Our Complete Guide to Eucalyptus Essential Oil: Benefits, Uses and Cautions
You’d probably recognize the smell of eucalyptus anywhere. Its fresh, clean scent is used in everything from perfumes to mouthwash and cleaning products. But there’s so much more to eucalyptus than just a great smell.
For thousands of years, eucalyptus has been used in essential oils for coughs, to fight colds and combat sinus congestion. Many people also swear by it for relief from allergies, treatment for headaches and pain, to combat stress, to soothe burns and wounds, and even to keep mosquitos at bay. It’s a powerful plant that, when made into an essential oil, really packs a punch.
The properties of this essential oil make it a must-have. In this guide, we’ll discuss the best ways to use eucalyptus oil. We’ll also offer advice so that you can use this oil safely and effectively and make the most of all it has to offer.
Content/Quick links
- What is eucalyptus essential oil?
- Eucalyptus essential oil - quick facts
- How is eucalyptus essential oil made?
- Benefits of eucalyptus essential oil
- Eucalyptus essential oil for coughs, colds and flu
- Eucalyptus essential oil chronic and acute pain
- Eucalyptus essential oil for disinfection
- Eucalyptus essential oil for skin health
- How to use eucalyptus essential oil
- Inhalation of eucalyptus essential oil
- Aromatherapy bath with eucalyptus essential oil
- DIY Cleaner with eucalyptus essential oil
- Eucalyptus essential oil research
- Coughs, colds, flu and asthma research - 2003 & 2010
- Antimicrobial research - 2010 & 2019
- Pain relief research - 2013
- Skin health research - 2018 & 2022
- Side effects of eucalyptus essential oil
- Contraindications of eucalyptus essential oil
- Where to buy eucalyptus essential oil
- volant
- Amazon
- Pharmacies
- DoTERRA
- Eucalyptus essential oil FAQs
- What is eucalyptus essential oil good for?
- Can I apply it directly to my skin?
- How long should I inhale eucalyptus essential oil?
- In summary
What is eucalyptus essential oil?
The eucalyptus tree (aka gum tree) is an indigenous Australian plant that belongs to a genus of over 700 species of flowering trees or shrubs. It’s part of the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and is one of the tallest plants on the planet. However, it can also grow as a shrub. Australia’s indigenous people, the Aborigines, consider the tree to be a holy one, and they believe that it represents the division of heaven, the earth and the underworld.
The Aborigines first used eucalyptus to treat fevers, so it’s sometimes referred to as the Australian Fever-Tree, but we’ve found many other ways to use it since then.
As in the case of most essential oils, eucalyptus oil contains many active natural compounds, but the most important is 1,8 cineole. This gives the oil its unique scent and imparts many medicinal properties.
Eucalyptus essential oil - quick facts
🍃 Latin name: Eucalyptus globulus
🍃 Also known as: Blue gum tree
🍃 Country of origin: 🇦🇺 Australia
🍃 Scent note: Camphoraceous
🍃 Annual production: Upwards of 17,000 tonnes
🍃 Popular uses: cold and flu symptoms, pain, relaxation, disinfection
How is eucalyptus essential oil made?
Although Eucalyptus globulus is native to Australia, China has become the world-leading producer, with India producing a fair amount as well.
Generally, extraction methods for creating eucalyptus oil include hydro-distillation, microwave-assisted hydro-distillation, solvent-based distillation, steam distillation, and ultrasound-assisted extraction.
Distillation is defined as a process that involves the conversion of liquids into vapor and then condensing this back into liquid. A great example of distillation is when steam from a kettle gets deposited as drops of water on a cold surface.
Benefits of eucalyptus essential oil
This essential oil offers many advantages, and this is the reason why it’s so well known and widely used the world over. It is mainly used for:
- 🍃 Coughs, colds and flu
- 🍃 Pain relief
- 🍃 Disinfection
- 🍃 Skin health
Let’s look at each of these in a bit more detail.
Eucalyptus essential oil for coughs, colds and flu
When you’re feeling unwell, have a blocked nose, and are hacking your lungs out, eucalyptus oil can offer relief. This is why it’s one of the main ingredients in Vicks® VapoRub!
Eucalyptol works as a natural decongestant which is why it’s such a great essential oil for coughs, suppressing them by assisting your body to organically break down phlegm and mucus. This opens up your airways and you can get these effects by simply adding a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a bowl of hot water and breathing in the steam.
Eucalyptus essential oil for chronic and acute pain
The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of eucalyptol may also mean that using this essential oil can help to ease pain.
