptus oil for post-surgery painkiller
In some incidents, patients feel less pain while inhaling the eucalyptus vapor. This essential oil also causes low blood pressure. Later, researchers see that 1.8-cineole in oil lowers human blood pressure. In this way, it remission post-surgery pain.
18. Best for teeth
A toothpaste containing eucalyptus works on treating Gingivitis and Plaque buildup. Gingivitis is a gum disease that creates redness and swelling. On the other hand, Plaque buildup is a sticky film that covers the tooth and damages it. It occurs when you brush only occasionally.
19. Curing a cough
We already know that eucalyptus has been used as a tonic to cure cough for many years. Nowadays, some well-established medicine brands use eucalyptus in their cough syrup and tablets. For example, Vicks VapoRub contains 1.2 percent of its oil.
20. Controlling allergies
The oil controls allergies that are from causing Hay Fever and Allergic Rhinitis. This oil can lessen the symptoms pretty fast, unlike other natural remedies. You should diffuse roughly five drops of oil. Besides, you can burn candles containing eucalyptus essence. These two methods can keep allergies away from your house.
Caution
Besides all the merits of eucalyptus, some side effects remain.
In case of consumption by mouth: Consuming pure eucalyptus could be fatal to health. Only a tiny portion, as 3.5 ml, could cause fatal injury. This problem could be stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and in some severe cases, it could be a coma.
In case of application to skin: Applying pure oil could damage the nervous system. That is why it is prescribed to dilute it with carrier oil.
In the case of inhaling: It is still being determined whether there is any danger when inhaling the oil. The oil’s aromatherapy still needs to be made reliable.
How to use
There are several methods of using oil based on using it on the skin, inhaling, or massaging.
Skin: While using oil on your skin, you should dilute it with a carrier oil. You could apply it to where you have pain, allergy, or need skin care.
Inhale: The vapor of eucalyptus is used in aroma therapy. In this case, you could vaporize the oil and inhale it. Or you can burn a eucalyptus candle to get the therapy.
Massage: You should mix the eucalyptus with a mild carrier, then apply it. You should keep in mind that the application of raw oil could be fatal.
Where to Buy
Online: You can quickly get this essential oil through the online store. Big platforms like Amazon, Alibaba, I-herb, Etsy, etc., sell various eucalyptus products, depending on the brands. You could get significant discounts on many sales days or campaigns.
Local Cosmetics Shop: This essential oil gains its reputation very quickly. You will get eucalyptus made for skin and hair care purposes in any cosmetic shop. But you will not get the kind for medical use and aroma therapy.
Pharmacy: The oil is mainly used for colds, fever, pain, and aroma therapy. You will get the standard medical oil quickly in any medicine shop.
Home-made: In this article, we have already discussed the oil-making method. You can make this essential oil in your home in a convenient way.
What is the product made of Eucalyptus Oil?
There are excellent products open for you that are made from them.
- Stimulating aromatherapy oil
- Bubble bath gel made with mint and eucalyptus.
- Eucalyptus hand soap
- Eucalyptus soothing chest rub
- Eucalyptus anti-headache rub
- Eucalyptus insect repellent spray
- Eucalyptus multi-Surface spray
- Eucalyptus muscle relief roll on
- Eucalyptus underarm rolls on
- Cough syrup and tablet made with eucalyptus.
The Facts of this Oil
There is some exciting fact regarding the oil;
- The oil is made from dried oval-shaped leaves.
- Australia produces the finest kind of oil. Besides, they are the birthplace of both the eucalyptus tree.
- Species of eucalyptus like Eucalyptus Globulus is the best source of the eucalyptus tree. Apart from this species, Eucalyptus Kochii and Eucalyptus Polybractea are some sources that produce good oil.
- It would help if you diluted it with carrier oil. Most people use coconut oil, almond oil, and olive oil. Direct use of pure oil could cause fatal injury.
- You should keep the jar of oil away from light. The longevity of this essential oil depends on how much time you spend in the dark.
- The oil has a very decent aroma.
- You should not use this essential oil on children under three years.
Final Thought
The main ingredient of eucalyptus is the tree itself, which is very much available worldwide. So this oil is without any doubt can be the most available. Despite its availability, this essential oil possesses many benefits in curing common diseases, aroma therapy, skin care, insect repellent, and so on.
There are some minor side effects of eucalyptus oil. Though they are not that much of an issue of concern, you have to be aware before using this excellent remedy to many difficulties.