Today, oil from the eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus globulus) appears in many over-the-counter cough and cold products to relieve congestion. Eucalyptus oil is also used in creams and ointments to relieve muscle and joint pain, and in some mouthwashes. The powerful compounds in this oil includes a-pinene, b-pinene and limonene, all known to soothe the mind and clear the blood flow to the brain.
Benefits of Eucalyptus oil
- Silence a cough
- Clear your chest
- Keep the bugs away
- Disinfect wounds
- Breathe easy
- Control blood sugar
- Soothe cold sores
- Freshen breath
- Ease joint pain
Side effects
Common side effects of eucalyptus include:
- Allergic reactions
- Severe allergic reactions if oil is taken orally, including:
- Abdominal pain
- Blue discoloration of skin
- Shortness of breath
- Problems with coordination
- Low blood pressure
- Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)
- Multi-organ failure
