For April we have chosen Eucalyptus Oil as our Oil of the Month. The industrial world has basically come to a halt, but Mother Nature is still in full force. With Spring approaching, plants are producing pollen and allergies are on the up tick. Eucalyptus is the perfect oil for this changing season because of its multiple uses.
Breathe Easy
Clear your chest:
Eucalyptus features in a range of preparations to relieve symptoms of the common cold, for example, cough lozenges and inhalants.
Eucalyptus oil vapor acts as a decongestant when inhaled. It is a popular home remedy for colds and bronchitis. We discovered this amazing shower spray that has really made a difference during this allergy season (you can read more about that on our detailed blog post).
Respiratory conditions such as asthma and sinusitis may be helped by inhaling steam with added eucalyptus oil. It’s also possible that eucalyptus blocks asthma symptoms. On the other hand, for people who are allergic to eucalyptus, it may worsen their asthma. More research is needed to determine how eucalyptus affects people with asthma, so you should speak with your medical care professional if you have further questions.
Silence a cough:
Are you coughing but nothing is coming up? Eucalyptus oil can help silence a cough, and also help you get the mucus out of your chest. It may act as an expectorant for loosening phlegm and easing congestion. Inhaling vapor made with the essential oil can loosen mucus so that when you do cough, it’s expelled. Using a rub containing eucalyptus oil will produce the same effect. A number of brand name cough medications include eucalyptus oil, including Vicks VapoRub.
Pain and wound care
Ease joint paint:
Research suggests that eucalyptus oil eases joint pain. Many popular over-the-counter creams and ointments used to soothe pain from conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis contain Eucalyptus essential oil. Eucalyptus oil helps to reduce pain and inflammation associated with many conditions. It may also be helpful to people experiencing back pain or those recovering from a joint or muscle injury. Again, you should speak with your doctor to see if it will work for you.
Disinfects:
Interestingly enough, toward the end of the 19th century, eucalyptus oil was used in most hospitals in England to clean urinary catheters. Modern research is now starting to back this practice up.
In February 2016, researchers from Serbia found evidence supporting the antimicrobial action of eucalyptus. They concluded that a positive interaction between E. camaldulensis essential oil (a tree in the Eucalyptus family) and existing antibiotics could lead to the development of new treatment strategies for certain infections.
While we are not saying this is a sure bet (after all, we are not medical doctors or researchers specializing in this field), it's promising to know a study published in Clinical Microbiology & Infection suggests that eucalyptus oil may have antibacterial effects on pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract, including Haemophilus influenzae, a bacteria responsible for a range of infections, and some strains of streptococcus.
The Australian aborigines used eucalyptus leaves to treat wounds and prevent infection. Today the diluted oil may still be used on the skin to fight inflammation and promote healing. You can purchase creams or ointments that contain eucalyptus oil. These products may be used on minor burns or other injuries that can be treated at home, but make sure you select the proper grade of oil and talk to your doctor before making any major care decisions.
Bonus Uses
Keep the bugs away:
With Spring upon us (at least trying to be), mosquitoes and other biting insects which could carry diseases are starting to hatch and become more prevalent. Avoiding their bites is our best defense. DEET sprays are the most popular repellants, but they’re made with strong chemicals and people are looking to go back to the natural remedies.
An effective alternative for those who aren’t able to use DEET, or would prefer not to, many manufacturers make a botanical compound to repel the pests. Brands such as Repel and Off! brands which use oil of lemon eucalyptus to keep the pests away. Can you see why we carried Lemon oil over into this month?
Freshen breath:
Mint isn’t the only fresh breath warrior! Eucalyptus has antibacterial properties, meaning eucalyptus oil can be used to fight germs that cause bad breath. Some mouthwashes and toothpastes contain eucalyptus essential oil as an active ingredient. It’s possible that eucalyptus products may also help prevent plaque buildup on the teeth and gums by attacking the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
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