Eucalyptus Oil

The aroma that is so fresh and unique hardly needs any introduction. Eucalyptus is an evergreen, tall and very flexible tree that can go up to 300 feet’s. This tree can be easily noticed by its blue-green long, narrow, tough leaves, smooth pale bark and creamy white flowers.

This is the source of Eucalyptus Globulus essential oil. This oil is very useful and is used for curing and relieving lot of disorders. Well we will be studying lot of aspects about this oil in following topics.

Oil Properties
Lets start with some basic facts about this oil; Eucalyptus has a clear, sharp, fresh and very distinctive smell that is so soothing that one can forget all his distresses. It is has a pale yellow color and the texture of this oil is watery. Apart from its importance in preparing liniments, inhalants, ointments and cough syrups, this oil is very much used in fragrance components like soaps and other toiletry items.

Camphene, Citronellal, Fenchene, Phellandrene and Cineole are the main chemical components of this Eucalyptus.

History behind this oil
This oil has a long history back, used for some of the common causes as fever, by the natives of the countries of its origin. It is an Australian tree with around 500 species, however can be found all over the world.

This tree has a unique meaning too in Greek, they say ‘eu’ as ‘well’ and ‘kalypto’ means ‘covered’. Actually the flower bud of the tree is covered by the a cup like membrane and when flower expands it is thrown off, as if of no use.

In early days Australian Aborigines used its leafs to cover wound and also found it very effective and healing. However, eucalyptus was introduced quite late in Europe but became very popular.

Who can benefit from this oil?
Eucalyptus proves to be possessing good healing properties, very much used as analgesic, anti-rheumatic, anti-neuralgic, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, balsamic, decongestant, deodorant, diuretic, expectorant, insecticide, rubefacient and stimulant.

This oil is very much used for headaches, respiratory infections, pains and skin care. Eucalyptus oil not only provides calming and soothing effect to the body but also a very helpful agent for immune system.

Eucalyptus oils main component is eucalyptol that works as a mild painkiller, which helps reduce pain in muscle and bones. Eucalyptol also works well as ointment for sore muscle.

Eucalyptus essential oil is great reliever for respiratory system; lung and sinus congestion, asthma, throat infections, catarrhal conditions and coughs. This oil is so good in relaxing inflammation, easing mucus and even freeing the head from the blockage of colds and hay fever. Eucalyptus is also one of the strongest essential oils to fight viral infections like flu, herpes, blisters, chicken pox and helps boost the body’s immune system.

Its cooling and deodorizing nature fights well with fevers, migraine and malaria. Eucalyptus oil can be used directly on the skin for insect bites or wounds.

On the other hand its very effective for deep concentration, strengthen focus, increase alertness, staying awake, and clears the mind from all tension and stress.

How to use this oil
Eucalyptus oil can be used in blended massage oil, or diluted in the bath to assist with: arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, mucous congestion, colds, headaches, rheumatism, sinusitis, catarrh, fatigue and muscular aches and pains.

However, before using this oil, dilute it with some base oil. Add the aromatic oil to a hot relaxing bath, 6-8 drops in a full bath and soak for at least 10 minutes.

Other effective method could be bowl of steaming hot water; well we know it has a great smell and just a aroma if taken lightly can sooth and clam down our mind and body. Inhalation inhalations by putting your face over the bowl of water, covering the head with a towel making sure it is draped beyond the edges of the bowl. Take deep breathes can effectively relax sinus or any type of congestions.

Many people use either eucalyptus leaves or the essential oil in steam baths and saunas by placing a few drops on the hot rocks so that the scent fills the room. Eucalyptus is also one of the strongest essential oils to fight viral infections like flu, herpes, blisters, chicken pox and helps boost the body’s immune system. Diluted Eucalyptus can be used as a gargle for a sore throat.

Vapor therapy which is very effective with Eucalyptus oil relaxes frequent sneezing, hay fever, flu, respiratory problems and as insect repellant.

Method of Extraction
There are many methods of extracting essential oils and it depending on the source from where the oil is extracted. Here we will see how Eucalyptus oil is extracted. This oil is extracted from the leaves via steam distillation.

Steam distillation is very simple and cost effective method of extracting essential oils. Lets see how it works, when hot steam is forced in through the plant material, it forces and opens the pores where the oil resides. Now we got the steam, which contains essential oil, this potion is now passed through cooling system to condense the steam, which then forms a liquid from which essential oil and water is separated.

One thing has to be taken care, the temperature, should be just suitable to allow the essential oil flow through plant material. However, if the temperature is high it can burn of the essential oil.

Some oils are very heat sensitive and this method is good for these oils, which protects there healing qualities.

Precautions
Essential oils are great when it comes to the healing properties buy yes there are some restrictions on usage of these oils. Different Essential oil has their own qualities and using guidelines. Some are strong, some cannot be used as massage, and some cannot be taken internally. Well whatever the effects, one should always consult an aromatherapist.

Eucalyptus oil can be used in gargling but should be used with some base oil and not taken internally. Do not ever try to use this oil during asthma attack cause it can make it worse. Do not use if pregnant.

However, this oil is not effective for most diseases, it should be used with proper dilution with some carrier oils other wise can irritate the skin.

A few drops may seem very little but all oils are extremely potent and concentrated. Using more than the recommended amount may result in an adverse response, e.g. too much relaxant may produce irritation and anxiety.

How to buy Genuine Essential Oil?
Essential oils have to be Genuine, authentic, unadulterated, pure, holistic, and therapeutic to provide you the desired results. However, it is not so easy to figure out the purity and quality of oils. So many factors contribute for the oil to be pure.

Well as we know, many essential oils are quite expense cause of the process of manufacturing it, like Jasmine oil which cannot be inexpensive cause of its cost of harvesting and production.

Only genuine essential oils can guarantee the anticipated healing effect. This is the fact and one should be aware of some basic factors before purchasing essential oil. Tell me what is the use of purchasing something that is expensive and not genuine. Mostly these oils are mixed with some carrier oils and people are easily fooled. However, blends of essential oil and carrier oil are also available in the market, but that should be specified.

However, there are some important things to note down while purchasing oil

• Family of plant the oil belong
• Botanical name of the oil should be specified on the bottle
• Country of origin also matters cause of atmospheric conditions
• Smelling the oil can work out wonder, if one know the aroma of the oil, nothing like that. Try to become used to the aroma by smelling them when ever one gets a chance.
• Buy from a genuine dealer
• Check out the spellings of oil on the bottle before purchasing

These were some of the facts taken care before purchasing an essential oil.

However, when buying an essential oil make sure the documentation which is with oil should contain information about the growth, harvest, distillation, and chemical make-up of the oil, There are many tests too to check the purity of the oil but they are too expensive. So our suggestion is to know the oil by yourself and do remember the things we have discussed.

Blends Well With:
This oil blends well with Benzoin, Bergamot, Camphor, Lavender, Lemon, Pine, Lemongrass, Rosemary and Tea Tree.