Tuesday, October 3, 2017

ESSENTIAL OILS -The Eucalyptus Family of Healing Oils

Lavender Distillery
Lavender Distillery - Photo  by     markhillary
There are over 700 varieties of the eucalyptus tree with over 500 producing a type of essential oil. They form 75% of the flora of Australia and have naturalized themselves to many other countries. Some are medicinal oils, some industrial oils and some are used in perfumery. Each oil will have different constituents, different properties, and uses. The oil comes not from the bark of the tree but from its leaves. Eucalyptus is definitely an oil that should be in everyone's medicine cabinet. All of the eucalyptus oils are in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae).

The Australian Aborigines used eucalyptus in the treatment of all kinds of fever, including malaria. There are so many different varieties, each having a unique chemistry and therefore different healing qualities. For instance, Eucalyptus globulus known as blue gum tree is especially good for infections of the respiratory tract but also for treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, and wounds. E.globulus is great for purifying air and the trees produce ozone. Its chemistry shows its high in oxides, specifically 1,8 Cineole. Of all the medicinal grade eucalyptus oils.

 E.globulus is the most widely known and used. Eucalyptus citriodora is lemony in fragrance and is more cooling in action than the E.globulus. Its key constituent is citronellal, an aldehyde. This variety of eucalyptus is better to use when mucus secretions are yellow indicating infection and heat in the body. It's also a great insect repellant especially helpful against cockroaches and silverfish. One important point about E.citriodora is that it is mild and thought to be best for children because of its lemony fresh smell.

Here's another great eucalyptus-E.Dives, also known as Peppermint Eucalyptus. It has a menthol fragrance and its key constituent is piperitone, a ketone. This eucalyptus has great mucolytic properties and is used for infections especially sinus, ear, kidney and for vaginitis. E.Dives is the strongest of the medicinal eucalyptus oils and therefore best used topically. Eucalyptus polybractea is also called Blue Mallee and like E.globulus, it is high in 1,8 cineole. It is a very antimicrobial and an expectorant oil yet gentler in action than some of the others.



The final eucalyptus we should all be aware of is Eucalyptus radiata. It too is high in 1,8 cineole. E. radiata is very antibacterial, antiviral and an expectorant oil that is great not only for respiratory conditions but is especially good for sinus infections. It is by far the gentlest and most effective of the eucalyptus oils since is it so low in aldehydes which distinguishes it from E. globulus and E. dives.
Want to learn more about the healing properties of the various eucalyptus oils as well as other essential oils? Consider becoming a certified aromatherapist. Educational courses in healing energy and aromatherapy can help you understand how essential oils heal the body/mind/spirit.

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