Eucalyptus, mint, lavender, and rose are the most well-known fragrances in the treasure chest of essential oils. Nearly everyone can identify at least one of these by smell alone.

The scent of eucalyptus oil reminds us of medicine and illness because many medicinal preparations contain eucalyptus. The healing power of eucalyptus is broad and wide-ranging. When eucalyptus oil has been stripped of its important component, terpene, the oil’s therapeutic effectiveness is greatly diminished. Even so, the oil becomes less greasy and acquires a more intense fragrance. For use in aromatherapy, it is best to use the complete oil in its natural form.

The essential oil has exceptionally powerful germicidal properties. A mixture of just 2 percent eucalyptus oil that evaporates in an aroma lamp will kill 70 percent staphylococcus bacteria in a room. Eucalyptus has a strong influence on breathing. It increases the oxygen supply of every body cell through its ability to activate red blood cell functioning. This increases oxygen bonding in the lungs where oxygen is passed on to the body’s cellular system.

Eucalyptus aids the whole breathing process. It can help regenerate lung tissue and function as a good expectorant and cough suppressant. This essential oil is a traditional remedy for asthma, bronchitis, colds, and flu, as well as sinus problems and throat infections. It is also used to help treat tuberculosis. For treating bronchial problems, the oil is used as an inhalant—through a spray or in an aroma lamp—or as cough drops and chest ointment. Oils with similar properties, like niaouli, pine, Swiss pine, hyssop, and thyme, may be combined with eucalyptus oil.
For a sore throat, gargle with eucalyptus oil, or use it as a mouth spray dissolved in alcohol and mixed with water. At the onset of a throat infection, apply 2 drops of undiluted eucalyptus oil directly to the throat membrane. It will sting, but the application helps. Do not use this method for children—eucalyptus lozenges would be better for them.

Eucalyptus oil was a traditional treatment for malaria. Today it is often recommended for fevers that accompany infectious illnesses. often cold compresses made with eucalyptus oil added to the water applied to the legs can help control fever. Eucalyptus oil cools the body; using too much in bathwater may cause shivering. Eucalyptus is a good essential oil to choose for wounds, particularly those that heal slowly. This oil is also a preferred remedy for herpex simplex (eucalyptus with balm), skin ulcers, and insect bites. It is also recommended for treating acne and facial blemishes, and it works well in shampoos for dandruff. Eucalyptus is also a good deodorant.

This oil lowers blood sugar levels (as do geranium and juniper) and is often used to support traditional medical treatment. Its blood sugar lowering property is present in the natural, whole oil but not in “partial” oils.

Eucalyptus oil is present in many topical preparations, like those used to treat rheumatism, neuralgia, and muscle pain. Here it is added to massage oil as an alcohol liniment—often in combination with angelica, queen of the meadow, juniper, or lavender. Insects do not like eucalyptus scent. In Italy when I was writing this book, I protected myself from mosquitoes with a heavy dose of eucalyptus oil in my aroma lamp.

Psychologically, eucalyptus oil serves as a refreshing and stimulating substance. It also increases concentration, logical thought processes, and intellectual capacities. Under its influence, “hot heads” cool.

We know about 600 different species of eucalyptus trees. Aromatherapy uses oils from just two of these—Eucalyptus globulus (a strong, camphor-like scent) and Eucalyptus citriodora (a grassy, fresh scent, used primarily for children).
Fifty species are found around the Mediterranean. But of all nations, the eucalyptus tree is most intimately connected with Australia. Three fourths of all Australian trees are eucalyptus varieties. The Eucalyptus regnans grows as high as 465 feet and remains the tallest deciduous tree on our planet. The koala bear feeds exclusively on eucalyptus leaves.

Since the rapid-growing eucalyptus requires a lot of water, large plantations of trees have been established in swampy areas in France and Italy.