Eucalyptus essential oil is known for its sweet woody scent, and it also has many health benefits such as detoxifying the air in your home, helping to relax and relieving anxiety, treating wounds, getting rid of insects and many other benefits. Many health experts point out that eucalyptus essential oil has many health benefits, including helping to decongest, as well as acting as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral. For this reason, eucalyptus oil is found in a number of products such as topical ointments, mouthwashes, nutritional supplements, and household cleaners as well.
What is eucalyptus oil?
Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil derived from the oval-shaped leaves of the eucalyptus trees, which are native to Australia. Manufacturers extract the oil from eucalyptus leaves by drying them, then crushing and distilling them. More than 12 species of eucalyptus trees are used to produce the essential oil, each offering its own unique blend of natural compounds and therapeutic benefits as well.
What are the benefits of eucalyptus oil for the skin?
Eucalyptus essential oil offers many health benefits for the skin, thanks to its properties and the beneficial plant compounds present in it. The benefits of eucalyptus oil for the skin include:
1- It acts as a natural cleanser for the skin
Washing the skin and hands with soap and water is the best option to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. However, relying on any cleanser that has antibacterial properties is also beneficial, so eucalyptus oil is very beneficial due to its antibacterial and antiviral properties.
To get the most out of the antiseptic benefits of eucalyptus oil, look for eucalyptus soap or mouthwash with eucalyptus oil infused, as either or both will help you effectively clean your skin and get rid of bacteria and viruses.
2- Relieves sunburn
The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of eucalyptus oil help get rid of annoying sunburn, especially on hot summer days. In addition, eucalyptus oil gives you a natural cooling feeling when applied to your skin, and protects the skin from infection as well.
Fill a small spray bottle with water, add 2-4 drops of eucalyptus oil, and 1 teaspoon of fresh aloe vera gel. Shake the bottle well, then spray on sunburned skin to help cool you down and relieve pain.
You can treat sunburn at home by relying on some home remedies from here
3- Helps heal wounds and scratches
If you have cuts or scrapes, you can make an antiseptic lotion for cuts, scrapes, and burns as well. Just add 10 drops of eucalyptus oil to 2 cups of water, and mix them well in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the wound or scratch using a clean gauze pad.
4- Calms insect bites
Eucalyptus oil contains natural substances that act as an antiseptic that can be used on insect bites, wounds and ulcers. In addition, eucalyptus oil has antimicrobial properties that prevent the growth of new types of bacteria. Put 2 – 3 drops of eucalyptus oil on a clean cotton ball and massage the affected area twice daily.
5- Soothes the skin
The anti-inflammatory properties of eucalyptus oil make it extremely beneficial for people with acne-prone or eczema-prone skin. One study conducted in 2013 indicates that the use of eucalyptus essential oil helps to get rid of acne scars on the skin, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. In addition, it helps calm skin inflammation in case of dry skin, and get rid of itching that may affect your skin.
Other benefits of eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil offers some other benefits as well, which include the following:
- Relieves muscle and joint pain: thanks to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which help to get rid of muscle pain, especially after exercise.
- Gives you fresh breath: When you use a natural mouthwash that contains eucalyptus oil, you will get fresh breath throughout the day. Add two drops of eucalyptus oil to a glass of water, and use it in your mouth rinse.
- Fights dandruff : The anti-fungal properties of eucalyptus oil get rid of scalp fungi, which helps to get rid of dandruff completely. Just mix 2-4 drops of eucalyptus oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil, apply it to your scalp and leave it for 20 minutes, then rinse your hair well.
- Removes nasal congestion: You can treat annoying sinus congestion by inhaling eucalyptus oil. Inhaling the oil vapor will help eucalyptus oil interact with the mucous membranes, thus reducing inflammation and reducing congestion. Put 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil in a small bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam for 5-10 minutes.
Some precautions when using eucalyptus oil
There are some precautions to be taken before using eucalyptus oil:
- Remember that even a small amount of eucalyptus oil can be fatal, so you should keep it out of the reach of children.
- Pure eucalyptus oil should not be applied directly to the skin, as this can cause severe skin irritation. Always use a mixture of eucalyptus oil with a carrier oil such as almond oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil.
- It is preferable to avoid the use of eucalyptus oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding without medical advice. The oil is also likely to harm children, so it cannot be used on the skin or given to a child by mouth.
- If you are allergic to certain types of essential oils, it is best to try eucalyptus oil first on a small area of skin, and note any signs of allergy such as redness, irritation, itching, and other common signs of allergy.
Eucalyptus oil is extremely beneficial for your skin, thanks to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which help maintain your skin and get rid of harmful bacteria
