How to Extract Oil From the Eucalyptus Plant

The eucalyptus tree is indigenous to Australia. Aborigines used its plant and resulting oil for a range of herbal remedies such as a fever reducer and infection treatment. Many commercial products use eucalyptus oil, including over-the-counter mentholated herbal balms. Eucalyptus's antiviral and antiseptic properties make it useful in sore throat, cold, flu and sinus treatments. Eucalyptus is also used for treatment of sore and aching muscles and joints.

Things You'll Need

• Cutting board
• Wooden mallet
• 2 canning jars
• Almond oil
• 2 vitamin E capsules
• Sterilized pin
• Cheesecloth
• Funnel
• Colored glass bottle

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Instructions

• 1

  Place 2 cups of fresh leaves from the eucalyptus plant on a clean cutting board. Use a wooden mallet to bruise and slightly crush the leaves. Do not shred or pulverize.

• 2

  Use a canning jar to store the leaves.

  Put the bruised leaves in a canning jar. Pour pure almond oil over all of the leaves.

• 3

  Prick two vitamin E capsules open with a sterilized pin. Squeeze the vitamin E into the canning jar. Vitamin E will preserve the leaves. Seal the jar tightly and shake well. All the leaves should be covered in oil.

• 4

  Find the sunniest window in your house.

  Place the jar in a sunny, warm window and leave for two weeks.

• 5

  After two weeks, strain the mixture in the jar through cheesecloth into a second jar. Discard the leaves. Strain the mixture again through the cheesecloth into a funnel placed in a colored glass bottle. Make sure the glass is amber, green or another color. A colored bottle ensures less sunlight will hit the oil. Store oil in a cool, dark place.