Beginner’s Guide to Using Eucalyptus Oil [9 Ways to Use]

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What is eucalyptus oil good for? Check out these Eucalyptus oil uses, including ideas, tips, and recipes to maximize this helpful essential oil.

What is eucalyptus oil good for? Check out these Eucalyptus oil uses, including ideas, tips, and recipes to maximize this helpful essential oil.

Why Use Eucalyptus Oil

Most of us have heard the old idiom, “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” but relatively new research may suggest otherwise.

Eucalyptus trees, which are native to Australia, are fast-growing trees that are used for wood and oil and are also happy homes for koalas. But that’s not all they do. Last year, Australian researchers found microscopic gold particles in the leaves of eucalyptus trees (Vergano, D., 2013). Although eucalyptus trees don’t produce gold on their own, it is theorized that their deep roots transport the gold through their roots from underground ore deposits.

In any case, one thing we know for sure is that eucalyptus oil can be distilled from the tree leaves, and their medicinal properties may be more impressive than a tree that holds gold.

Eucalyptus oil has a fresh and minty aroma, which is easily identifiable if you’re familiar with the oil. It is thought to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic (pain-killing) properties, making it an effective tool for various medical conditions. While you may find eucalyptus oil in many commercial medicinal products (think Vick’s VapoRub), other eucalyptus essential oil uses exist.

Top 5 Eucalyptus Oil Uses and Benefits

Eucalyptus essential oil is known for its fresh, minty aroma and healing properties. Here are 5 of the top uses and benefits of eucalyptus oil:

  • Analgesic – Eucalyptus oil has pain-relieving properties and can reduce headaches and muscle and joint pain.
  • Anti-inflammatory – The anti-inflammatory properties of eucalyptus oil help treat conditions like arthritis, sinusitis, and bronchitis.
  • Antibacterial – Studies show eucalyptus oil has antibacterial effects and can help fight infections and boost immunity.
  • Relieve Congestion – Eucalyptus oil clears sinuses and eases respiratory conditions like colds, coughs, asthma, and bronchitis.
  • Skin Care – Eucalyptus oil can help treat skin conditions and is found in many skincare products. It soothes irritation and heals wounds.
Bottle of eucalyptus essential oil on wooden background

9 Eucalyptus Uses

Stuffy Nose and Sinus Infections

If you have a cold, sinus infection, or other difficulties with congestion, an Epsom salt and eucalyptus oil bath can help loosen congestion and clear sinuses! Combine 2 cups of Epsom salt in a bowl with 10 drops of eucalyptus oil. Add the Epsom salt mixture to a bath and fill with warm water. Soak for 20 minutes, inhaling the cool and invigorating aroma.

This is also a great regimen for sore and tired muscles!

Household Disinfectant

If you want to disinfect your home without using chemicals, try making homemade cleaning wipes and add 10 drops of eucalyptus oil to the mix.

Note: Don’t wipe down surfaces or objects on which little children will put their mouths.

Tip: Looking for more household cleaners? Check out these DIY Recipes For Homemade Cleaners

Soothe Burns and Insect Bites

Eucalyptus oil has antiseptic and analgesic properties, which may help to alleviate pain and soothe burns or inflamed skin. Combine 2 drops of eucalyptus oil with 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, almond oil or grapeseed oil are good options), and apply to the burn or insect bite.

Note: Don’t apply to open wounds or broken skin. 

Eucalyptus Oil Uses

DIY VapoRub for Congestion

With only 3 ingredients, you can make your own vapor rub to help alleviate discomfort from congestion, cold, and respiratory issues. Start with Homemade Vaseline, and add in 10 – 15 drops of eucalyptus oil.

Since eucalyptus oil is an anti-inflammatory, it may help reduce swelling in the upper airway tract and help you breathe easier at night.

Insect Repellent

Grab a clean, 8-ounce spray bottle. Add 4 ounces of distilled or boiled water and 3 ounces of witch hazel. Add 10 drops of each essential oil: eucalyptus, lavender, and tea tree. It smells great and helps keep mosquitoes and other biting insects at bay.

Tip: Find more Uses for Witch Hazel

Persistent Coughs

Having a terrible case of coughs? Combat it with humidity and eucalyptus oil. Add 4 or 5 drops of eucalyptus oil to the water reservoir of your humidifier before running.

Help Reduce a Fever

Combine 1 quart of water with 5 drops of eucalyptus oil. Drench two cotton towels in the mixture and ring them out. Wrap the towels around the calves of the person with the fever, and wrap two clean and dry towels on top. Keep the feet warm with socks or slippers during this process.

