Eucalyptus oil is extremely beneficial in cases of bronchitis, colds, flu, and sinus problems. A few drops on a handkerchief, which can be lifted to the nose as needed, help clear stuffy sinuses and ease the breathing within minutes. The oil can be diffused into a room through a room spray, or an aroma lamp. It can be inhaled by draping a towel over your head after placing a few drops of the essential oil in a sink or bowl of steaming water. Of course, you should always be careful that you are not burned by the steam. Four to five drops of eucalyptus essential oil may be added to a tablespoon of a carrier oil such as wheat germ oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil and massaged into the chest for a cold or congestion, or into the throat for a sore throat. This application may still be too strong for younger children, as eucalyptus oil will sting if applied undiluted to the skin.

Eucalyptus essential oil has very powerful germicidal properties. A minute dilution of essential oil to water or carrier oil, when evaporated in a room, is able to kill 70% of staphylococcus bacteria.

Many aromatherapy formulas for arthritis, rheumatism and various muscle pains contain eucalyptus. The oil cools the body, therefore cool compresses made with eucalyptus oils may cool fevers when applied to the legs. Be careful that you do not allow the body to become chilled.

In addition to being useful for breathing problems, just two of its many other uses include repelling mosquitoes and disinfecting sick rooms.

The eucalyptus aroma is stimulating and balancing. It helps in concentrating on tasks.

With its many uses, eucalyptus essential oil is the second oil I recommend for your home first aid kit.

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COMING NEXT MONTH

A third oil for your home first aid kit and more easy holiday ideas for your aromatic home.

Aroma plays an important role in every day of our lives. People who have lost their sense of smell also lose a large portion of their sense of taste. Memories are tied to not only sight and sound, but to smell.

Re-create happy memories this year with simple aromas. Use candles scented with cinnamon, pine, or vanilla to provide a warm, comforting atmosphere in your home. Frankincense essential oil is a spicy, rich aroma that uplifts and provides emotional stability in a season during which we often overextend ourselves physically and mentally.

Maintain the peaceful, loving energy of the holidays in your home this year with these and other essential oils.

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Beneficial Aroma:
Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is an aroma well-known to most of us. You may relate it to the smell of the rub your mother used on your chest when you have a bad cold as a child. Although many of us think of eucalyptus leaves as the sole food of the Australian koala bear, in actuality, the eucalyptus is cultivated in several countries around the world. The tree consumes large quantities of water from the surrounding terrain, making it useful in regions where malaria is a problem, or drainage is desired.

Although there are around six hundred different species of eucalyptus trees, for the purposes of aromatherapy, essential oils are used from only the Eucalyptus globulus and the Eucalyptus citriodora.