Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus is an extremely versatile and crucial essential oil for a first-aid or cold remedy kit. It has a sharp, medicinal aroma that can instantly make you breathe easier and can purify the air when diffusing it in your home.
Updated Feb. 19th, 2025 | Read Time: 5 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Eucalyptus Plant Information
- Eucalyptus Oil Information
- Eucalyptus Oil Benefits & Applications
- Shopping For Eucalyptus Oil
- Eucalyptus Oil DIY's
Eucalyptus Plant Information
Plant History
The Eucalyptus tree was given it’s name in 1777 by French botanist, Charles-Louis Heritier when he was studying the plant in London. It was at this time the English discovered that eucalyptus was more effective at treating ailments than peppermint. Although eucalyptus was heavily studied in England and the rest of Europe, it’s origins are from Australia, Tasmania and the neighbouring islands. Natives to Australia knew about the plants therapeutic nature long before the English, deeming it a cure-all natural remedy. The application that gained the most attention by medical professionals was when aboriginals used eucalyptus leaves to treat severe injuries by wrapping stitched wounds with the leaves to speed up the healing process and fully fight off infection. As Australian doctors and surgeons caught on to this, they started using eucalyptus and its oil in their practices by prescribing it to treat chest problems like asthma, bronchitis and the common cold and flu. As eucalypti gained popularity in the medical world, pharmacist Joseph Bosisto started the exploitation of eucalyptus oil in 1852 by producing and selling it commercially. As more people became aware of Eucalypti’s benefits, German doctors Cole and Homeyer, were the first to write about and publish it’s antiseptic and antibacterial properties. In fact, it was so effective at purifying and treating disease, European governments would send eucalyptus trees to countries suffering from malaria outbreaks. The trees would be planted near wet, marshy areas with contaminated water. Since the trees absorb water quickly, they would dry up the area and purify the soil, leaving the area cleansed. Although eucalyptus has amazing healing benefits, in 1858, Australians from Kyneton, Victoria discovered a new way to use this oil. Theturned it into a gas to provide electricity throughout the town and used it as an alternative to coal. Today, Eucalyptus oil is still being used as a cure-all and can replace many modern-day pharmaceutical products.
Botanical Information
Eucalyptus is the tallest flowering tree on Earth, with the ability to grow to 300 feet. There are over 700 species of Eucalypti, most of which are native to Australia, the Rainbow Eucalyptus being the most unique. Having a multi-coloured trunk that looks like a psychedelic dream, it’s truly one of mother natures masterpieces. Eucalypti belongs to the Myrtle family (Myrtaceae). These trees grow quickly and have long leaves that hang vertically. They also grow flowers and fruit however, the essential oil is extracted from the leaves in a ratio of 1:50 lbs.
Growing Information
When planting Eucalyptus, it needs to be planted in an area that provides full sun. It can tolerate a variety of soils, but it needs adequate drainage in order to survive. These trees survive best in a warmer environment that doesn’t reach below 10 degrees celsius however, some species of eucalypti can be planted in a 2ft diameter pot and be moved indoors during colder months.
Parts Used For Eucalyptus Essential Oil
In Australia, they use many parts of the tree, but for oil extraction, only the leaves are used.
Eucalyptus Oil Information
Extraction Method
Eucalyptus' essential oil lies in the leaves and is extracted through steam distillation. The fresh or slightly dried leaves are hung in the still where the chamber begins to heat up with steam. As the steam rises, it heats the leaves and they sweat out the oil. The oil and steam then travel through the apparatus into another chamber where they are cooled, forcing the vapour to turn back into its liquid state. As the steam liquefies, the oil floats on top where it is then separated.
Active Ingredients Found in Eucalyptus Essential Oil
The chemical composition of Eucalyptus essential oil is made up of: 1,8- Cineole (eucalyptol or cajeputol), Limonene, Para-Cymene and Alpha-Pinene.
Eucalyptus Oil Benefits & Applications
Respiratory Support
Eucalyptus can treat many respiratory issues like; asthma, bronchitis, clear sinuses and help clear nasal passages when suffering from a cold or flu.
- Add 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil to a bowl of steaming water, with your face 5” away from the bowl, place a towel over your head and inhale the steam slowly and deeply to help relieve symptoms.
- Diffuse 6 drops eucalyptus oil in your diffuser and run throughout the day or night.
- Dilute 3 drops eucalyptus oil with 8ml almond oil and rub on your chest.
Disinfectant
This oil has many great antibacterial and antiseptic properties which makes it a great disinfectant to use around the house, for cuts or wounds, to cleanse the body or purify the air you breathe.
- Dilute 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil with 8ml almond oil and rub onto hands to help cleanse your hands throughout the day or when sick.
- Cleanse the body by adding 4 drops eucalyptus oil to a warm bath.
- Disinfect surfaces by adding 20 drops eucalyptus oil to a spray bottle filled with equal parts white vinegar and distilled water.
- Keep wounds clean by rubbing 3 drops eucalyptus oil with 7ml tamanu oil.
- Purify the air, especially when others are sick, by diffusing 10 drops eucalyptus oil in your home or office.
Ache & Pain Remedy
Eucalyptus oil is an analgesic, making it a great natural remedy for aches, pain and inflammation.
- Rub 4 drops eucalyptus oil, mixed with 10ml jojoba oil on inflamed or sore muscles after athletic activity.
- Add 3 drops eucalyptus oil to a compress and dip it into hot or cold water, apply the compress to pained or inflamed area, making sure to move it often if the compress is hot.
- Relieve joint or arthritis pain by adding 3 drops eucalyptus oil to 10ml argan oil in a roller ball, roll it along joints to relive pain and inflammation.
