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Eucalyptus Honey

Antiseptic Eucalyptus Honey

The eucalyptus tree, also known as fever tree, blue gum tree or stringy bark tree, has the botanical name Eucalyptus Globulus. It is native to Australia but was introduced to other parts of the world including India, Europe and South Africa a few centuries ago. Though many countries do produce eucalyptus oil, Australia is still the world’s prime supplier of eucalyptus oil. The health benefits of the eucalyptus honey are many – anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, antibacterial, and stimulating. Besides being a good natural remedy for respiratory problems, Eucalyptus honey is a good antiseptic owing to its germicidal properties. On its exposure to air, ozone is formed which is a well-known antiseptic. Hence Eucalyptus honey is used for healing wounds, ulcers, burns, cuts, abrasions and sores. It is also effective on insect bites and stings. It is often recommended to patients suffering from rheumatism, lumbago, sprained ligaments and tendons, stiff muscles, aches, fibrosis and even nerve pain. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory Eucalyptus honey is massaged on the skin surface in circular motion to help relieve muscle and joint pains.

The numerous health benefits of the colourless, volatile eucalyptus oil which is extracted from the fresh eucalyptus leaves, branch tips, and dried leaves have attracted the world to explore its usage as a conventional medicine as well as an aromatherapy essential oil.

You probably also noticed that eucalyptus oil in aromatherapy is becoming increasingly popular as it blends so perfectly well with many other essential oils including thyme essential oil, rosemary essential oil, marjoram essential oil, lavender essential oil, cedar wood essential oil, and frankincense essential oil.

Eucalyptus essential oil has applications in skin care products, soaps, detergents and household cleaners, and is well often applied topically to treat skin infections and used as a prime ingredient in many mouthwashes and toothpastes as it is very effective against cavities, dental plaques, gingivitis and other dental infections due to its germicidal and antiseptic properties.

The antiseptic and deodorant nature of eucalyptus oil makes it a perfect room freshener for hospitals and sickbed atmosphere. It also kills bacteria and germs in the air, keeping the room environment clean. However, one should take care while using eucalyptus oil.

If taken in large quantities, it is toxic. Life-threatening poisonings have been reported from overdoses of eucalyptus oil. Symptoms of overdose or toxicity include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, central nervous system depression, a drop in blood pressure, and circulation problems.

As an ingredient in over-the-counter drugs, eucalyptus oil is sold and promoted over-the-counter for it is used for temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles and for temporary relief of nasal congestion and coughs associated with a cold.

Eucalyptus oil has been compared to menthol because it acts on receptors in the nasal mucosa, which help to alleviate nasal congestion.

For eucalyptus to provide an effective expectorant and antiseptic action, the volatile oil has to contain at least 70% eucalyptol.

It has been reported that one of the first medicinal uses of Eucalyptus was by the Australian aborigines, who not only extracted valuable water from its roots, but used its leaves to relieve fevers.

Another important reason why people add eucalyptus oil to baths, spas and saunas is that it provides a cooling and refreshing effect.

Eucalyptus oil stimulates and is effective in removing exhaustion and mental sluggishness and rejuvenates those who are suffering from stress and sleeplessness.

Undiluted Eucalyptus Oil

Unless it is diluted, eucalyptus oil is highly concentrated and dangerous, even in small doses. A 3.5-milliliter dose of undiluted eucalyptus oil can be fatal, according to MedlinePlus. Whether it is taken topically or orally, people who use a toxic amount of this oil may experience a wide array of symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness or muscle weakness. They also may feel as if they are being suffocated and their pupils may become smaller.

Seizures and Topical Use

Although rare, one particularly dangerous effect of eucalyptus poisoning is its potential to cause neurological problems. In 2011, researchers from New Zealand published a study in “Clinical Toxicology” describing a 4-year-old girl who was poisoned by eucalyptus oil that was applied topically to her head to treat head lice. Her symptoms elevated from vomiting, lack of muscle coordination and lethargy to a grand mal seizure. She recovered soon after the oil was washed away, but the researchers warn that exposing the skin to eucalyptus oil is risky and can cause alarming health problems.

