Eucalyptus Oil and Winter Health

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Snowing, skiing, sledding, and building snowmen—all a part of the winter scene in most places. Unfortunately so is sneezing, coughing, and congestion. Getting relief may be close at hand by utilizing Eucalyptus oil.
 
Winter and eucalyptus oil are synonymous when dealing with colds and sinus issues, as eucalyptus oil has many healing properties you need to facilitate easy breathing. A main component in eucalyptus oil (1,8-cineole) has antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and decongestant properties. Diffusing eucalyptus oil, not only will disinfect the air in your home but will also reduce the inflammation caused by colds and sinus congestion.
 
Research has shown that the use of eucalyptus oil may be a timely treatment to reduce or eradicate nasal congestion, coughing, and other symptoms related to sinusitis. Diffusing the oil prior to bedtime can contribute to a restful sleep due to clearing the nasal passages. The Practical Guide to Essential Oils notes that Eucalyptus essential oil is beneficial for use as preventing COPD flare-ups, asthma control, and better breathing due to the anti-inflammation properties.
 
Remember your mom using Vicks Vapor Rub when you had a cold? One of the main ingredients in Vicks is eucalyptus oil. While Vicks may not be safe to use according to the Mayo Clinic, the idea of utilizing eucalyptus oil in a massage cream for congestion and cough suppression is a good one.
 
Both the Practical Guide to Essential Oils and The Melaleuca Wellness Guide have more researched information about the many uses and benefits of this often-overlooked oil. As with any essential oil be aware of pets and those who may be sensitive to particular oils before diffusing.

~ Richard M Barry

Health Resolutions Success Stories

Eucalyptus oil is one of the most used essential oils in our home. My daughter suffers from asthma and when she feels an episode coming she will reach for her bottle of eucalyptus oil. The oil helps calm her breathing and opens her airways so she doesn't have to rely on her inhaler as much. She also diffuses eucalyptus oil in her diffuser at night to help her breathe easier while sleeping. Just a few drops of eucalyptus oil in the corner of a steamy shower is also great when you feel a little stuffiness from allergies or sinusitis.

~ Kimberly

I've enjoyed using essential oils for many years. I believe in using natural herbal products that the good Lord gave us, and that will do no harm first of all. We put tea tree essential oil plus a little eucalyptus in the "medicine cup" of our vaporizer whenever a little one, child or grandchild, starts to struggle to breathe or show any sign of a respiratory allergy or infection. We've used clove oil for a toothache, peppermint oil for painful spots, orange (and other citrus oils) for cheering us up... We've dropped the essential oils in a pan of hot water to breathe in or we've rubbed on a spot of skin, usually diluted with a carrier oil like almond oil or jojoba oil or coconut oil. They are very helpful in our home. Note: One daughter does have a sensitivity to essential oils on her skin so we are very careful to dilute with a carrier oil and never used on broken skin.

~ Holly

My mom has COPD, and I made her a nasal inhaler with our Pure Essential oils, (eucalyptus, peppermint) for her to open her airways with when she is having trouble breathing and sleeping. She loves it and it has helped her get through more than one rough night.

~ Jen

This is my "go to" for arthritis relief. I have been using Pain-A-Trate and Extra Strength Replenex along with my Vitality Total Vitamins. When the oils became available I Googled arthritis and looked up natural products. I then went to the Melaleuca website and read about the various oils and read the ingredients. I matched the ingredients to our very own oils and started mixing them in the little bottles that Melaleuca sells. It has given me great relief. I rub my ankles and knees every night and every morning with the solutions I have mixed up in the bottles. My best mixture is a combination of 5 from Melaleuca oil, Sweet Almond oil, Frankincense, Lemon, Clary Sage, Merry and Bright, Armour, Eucalyptus and Peace. Out of these I always picked 5 to 6 selections. If I ran out I would substitute another from this list. They all help me with my arthritis. Try a different 5 until you find one that pinpoints your pain. And yes you can still use the Pain-A-Trate with your oils.

~ May