Ingredients : Eucalyptus Leaf 100%

Eucalyptus is an evergreen tree that’s widely used for its medicinal properties.

Although native to Australia, this popular tree now grows in many areas of the world.

It has a gum-infused bark, long stems, and circular leaves that are hard to digest if eaten whole. However, eucalyptus leaves can be made into a tea that’s safe for consumption.

Additionally, the leaves can be made into essential oil for topical use or inhalation.

7 impressive benefits of eucalyptus leaves

1. High in antioxidants
Although you cannot eat fresh, whole eucalyptus leaves, dried leaves can be made into tea.

Be careful not to mistake this tea for eucalyptus oil, which can be toxic if consumed. Choose a tea that’s labeled “eucalyptus leaves tea,” and don’t add eucalyptus essential oil to your tea.

Eucalyptus leaves are a great source of antioxidants, particularly flavonoids, which protect your body from oxidative stress and free radical damage.

The main flavonoids in eucalyptus include catechins, isorhamnetin, luteolin, kaempferol, phloretin, and quercetin. Diets rich in these compounds may protect against certain cancers, heart disease, and dementia .

For example, a large study including 38,180 men and 60,289 women found that a diet high in flavonoids was associated with an 18% lower risk of fatal heart disease.

Eucalyptus tea is a good source of these antioxidants and generally recognized as safe for adults. However, children are at high risk of eucalyptus toxicity and should get approval from a healthcare professional before drinking this tea.

2. May relieve cold symptoms
Eucalyptus is widely used as a natural cold remedy and is a common ingredient in cold and cough products.

Research has shown that it can decrease mucus and expand the bronchi and bronchioles of your lungs. It’s also a natural anti-inflammatory agent.

The main ingredient responsible for these properties is eucalyptol, also known as cineole, which is a compound found in eucalyptus oil.

Some research has shown that eucalyptol relieves cold symptoms like cough frequency, nasal congestion, and headache by decreasing inflammation and mucus buildup.

Furthermore, eucalyptol may help improve asthma symptoms.

One 12-week study gave 32 people with bronchial asthma either 600 mg of eucalyptol or a placebo per day. Those in the eucalyptol group required 36% less medication to control their asthma symptoms, compared with those in the control group, who needed 7% less.

Eucalyptus oil can be inhaled through your nose and may provide some cold symptom relief. It’s also found in many topical decongestants. However, because even small doses of the oil can be toxic, you should avoid consuming it.

Be sure to consult your healthcare provider before using eucalyptol or changing your medications.

3. May treat dry skin
Using eucalyptus may improve dry skin by increasing its ceramide content.

Ceramides are a type of fatty acid in your skin that’s responsible for maintaining its barrier and retaining its moisture. Those who experience dry skin, dandruff, or skin disorders like dermatitis and psoriasis usually have lower ceramide levels.

Topical eucalyptus leaf extract has been found to boost skin ceramide production, water-holding capacity, and skin barrier protection. It contains a compound called macrocarpal A, which appears to stimulate ceramide production.

In a study in 34 people, using a scalp lotion containing eucalyptus leaf extract and synthetic ceramide significantly decreased scalp redness, itchiness, dryness, and scaliness.

Hence, many hair and skin products contain eucalyptus leaf extract.

4. May reduce pain
Inhaling eucalyptus essential oil may decrease pain.

Eucalyptus contains many anti-inflammatory compounds, such as cineole and limonene, which may act as pain relievers.

A 3-day study in 52 people who had undergone knee replacement surgery found that inhaling eucalyptus oil dissolved in almond oil for 30 minutes daily significantly decreased perceived pain and blood pressure levels, compared with inhaling pure almond oil.

However, another study in 123 people with cancer found no improvements in perceived pain after inhaling eucalyptus oil for 3 minutes prior to a medical procedure, suggesting that more research is needed. 

5. May promote relaxation
Eucalyptus is widely believed to decrease symptoms of stress.

In one study, 62 healthy people experienced significant reductions in pre-surgery anxiety after inhaling eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus contains eucalyptol, which has been found to possess anti-anxiety properties.

Furthermore, inhaling eucalyptus oil for 30 minutes has been associated with lower blood pressure in patients after knee surgery, which suggests that it has a calming effect.

Researchers believe that it decreases the activity of your sympathetic nervous system — your stress response system — and increases the activity of your parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation.

6. Can help keep your teeth healthy
Eucalyptus leaf extract, known as eucalyptol, may improve dental health.

Eucalyptus leaves contain high amounts of ethanol and macrocarpal C — a type of polyphenol. These compounds are associated with lower levels of bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease .

