Eucalyptus leaves are evergreen and can be explored as tea, insect repellant bugs, essential oils for aromatherapy or topical application, or hung in the shower for their good smell. They can help fight pain and colds, make good insect repellants, and are also relaxing.
Eucalyptus is the evergreen tree with hearty, wonderfully-smelling, long leaves with many uses. The leaves can be hung in the shower or added to water, processed into tea and steeped hot, used in bugs as insect repellants, processed into an essential oil to be smelled, or topically applied on an affected area. The FDA recognizes that eucalyptol, a compound in eucalyptus, can make good repellants and has legalized lemon-eucalyptus essential oils for this purpose. The leaves benefit man’s health in several ways, including boosting dental health, fighting pain, boosting total antioxidant count, improving skin condition, and relaxing the body. Here are the health benefits of this hearty tree in detail.
a) Eucalyptus leaves tea promotes the body’s total antioxidant count (TAC)
The total antioxidant count (TAC) is a parameter that indicates how many antioxidants present in the body, which, in turn, inform how well the system can ward off inflammation and the dangerous free radicals. Antioxidants are natural compounds that help the body neutralize free radicals by generating the missing electrons, helping stabilize the initially unstable molecules. Eucalyptus leaves are packed with several flavonoid antioxidants, including kaempferol, quercetin, phloretin, and many more. As such, the tea prepared from the leaves can be steeped to benefit from these antioxidants.
b) Eucalyptus essential oils may help improve skin conditions
Studies show that skin conditions, including acne, psoriasis, drying skin, dandruff, and dermatitis, are among the commonest skin conditions afflicting many today. People manage such conditions differently, and you might find topically applying eucalyptus essential oils rewarding. The essential oils have an active compound called eucalyptol that has powerful skin-healing properties. Eucalyptol or cineole helps improve the skin’s water-holding capacity and barrier protection. As you use the oil, be careful to apply it moderately to avoid burns.
c) Eucalyptus leaves are good for dental health
Have you ever wondered why some mouthwash, toothpaste, chewing gum, and other oral products have eucalyptus leaves as part of the ingredient list? It is because eucalyptol, the compound in eucalyptus, promotes dental health. It categorically helps fight the infectious bacteria that accumulate in gums, resulting in gingivitis, cavities, bad breath, and other ora-dental issues.
d) Eucalyptus leaves have powerful antifungal and antibacterial properties
Eucalyptus is not a new plant, but it has been there for long. In fact, in the past, the leaves of this tree were used to treat a wide array of infections, primarily because of its powerful antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. While you may not eat the leaves directly, you can apply the essential oils in areas affected by fungal infections, such as the athlete’s foot.
e) Eucalyptus essential oils may help you manage chronic pain
There is every reason why eucalyptus essential oils may be used to manage chronic pain. The essential oils are rich in eucalyptol and limonene compounds, both of which have pain-relieving properties. Besides, the flavonoid antioxidants found in the oil help prevent the accumulation of free radicals that, when left unattended, causes oxidative stress and results in more pain. As if that’s not enough, studies show that the antioxidants found in this oil also help fight inflammation, another condition that worsens pain.
f) You can manage cold using eucalyptus leaves essential oils
You can manage or improve your colds by taking advantage of the aromatherapeutic properties of eucalyptus oils and leaves. Studies show that smelling the leaves of the eucalyptus tree or the essential oils prepared from them helps open bronchi and bronchioles, easing mucoid congestion. While essential oils and fresh leaves can improve cold, the fresh leaves are preferred to the oils since they are in their pristine form.
g) Drinking eucalyptus leaves tea, or smelling eucalyptus essential oils could help relax the body
Irrespective of what makes you feel tired, you can drink eucalyptus leaves tea or smell eucalyptus essential better to help relax the body. This observation is particularly due to the presence of the eucalyptol compound in the leaves. Studies show that eucalyptol encourages the functions of parasympathetic nerves and discourages the expression of sympathetic nerves from promoting relaxation and reducing stress, respectively. Besides, smelling the fresh eucalyptus leaves is also refreshing, helping you relax when tired. This is not some form of coincidence; cineole compounds found in these are responsible for this. In fact, some companies are now incorporating eucalyptus essential oils into ointments for relaxing skin.
h) Eucalyptus oils may make good insect repellants
Do you see insects and mosquitoes in your house every evening and are bothered by them? Check online for eucalyptus-lemon insect repellant, an FDA-approved bug for managing insects and mosquitoes. Many studies have been conducted about the same and have proved that eucalyptus indeed makes a good insect repellant. In fact, it remains effective for as long as eight hours after application, during which it wards off insects and mosquitoes. The insect-repellant properties are related to eucalyptol compounds, which prove beneficial to man in moderate consumption but kill insects in excess.
i) Eucalyptus oils make good home-cleaning agents
Say no to chemical-infused cleaning agents and revolutionize things with eucalyptus oil. This essential oil is antiseptic in nature and blends well with vodka, water, vinegar, etc., to make a home cleaning agent. You can use this on the floors, bathrooms, toilets, sinks, and ceilings and see how you transform your home phenomenally. What’s more, the oil can be smelled for its aromatherapy, meaning that it’s safer than chemicals, especially when consumed in moderation.
j) You can boost your immunity with eucalyptus oil
You can boost your immunity by diluting eucalyptus oil into water and using the solution to massage the body. The powerful antioxidants will still find their way into the skin through topical application, helping revitalize your skin. Besides, eucalyptus leaves are antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory, and all these properties add on to immunity.
Conclusion
Eucalyptus leaves can be used in different ways to benefit from their associated health benefits. Whether you choose to steep their tea or topically apply the essential oils, you benefit from the antioxidants in the leaves and boosts your body’s immunity and ability to fight infections. You can also find relief and relaxation by smelling the leaves or the diluted essential oils. Additionally, eucalyptus essential oils make good home-cleaning agents and insect repellants.
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