Eucalyptus is a scent growing in popularity as more and more people discover the pleasant and beneficial fragrance it provides. Perhaps you have always been a fan of eucalyptus and its fresh, minty smell or maybe you are unfamiliar with the tree’s fragrant leaves. Either way, to understand how to best nourish the eucalyptus in your home, you’ll need to know why it smells good, what benefits it offers, and how to incorporate a long-lasting eucalyptus scent into your home today. 

What is eucalyptus and why does it smell so good?

The eucalyptus tree originated in Australia where the essential oils present in its leaves create a blue mist, enveloping the forests in the Blue Mountains of Australia in the scent. Today, the eucalyptus tree grows in subtropical areas around the world and serves valuable purposes such as reducing the spread of malaria by requiring incredible amounts of water and thus drying up swampy areas as well as providing medicinal benefits through its oils. 

Interestingly enough, while the consumption of eucalyptus leaves is toxic to humans, koala bears can exist on the low-nutrition substance as their sole source of caloric intake. It’s for this reason that pictures of koala bears in trees are almost always eucalyptus trees. 

So, just why does eucalyptus have such an enticing scent? Well, as with many trees, there are hundreds of species, each with a slightly differently nuanced fragrance. Nevertheless, the same basic properties are true of all eucalyptus trees. 

The eucalyptus leaves have a high number of oil glands populating their surface which allow for the release of eucalyptus oil onto the exterior of the leaves which releases the telltale minty and woodsy eucalyptus scent. Some varieties smell ‘mintier’ while others can even be described as having a hint of honey or other sweet smells.  

What are the benefits of eucalyptus?

Beyond creating a pleasant atmosphere for your nose, eucalyptus has many impressive benefits. 

Eucalyptus can make you more energetic. 

Sniffing eucalyptus has been shown to increase energy levels by increasing brain wave activity. By incorporating eucalyptus into your shower, you’ll be beginning your morning with increased brainpower and energy, something we all can get behind! But, don’t worry, if you’re someone who showers at night, you won’t be kept up by racing thoughts or excessive energy; the energy coming from the eucalyptus scent also assists in mental fatigue, meaning that it will help to clear your thoughts before bed. 

Eucalyptus relieves congestion.

As an essential oil, eucalyptus has many benefits when breathed in, one of which is the reduction of nasal congestion by loosening mucus. When placed in a diffuser or diffusing naturally in a bathroom, it can reduce inflammation and decrease congestion. This can be helpful when you have a cold or sinus infection as well as if you struggle with seasonal allergies or asthma. 

Eucalyptus can reduce unpleasant odors and be used as a deodorant.

It might go without saying, but eucalyptus can overpower and reduce the presence of unpleasant odors, replacing them with a fresh and crisp smell. Much more effective than a fan that merely blows the scents around, eucalyptus provides an alternative for your nostrils while providing many other benefits as well. 

Eucalyptus can mix with other ingredients to create an antiseptic. 

While this should not substitute for professional medical advice, eucalyptus can be a valuable ingredient in creating a natural antiseptic for injuries such as insect bites or small wounds. Combine it with other healthy components to make a plant-based antiseptic.

Eucalyptus can be used as a liniment to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Eucalyptus has been shown to help with conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, bursitis, and general joint pains when used as a component in liniments. Combine its oil with lotion or creams meant to reduce inflammation and bring comfort to your aching body and it will add its own healing properties. It is truly a versatile oil that brings a lot of benefits. 

Eucalyptus can soothe your mind through aromatherapy. 

Aromatherapy refers to using natural oils to restore both physical and psychological well being to a person through the conscious inhalation of the oils. Through the practice of aromatherapy, eucalyptus can bring peace and increased relaxation into your busy life.

How can I incorporate eucalyptus into my bathroom?

Putting eucalyptus in your bathroom is a surefire way to infuse its pleasing scent into your lifestyle and begin to reap the benefits of eucalyptus. One idea is fresh eucalyptus bundles which can be hung over the showerhead or elsewhere in the bathroom to infuse the scent into the area. If that doesn’t work in your living space, you can also elect to keep your eucalyptus in a vase or displayed in an alternative location such as on the back of the bathroom door or hung by the sink.

