From reducing hair fall to soothing flamed skin, benefits of eucalyptus oil for hair and skin are multifold. Keep reading to know more!
Eucalyptus trees trace their origin to Australia but are now grown worldwide. The tree is famous due to its medicinal properties. Eucalyptus oil is processed from the leaves of the tree and has umpteen healing powers. The leaves are dried and crushed to extract their oil. Eucalyptus oil contains an antioxidant called cineole or eucalyptol, which has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, and aromatic properties. However, the oil is very potent and hence, you must dilute it with a carrier oil before using it.
Overall Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil
1. For respiratory problems
- Use it to arrest cough.
- It helps clear mucus from the chest; therefore, it is an ingredient in the popular Vicks ointment to help ease chest congestion.
- Used in steam inhalations by people with respiratory diseases like asthma and sinusitis.
- Clears airways, thus increasing oxygen flow in the lungs, which also boosts energy and clarity of thought.
- Helps relax facial muscles and hence is effective in dealing with sinus and tension headaches.
2. Skin and Hair
- Fights skin infections, burns, and also promotes wound healing.
- Reduces skin irritation.
- Acts as an excellent moisturizing agent.
- An antifungal agent that fights fungal infections of the skin.
- It has antiseptic properties, which therefore helps to treat acne.
- Anti-inflammatory property helps heal cold sores.
- Soothes insect bites.
- Possesses a cooling property, which makes it ideal for treating sunburns.
- Heals inflammatory scalp conditions, thereby aiding hair growth.
- Stimulates the scalp, improves hair elasticity, and its antifungal property heals dandruff.
- Help keep away lice infestation.
- Stimulates hair follicles by increasing its blood flow, which in turn helps the healthy growth of hair.
3. Other
- Used as a herbal insect repellent.
- Freshens your breath because of its antibacterial property, prevents plaque buildup on your teeth; and is therefore used in toothpaste and mouthwashes.
- Alleviates any joint pain.
- Relieves sore muscles and heals muscle aches and hence it’s popular in spas and health clubs.
- When sprayed on the body, it’s cooling effect prevents heat strokes.
- Its aroma relieves stress and is used in aromatherapy products.
- Inhaling the oil boosts your immunity.
Now that we know the numerous benefits of eucalyptus for hair and skin, let us see how you can use it at home.
Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil For Hair And Skin
1. For Treating an Itchy Scalp
What You Need
- A teaspoon neem oil
- 4-5 drops eucalyptus oil
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil.
Procedure
- Mix all the three oils together and use it to massage the scalp and hair.
- Leave it on for a few hours or preferably overnight, and wash off with a mild shampoo.
Tip: You can heat up the oils a bit for a more effective result!
Other Home Remedies with Eucalyptus Oil
1. You can also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to your regular shampoo. While massaging, the oil will stimulate the scalp and hair follicles and increase blood flow. In turn, this will make hair roots stronger and reduce split ends and brittle hair.
2. Warm 3 tbsps of olive oil and add few drops of eucalyptus oil to it. Apply on the hair and scalp to make hair shiny. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then wash with a mild shampoo. Do this once a week for the best results.
3. Blend eucalyptus and almond oil and warm it up slightly. Massage it into your scalp and hair. This makes hair healthier, smoother, silkier, and also prevents hair fall.
4. Take 3 tsp of eucalyptus oil and squeeze the juice of half a lemon into it. Warm the mixture slightly and massage onto the scalp gently for 15 minutes. This increases blood circulation and helps hair grow stronger.
5. Boil a few hibiscus flowers in water. Strain the water and grind the flowers to a paste. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the paste. Apply this pack on your hair and leave it on for 30 minutes and wash off with a mild shampoo. This helps arrest hair fall.
6. Use eucalyptus as a skin ointment by adding 2 drops of it to petroleum jelly. To treat acne, dilute the oil with 3 drops of water and apply it on the acne. Let it sit for as long as possible and re-apply after 4-5 hours. Be sure not to dilute the oil with a carrier oil with high comedogenic properties as it might clog the pore, leading to further acne breakouts.
Side Effects of Eucalyptus Oil
- Always dilute the oil with some other milder carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil. You might even dilute the oil with water.
- Follow the ratio of 1 drop of eucalyptus oil to 1 to 3 teaspoons of the carrier oil.
- Please do not consume the oil orally as it may lead to health complications.
- It is better to do a patch test before using the oil to check for allergies.
- Pregnant women, babies, children, lactating women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and asthmatics should refrain from using this oil.
- The oil may cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, dizziness, muscle weakness, and airborne contact dermatitis.
Now that you have read this article and educated yourself about the benefits of eucalyptus for hair and skin, try incorporating it into your beauty regime!