Eucalyptus from the family of mirtaceae. Mirtacae are ervergreen trees and plants, with the most exquisit flowers and fruits; like guave and pomegranate. Like all ‘leaf oils’ the oils that come from this family are circulation oils, but the mirtaceae have strong healing properties for lungs and they provide very good muscle oils because they are very tonic.
There are many, many kinds of eucalyptusses.
The eucalyptus tree is native to Australia and Tasmania. These trees belong to the largest in thw World; they can reach a hight of 100 meters, with oval opponing greyish- green leaves. The trunk is pale grey and often covered with a white powder and its sweats a resin. The leaves are a traditional medicine to reduce fever and hence the nickname ‘fevertree’.
The leaves were also used for woundhealing compresses and to fight infections – all properties of the essentia oil too.
They grow fast and need a lot of water; their plantation in Italy for instance had a profound infuence on ground water levels.
For oil production there are over 500 different species; there are ‘teh mediacl oils’, the ‘industrial oils’ and the perfume oils (mostly lemon eucalyptus). My favorite for aromatherapy is the var radiata but i like to work with the eucalyptus smithii when it comes to children; this is a less ‘pungent’ eucalyptus.
This essential oil has about 10% monoterpenes, among wich alphapineen; this explains for ist painkilling properties, a bit of alcohols and a bit of esters but the major part consists of 1,8 cineol, an oxide that has strong expectorant properties, its promotes excretion (which explains why this is an overall favorite sauna oil), it reduces pain and has strong anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, its anti-rheumatic and its lifts the spirit – a good oil to evaporate when people suffer from viral catahrr or viral infections.
For home use this is an excellent oil to evaporate in times of flu and colds, when there is coughing and feeling miserable from fevers.
Its cleanses airways ( in a 2 % solvation it kills 70% of the staphylococci in the air) , keeps the air fresh and clean, and it lifts the spirit.
But its a strong oil for muscle pain too – add a few drops to a massage oil after sporting and you will reduce myalgia fo the day after.
This is an excellent oil for rheumatism; make compresses or part baths like hand baths; add a few drops to reduce swelling, pain and inflammation.
Make sure to always dilute oils before adding them to water – they don’t solve in water so they need a diluent (at home you can use a bit of neutral shampoo or bathfoam to dilute a few drops)
The cosmetic properties are strong in case of burns and wounds like skin infections, insect bites and cuts.
For sunburn i like to mix aloe vera gel with olive oil and st. Johnsworth macerate with lavender and eucalyptus; it cooles, and desinfects the skin.
Avoid pure use of essential oil on skin, except lavender because most essential oils are to aggressive for direct skin contact. For athlete’s foot mix a few drops in a skin oli or foot crème.
What do the eucalyptus oils for the Spirit...?
They make you up an going. They give your ‘breathing space’ so when you feel narrowed, by the walls in your office or by the people that work close to you – use a bit of this oil to give yourself some space.
When you have to be in long and dull debates or meetings; keep the room airy and fresh with a few drops of eucalyptus. This will keep everybody sharp and clear.
If you like to join the #sundayscentexperience challenge, then make a post about something that has a peticular scent and try to tell us why you like or dislike it.
Beeing aware of what you smell means beeing aware of your welbeeing - smelling will get you into the Now and you will feel more connected to your memories and Life itself.
Use the proper hashtag so i can easily find your posts and resteem and upvote them!
Wishing all of you a wonderfull weekend and may the Scent be with you!
Steem on!