Stress Relief
Eucalyptus has a calming effect that can support stress symptoms and help you relax and unwind.
- Diffuse 6 drops eucalyptus oil and meditate or lay back with eyes closed to relax.
- Place 4 drops eucalyptus essential oil in a small bowl of warm water and place next to steaming shower, inhale while you relax under the hot shower water.
- Put 3 drops eucalyptus oil on a wash cloth and rub or dab on body (avoiding sensitive areas) while standing under running shower water. The scent will help relax you while the oil will help purify the body.
- Add 4 drops eucalyptus essential oil to a bowl of warm water, dampen cloth, wring it out and place over closed eyes or forehead, lay back and relax. This will create a calming feeling and help relieve any tension.
Shopping For Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is best when it's steam distilled and organic when possible. Always purchase an essential oil that's either steam distilled or cold-pressed, aromatic, and pure. National Nutrition has many high quality Eucalyptus essential oils, shop them here.
Recipes
| Cold & Flu Chest Rub | ||
|---|---|---|
| In a steel bowl mix: | 1 cup of Shea Butter | 1 tbsp Aloe Vera Gel |
| 15 drops Eucalyptus oil | 10 drops Lavender oil | |
| 15 drops Peppermint oil | ||
| Nose Salve | ||
|---|---|---|
| In a steel bowl mix: | 1 cup Shea Butter | 1.5 tsp Pure Aloe Vera Gel |
| 3 drops Eucalyptus oil | 3 drops Lavender oil | |
| 3 drops German Chamomile oil | ||
| Carpet Deodorizer | ||
|---|---|---|
| In a steel bowl mix: | 1 cup Whit Vinegar | 2 drops Unscented Castile Soap |
| 5 drops Eucalyptus oil | 5 drops Bergamot oil | |
| 5 drops Ylang Yland oil | 10 drops Lemon oil | |
I love using this oil during cold and flu season. I diffuse it to keep the air clean and I also make a chest rub with a carrier oil to breathe well. Great article and I will be trying the DIY's.
Hello Mary,
Those are excellent ways to use Eucalyptus oil. It's definitely a great one to have in the cabinet for cold & flu season and is much nicer than all the added ingredients many chest rubs have. It's also a purifying oil that can cleanse your space and air quality as well. Enjoy the DIY's.
Have a healthy day.
This article provides some detailed and helpful information. I have recently been using eucalyptus oil to clear my sinuses. It does seem to help clear the sinuses when I inhale it. However I'm not sure yet whether it is helpful in clearing my clogged ears. Perhaps it will take more prolonged use to be effective for that. I like the chart in this article that gives the various purposes for eucalyptus and how it is used with in combination with other oils.
Hello Susan,
We're thrilled you enjoyed our new essential oils article on Eucalyptus! It's a very beneficial oil for cold and flu support, whether inhaled, diffused or mixed with a carrier oil and used on the chest as a decongestion rub. It also has antibacterial properties which is great for cleaning and scrapes. You may enjoy our lavender article as well:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lavender-essential-oil/
Stay healthy & well!
I use Eucalyptus essential oil for my asthma and sinus issues amongst other things. I also use it as an insect deterrent and for a blend that I use on my dog to ward off insects during the summer months. This article has great blends that one can use for various ailments.
Hello AL K,
Glad you have enjoyed our new essential oil articles, it's great to DIY with aromatherapy. Eucalyptus has many benefits and is especially useful during cold and flu season. Here's our Lavender article and DIY's that you may also enjoy:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lavender-essential-oil/
Enjoy!
I love the smell of eucalyptus oil, it just seems to give the air around me a wonderful fresh aroma.
Hello Lorraine,
Eucalyptus is very fresh, it also opens your airways and purifies the air. During cold & flu season, dilute it with grape seed oil to make your own chest rub to breathe better. If you're interested in learning about other essential oils, check out our other articles.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/lime-essential-oil/
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lavender-essential-oil/
Stay well
I have used Eucalyptus essential oil during the winter months to help with nasal issues. It soothes the passages when I use it mixed with a carrier oil. I also apply it on my neck and forehead if I am congested. Sometimes, I will add peppermint oil to have a stronger effect but overall eucalyptus on its own is powerful and very helpful. I find great deals on the oil and other oils at National Nutrition. Great article with good info.
Hello Roger,
Eucalyptus oil is a must for the winter months. It's a great oil to diffuse if you suffer from congestion or feel dry during the winter months. It's also a great oil to mix with grape seed carrier oil and use as a chest rub when you feel congested. Mixing it with peppermint as you mentioned is great for pain relief and headaches as well as it can help with sore muscles and minor cuts with its antibacterial properties. Always ensure a proper dilution before applying oils to your skin.
Have a healthy day!
I first heard about Eucalyptus being used to help aid respiratory conditions such as asthma when I went to a sauna that was diffusing Eucalyptus! It is a very nice scent and calming too I found it really was interesting to know that by breathing it in in a safe manner could help in so many different ways! It is also cool to know that Eucalyptus can be used to help in hand sanitizers too as well as wound care
Hello O,
Thank you for sharing your experience with Eucalyptus. You're absolutely right, Eucalyptus has been used for centuries for its various health benefits. Its refreshing scent and calming properties make it a popular choice in aromatherapy. When inhaled, the essential oil of Eucalyptus can help clear the respiratory system and provide relief from conditions like asthma.
It's fascinating how a single plant like Eucalyptus can offer such versatile benefits! If you'd like to learn some ways to mix it, check out our video on Eucalyptus oil here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Rdh_cs7hs&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5&index=3&pp=iAQB