Inexpensive oil with many uses (Eucalyptus)

Member Name: merlina

Product:	Eucalyptus
Date:	01/10/00 (184 review reads)
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Advantages: Easy and non-hazardous to use

Disadvantages: some folks just don't like the smell

Eucalyptus is another oil that's great for the beginner to start experimenting with - it's one of the least expensive; it has a wide variety of uses and, perhaps surprisingly, given its strong scent, it's fairly non-irritating.

Eucalyptus will be a familiar scent to many: it's widely used in many proprietary decongestants, including Olbas Oil.

In the home it can be used in the same way - splash a few drops on your pillow case before you go to sleep to get rid of that bunged up feeling if you have a cold or use it in a steam inhalation for colds and catarrh.

Generally it can be used in much the same way as t-tree oil; although a little more care needs to be exercised and it shouldn't, generally, be applied straight onto the skin. It can be combed through hair, like t-tree, against head lice and may be more effective.

One of the most exciting developments in the use of eucalyptus has been the subject of recent medical research. Aromatherapists have long said that it helps, in the sickroom and crowded environments where germs are readily spread, to stop the spread of germs. Now that looks as though it's been confirmed - tests have shown that a 2 per cent solution of Eucalyptus oil (put a few drops in a plant-type sprayer filled with water) will kill about 70 per cent of airborne germs. i've been doing this in my office on busy days for a few years and haven't had a cold since (famous last words!).

Another favourite use of mine is aganst cold sores (you can also try this with t-tree and myrrh). Put some neat essential oil on a cotton bud and apply to the area you think a cold sore is edevloping - as soon as you feel the first tell-signal. Repeat frequently. Often this will stop the sore developing at all, or if it does, will hasten its demise. You can also apply the oil in the same way to a developed sore but be aware that it might sting. Also note that some people's skin won't tolerate
eucalyptus so stop if your skin starts to feel irritated.

It's also worth trying this oil out if you suffer from cystitis. Mix 6-12 (start with the lowest number the 1st time you use it) drops in a non petrochemical based bubble bath or bath oil (it doesn't matter too much if it smells of anything else as well, but the Body Shop does fairly good unscented products). Mix it well before you get in the bath (sitting on a blob of eucalytpus will definitely sting!!!!) and sit in the bath for a good ten minutes.

Other uses include getting rid of pet 'accident' smells (but keep well away from cats); using to help reduce temperature in infections (doesn't work for me but some writers swear by it); and in very low concentrations in acne facials (mix one drop in a clay-based face mask).

There are more than 300 varieties of Eucalyptus tree, including 50 which produce aromatherapy oils, so don't be disconcerted if you see different latin names. It's also called blue gum tree (especially in its native Australia) - it's all the same thing.

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