Eucalyptus oil is prepared from its dried leaves. The leaves are dried, crushed, and steam-distilled to extract the oil. The extracted oil is colorless, with a strong, woody, sweet smell.
The main compound of eucalyptus oil is cineole, also known as eucalyptol. The oil contains flavonoids and tannins, which act as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Originally native to Australia, eucalyptus trees are now grown worldwide and used for their medicinal properties.
Eucalyptus features a range of preparations to relieve common cold symptoms, for example, cough lozenges and inhalants. Published at medicalnewstoday.com, herbal remedies recommend using fresh leaves in a gargle to relieve a sore throat, sinusitis, and bronchitis.
Also, eucalyptus oil vapor appears to act as a decongestant when inhaled. It is a popular home remedy for colds and bronchitis. It may act as an expectorant for loosening phlegm and easing congestion. Several cough medicines include eucalyptus oil.
Eucalyptus is an effective insect repellent and insecticide. In 1948, the United States officially registered eucalyptus oil as an insecticide and miticide for killing mites and ticks.
Some recommend the oil of lemon eucalyptus as an insect repellent; it effectively keeps mosquitoes away. In 2012, researchers from New Delhi, India, found that E globulus oil was active against the larvae and pupae of the house fly. They suggested it could be a viable option for eco-friendly products to control household flies.
Eucalyptus extract may act as a pain reliever, and research indicates that the oil may have analgesic properties. In a study, published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, scientists applied Eucalyptamint on the anterior forearm skin of 10 people.
Eucalyptamint, an OTC preparation with the generic name menthol salicylate topical, treats muscle and joint pain linked to strains and sprains, arthritis, bruising, and backache. The scientists concluded that “Eucalyptamint produces significant psychological responses that may be beneficial for pain relief and useful to athletes as a passive form of warmup.”
Published@webmd.com, a eucalyptus and tea tree oil treatment, did twice as well in a clinical trial as the old standby, pyrethrin. Not only did it kill 100% of lice and eggs, but it did so in only one dose. Other treatments needed several. Tests on the skin revealed no
irritation for adults or children, either.
Eucalyptus oil shows promise as a defense against HSV-1, or oral herpes. In one lab study, it outperformed the standard herpes medication, acyclovir. The cineole chemical in the oil shuts down the virus particles and may block them from entering cells. In lab tests, eucalyptus oil was able to curb the spread of the virus by more than 96%.
Eucalyptus is a key ingredient in some topical analgesics. These are pain relievers you apply directly to your skin, such as sprays, creams, or salves.
While it’s not the main painkiller, eucalyptus oil works by bringing a cold or warm sensation that takes your mind off the pain. Eucalyptus can do more than look pretty and smell divine. The oil is handy around the house, too.
It’s the active ingredient in over 30 cleaning products approved by the EWG, a nonprofit environmental research group. In one study, it removed bacteria including E coli from steel surfaces.
Eucalyptus oil cannot only help with pain post-op but also help keep you calm before surgery. Researchers measured the effect on anxiety of breathing in essential oils in people about to have surgery.
Before their operations, they smelled different oils for 5 minutes. The cineole in eucalyptus oil worked so well that researchers suggested it may be useful for all procedures.
