Essential Oil - Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Botanical Name:
Eucalyptus Globulus
Eucalyptus Citriodora

Family - Myrtacea or Eucalyptus family. -- approx. 600 species, about 50 are found in the Mediterranian.
Origin - Australia
*Cultivated also today in: Egypt, Algeria, Spain, Portugal, India, S. Africa.

The essential oil comes from the trees leaves and sometimes older branches. Eucalyptus globulus leaves have an oil gland that you can actually see if you hold it up to the light. The trees are very tall and grow to about 330 feet. The best oil comes from the younger trees leaves. About 50 pounds of plant material will yield a pound of essential oil. The oil is steam-distilled from the plants leaves or in some cases, the leaves and small branches. I purchase eucalyptus oil where "only" the leaf is used. I also purchase only Australian therapeutic grade, tested Eucalyptus oil.

Aroma: Strong, camphor-like, fresh, slightly sweet and balsam-like.

Eucalyptus is one of the dozen or so oils that I would say belongs in the home, for medicinal use. It has wonderful antiseptic qualities, as well as being anti-bacterial and good for use when one has a cold. One way of using it to clear stuffed noses and sinus's, by inhaling the vapors of the oil. You can use an aromatherapy candle diffuser, which is a ceramic holder, with a candle (tea light size) at the bottom and a place at the very top to put oil and water in. The oil sits on top of the water and diffuses throughout the room.
Another way to use the oil for unstuffing heads and also for chest congestion, is to heat a pot of water on the stove, pour it into a large bowl and add 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil which will float on the top of it. Take a small towel and drape it over your head and while sitting, bend towards the bowl and inhale the vapors from the oil. Keep tissues handy. So, the oil also works as an expectorant too.
A few drops, (5-8) added to an eight ounce bottle of shampoo will get rid of germs and also keep the air and your hair and nasal/chest clear while showering. (do not get in eyes)
The scent of this oil is sharp, medicinal and a bit like the scent of Vicks Vaporub, though Vicks has nothing in common with this oil, other than they both have menthol in them - eucalyptus, like peppermint oil, has natural menthol, and with Vicks, it is added.
For mixing with a carrier oil, such as sweet almond oil, jojoba, rice bran, grapeseed or another, I'd keep the dilution relatively small, such as 1%, even lower if you feel the scent is too strong. One percent would be about 5 drops to 20ml or 4 teaspoons of a carrier oil. If you'd like to start smaller, try 3 drops. It's a fairly strong oil and going lower will never hurt at first.

Safety Data: Non-toxic, non-irritant, but this does not mean that nobody will be sensitive to it. This is a general statement from the chemists that test the oil and always remember, everyone is different.

There are several other types of Eucalyptus that I've used and liked, but I've tried to stick to the most common here, so as to avoid confusion - though if anyone wants to know what they are, I'll be glad to list them with a brief description.

Questions? Please ask.

mn - 2007