| Eucalyptus essential oil comes in many varieties. The | | | | perhaps eucalyptus globulous is best known for helping |
| most popular eucalyptus plant is Eucalyptus globulous, | | | | to clear the lungs and sinuses. This essential oil also |
| which is native to Australia. This not the only type of | | | | performs well in stimulating the immune system. |
| eucalyptus plant. There are others, and each one has | | | | It is used for skin problems and as a stimulating muscle |
| its own special properties. | | | | massage as well. Still another type of eucalyptus is |
| Eucalyptus smithii or Gully Gum Eucalyptus is a mild | | | | Eucalyptus radiata. It's safety precautions and uses are |
| type of eucalyptus. This makes it a favorite when | | | | the same as eucalyptus globulous but it has a milder |
| recommending for children. Be aware however that | | | | scent. |
| you are pregnant, it should be avoided and it may | | | | Lemon Eucalyptus, also known as Eucalyptus |
| trigger cough reflex. | | | | citriodora is an interesting essential oil because it smells |
| Eucalyptus smithii works well as an antibacterial and | | | | more like citronella than it does eucalyptus. This variety |
| antiviral oil. Increased resistance to illness seems to be | | | | makes a wonderful and safe alternative insect |
| a common experience. If you are interested in | | | | repellent. |
| eucalyptus for this purpose, using it in combination with | | | | A US Department of Agriculture study concluded that |
| Lemon essential oil is a good blend. | | | | Lemon Eucalyptus was more effective at preventing |
| Smithii may help with muscular and joint pain since it is | | | | mosquito bites than 11 other natural and DEET based |
| slightly analgesic. For this application, combining the | | | | repellents. Lemon Eucalyptus exceeded the |
| eucalyptus with marjoram makes an effective blend. | | | | performance of repellents containing more than 7% |
| Of course, being cold and flu season, we would not | | | | DEET. Lemon Eucalyptus has been registered with the |
| want to leave out one of Smithii eucalyptus' most | | | | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In order to be |
| popular uses: helping to ease colds and sore throats in | | | | registered with the EPA, products must be |
| children. | | | | successfully reviewed for both safety and |
| As an interesting and less known application of this | | | | effectiveness. |
| versatile essential oil, we use it as part of a biorhythm | | | | Lemon Eucalyptus is also considered by the Centers |
| blend to help shift workers adapt to changes in sleep | | | | for Disease Control and Prevention to be effective |
| schedules. | | | | against the varieties of mosquitoes reported to carry |
| Eucalyptus globulous is the type of eucalyptus oil that | | | | the West Nile virus. The CDC even recommends |
| most of us are familiar with. Be aware though that this | | | | Lemon Eucalyptus for this purpose. |
| is a stronger variety than the Smithii. If you have | | | | These are important considerations in light of the fact |
| sensitive skin, you should use caution when using this | | | | the DEET continues to come under suspicion by |
| oil. Seeking advise from a trained aromatherapist | | | | researchers. A doctor of pharmacology at Duke |
| would be a good idea. | | | | university Medical Center published a paper in 2002 |
| Also, eucalyptus globulous should not be used at all is | | | | reporting his findings that DEET caused brain cell death |
| cases where epilepsy and pregnancy is involved. | | | | in rats. A more recent 2009 study published in BioMed |
| Finally, this variety of eucalyptus is not considered safe | | | | Central Biology associates DEET with suppressing |
| for young children. | | | | cholinesterase activity. Cholinesterase is involved with |
| Eucalyptus globulous has interesting uses beyond our | | | | facilitating neurotransmitter activity in the brain. |
| physical health. Helping us to move on with our lives by | | | | These finding make Lemon Eucalyptus a welcome |
| making necessary changes, it clears the head and aids | | | | natural alternative for reducing both the annoyance |
| concentration. | | | | and the potential health hazards of mosquito season. |
| No household stranger during cold and flu season, | | | | |