Help Combat Ear Aches 

Ear aches can be caused when the Eustachian tubes can’t drain when inflamed. You may be able to help combat inflammation and increase drainage of the Eustachian tubes by taking an Epsom salt bath (see stuffy nose above) or diffusing eucalyptus oil in a humidifier at night.

Homemade Fly Spray

You can create a home-made Fly Spray for your livestock using eucalyptus oil since it has insect-repellent qualities.

Tip: Looking for a bug spray for yourself? Try this Homemade Bug Repellent

Essential Oils

Safe Use of Essential Oils

If you’re new to the world of essential oils, it can be easy to assume that they’re 100% safe since they’re made from plants. Please note that caution must be used when handling essential oils like other medications, as there can be serious side effects.

Cautions to Remember When Using Essential Oils

  • Do not ingest any amount of any essential oils orally unless under the supervision of your doctor. Eucalyptus oil should not be taken orally and should kept out of children’s and pets’ reach. Eucalyptus oil is highly concentrated and can be fatal when taken internally.
  • Do not use eucalyptus oil on or around children under 10. Eucalyptus oil is high in 1,8-cineole, which could cause respiration to slow in children. (Source)
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women need to use caution when using any essential oils. Eucalyptus oil is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.
  • If you have asthma, seizures, liver, kidney disease, or low blood pressure, consult a qualified physician before using eucalyptus oil.
  • Do not apply any undiluted essential oil directly to the skin. Always use a minimum of a 2% ratio of essential oil to 98% ratio of carrier oil. For children, reduce it to a 1% / 99% ratio.

Essential oils can be incredibly useful and a safer alternative to modern-day medications (which also can have serious side effects), so they don’t need to be feared. They must be approached with knowledge and care like any other medication.

If you are looking for a wonderful source of oils, I highly recommend Rocky Mountain Oils. After carefully considering all the companies selling essential oils, I’m happy to share that Rocky Mountain Oils has become my main source of oils for many reasons.

Lemon Essential Oil in a Bottle

More Uses for Common Essential Oils

Can I apply eucalyptus oil directly on skin?

No, all essential oils, including eucalyptus oil, should be diluted before placing on your skin.

What bugs does eucalyptus oil get rid of?

Eucalyptus oil has been proven to be effective in getting rid of spiders, roaches, lice, flies, and ants.

Find even more ideas for how to use everyday products on our Uses For Page.

What are your favorite Eucalyptus Oil uses? 

Me and Kady

Merissa Alink

Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple and frugal life on Little House Living since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to freedom on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.

This post on Eucalyptus Oil Uses was originally published in August 2014. It has been updated as of October 2023.

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8 Comments

  1. Eucalyptus oil is one of my main favorites…. I love essential oils and I tend to find that they are all my favorites at the time I am using them… 🙂 but eucalyptus is probably the one I use more than any others and it has many many uses. Thank you for highlighting this. 🙂

  2. I had no idea you could use eucalyptus oil for so many things! My next essential oil order I will be grabbing a bottle. Thanks!

    Mommawonderings.com

  3. Hi, I’m from Australia and I use Eucalyptus for a lot of things. Put a few drops in the washing water for your pets it helps kill fleas, wash their bedding with it in the water.
    I add it to the water for washing the floors, I spray it on the carpets incase there are flea eggs in it. Good to spray on a matteress to freshen it. I put it in my home made washing liquid.
    Don’t take it by mouth as it will make you sick.

  4. Love all of your uses for eucalyptus oil! I love how it clears stuffy noses, and I found a great way to use it for this. My husband had a stuffy nose that was causing him grief at work. So I put some cotton balls in an old Tylenol container (a small one), decorated it with colorful paper, and added a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the cotton balls. He kept it in his pocket and every time he needed some “clearing” he took a whiff. It worked wonders for the stuffiness! Now he just leaves it on his desk just for a pick-me-up.

  5. Great tips, Andrea! I’ve never used eucalyptus for anything, but I do love the way it smells. 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Savoring Saturdays!

  6. I have an ear ache right now and this is how I discovered eucalyptus oil this evening doing research online. Before I use it I want to learn more about it as quickly as I can.

  7. Its an antiseptic – apply to minor cuts and scratches. Muscular aches and pains – massage into affected areas, 5drops to 10 ml vegetable oil.. Stains, greace on clothes and tar on paintwork – Remove by rubbing with an oil moistened cloth. Woolens & work clothes – Add 60mls to washing water to freshen wash. Freshen bathroom and toilet – 60ml of oil in toilet and drains. It removes bacteria, cleans and deodorises. Removes labels, Chewing gum – Ideal for removing stickers & labels from most items. For removing adhesives and chewing gum. dampen with an oil soaked cloth.