5 Natural Remedies with Eucalyptus You Should Know About
Eucalyptus is a very effective medicinal plant for treating all types of respiratory tract diseases. Its anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties make it an excellent remedy for mucus, coughs, sinusitis, etc. Discover 5 natural remedies with eucalyptus that you should have at hand to treat different disorders such as congestion, acne, lice and muscle pain and contractures, among others.
Benefits of eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a medicinal plant that stands out for its properties to treat respiratory diseases. For example, colds, flu, pharyngitis, asthma, or bronchitis. Below we’ll explain all its healing virtues:
- Expectorant – It facilitates the expulsion of mucus in cases of colds and sinusitis and relieves dry cough.
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation and pain.
- Antiviral and antibacterial: Strengthens the immune system to protect from infections and is also effective for treating acne, lice, etc.
- Vermifuge: Prevents and eliminates intestinal parasites.
- Healing.
- An antidepressant and source of energy and vitality.
Home remedies with eucalyptus
1. Vaporizers for congestion and dry cough
Thanks to its expectorant and anti-inflammatory benefits, eucalyptus is an excellent plant to make vaporizers or vapor rubs. Vaporizers are the vapors of an infusion or decoction that we inhale closely to open the respiratory tract to eliminate mucus.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of eucalyptus leaves (8 g)
- 3 tablespoons of other medicinal plants: thyme, rosemary, pine, oregano or chamomile (12 g)
- 5 glasses of water (1 l)
Preparation
- To begin with, bring water to a boil and add the medicinal plants.
- If you want to use oregano and chamomile, add these plants when you turn off the heat.
- Let it boil for 10 minutes and turn off the heat.
- Lean over the pan, at a distance of about 20 or 30 centimeters (8 to 12 inches), being careful not to get burned.
- In addition, you can cover yourself with a towel if you wish.
- Finally, breathe it in for 5 minutes.
Read more: 5 Active Ingredients that Help Regenerate Acne-Affected Skin
2. A lotion for mucus and sinusitis
You can make your own oily lotion to spread on your chest and back. This remedy is similar to some commercially available balms, with the advantage that it’s 100% natural, without any petroleum jelly or other chemical components.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil, almond or sesame oil (45 g)
- 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- 5 drops of thyme essential oil
Preparation and application
- To begin, mix all the oils and keep them in a closed bottle.
- Then apply them by massaging to provide warmth.
3. Acne serum
Eucalyptus is a great antiseptic and antibacterial, as well as a good anti-inflammatory. For this reason, it’s an ideal remedy to prevent and reduce acne and other skin problems.
You can apply it diluted, in the form of a serum. In this way we can treat this skin problem in a natural way, without altering the skin’s pH.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons aloe vera gel (60 g)
- 1 tablespoon of coconut or jojoba oil (15 g)
- 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
Preparation and application
- First, mix all the ingredients and keep them in an airtight container.
- Always apply after toner and before moisturizer.
See also: The Best Herbs for Foot Baths
4. Vinegar for lice
Lice are a frequent problem in schools, as they’re easily spread by physical contact. For this reason, it’s common for children to suffer from this annoying problem.
Although there are several products that fight them, in this case we’re going to propose a natural and effective formula. Moreover, it’s very easy to prepare at home.
Ingredients
- 1 glass of apple cider vinegar (200 ml)
- 10 or 15 fresh eucalyptus leaves
- 2 cloves of garlic
Preparation
- First, put the vinegar in a glass jar.
- Then add the eucalyptus leaves and the raw garlic cloves.
- Let it sit for at least two weeks.
- Finally, filter and use on the scalp.
5. Alcohol for muscle aches
In the last of our remedies with eucalyptus, we turn to our muscles. Muscle aches can be relieved simply by rubbing with eucalyptus and rosemary alcohol. In addition, combining these two medicinal plants reduces inflammation, soothes pain, and promotes circulation.
Ingredients
- 2 glasses of 96 proof alcohol (400 ml)
- 15 fresh eucalyptus leaves
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Preparation
- First, put all the ingredients in a glass jar and close the container.
- Then, let it sit for 15 to 40 days.
- Finally, filter to remove the plants.
- It can be used at any time to massage the painful area intensely.
- This alcohol mix doesn’t expire and is for external use only.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Cimanga, K., Apers, S., De Bruyne, T., Van Miert, S., Hermans, N., Totté, J., … Tona, L. (2002). Chemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oils of some aromatic medicinal plants growing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Journal of Essential Oil Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2002.9699894
- Silva, J., Abebe, W., Sousa, S. M., Duarte, V. G., Machado, M. I. L., & Matos, F. J. A. (2003). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils of Eucalyptus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2003.09.007
- Batish, D. R., Singh, H. P., Kohli, R. K., & Kaur, S. (2008). Eucalyptus essential oil as a natural pesticide. Forest Ecology and Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2008.08.008