You can treat aches and pains at home by inhaling the oil. Put between one and three drops in a diffuser to see if it works for you, but don’t expect to use it as a replacement for the medication you may be prescribed for pain.
Eucalyptus essential oil for disinfection
While one of the reasons eucalyptus is used in steam rooms is because of its ability to ease congestion and breathing difficulties, it has a two-fold purpose: eucalyptus oil is actually an excellent antimicrobial! Its main compound 1,8-cineole is effective against various kinds of bacteria, viruses and fungi!
Not only does its antimicrobial benefits make it good for fighting infection, it’s also a great antimicrobial disinfectant! Use it to clean your kitchen, bathroom and any other surfaces that might need wiping down, all while giving your home a fresh spa-like scent.
Eucalyptus essential oil for skin health
Skin health is a lesser-known use for eucalyptus, but it can be very helpful for the skin, improving the moisture and lipid levels of the skin and also helping to disinfect wounds and sores.
How to use eucalyptus essential oil
Eucalyptus essential oil can be used in a variety of ways, depending on its intended purpose:
- 🍃 Inhalation
- 🍃 Topical application
- 🍃 Aromatherapy bath
- 🍃 DIY Cleaner
Let’s take a look at each of these uses of eucalyptus essential oil in more detail.
Inhalation of eucalyptus oil
Inhaling eucalyptus oil is one of the easiest ways to put it to good use. Simply add a few drops to your diffuser and enjoy its relaxing, cleansing scent. If you’re looking to use it as a cough remedy, add a couple drops to a steaming bowl of water, cover your head and inhale deeply. Alternatively, if you’re in a hurry, you could rub a drop or two with some carrier oil between your palms and inhale the scent.
Topical application of eucalyptus essential oil
Eucalyptus oil helps improve the hydrolipidic balance of the skin, making it an excellent addition to your skin care routine. Because it’s also antimicrobial, it can be used to help disinfect wounds and heal sores, such as cold sores.
When using essential oils topically, always dilute them with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil or fractionated coconut oil to reduce the risk of irritation, to increase their effectiveness and extend your supply!
Aromatherapy bath with eucalyptus oil
Whether you’ve got a cough or cold, aches and pains or you just want to relax, adding eucalyptus oil to your bath will turn your ordinary bath into a spa-like treat! Not only do you get to benefit from inhaling it, you get to absorb it through your largest organ, which is your skin, maximizing its benefits to your body.
As with topical application, just be sure to add some carrier oil to your bath with the essential oil. Yes, it makes for more cleanup afterward, but we promise it’ll be worth it!
DIY Cleaner using eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus essential oil’s antimicrobial benefits make it the perfect DIY cleaner. Just fill up a spray bottle with water and add 5-10 drops of eucalyptus oil, and voila - you have an amazing cleaner that will leave your home smelling like a spa!
Eucalyptus is effective against multiple types of bacteria, viruses and fungi. So whether you need to disinfect your kitchen, bathroom or just prepare for guests arriving, eucalyptus is the perfect all-natural and safe cleaner that even the kids can use!
Eucalyptus essential oil research
When it comes to eucalyptus oil, there is a long history of folk usage recorded, all with excellent safety records. In recent years, scientists have undertaken to investigate the biochemical detail behind these results and these outcomes have been clarified in clinical settings.
In A Systematic and Comprehensive Review on Current Understanding of the Pharmacological Actions, Molecular Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications of the Genus Eucalyptus, readers can find out about the various therapeutic benefits of this oil. The article contains cell line studies, clinical, and preclinical trials of several species of Eucalyptus and patents and formulations containing this ingredient are presented.
Coughs, colds, flu and asthma research - 2003 & 2010
Titled the Immune-Modifying and Antimicrobial Effects of Eucalyptus Oil and Simple Inhalation Devices, this study investigates the oil’s antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral elements against the effects of colds, influenza, rhinitis, sinusitis, and other respiratory infections. When it comes to what essential oil is good for coughs, the research says eucalyptus!
It found that inhalation of the vapor is safe and that the oil can additionally work through direct absorption into our tissue, as indicated by the use of Vicks® VapoRubᴺ on the chest. It finds that devices that allow the inhalation of vapor without necessitating bowls, towels, stoves, and the risk of burned skin on your face are now available and, in some cases, recommended.
Another study from 2003 showed that eucalyptus oil reduced bronchial inflammation in steroid-dependent asthma sufferers, making it easier for them to breathe.
Antimicrobial research - 2010 & 2019
Not only is eucalyptus effective against bacteria, viruses and fungi that cause infections of various sorts, according to a 2019 study, it is also effective against Candida, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and pneumonia-causing microbes, making it a great disinfectant for food-borne pathogens.
