Eucalyptus is a flowering plant, popular among amateur gardeners and veteran green thumbs alike. It’s an easy plant to grow and care for in outdoor pots, with pretty leaves that take on a sort of blue-green hue. It’s also worth noting that fresh eucalyptus has plenty of uses, meaning it’s more than just a sight for sore eyes in the garden. While it’s not a good choice for growing indoors, pruning it and taking cuttings allows for creativity and wellness in a variety of ways. This piece will dig into how to use fresh eucalyptus, whether for medicinal, decorative or even less expected purposes!
Using fresh eucalyptus for its aromatic & respiratory benefits
One of the most common fresh eucalyptus uses is making the most of its essential oils to benefit the respiratory system. How? It’s as simple as hanging it up in the shower! Eucalyptus releases its oils into the ait when positioned in the bathroom and surrounded by steam, offering benefits such as:
- Cough relief
- Chest clearing
- Antibacterial/antimicrobial protection against MRSA
- Generally easier breathing
So if you’re fighting off a wintery ailment, consider pruning eucalyptus and hanging it up in your shower. It can also have similar effects if boiled in water, with the steam inhaled directly.
Use it as a natural air freshener
What does eucalyptus smell like? The eucalyptus smell is a uniquely refreshing blend of fresh mint and citrus notes, combined with more typically woody and earthy scents. Placing fresh eucalyptus in vases or diffusers around the house is a great way to enhance the atmosphere of your space, whether in the hallway or the bathroom.
Make a cup of eucalyptus tea!
Are you a big fan of artisanal herbal teas? Well, pruning fresh eucalyptus from your garden plant means you can make your own refreshingly tart, somewhat bitter cup of mint-forward tea. Making it is simple:
- Prune some eucalyptus leaves
- Steep them in boiling water for about 2-5 minutes
- Strain them into a pot
- Pour yourself a cup and enjoy (optionally sweetening with honey)
Best of all, this tea offers all the same benefits as fresh eucalyptus for aromatherapy, along with offering some benefits to blood sugar levels and reduced inflammation.
Use fresh eucalyptus for decorations
Some standard fresh eucalyptus can make a great addition to a household floral arrangement, adding a soft yet vibrant element to combinations of flowers. It’s a great choice whether putting it front and centre or as an ancillary element. It can also be pruned and hung upside down to dry, ready for use in wreaths, potpourri or other dried arrangements.
Incorporating eucalyptus into crafts
Beyond decorative projects, fresh eucalyptus can also be incorporated into other home crafts. Whether dried, cut up or mashed, it can be used as a core element in homemade soaps, candles, bath bombs or sachets.
Important things to consider
While fresh eucalyptus has plenty of great uses, it’s worth noting that using it across the household does come with a few conditions and considerations to keep in mind. For example:
- The oil can be toxic if ingested to excess
- Some people might be allergic to eucalyptus – look out for irritation/discomfort
- Be mindful of conscious pruning with your own plants to avoid killing them
- Cut eucalyptus will last longer in vases with regularly changed water
With these things in mind, it’s time to start making the most of the fresh eucalyptus in your garden! If you’re a newcomer to gardening, get a hold of the eucalyptus species that looks the best to you and start experimenting with it. It’s only by trying different things that you’ll learn how the plant best suits you!
