EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OIL
Family: Myrtaceae
Common Name: Eucalyptus
Botanical Name: Eucalyptus globulus; E. radiata
Extraction method: Steam distillation from fresh or partially dried leaves.
Odour: E. globulus is a cineole rich oil with a refreshing, slightly camphoraceous but typical eucalyptus odour.
General Description:
Eucalyptus is an evergreen to that grows to a height of 100 metres, making it one of the world's tallest trees. It has leathery leaves of a pale blue-green colour, and small white flowers, which, in bud, are covered by a cap-like membrane. Native to Australia, the tree today grows the world over, China being the largest exporter of the essential oil.
There are over 700 varieties of eucalyptus, of which more than 500 produced an essential oil. In addition to Eucalyptus globulus, other species commonly distilled for their essence include: narrow-leaved eucalyptus (E. radiata) — useful for viral infections; lemon scented eucalyptus (F. citriodora) — a cooling antirheumatic; and peppermint-scented eucalyptus (E. dives) — good for mucous colitis.
History/Folk lore:
Eucalyptus was first employed medicinally by the aboriginal people of Australia, who used it to treat infections and fevers, especially as a fumigant. Following its discovery by the French naturalist De Labillardiere, "Fever Tree", as it became known, was planted in some of the most marshy and malarial regions of Algiers, due to the powerful drying action of the roots on the soil.
A major expectorant and anticatarrhal essential oil, eucalyptus's principal sphere of action is on the respiratory system. Its antibacterial, antiviral action makes it useful, in addition, for the common cold, sinusitis, laryngitis, and chronic bronchitis.
Main Uses In Massage:
Eucalyptus is known primarily as a remedy for respiratory ailments. Can be added in high concentrations (up to 20% for an acute treatment) to blends for chest rubs or upper back massage, diffused in the massage room to clear sinuses and lungs or sent home with clients to use in steam inhalations.
Useful addition to massage blends for painful or overworked muscles, partly because it helps the blend permeate the tissue more quickly and partly because of its ability to increase blood flow and muscle temperature. Also useful for ailments that include muscle fatigue and pain, such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Therapeutic Properties or Actions:
Analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antineuralgic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, cicatrisant, decongestant, deodorant, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, rubefacient, vulnerary.
Body Systems & Therapeutic Uses:
Respiratory system - Recommended as an inhalation and for topical use for rhinitis, 'flu, otitis, sinusitis and bronchitis. According to Valnet the spraying of 2% emulsion containing eucalyptus oil kills off 70% of local, airborne staphylococci. Research indicates that aromatic inhalations containing eucalyptus oil can significantly improve respiratory function.
Nervous system - Recommended for the treatment of headaches, neuralgia and debility.
Skin Care - Effective as an insect repellent and is used to treat burns, blisters, cuts and wounds.
Energetics - According to TCM, eucalyptus is an exceptional remedy for clearing lung-phlegm and wind-heat.
Precautions:
None at usual doses. E. globulus considered not suitable for asthmatics.
Common Name: Eucalyptus
Botanical Name: Eucalyptus globulus; E. radiata
Extraction method: Steam distillation from fresh or partially dried leaves.
Odour: E. globulus is a cineole rich oil with a refreshing, slightly camphoraceous but typical eucalyptus odour.
General Description:
Eucalyptus is an evergreen to that grows to a height of 100 metres, making it one of the world's tallest trees. It has leathery leaves of a pale blue-green colour, and small white flowers, which, in bud, are covered by a cap-like membrane. Native to Australia, the tree today grows the world over, China being the largest exporter of the essential oil.
There are over 700 varieties of eucalyptus, of which more than 500 produced an essential oil. In addition to Eucalyptus globulus, other species commonly distilled for their essence include: narrow-leaved eucalyptus (E. radiata) — useful for viral infections; lemon scented eucalyptus (F. citriodora) — a cooling antirheumatic; and peppermint-scented eucalyptus (E. dives) — good for mucous colitis.
History/Folk lore:
Eucalyptus was first employed medicinally by the aboriginal people of Australia, who used it to treat infections and fevers, especially as a fumigant. Following its discovery by the French naturalist De Labillardiere, "Fever Tree", as it became known, was planted in some of the most marshy and malarial regions of Algiers, due to the powerful drying action of the roots on the soil.
A major expectorant and anticatarrhal essential oil, eucalyptus's principal sphere of action is on the respiratory system. Its antibacterial, antiviral action makes it useful, in addition, for the common cold, sinusitis, laryngitis, and chronic bronchitis.
Main Uses In Massage:
Eucalyptus is known primarily as a remedy for respiratory ailments. Can be added in high concentrations (up to 20% for an acute treatment) to blends for chest rubs or upper back massage, diffused in the massage room to clear sinuses and lungs or sent home with clients to use in steam inhalations.
Useful addition to massage blends for painful or overworked muscles, partly because it helps the blend permeate the tissue more quickly and partly because of its ability to increase blood flow and muscle temperature. Also useful for ailments that include muscle fatigue and pain, such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Therapeutic Properties or Actions:
Analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antineuralgic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, cicatrisant, decongestant, deodorant, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, rubefacient, vulnerary.
Body Systems & Therapeutic Uses:
Respiratory system - Recommended as an inhalation and for topical use for rhinitis, 'flu, otitis, sinusitis and bronchitis. According to Valnet the spraying of 2% emulsion containing eucalyptus oil kills off 70% of local, airborne staphylococci. Research indicates that aromatic inhalations containing eucalyptus oil can significantly improve respiratory function.
Nervous system - Recommended for the treatment of headaches, neuralgia and debility.
Skin Care - Effective as an insect repellent and is used to treat burns, blisters, cuts and wounds.
Energetics - According to TCM, eucalyptus is an exceptional remedy for clearing lung-phlegm and wind-heat.
Precautions:
None at usual doses. E. globulus considered not suitable for asthmatics.
I will be posting more information about other essential oils on this blog so keep checking back.
< Related articles - basil, bergamot & clary sage >
< Related articles - basil, bergamot & clary sage >
Information on this page is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from a medical practitioner.
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