What is Eucalyptus for? Benefits and properties
Eucalyptus leaves have been widely used in natural medicine for centuries to treat respiratory diseases, colds, also as an antiseptic.
This plant has multiple uses from cosmetics, to the manufacture of cardboard, you can get candies, tea and oils with eucalyptus among its properties and benefits.
What is eucalyptus?
Is a tree native to Australia, with more than 600 species existing in the world, these reach up to 60 meters, its leaves contain essential oils and a strong smell that characterizes it.
It is a tree that has the ability to adapt to any terrain so it is easy to get anywhere.
Because of this, medicine has used the properties of eucalyptus for years, manipulating its leaves as allies for its anti-inflammatory, expectorant and antimicrobial benefits.
So, if you feel a cold or have the flu, you can resort to a natural treatment with a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a handkerchief or your pillow will help relax the muscles of the trachea and will make your lungs well, increasing the entry of oxygen to them.
Benefits and properties
The use of eucalyptus leaves and oil can benefit our health in many cases, preventing, fighting and keeping our body healthy.
Reduces acne
Eucalyptus oil helps people suffering from acne breakouts by drying out pus, and improves healing processes.
Antibacterial
It is famous for its great power against infections and is inexpensive to treat respiratory problems, colds, coughs, sore throat, asthma and sinusitis. The eucalyptol component present in eucalyptus leaves is a potent mucolytic, which favors the expulsion of pulmonary secretions. Therefore, eucalyptus is always mentioned for cough with phlegm.
For arthritis
It acts as an agent to help treat arthritis pains and joint pains, thanks to tannins that are helpful in reducing inflammation and pain.
For mental exhaustion
Because of its refreshing property, more and more people use its oil. It is a vasodilator that increases blood flow, has a stimulating effect that eliminates exhaustion, slowness and prevents mental aging.
Dental Care
It is very effective in combating cavities, dental plaque, gingivitis and other diseases due to its germicidal property.
That’s why it’s common to find eucalyptus in the components of dental care products.
Eliminates lice
The characteristic smell of eucalyptus is not pleasant for these bugs, so it is a good home remedy to end these and nits.
Maintains control with diabetes
Its property as a vasodilator helps improve blood circulation and this characteristic is beneficial for patients with diabetes, since they do not enjoy good circulation.
It is also hypoglycemic that can basically help reduce blood sugar levels, so it is used as an adjuvant in antidiabetic treatment.
Benefits and uses of eucalyptus in your home:
Natural air freshener In addition to being used as decoration with other plants, serves as a deodorant and a strong antiseptic for your home, its leaves are a very pleasant air freshener for every corner or you can choose to use a few drops of its oil on pillows or blankets.
For acne this cream can benefit you to treat acne and scars, you just need to dissolve eucalyptus oil in a liter of water, with this mixture apply to the affected skin.
Remedy for the respiratory tract pour a few eucalyptus leaves in boiled water and let stand, you can inhale this vapor by covering yourself with a blanket.
For the teeth mix a teaspoon of salt, four of baking soda and three of hydrogen peroxide, then add some eucalyptus leaves and let stand. There should be a homogeneous mixture.
For diabetes in a cup of hot water add eucalyptus leaves, let stand and drink. This infusion helps level blood sugar.
Tea for coughs in a liter of boiling water add three tablespoons of eucalyptus leaves. Let stand 10 minutes before straining and drinking.
How to make homemade eucalyptus oil?
Ingredients
- Fresh eucalyptus leaves
- A base oil can be almond, olive or coconut
- glass
- Wooden spoon or kitchen mortar
- 2 containers with lid
Directions
- Gather a handful of fresh eucalyptus leaves, if you have a plant at home, cut its leaves in the morning which is when the natural oils are most active.
- Fill half a glass with the base oil.
- Place the eucalyptus leaves in one of the containers and crush the leaves inside until they release their oils.
- Then add the base oil to the container with the crushed leaves.
- Close it and shake so that the base oil is mixed with the eucalyptus leaves.
- Shake the bottle every 12 hours for a month.
- After a month, uncover and strain the oil (it should smell strong like eucalyptus).
- Take that clean oil to another jar in which you will keep it.
Contraindications
One of the most common questions in the use of this plant is, is eucalyptus toxic? Eucalyptus oil can be toxic if not used properly or overused.
Its use can interfere with treatments, so it is extremely important to consult with a specialist before use. The oil should not be administered directly, it should always be diluted.
It can generate allergies, dermatitis, headaches or vomiting, in high doses, with greater incidence in the use of the oil. On the other hand, the essence should not be used during pregnancy, but not the leaves that can be used for the benefit of the mother.
In conclusion, the benefits and properties using the leaves and oil can keep our body healthy.
