Learn the Many Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil Baths & How to Make One

Learn the Many Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil Baths & How to Make One
Page content

Properties of Eucalyptus Essential Oil

The benefits of eucalyptus oil baths come from the healing properties of the essential oil. Eucalyptus essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, a tall evergreen native to Australia. For its ability to reduce fevers, the tree and the healing oil made from the leaves are sometimes referred to as the fever tree and fever oil. Although eucalyptus trees now grow in India, Europe, and South Africa, most of the essential oil still comes from Australia.

Eucalyptus oil has a distinctly clean, fresh, menthol aroma, which is startlingly refreshing and fragrant at the same time. Its healing properties are due to its unique, natural blend of volatile oils, including eucalyptol, pinene, and camphene. Eucalyptus essential oil is made up of as much as eighty percent eucalyptol, also known as cineole. It carries an array of beneficial properties:

  • analgesic
  • anti-inflammatory
  • antiseptic
  • antibacterial
  • antispasmodic
  • expectorant
  • decongestant
  • fever reducer
  • disinfectant
  • stimulating

Relieving Aches and Pains with Eucalyptus

An eucalyptus oil bath is ideal for a number of common pain related ailments. Chronic issues such as rheumatism and back pain, as well as minor sports injuries and fatigued muscles all benefit from a twenty minute therapeutic bath. Eucalyptus essential oil helps to reduce swelling and inflammation, the central cause of pain from arthritis and joint problems as well as injuries. As an analgesic, it has a mild pain-reducing effect. Eucalyptus oil also has antispasmodic properties, helping to quell muscle aches, pulled muscles, and cramping.

Preventing and Treating Colds and the Flu

An eucalyptus oil bath is also an effective and safe natural treatment for common respiratory ailments. Simply relaxing in a soothing bath made from eucalyptus essential oil will help to clear congestion, cool fevers, and protect the body from harmful microbes.

Eucalyptus acts as both a decongestant and an expectorant, encouraging the release of mucous from the respiratory system and helping to clear sinuses. Eucalyptus essential oil or the primary active ingredient, cineole, are in fact often used as ingredients in chest rubs and natural cold medicines. Cineole has been found to both reduce inflammation and mucous production in people dealing with serious asthma.

Eucalyptus essential oils also act as a potent disinfectant, warding off bacteria, pathogens, and fungus. It has a powerful cleansing action on the body, helping to create an environment that harmful microbes cannot survive in. In this way, an eucalyptus oil bath is not only a great way to prevent and treat respiratory infections, but also to feel thoroughly refreshed and clean.

How to Make an Eucalyptus Oil Bath

Eucalyptus oil baths are easy to make at home. Simply blend eight to ten drops of the essential and add this solution to hot bath water. Another method is to blend eucalyptus essential oil with a carrier oil such as jojoba or sweet almond oil, and then add this to running bath water for an extra moisturizing benefit. Blend ten drops for every one ounce of a carrier oil.

Breathe deeply during a therapeutic eucalyptus bath, enjoying the invigorating, yet soothing aroma. The healing molecules of the essential oil will enter the body through the skin as well as through inhalation. For a pain-relieving, calming bath, eucalyptus essential oil blends well with lavender essential oil. When treating colds, the flu, bronchitis, sinusitis, and asthma, try blending with thyme and lemongrass essential oil.

The healing benefits of eucalyptus oil baths are enough to justify this therapeutic treatment. Still, there is no reason not to enjoy the invigorating experience any time simply to treat yourself to a little extra care.

References

Balch, Phyllis A. “Prescription for Nutritional Healing.” Fourth Edition (Penguin Books, 2006).

“Eucalyptus Oil Relieves Sinusitis.” (Bastyr Center for Natural Health) <bastyrcenter.org/content/view/327/>

“Health Benefits of Eucalyptus Essential Oil.” (Organic Facts) <organicfacts.net/organic-oils/natural-essential-oils/health-benefits-of-eucalyptus-essential-oil.html>

Image Credit

Photo by: Tatters (CC/flickr)

Disclaimer

Please read this disclaimer regarding the information contained within this article.