Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus globulus

This month's oils are Clove (Syzigium aromaticaum), Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Elemi (Canarium luzonicum) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus).

In this post, I'll share a little about eucalyptus essential oil.

Many people are familiar with the warm, medicinal smell of eucalyptus. It's a common ingredient in over-the-counter cold remedies. Of course, for therapeutic purposes, we only use genuine and authentic, pure, unadulterated essential oils from a specific genus and species.

Eucalyptus is a native tree to Australia and Tasmania and is now found on many continents. For example, in Ecuador, two species of eucalyptus were imported from the Land Down Under: E. radiata and E. citriadora. They have intermingled and cross-pollinated over the years to yield a distinct species with a unique aroma. Young Living Essential Oils has distilled this plant to produce an essential oil (Blue Eucalyptus) with a soft, dusky aroma that has both anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities.

At present, about 25 eucalyptus species are used to produce oil.

History:

Eucalyptus is a word that means "well-covered", referring to the lid-like cover of the bud.

Baron Von Muller, a German botanist who was the director of the Botanical Gardens in Melbourne in 1873, was the first to suggest that the leaves of the eucalyptus might be useful as a disinfectant. It was frequently planted in marshy areas, where its heavy water requirements made it extremely useful in preventing the malarial fever epidemics in swampy areas. The eucalyptus tree is one of the earliest native medicines used in Australia.

Medicinal Uses:

Eucalyptus globulus is an effective analgesic, having an immediate pain-relieving and soothing action. It is also antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal, wound healing, a decongestant, and an expectorant (expels mucous from the lungs.)

Formulae:

Inhalation

Alcohol, 90%: 4-5 cups

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) oil: 6-t

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) oil: 3-t

Pine (Pinus sylvestris) oil: 3-t

Lemon (Citrus limonum) oil: 2-t

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) oil: 2-t

Mix all ingredients. To prepare as an inhalation, add 3-t to 6 cups of hot water. This mixture can also be added to the bath water or to footbaths. Use 3 drops in the bath or 1-2 drops in a footbath.

Rubbing Oil

Olive oil: 1-cup

Marjoram (Origanum majorana) oil: 10 drops

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) oil: 8 drops

Cajuput (Melaleuca leucadendron var. cajuputi) oil: 4 drops

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) oil: 2 drops

Mix together and massage painful joints with the warmed oil.

(This formula may be even more effective with peanut oil instead of olive.)