Essential Oils: Eucalyptus

By mudlark • March 25th, 2007

Mmmm… one of my favorites… That slightly sweet, woodsy yet menthol-ish homey scent… I use it to spruce up my homemade cleaning products, I add it to the humidifier, use it to make bath salts, and I keep a few sprigs of eucalyptus tree (when I can find it fresh) atop my piano in the living room. Hmmm… enchanting…

Eucalyptus was known as the “fever tree” in the 19th century because it drove away the mosquitoes that carry malaria.� In fact, it cleans the environment so well that the frail and sick would migrate to places where the tree was growing, just to live in its presence. Eucalyptus has been used to promote healing in wounds, fight infection, and relieve muscle pain. It’s also used in many herbal breathing treatments to help clear airways and promote respiration.

For cleaning around the home, it’s a disinfectant and also works great in laundry to kill dust mites.