Eucalyptus Oil - An Excellent Antiseptic
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My sister and her family recently came to visit, leaving the Australian summer for the Welsh winter. Needless to say, they all went down with coughs and colds. Lizzie, the good Australian mother that she is, wanted eucalyptus oil. She laughed when I produced the 10 ml bottle that I keep in my first aid kit. Over there they get it in 500 ml bottles and use it for the laundry as well due to its natural cleansing capabilities.
As far as coughs and colds are concerned, eucalyptus is a natural antiseptic and inhaling it can help fight all sorts of respiratory conditions. I put it on the children’s pillows at night when they have colds, as well as on my husband’s pillow if he keeps snoring!! If a child is coughing in the night a few drops seems to stop the coughing, if they are blocked up it will make their nose run. Admittedly they don’t all like the smell, but I do. If you put a small amount in an essential oil burner it can spread throughout the house and hopefully stop the rest of the family going down with the bug as well.
Apparently eucalyptus can be used as an insect repellent, for lice, muscular aches and pain, poor circulation, cystitis, chicken pox, headaches and more.
The Aborigines have used eucalyptus for hundreds of years for treating conditions such as fever, wounds, coughs and asthma. In the 19th century, doctors used it for treating a range of conditions as well as sterilizing their instruments. Eucalyptus oil has long been used in many over the counter treatments for colds, however, it must never be taken internally and should not be put directly on the skin. Check with your doctor if you suffer from high blood pressure or epilepsy before using eucalyptus oil. Also, it is believed that it reduces the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies.
There are over 500 species of eucalyptus tree, and many of these can be grown across Europe and North America, not just in its native Australia. However, if you are thinking of growing your own, be careful, it is a very fast growing plant. This feature, used in the correct circumstances, however, makes it a very sustainable, and therefore environmentally friendly plant.
For further information:
University of Maryland Medical Center
This article is not meant to provide any medical advice. Please consult your doctor for further information.
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