Can I Use Eucalyptus Oil on My Neck & Chest?

While only a small percentage of the eucalyptus oil sold is packaged in Australia, that country's aborigines were the first to discover the many medicinal uses for the oil, which comes from the leaves of native eucalyptus trees. Medicinal eucalyptus oil, also called cineole or eucalyptol, kills germs, relieves various skin problems and lowers fever. It also helps with congestion as a topical treatment.

Skin Soother

• You can use eucalyptus oil on your skin, including the chest and neck area, to soothe rashes, sunburn, mosquito bites and bee stings. Because undiluted eucalyptus oil is pungent, strong and relatively expensive to produce--more than 100 pounds of leaves and branches are distilled down to 2 pounds of oil--you can avoid potential allergic reactions, as well as pocketbook distress, by using one of the readily available beauty creams or gels which contain eucalyptus oil as one of many ingredients.

Decongestant

• If you wish to use eucalyptus oil on your neck and chest to relieve cold congestion, make a compress by putting a few drops of eucalyptus oil onto a washcloth dampened with very warm water and apply it to your chest or neck area. You can also mix a few drops of eucalyptus oil into warmed massage oil and rub it into your neck and chest, breathing in the sinus-clearing eucalyptus fumes. You can even put a few drops in a vaporizer during the night to ease your breathing when ill with a cold.

  Do not, however, use eucalyptus as a decongestant for your child. According to the National Institutes of Health, "inhalation of eucalyptus oil at low concentrations may be safe, although significant and potentially lethal toxicity has been consistently reported with oral use and may occur with inhalation use as well. All routes of administration should be avoided in children."

Shaving Products

• Some men's shaving gels and shaving soaps contain eucalyptus oil, added for its natural skin-soothing, astringent and antiseptic qualities. The astringency of the eucalyptus oil contained in some shaving products leaves skin feeling invigorated. The analgesic properties soothe dry and/or irritated skin on the face and neck.

  Some people may find that eucalyptus skin products induce or worsen skin irritation, in which case, they should discontinue use immediately. Anyone suffering from liver or kidney diseases must check with a physician prior to using products containing eucalyptus oil.