Eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus globulus ) has long been revered as an extraordinary gift from nature as it smells wonderful and offers antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties perfect for using in the bathroom and around the home. It’s no small wonder that you can readily find products made with Eucalyptus oil like toothpaste, topical ointments, cough drops and room atomizers. Made from a distillation process that extracts the oil from the leaves, the earthly scent with a strong woody overtone, offers a natural fragrance that is calming and soothing.
While luxuriating in the Canyon Ranch Spa in a previous blog post, I mentioned how lovely it was that they used Eucalyptus essential oil in the spa facilities. It made me think it would be even more lovely if I were to be able to use the essential oil in my daily life or at least at times when I want to pamper myself. While waiting for my next spa treatment, I decided that I could re-create some spa moments in the privacy of my own home.
If you are not experienced with the use of essential oils, or if you are unsure about how to safely use them, it is always a good idea to seek out the advice of a trained professional, so I contacted the American College of Healthcare Sciences for some recipes and remedies that I could safely implement on my own. If used improperly, the essential oil can irritate your skin or cause other adverse reactions, and this is supposed to be relaxing not stressful nor is it to cause new issues.
For a luxurious soak in the tub do not add the essential oils directly to the water. It is a well-known fact that oil and water do not mix and, in this case, if the oil is added to the water without a little assistance, the oil can attach to your skin and cause a reaction. Instead of adding directly, mixing the oil in a carrier oil, bath salts (add essential oils to a carrier oil then mix with the bath salts), or a bath bomb which will allow the essential oil to disperse throughout the water and not likely to cause your skin any reaction.
A soak in the tub is a great way to unwind and decompress but so is a hot steamy shower. When I asked Amanda Lattin, BA, MAT, DIP. AROMA., MH, RA who is the Aromatherapy Department Chair and Professor at the American College of Healthcare Sciences for some information regarding the use of Eucalyptus she said, “Eucalyptus species essential oils are frequently used in inhalations or diffuser blends. As a topical application, eucalyptus essential oil should be used in low dilutions and avoid application to the faces of young children. I would not use eucalyptus in a bath with children. For adults, I would use eucalyptus essential oil in the shower for a steam experience. You can place 3 to 4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil on a washcloth in the shower, or a fizzy bath bomb can be used on the shower floor (it dissolves over the course of the shower and diffuses the essential oils). I like to use a light carrier oil to create bath oils, such as grapeseed oil.”
Lattin also offered the following recipe:
Open Air Diffuser Blend:
Eucalyptus globulus essential oil: 2 drops
Pinus sylvestris essential oil: 2 drops
Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil: 1 drop
Lavandula intermedia essential oil: 2 drops
In addition, below are two recipes that are found in the Holiday Gifts to Make at Home guide provided by The Apothecary Shoppe and American College of Healthcare Sciences.
Aromatic Room Spray
The first step is to prepare your aroma concentrate (essential oil blend). Then, add 20 drops of your essential oil blend to 2 tablespoons of alcohol, Everclear, or Vodka. Blend together in a 2 oz. glass spray bottle and shake. Spray upward into the air and walk underneath. If the aroma is not strong enough add more concentrate in 5-drop increments and test again.
Please note, adding your essential oils directly to water will not create an effective room spray, as the essential oil will not mix with the water and potentially bacteria, yeasts, or mold could grow in the spray.
Making the room spray is a simple way to infuse the wonderful smell of Eucalyptus into your bathroom routine while breathing in the therapeutic benefits, just like being at the spa.
Since it’s the holidays you could also experiment with adding other oils to the Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus). Have some fun and play with the oils to create your own spaaah signature blend.
For additional at-home spa recipes, suggested essential oil blends, and holiday gift holiday ideas, click here for the free downloadable guide.
For more information about the Aromatherapy program click here.