Source: Isagenix Health
One of the most crucial plants to Native Australians was Eucalyptus, one of the taller trees on Earth with an average height of 98-180 feet. It provided them medicine and material for spears, bowls, and eating utensils. They ate the sweet sap filing out from holes in the trunk. Bark became canoe material. Our focus, though, is the leaf oil with a very useful natural chemical called eucalyptol(1).
Britain's initial 1788 colonization of Australia led to eucalyptus' spreading to Europe. Inhaling the vapor or rubbing the oil on the chest has been documented from at least the 1700s. Respiratory uses are thus common knowledge today as well. Aromatherapy use can also help ease anxiety and promote concentration. Leaf extract has been shown effective against various strep and staph bacteria(1).
A further major documented use of eucalyptus oil is pain relief in various areas of the body, specifically inhaled(1,2). This is "due to the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial compounds in the oil." This includes "headaches, arthritis, muscle and joint pains," and sinus pain. The University of Maryland attests to uses of eucalyptus-containing ointments for muscle and joint pain(2). Post-surgery pain use is also documented(1,2): a Korean clinical trial saw reduction of inflammatory-response pain following total knee replacements using eucalyptus oil dissolved in almond oil(1).
Personal Product Favorite:
https://shorte.isagenix.com/en-us/products/essence/singles/eucalyptus
Sources:
1. "Ingredient Spotlight: Eucalyptus." Isagenix Health, Isagenix Worldwide, Inc. 1 March 2019. Web 14 February 2020. https://www.isagenixhealth.net/ingredient-spotlight-eucalyptus/.
2. Hills, Jenny. "The Top 20 Essential Oils to Relieve Pain and Inflammation (Research Based)." Healthy and Natural World, Healthy and Natural World. Web 14 February 2020. https://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/essential-oils-to-relieve-pain/.
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