Drug Interactions

If you’re taking medications, consult with your health care provider before using eucalyptus oil, as it may interact with them. Your liver alters and breaks down many medications and herbal remedies. Eucalyptus oil may inhibit your liver from metabolizing these medicines effectively and cause it to break them down more slowly. This can dangerously amplify the effects of some medications and make their side effects more severe.

Toxic Dosage

Undiluted eucalyptus oil’s toxicity level depends on the size of the person consuming it, but tiny amounts can be dangerous, according to authors of a 2012 study published in “Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.” For an adult, a dose ranging from .05 to .5 milliliters per kilogram of body weight is probably lethal. Children have experienced severe eucalyptus poisoning after ingesting 4 to 5 milliliters of pure essential eucalyptus oil.

20 Eucalyptus Oil Benefits and Uses

Eucalyptus supports respiration by opening the lungs, clearing clogged nasal passages, and bronchial congestion. It is for these reasons that eucalyptus is one of the best-known cold treatments anywhere.

Eucalyptol, one of eucalyptus oil’s chief components, is found in several over-the-counter cough drop brands. But eucalyptus oil benefits expand beyond the everyday cold.

Eucalyptus oil benefits have been recognized throughout history to help with many things related to breathing. These uses include being helpful during asthma attacks, bronchitis infections, and so much more.

