Add a Little Eucalyptus to Your Day!

Today I want to tell you about the amazing healing benefits of one of my favorite essential oils, eucalyptus!

Eucalyptus is an evergreen tree that can grow over 300 feet high making it one of the world’s tallest trees. It has leathery lanceolate leaves that are a pale blue-green color and small white flowers, when in bud, are covered by a cap-like membrane. It’s the presence of this “lid” that led to the tree’s common name derived from the Greek eucalyptos, meaning “well-covered.” There are are over 700 varieties of eucalyptus. The most common is the Eucalyptus Radiata.

Radiata is a narrow-leaved eucalyptus that is very effective for viral infections. It is a close relative to the Melaleuca (tea tree) family with many of the same actions and benefits. It has a pungent and camphorous aroma that has an unparalleled ability to clear phlegm in the lungs. Its antibacterial, antiviral properties makes it useful for common colds, sinusitis, laryngitis, and chronic bronchitis. Diffused, it’s a wonderful lung tonic that enhances breathing function promoting the uptake of oxygen by the red blood cells.

Additional benefits of Eucalyptus Radiata include analgesic, anti-catarrhal, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, acne treatment, endometriosis, flu, hay fever, vaginitis, it can help prevent asthma attacks and stimulate the regeneration of lung tissue.

Some “not-so-common” facts about this common oil, eucalyptus has powerful psychological uses such as helping people who feel emotionally “hemmed-in” or constricted by their surroundings. Using this oil will help bring the sense of possibility to achieving greater freedom and a wider life experience for those who dare not seek to create this due to excessive caution, habit, fear, or responsibility. Eucalyptus can support transformation from a sense of suffocation into one of expansive renewal.

An easy ways to get started using this oil is to make a spray to repel insects by adding 20 drops to an 8 ounce spray bottle and fill with distilled or structured water. Shake and spray as needed. If you have a herpes breakout, mix 4 drops of Eucalyptus Radiata and 3 drops of Bergamot essential oil and dap on outbreak frequently to heal the surface and kill the virus. For a sore throat, blend 4 drops of Eucalyptus Radiata, 4 drops of lavender, 6 drops of Geranium, and 2 drops of Thyme in 2 ounces of fractionated coconut oil. Apply to neck area of the sore throat massaging in upward strokes. As a sinus inhalant, mix 5 drops of Eucalyptus, 2 drops of Oregano, 3 drops of Wild Orange, and 2 drops of Clove Bud and pour into the wick of an inhaler and use several times a day to keep sinuses clear and open. For Athlete’s Foot relief mix 2 ounces of fractionated coconut oil with 5 drops of Eucalyptus, 3 drops of Roman Chamomile, 3 drops of Myrrh, and 4 drops of Melaleuca. Apply to feet liberally and massage in. Have a spa day and add it to steamy water and breathe deeply. You can massage it into sore muscles as well by mixing it with fractionated coconut oil.