Many people also use essential oil pouches packed with eucalyptus to diffuse the scent throughout their bathroom. Similar to a sachet placed in a dresser in order to keep clothes smelling fresh, the essential oil pouch releases the eucalyptus scent over time into the bathroom. Due to its compact size, you can put an eucalyptus essential oil pouch anywhere in your bathroom from the countertop to a windowsill to a shelving unit over the toilet; they are quite flexible and unobtrusive. 

An additional possibility is creating a eucalyptus spray out of eucalyptus leaves that you can mist throughout your bathroom at your convenience. To create your eucalyptus spray, you will want to obtain a spray bottle, water, and a few ounces of the eucalyptus essential oil. According to Home Zen Spa, a good ratio of water to eucalyptus essential oil to use is 16 ounces of water for 2 capfuls of the eucalyptus essential oil. You can use this spray when entering the shower to create a more pleasant bathing experience or simply spritz a bit of eucalyptus spray into the room each time you enter for a crisp and clean aroma. There are a variety of options when it comes to bringing eucalyptus into your bathroom to enhance your bathing routine and brighten up your living space! 

How can I make the scent of eucalyptus last longer in my bathroom?

Eucalyptus has a strong scent, but of course that scent cannot last forever. However, there are tactics to use in which to maximize the time in which you can reap the benefits of the eucalyptus fragrance. The average eucalyptus cutting will remain fragrant for about three weeks with the first week displaying the strongest scent. 

First, it is important to take care of your eucalyptus from the start if you want the lovely eucalyptus fragrance to last as long as possible. If you are working with fresh eucalyptus, there are a few steps to follow for optimal results. Once you receive your eucalyptus, make sure to take it out of the box as soon as possible and trim the stems a short amount (1 inch is a good place to start). By trimming the ends of the stems, you are reopening the plant to receive water and nutrients by removing any air bubbles and creating a fresh passageway. The next step is to place your bundle in cool water to allow the plant to drink up and stock up on water in order to release its scent for as long as possible. Leaving the stems in water overnight is a good length of time for the process to take place.

If you want your eucalyptus to remain fragrant for as long as possible, leaving it in a vase is your best option. You can put the vase in any convenient spot in your bathroom and enjoy the scent of eucalyptus permeating the surrounding area of your bathroom. Periodically, change the water and trim the stems to breathe new life into the eucalyptus scent permeating the room.

Hanging the bundle in your shower is another option that has slightly different steps for maximizing the eucalyptus scent in your bathroom. After trimming the stems, roll out the eucalyptus leaves in order to release the oils within the leaves which hold the familiar fragrance. While this will slightly shorten the life of the eucalyptus bundle, it will prepare your bundle well for its placement in a wet environment like the shower. When it comes time to place your bundle in the shower, make sure to place it outside of direct water flow. Coming into frequent contact with water will make your eucalyptus bundle lose its scent more quickly.

Additionally, if your bathroom has a window with bright sunlight, it is ideal to keep the eucalyptus away from the direct impact of the light. This can also dry out the eucalyptus and cause its scent to dissipate faster. To increase the longevity of the eucalyptus scent in your bathroom, you can lightly mist your eucalyptus to help it remain hydrated. If you are so inclined, you can add a drop of eucalyptus essential oil to the mister to help the fragrance to last even longer with an extra shot in the arm. You may be interested in trying out the eucalyptus spray in tandem with a eucalyptus cutting or bundle in order to maximize the eucalyptus scent in your bathroom.

As time goes on, you may find that you need to repeat the beginning steps of trimming the stems and placing the stems in water overnight. This will refresh the eucalyptus and help it to last as long as possible and continue to enhance your bathroom. 

What scents go well with eucalyptus?

While the smell of eucalyptus is certainly refreshing enough on its own, it also pairs well with other calming and earthy aromas such as lavender and rosemary. At Self-Care Shower, we feature a variety of eucalyptus bundles perfect for hanging in your shower or bathroom area to elevate your bathing experience. We also offer combination bundles such as a lavender and eucalyptus bundle, a rosemary and eucalyptus bundle, or the classic eucalyptus bundle. The eucalyptus plant is full of benefits from reducing inflammation to bringing peace and relaxation into your life through the practice of aromatherapy and so much more. Not only will eucalyptus make your bathroom smell fresh and clean, it will provide many extra benefits and with a bit of care will last for several weeks! You can bring the winsome scent of eucalyptus into your bathroom with a Self-Care Shower eucalyptus bundle, sustainably hand-picked and grown in the United States! 

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