  1. For Asthma: Asthma is a disorder that affects millions of individuals throughout the world and there are lots of known remedies for it. Among these is using eucalyptus essential oil.
  2. Cough and Blockage Reliever: Eucalyptus oil is highly valued for the mucus-loosening properties it has, making it a natural treatment for bronchitis, sinus blockage, and stubborn coughs.
  3. Most Other Respiratory Problems: Eucalyptus oil is an antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and decongestant in nature, which means that it is a fantastic ingredient in several medications that treat respiratory difficulties. Research published in Laryngoscope in 2004 demonstrates its utility in treating nonbacterial sinusitis. Individuals experiencing nonbacterial sinusitis showed advancement when given medication that included eucalyptus oil. Gargling eucalyptus oil combined with warm water has consistently shown as successful in treating sore throats.
  4. Pneumonia and Tuberculosis: Eucalyptus essential oil has lots of anti-bacterial and antiseptic attributes, so when massaged onto the chest as an inhalant or utilized as a vapor rub, it may alleviate the symptoms and signs of dangerous conditions like tuberculosis by decreasing irritation and clearing the lungs. It’s wise to apply the essential oil to both the back and the torso, over the region of the lungs.
  5. Helps With Muscle and Joint Pain: When used topically this oil has been seen to help with some arthritis pain and muscle soreness. Be certain to utilize an adequate proportion of carrier oil to this oil, for if not diluted correctly in a carrier oil, eucalyptus oil may irritate skin (depending on the quality and potency).
  6. Wounds: Eucalyptus essential oil has antiseptic and germicidal qualities. When it comes into contact with air, ozone is created, which is really valuable and widely recognized antiseptic. It’s likewise a powerful salve for helping with stings and bites from insects.
  7. Intestinal Germs: Eucalyptus oil is a vermifuge, and it is often utilized to eliminate germs within the gut. Studies show that ingesting eucalyptus oil can discourage most of the bacterial, microbial, and parasitic problems that appear in the different areas of the entire body, especially susceptible areas such as the bowel and colon.
  8. Skin Therapy: The University of Maryland Medical Center has stated that certain skin issues like boils and sores may improve when this essential oil is used on them. Simply dilute between fifteen and thirty drops of the oil in a 1/2-cup of a carrier oil, and rub or spritz onto your skin. This solution could also provide a cooling effect on people who have fevers or sunburn.
  9. Psychological Exhaustion: One really significant reason that a lot of individuals use eucalyptus oil is that people find it to be really refreshing and cooling. Usually, individuals experiencing some types of problems can be somewhat lethargic. Eucalyptus oil, a stimulant, rejuvenates the spirits of the ill and eliminates exhaustion and mental sluggishness. Additionally, it may be successful in curing anxiety and psychological disorders.
  10. Helps Diabetics with Circulation: Using eucalyptus every day can improve blood circulation, a standard problem for diabetics. I urge those suffering from poor circulation to massage it on the body with cream after every shower. The massage itself will also help increase circulation.
  11. Reduces Fevers: Eucalyptus oil is also utilized for helping with fevers and decreasing body temperature. This oil actually has the nickname fever oil for this very reason. It is useful when blended with peppermint oil and spritzed around the body for a temperature reducer.
  12. Influenza: Contingent upon your influenza symptoms, eucalyptus oil uses will change. You may apply this on the belly to alleviate diarrhea, massage into aching muscles and joints, or just diffuse through the atmosphere to fight disease.
  13. Shingles: Eucalyptus oil uses include shingles because of its antiviral properties, together with its analgesic properties and anti-inflammatory properties.
  14. Useful for Dental Care: This oil is quite effective against gingivitis, dental plaque, cavities and other dental infections because of its germicidal properties. This is as an ingredient in toothpaste, mouthwash, and other dental hygiene products for this very reason.
  15. It’s Cooling: Yes, the oil even helps with cooling your body down. Put a few drops into a bottle, together with peppermint oil if you like it to be even stronger, and spritz it on your body to feel the cooling effects.
  16. Fainting Revival: If one lacks smelling salts, simply make use of some eucalyptus oil to bring back somebody who has fainted.
  17. Lice: As a result of being useful as a bug repellent and organic pesticide, this oil is also often utilized as an all-natural treatment of lice. Some of the conventional treatments of lice may be quite acute and detrimental to the hair, not to mention that they may be mixed with dangerous substances that you don’t want to be absorbed into the skin. For this reason, it can be better to comb several drops of eucalyptus oil through the hair several times a day.
  18. Works as an Insect Repellant: Together with citronella, clove, and neem essential oil, this oil might create a great insect repellant for those who want to avoid having toxic chemicals sprayed around their homes. The duration of usefulness is considerably lower than more commonly used sprays, of course, but it is also much healthier. You just need to make sure that you spray it frequently.
  19. As a Room Freshener: The deodorant and antiseptic essence of eucalyptus oil makes it an ideal room freshener for hospitals and pretty much any other place you’d like. Additionally, it kills germs and bacteria in the atmosphere, keeping the surroundings clean and sterilized.
  20. Found in Soaps: Eucalyptus oil is often used in soaps, detergents and household cleansers. This is chiefly as a result of its pleasant effect as a deodorant, anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and anti-microbial agent.

Eucalyptus Oil Side Effects

Asthma: typically, eucalyptus ends up being utilized as a treatment for asthma and associated complications. However, in some rare individuals it may actually trigger an attack.

Allergic Rash: A rash may be developed by people with allergies to eucalyptus after skin exposure to the oil.

Drowsiness: Based on the U.S. National Institutes of Health, eucalyptus oil may cause severe drowsiness, especially if it’s taken orally. Skin contact with eucalyptus may bring about exhaustion; anyone that might be on sedatives should be careful and cautious about taking eucalyptus.

Trouble Breathing: Babies and young children shouldn’t inhale or ingest eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus might cause apnea, wheezing, and asthma like symptoms if it’s employed directly onto the skin or surface of young children.

Drug Interactions: The NIH states that eucalyptus can increase the absorption of certain drugs, and get in the way of the absorption of certain drugs that are metabolized inside of the liver.

Toxicity: Eucalyptus oil should not be taken orally, except under the advice of your primary medical healthcare practitioner. The NIH warns that even modest quantities of eucalyptus oil can result in a deadly overdose. Symptoms of eucalyptus oil overdose include pain in the stomach, seizures, an increased pulse, shallow respiration, and trouble swallowing. Never give eucalyptus oil to a small child without first consulting your primary healthcare provider.