Eucalyptus oil - All you need to know

Last week we spoke about the importance of adding lavender to your medicine cabinet, and now we couldn't resist introducing you to eucalyptus's healing properties.

Eucalyptus essential oil is obtained from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, most commonly native to Australia. Eucalyptus oil has many properties including:

-anti-inflammatory

-antispasmodic

-decongestant

-deodorant

-antiseptic

-anti-bacterial

Most commonly eucalyptus oil is famous for congestion issues with many people inhaling it to obtain relief. Yet the oil is also effective for conditions such as sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis and a sore throat. In fact, research has shown that people using eucalyptus oil will show faster signs of improvement when suffering from sinusitis.

Asthma can be greatly relieved by massaging the oil onto the chest to allow the aroma and vapors to calm the throat and to dilate blood vessels, allowing more oxygen into the lungs.

A surprising benefit of eucalyptus oil is relief of joint and muscle pain. Due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, eucalyptus oil can help relieve pain when massaged onto affected areas.

Eucalyptus oil provides a cooling and stimulating effect and can be used as a stimulant to help mental concentration and exhaustion. The oil does this by increasing the blood flow around the body by relaxing blood vessels. More blood to the brain means more concentration and better performance.

Current lice treatments are often packed with chemicals that are damaging to the hair, but if you want a natural approach then you can certainly consider using eucalyptus oil on your hair.

Eucalyptus oil is a natural fever reducer and when combined with peppermint oil the two can be extremely effective in reducing body temperature without having to take medicines.

Use this oil as a room freshener or as part of a soap or detergent. Its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, as well as it being able to act as a deodorant, make eucalyptus the perfect choice to keep germs away and your environment clean.

Ever wondered why eucalyptus oil is often found in mouthwash and toothpaste? The oil has proven to be very effective in combating plaque, dental infections and preventing cavities.

So as you can see, eucalyptus oil is another example of how an essential oil can help you with day-to-day afflictions and medical issues in a natural and safe way. Always make sure you're choosing a therapeutic grade essential oil with nothing else added. Keep oils away from direct sunlight and always test it in small quantities to make sure you don't have an allergy or sensitivity.