Featured Ingredient: Eucalyptus

The nights are cold, the wind is blowing, and we’re congested, sneezing, and wheezing. Winter is an enchanting time but can also be trying on the body. Eucalyptus is a great tool to have in your feeling better arsenal. Even a child knows the distinct smell of eucalyptus; it’s clean, fresh, and healthy. Latin name eucalyptus radiata, this miracle herb helps ease everything from arthritis and poor circulation to colds, coughing, and fever.

Native to Australia and Tasmania, it is now widely grown in the Mediterranean and throughout the world. Eucalyptus first came into the general consciousness when in 1770 Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander compiled a botanical collection while at Botany Bay with James Cook. Once they returned to England, interest in this medicinal plant grew as did demand for its availability. Within a few decades it was being exported from Australia and the Eucalyptus industry was born.

Common preparations for eucalyptus include oils, creams, tinctures, lozenges, and the use of the leaves themselves in teas. It is the strong aroma the herb produces which helps to clear the airways and relieve congestion.

But why does eucalyptus work so well? “Eucalyptus leaves contain tannins (which are believed to help reduce inflammation), flavonoids (such as quercetin which has antioxidants properties), and volatile oils. Eucalyptus oil is a rich source of the potent antiseptic substance cineole (sometimes referred to as eucalyptol)”. (University of Maryland Medical Center - http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Eucalyptusch.html)

Anna and Robin Brown, owners and driving force of Erbaviva, knew of eucalyptuses healthy attributes when they created the numerous products within the Erbaviva line that contain Eucalyptus. In the Bath & Body line there are four signature scents. One of the scents is Breathe, which does what it says thanks in part to Eucalyptus. Imagine on a snowy night taking a hot bath with Breathe bath salts followed by applying breathe lotion, all that’s left for a perfect evening is a fireplace and a cup of cocoa.

Erbaviva Products Containing Eucalyptus:
Breathe Bath Salt
Breathe Bath Oil
Breathe Lotion
Breathe Body Wash
Breathe Room & Body Spray
Breathe Synergy
Breathe-Ease Synergy
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Cradle Cap Oil
Sniffles Chest Balm

Julie's Eucalyptus Picks

Sniffles Chest Balm. I LOVE IT! My husband Brett and I apply Sniffles Chest Balm every night before we go to sleep, we find it incredibly soothing. The texture is great and the balm itself feels good on. Being an asthmatic myself, I find the eucalyptus helps to clear my airways and if I’m feeling at all under the weather I wake up feeling better.

Breathe-Ease Synergy. This product is so versatile. When someone’s sick in the office we put a few drops in a diffuser and the whole office is filled with the healthy smell of eucalyptus. The synergy is very concentrated so a little goes a long ways. I like to put the bottle in my purse and if I’m feeling congested I dab a bit on my wrists or put a drop on the tip of my nose – it really helps

Breathe Body Wash. I wish I had time to take baths, but I don’t, so I’m stuck with showers. On a chilly morning with a stuffy head, there’s nothing like a steaming hot shower and Breathe Body Wash on a sea sponge. The scent rises with the steam and clears my system leaving me fresh for the day ahead.