Eucalyptus latin name is Eucalyptus Globulus. The medical parts of eucalyptus come from the leaves. It’s a tree that is found all over the world including Europe, India, and South Africa. It’s also known as the “fever tree”. It contains a potent compound called eucalyptol (also known as cineole).
There are a lot of healing properties in this popular essential oil. Eucalyptus has a lot of anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, disinfectant, antiseptic, antibacterial, and it has a lot of stimulating properties.
I have actually used eucalyptus in a lot of different cleaning recipes because it’s so good at killing germs.
Eucalyptus is one of the most widely used essential oils and it’s also pretty cheap. However, just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s not powerful.
11 Health Benefits of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
So, down below I am going to show you the many ways you can use eucalyptus essential oil. I will update this list as often as I can.
Eucalyptus can be a skin irritant. Also, it’s shouldn’t be used if you are pregnant or nursing. It may interfere with homeopathic treatments.
Eucalyptus mixes well with thyme, rosemary, marjoram, cedarwood, lavender, and frankincense.
Respiratory Conditions
The main reason why eucalyptus oil helps with respiratory conditions is that it helps circulation in the respiratory system and boosts the immune system. It can also help reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract. In addition, eucalyptus oil can also clear out mucous and any obstructions. Eucalyptus has been used to treat the common cold, flu, bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, etc.
How to use eucalyptus oil for respiratory conditions
- Steam Inhalation– This is the most effective way and all you do is get the oil boiling then inhale the steam coming from it.
- Diffuse– The other way to use it for this purpose is by putting it into a diffuser and letting it fill the air.
Cough
Just like clearing out your nose, eucalyptus oil can also help you clear out your lungs because it can help you cough more gunk up. In addition, it can help with a sore throat and suppress your cough.
How to use eucalyptus oil for coughs
Topically: The best way to use this oil for coughs is by making it into a rub that you can put on your chest. Just add this oil and peppermint oil to some petroleum jelly, beeswax, or your favorite carrier oil!
Allergies
Some ingredients of eucalyptus oil, like citronellal and eucalyptol, are great for reducing inflammation and boosting the immune system. Some studies have even shown that eucalyptus oil might actually change the way your body responds to allergens!
How to use eucalyptus oil for allergies
- Diffuse: Put a few drops in a diffuser and let it fill the room.
- Topically: Rub a few drops on your chest and temples. If using on a child, make sure to mix it with a carrier oil.
Fight Infections
The main ingredient of eucalyptus is called eucalyptol and studies have shown that it does a good job of fighting off many different kinds of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In addition, it can be used to boost your overall immunity, which can result in fewer infections.
How to use eucalyptus oil for infections
Diffuse: Put a few drops in a diffuser and let it fill up the room.
Pain Relief
The biggest reason why eucalyptus oil is good for pain relief is that it’s an analgesic and works well to reduce inflammation. I like to use eucalyptus with peppermint and make a pain relief roll on. In fact, many of the over the counter medications for pain relief have eucalyptus in them.
How to use eucalyptus oil for pain relief
Topically: Put a few drops of the oil on the area that has pain. Make sure you use carrier oil because your skin could end up getting a rash if you don’t use a carrier oil. You can apply this 3 times a day.
Bath: Put 10-15 drops of eucalyptus in the bath to help relax your sore muscles.
Headaches
Not only can this oil take away sinus pressure, but it can also help relax stiff face muscles. In addition, it can help reduce the inflammation that happens with a headache. Eucalyptus is great for reducing headaches.
How to use eucalyptus oil for headaches
- Diffuse: Put a few drops in a diffuser and let it fill the whole room.
- Topically: Rub a few drops on your temples and the back of your neck.
Wounds
Eucalyptus is known to be antimicrobial and antiseptic, which are both great for disinfecting and helping heal wounds. It can also help keep wounds clean because it has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
How to use eucalyptus oil for wounds
Topically: Put a few drops of the oil on a cotton ball or swab and rub it right onto the wound a few times a day.
Mental Clarity
The main reason why this oil helps with mental clarity is that it’s known to be invigorating, purifying and soothing. It can also help clear obstructions and let you get better airflow, which can help clear any brain fog.
How to use eucalyptus oil for mental clarity
- Diffuse: Put a few drops in a diffuser and let it fill the room
- Inhalation: Take the cap off and inhale vapors directly from the vial.
- Topically: Rub a few drops on your temples and forehead.
Diabetes
It’s actually not completely known why eucalyptus oil helps with diabetes, but some studies have shown that it helps reduce blood sugar levels. Since there isn’t a whole lot of research, make sure you speak with your doctor before using it for this purpose.
How to use eucalyptus oil for diabetes
- Inhalation: Take off the cap and inhale the vapors.
- Topically: Massage some of the oil all over your body.
Reduce Fever
Since eucalyptus has properties that help reduce inflammation, it’s great for bringing down your body temperature when you have a fever. It’s also a vasodilator and helps open up your blood vessels so you can get better circulation.
How to use eucalyptus oil for reducing fevers
- Body Compress: Add some drops to warm water and soak washcloths and towels. Put these on your arms, legs, and stomach.
- Fever Rub: Add some of the oil to a carrier oil, then rub it on your temples, the bottom of your feet and the back of your neck. If you’re using it for a child, only put it on the bottom of their feet.
- Forehead Compress: Add 1 drop of eucalyptus oil and 3 drops of lavender oil to chilled water. Soak a washcloth, then put it on your forehead.
Rat Repellant
Let’s face it there is nothing settling about knowing that rats are running around our apartment or house. It’s a fact that house rats do not like the smell of eucalyptus at all. A study in 2014 proves that when eucalyptus was spray rats no longer ate food out of a laboratory pen. Therefore, eucalyptus is an awesome natural rat repellant.
Spray: To use eucalyptus as a rat repellant you want to make a 5% dilution (mixed with water) of it and spray it along the baseboards. Make sure you shake the bottle every time before you spray it. Make sure you spray the rat repellant every day or every other day for the best results.
Please, let me know if you have any questions about eucalyptus essential oil down below.
6 thoughts on “11 Powerful Eucalyptus Essential Oil Benefits”
Never knew there are so many uses for eucalyptus essential oil. It’s actually one of my wife’s favorite scents. My wife swears by eucalyptus and she said it really helps her hair grow faster. Do you think it really helps with hair growth, though?
Hey Ahmed,
Yes, eucalyptus can really help hair growth. Typically, you put it into your scalp with olive oil or coconut oil and massage it into the scalp. Leave it on for 30 min to 1 hour before you shower and it will stimulate blood flow. Then wash it off in the shower.
It’s actually used in a lot of shampoos, too.
I didn’t know that eucalyptus oil has so many different uses. I have it in a chest rub and drops to sniff for congestion relief. Need to try it for headaches as well.
Is it also safe to use with kids? I have 3 to 7 years old. What’s the best way to use it when kids catch a cold?
Hey Mary,
You might not want to use eucalyptus on your 3-year-old. It’s not recommended to use it on kids younger than 6. The best way to use it is to boil it and add 7-10 drops in. Then you inhale the steam. However, since the kids are young you might want to just use it in the electronic diffuser. Also, you can make a rub out of it. Could use a carrier oil and or possibly lotion if you want to. Just make sure the dilution is 1% for kids. Rub it on their chest.
Great article, I’ve used Eucalyptus since I was a child to help with my breathing when I get a ill and I swear by it, didn’t realize how many other uses it had!
Hey Billy,
It’s one of my “go to” essential oils for when I get all stuffed up and need relief from mucus, sneezing, coughing, etc. It really does work great!