A study in 97 people found those who chewed gum with eucalyptus leaf extract 5 times per day for at least 5 minutes had a significant decrease in plaque buildup, gum bleeding, and gum inflammation, while the control group experienced no improvements.

For this reason, eucalyptol is commonly added to mouthwash.

7. Can act as a natural insect repellent
Eucalyptus oil is a natural insect repellent, mainly due to its eucalyptol content.

Research has shown that it’s effective at warding off mosquitoes and other biting insects for up to eight hours after topical application. The higher the eucalyptol content of eucalyptus oil, the longer and more effectively it works as a repellent.

In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists lemon eucalyptus oil — derived from the lemon eucalyptus tree — as an approved and powerful insect repellant.

Additionally, eucalyptus oil may treat head lice. In one randomized study, this oil was twice as effective as a popular head lice treatment at curing head lice. However, a recent review suggests that more research is needed.

성분 : 유칼립투스 100%

유칼립투스는 그리스어의 ‘아름답다’와 ‘덮인다’의 합성어로 꽃의 모양에서 유래됐다고 합니다.

전 세계에 300종 이상이 자라는데, 높이 100m 이상인 것도 있습니다. 늙은 나무껍질은 잘 벗겨져서 시멘트 기둥처럼 보입니다. 잎은 홑잎으로서 가죽 같은 질감이 나고 가장자리가 밋밋하며 흰빛이 돌고 어긋나거나 마주납니다.

꽃은 3∼11월에 흰색·노란색·빨간색 등으로 피며 많은 수술이 있습니다. 유칼립투스는 잘 싸였다는 뜻으로, 꽃이 피기 전에 꽃받침이 꽃의 내부를 완전히 둘러싸는 것에서 비롯한 이름입니다. 나무가 자라면서 수분을 많이 흡수하므로 집 근처에 심어서 주변을 건조하는 데 이용합니다. 오스트레일리아 태즈메이니아 남부가 원산지로 열대지방에도 분포합니다.

또 유칼립투스는 생명력이 강하고 성장이 빠른 편이고, 예전에는 상처를 치유하는 염증과 발열 치료제로 사용했습니다. 유칼립투스 잎으로 아로마 오일을 만들기도 합니다.

정신적 안정에 효험

공부나 일을 할 때 집중력을 높여주고 기억력을 좋게 해준다고 합니다. 무언가 복잡한 마음이 있을 때 호흡을 편하게 해줘서 기분전환에도 좋다고 합니다.

호흡기 건강 
폐에 있는 가래를 제거해주고 호흡기 질환과 기관지염에 좋다고 합니다. 항염작용을 해 감기나 인후염에 걸렸을 때 회복을 빠르게 해줍니다. 컵이나 바가지 같은 곳에 뜨거운 물을 붓고 유칼립투스 오일을 몇 방울 떨어뜨려 그 증기를 흡입하면 인후염과 감기에 좋다고 합니다. 

또한 살균력도 있고 근육통·신경통에도 좋습니다. 알레르기 증상도 완화해주고 콧물이나 코 막힌 데도 효과가 있고 면역력을 강화해줍니다.

피부미용 

상처 치료에도 효과가 있어요. 항염증 역할을 하고 화상이나 발진에도 좋습니다. 기미, 여드름, 벌레 물린 곳을 완화해주고 피부를 재생해 피부미용에도 도움이 됩니다.

두피 가려움증 개선 
두피가 가렵고 비듬이 잘 생기는 분들에게 가려움증을 개선해주고 살균작용을 하기 때문에 비듬이 생기는 걸 예방해줍니다.

탈취제 역할 

실내의 살균소독에도 효과가 있어 탈취제로도 쓰입니다. 궁합이 잘 맞는 레몬, 자몽을 혼합해 사용할 수 있습니다. 실내에 냄새나는 화장실이나 신발장에 걸어두거나 얹어두면 방향제 효과를 볼 수 있습니다.

집먼지진드기·파리 등 벌레 퇴치
집먼지진드기가 번식하고 있는 침구를 청소할 때 유칼립투스 오일을 사용하십시요. 진드기, 파리 등 벌레 퇴치에도 효과가 있으며 살균을 해줍니다.

근육통 완화 효과

근육을 이완시켜 통증을 완화해줍니다. 근육통 마사지할 때 유칼립투스 오일을 함께 발라주면 좋습니다.

꽃가루 알레르기 
살균, 항균작용을 함으로써 증상을 완화하고 면역력을 향상합니다. 평소 꽃가루 알레르기가 있다면 효과적으로 사용할수 있습니다.

치아 건강 
우식성(충치 유발) 및 치주질환 박테리아에 대해 항균성 작용을 보여줍니다.