Pain relief research - 2013
According to a study undertaken in 2013, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, adults in recovery from complete knee replacements reported notably reduced pain after inhaling this essential oil for half an hour for three successive days compared to those who did not.
Skin health research - 2018 & 2022
You can use eucalyptus oil to prevent wounds from getting infected and help them to heal faster, especially if you combine it with olive oil. These findings were confirmed in a recent study by the International Journal of Nanomedicine.
When you’re struggling with persistent cold sores, eucalyptus essential oil may be a good tool. Scientific research has shown that its multiple compounds may help your body deal with the Herpes Simplex virus.
Besides that, a brand-new study from 2022 has confirmed that eucalyptus oil helps improve the moisture levels and lipid balance of the skin and reduces sebum production, confirming that it’s a great skin care oil.
Side effects of eucalyptus essential oil
There are pros and cons to everything in this world, and eucalyptus oil is sadly no exception. Before embarking on answering the question of how to use eucalyptus oil for coughs or anything else, bear in mind that there are some minor side effects that you need to be aware of:
- Mild itchiness or allergic reaction
- Skin discoloration
- Lowered blood pressure
- Slight shortness of breath
The best way to ensure you don’t have to deal with any of these side effects is to have a chat with your physician before you begin using it.
Contraindications of eucalyptus essential oil
Although infusions of dried eucalyptus leaves are safe and do not generally have contraindications, be extra careful in the following situations:
- If you’re diabetic. This essential oil may decrease your blood sugar levels, so use with caution.
- When dealing with children younger than two years old and those who have asthma or any other kind of respiratory allergies. Kids this age are more susceptible to the disadvantageous effects of this essential oil.
- If you’re suffering from gastritis or digestive ulcers. The oil can irritate the stomach and cause epigastric pain.
- If you have any kind of intestinal disorder, like diarrhea. Eucalyptus oil can aggravate the digestive tract even further.
- If you have kidney disease, nephritis, or any other kind of kidney damage. This essential oil has a toxic effect on these organs.
Where to buy eucalyptus essential oil
Now that you know what eucalyptus oil helps with, you’ll be glad to know It’s very easy to get your hands on, either online or in brick-and-mortar stores. When you do purchase it, make sure that it’s 100% essential oil, not an extract. This will ensure that your product is authentic and can offer you all the therapeutic effects you’ve just discovered. As ever, organic is best!
Our recommended sites for purchasing eucalyptus oil include:
volant
Volant’s Organic Eucalyptus Essential Oil is sourced from India and created using a steam distillation process. It’s 100% pure, contains no artificial ingredients, and can be used by vegans.
Amazon
If you visit Amazon and type the words eucalyptus essential oil into the search bar you’ll find that hundreds of options come up. Make sure to read the ingredients list and customer reviews for each thoroughly before you purchase any.
Pharmacies
Because of how well this essential oil works for various medicinal conditions, it’s usually available in most pharmacies.
DoTERRA
DoTERRA not only has eucalyptus essential oil available, but the site also details some of its many uses.
Eucalyptus essential oil FAQs
We’ve put together some answers to frequently asked questions by our readers. If you’re still wondering about certain things, you may find the answers you’re looking for here:
What is eucalyptus essential oil good for?
It may treat coughs and congestion and other cold and flu symptoms, help soothe pain, encourage relaxation, enhance skin health and help clean your home.
Can I apply it directly to my skin?
No, you should always dilute this oil before you put it onto your skin. Always steer clear of your body’s most sensitive areas even after it’s been diluted.
How long should I inhale eucalyptus essential oil?
After adding between one and two drops to a bowl of roughly one liter of steaming water, cover your head with a hand towel and inhale the fumes for about five minutes.
In summary
A widely revered essential oil, and rightly so, eucalyptus products are popular globally for treating a variety of ailments. Its fresh scent also has a relaxing effect and it’s a great essential oil for coughs, when you’re suffering from a blocked nose, or if you are prone to cold sores.
It can also be used to disinfect not just your home, but wounds and burns as well, making it an essential item on your must-have list!
If you’re interested in finding out how to use eucalyptus oil for coughs and other ailments, please take care to only purchase products from reputable suppliers. At volant, we ensure that our products are trustworthy by only ever using A-grade quality plants for producing our pure, organic essential oils. This means that buying this oil from us means you’re always getting the finest possible product and that you won’t have to worry about dealing with harmful chemicals and dangerous toxins.
Don't hesitate to reach out if you still have any questions or queries about eucalyptus essential oil. volant customer care representatives are always available and happy to help. Reach out anytime at support@volantaroma.com.
