The aromatic plant filled the shower with an ahh-inducing fragrance that was practically transformative. I stepped out of the wash feeling anew, refreshed, calm, and clearheaded—and truly, is there no other way you want a shower to make you feel? It has since become a frequent addition to my shower routine; eventually, I became so enamored with the plant, I just had to find out more. Of course, such a long history of use indicates there must be valid benefits (anecdotal evidence at the very least). But recently, scholarly journals have caught up to the plant’s powers and published several studies indicating that its historical use has been spot-on. One study found that eucalyptus essential oil had significant anti-inflammatory benefits (reducing participants’ inflammatory response by 25% when used topically). Another recent study found that when the essential oil was used in a diffuser, its antifungal powers improved the surrounding space’s air quality. And finally, eucalyptus oil’s active compound 1,8-cineole may help clear mucus from airways, act as a natural cough suppressant, and ease sore throats. But as she goes on to explain, it’s said scent that does much of the heavy lifting when it comes to the key benefits. “Eucalyptus is high in volatile oils, which evaporate when exposed to the air. Hanging eucalyptus in the shower means we get the benefit of the volatile oils as the steam releases them from the leaves and holds them in the air around us,” she says. Essentially, when the plant interacts with the steam, it releases those potent essential oil droplets, creating a DIY diffuser of sorts.
