Eucalyptus oil

Common Name:  Eucalyptus oil

Botanical Name:  Eucalyptus globules

Other Names:  Blue gum tree, Eucalyptos oil, Australian Fever Tree, Stringy Bark, Blue gum eucalyptus

Introduction

Eucalyptus oil is extracted through the process of distillation from Eucalyptus leaf. It belongs to the plant family Myrtaceae and is native to Australia but is also cultivated globally. Certain species of this plant are known for their aromatic properties.

The most common and standard cineole based Eucalyptus oil is a colorless mobile liquid with a strong camphoraceous with a mild woody scent. The thick, long and bluish-green leaves are distilled to extract essential oils. The most widely cultivated Blue gum Eucalyptus provides the commercially available essential oil. But Aromatherapists prefer the milder version of this plant E. citriodora which is known for its pleasant lemony aroma.

Uses of Eucalyptus Oil

Aromatherapy: This essential oil is also used in aromatherapy which helps to soothe mental fatigue and clear skin infections. The steam extracted from Eucalyptus oil is used to treat sinus, lung congestion and other kinds of respiratory ailments. It can also be used to treat flu, fever and acne. Due to the antiseptic properties of the oil it is widely used as an antiseptic agent to treat wounds and fungal infections.

Medicinal Property of Eucalyptus Oil

It is also used as a chest rub or inhalant to ease breathing problems, as a mouthwash to ease throat infection and to provide relief from aches or pain. It is an essential ingredient of most of the rubs and inhalers due to its soothing and calming smell and anti fungal and anti infection properties. It is usually not used in high concentrations but is mixed with other vegetable oils because concentrated oil sometimes causes irritation in many skin types.