On eucalyptus oil

This ancient oil has many uses, says creator of  Paraiso Escondido in Portugal Berny Serrão 

One way of helping ourselves to heal and find inner strength during times of crisis is to reconnect to the beauty of the natural world, and for me this especially applies to the eucalyptus trees that are strewn throughout the Portuguese landscapes where we live. As a nation we have over-planted these trees over the years, but because of the wild fires that have ravaged Portugal, and because the trees burn quickly, people have developed a hatred towards them, rather than focusing on why they were planted in the first place, and all the beautiful health benefits they offer.

Eucalyptus trees are prehistoric, dating back at least 60 million years, and there are over 700 varieties of them in the world. The Aborigines call them healing trees or holy trees, because they use both the leaves and the bark in their healing medicines, natural rituals and treatments. 

I use the oil inside my home mixed with a little water, in both an oil burner and an electric diffuser, because the oil has many magical health benefits.

The active chemical components produces a purifying, cleansing, clarifying and immune boosting oil that's ideal for using on skin and in aromatherapy. Mixed with some coconut oil it can comfort sore, tired or aching muscles in full body massages. It also has a warming effect on the skin, and can be used to clear congested nasal passages. 

The oil is antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious, so it can also reduce or eliminate harmful surface and airborne bacteria and infections upon contact - I use it to clean our natural cork yoga mats.

Cooling, refreshing, and energizing, eucalyptus oil can also be used to energise, sharpen and focus the mind - which makes it a great oil to burn during home-schooling, home-working and for meditation - and to brighten negative moods.