18 Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil has many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, antibacterial properties, and even cancer-fighting properties. It also helps with weight loss and digestion. But did you know that eucalyptus essential oils can help you sleep better?
Eucalyptol is the main compound found in eucalyptus oils. This compound is known to help promote relaxation and induce sleep. In fact, studies have shown that eucalyptol may be as effective as Ambien for inducing sleep.
If you’ve never tried eucalyptus before, then here’s how to get started. And if you already use eucalyptus, then read on for tips on how to make sure you’re using it correctly.
Benefits and uses of eucalyptus oil
1. Helps with insomnia
The first benefit of eucalyptol is its ability to help you fall asleep. Studies show that this compound works by increasing levels of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep patterns. When your body produces more serotonin, you feel happier and calmer.
2. Reduces pain
Another property of eucalyptols is their analgesic effects. Analgesics are medications that reduce or eliminate pain. Because of this, they can be used to treat headaches, muscle aches, and other types of discomfort.
3. Relieves stress
Eucalypts contain compounds called cineole and pinene. These two chemicals are responsible for most of the therapeutic properties of eucalypts. Cineole is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Pinenes are natural sedatives. They relax muscles and relieve tension.
4. Promotes digestive health
Because eucalypts contain tannins, these plants are great for promoting healthy digestion. Tannins bind to protein molecules in your stomach and intestines. This prevents them from being digested completely. As a result, they pass through your system undigested. Tannins are also good at preventing inflammation.
5. Aids in weight loss
One final benefit of eucalyptus oil is that it promotes weight loss. The reason why is because eucalypts increase metabolism. Metabolism refers to the rate at which your cells break down food into energy. Higher metabolic rates mean that your body will burn calories faster than normal.
6. Boosts immunity
One last thing about eucalypts is that they boost your immune system. This makes sense since eucalypts are full of antioxidants. Antioxidants fight free radicals in your body. Free radicals cause damage to cell membranes and DNA. This leads to illness and disease. By boosting your immune system, eucalypts keep you healthier longer.
7. Fights infections
Finally, one of the best things about eucalyptus is that it fights infection. Since eucalypts have antimicrobial properties, they can prevent bacteria and viruses from spreading throughout your body.
8. Treats coughs and colds
You might not think of eucalyptuses when you hear the word “cough,” but they actually do work wonders against respiratory problems. One study showed that eucalyptus was just as effective as dextromethorphan (DXM) for treating coughing. DXM is commonly prescribed for people who suffer from chronic bronchitis.
9. Improves skin conditions
Eucalyptus has been shown to improve acne. In fact, studies show that applying eucalyptus directly to pimples helps them clear up faster. It may even help prevent new ones from forming.
10. Lowers blood pressure
Since eucalyptus contains salicylic acid, this plant can lower high blood pressure. Salicylic acid is a chemical similar to aspirin. However, unlike aspirin, salicylic acid does not thin your blood like it would with regular medication.
11. Helps control diabetes
Eucalyptol is a natural antidiabetic. Research shows that this compound lowers glucose levels without causing hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar drops too low. If your blood sugar gets too low, you could experience symptoms such as headache, sweating, weakness, confusion, irritability, hunger, nausea, or dizziness.
12. Relieves pain
Another way that eucalypts help treat pain is by relieving muscle spasms. Muscle spasms occur when muscles contract involuntarily. Because of this, your muscles become painful. When you rub eucalyptus on the affected area, it relaxes the muscles. Eucalyptus works well for back pain, arthritis, neck pain, cramps, menstrual cramps, leg cramps, sciatica, fibromyalgia, and other types of muscle spasms.
13. Reduces anxiety
Because eucalyptus smells so strongly, it’s often used to mask unpleasant odors. For example, if you’re having surgery, you might put some eucalyptus-scented lotion on your nose before going under anesthesia. You’ll feel less anxious during the procedure.
14. Protects plants
In addition to being useful for humans, eucalyptus also protects plants. Studies show that spraying eucalyptus trees with water reduces fungal growth in fruits and vegetables.
What Is The Best Way To Use Eucalyptus Oil?
The most common ways to use eucalyptus include:
1. Adding it to bathwater-it’s said to relieve stress, ease aches and pains, and reduce inflammation.
2. Using it topically- You can apply it directly to cuts, bruises, insect bites, scrapes, rashes, burns, sunburns, poison ivy, and more.
3. Making tea- Steep 1 teaspoon of dried leaves per cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Drink 2 cups daily. This treatment can be used to relieve headaches, fever, sore throats, and digestive issues.
4. Taking an inhaler- This method is good for those suffering from asthma attacks, allergies, sinus infections, and other breathing disorders.
Conclusion
There are many different ways to use eucalyptus oil. Some of these methods have been proven to be helpful while others haven’t yet been studied enough to prove their effectiveness. Regardless of how you choose to use it, you should always follow directions carefully.
