People have looked to all-natural plants for healing remedies since the beginning of time. After some experimentation, they discovered things like how mint leaves soothed upset stomachs and how aloe vera eased sunburn pain.

Even with all the technology available today, people still want herbal solutions for their health problems. One of the most common ingredients in many supplements, ointments and other products are eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus globulus). The tree is native to Australia but now grows all over the world, so it’s easy to access and mass produce.

Here are seven impressive benefits of eucalyptus leaves. You may discover a few new ways to improve your life, all with the help of an herbal remedy people have trusted for centuries.

1. They Reduce Anxiety

Anxiety used to be a topic that no one talked about because it wasn’t well understood. If you felt it, you pushed through the symptoms and pretended like they were no big deal. Most people assumed what they were feeling was only temporary or that it didn’t require medical intervention.

When someone ignores anxiety, it can manifest into severe issues like digestive upset and panic attacks. It can be debilitating, but there’s an easy way to help yourself at home.

After you discuss potential treatment options with your doctor, you can ease your anxiety with eucalyptus tea. Studies show that when people inhale and digest eucalyptus, like breathing in the scent while enjoying a mug of tea, the ingredients lower most anxiety symptoms and provide almost immediate relief.

2. They Relieve Pain

Joint and muscle pain is often a chronic issue that makes life difficult. While you follow your doctor’s advice, rub eucalyptus oil over areas that ache. A study published by the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found that the oil contains some analgesic properties that reduce pain by easing muscles and joints. Try some for yourself to feel the difference it makes.

3. They Fight Tooth Decay

Consider the products you buy to help your dental health, like mouthwash. Using products with eucalyptus oil, like certain chewing gums, fights periodontitis and tooth decay, according to the results of a Japanese study. Look for dental products with this ingredient to protect your teeth naturally.

4. They Remove Bacteria

When used correctly, eucalyptus leaf oil isolates and destroys bacteria that would otherwise cause illnesses. An Iranian university tested it against the Haemophilus influenza virus, which usually starts an upper respiratory tract infection. Diffuse it around your home to kill airborne bacteria during periods of heightened flu activity.

5. They Kill Fleas

Most people assume fleas are a problem for pets, but they can hurt humans, too. One flea alone can spread diseases like the plague and infect an entire household.

You can spray oil around carpeted areas with fleas or place cut stems in jars and put them around your home. It should repel most pests and kill a few as well, but you may need to call a professional exterminator to treat your home if you have a widespread infestation.

6. They Moisturize Skin

Those with chronic skin issues know the annoyance of dealing with constantly dry skin. Relieve itching and redness by using lotion infused with eucalyptus on any dry or scaling area. The leaves contain the macrocarpa, a compound that stimulates ceramide production to hold more water in your skin cells. You can take advantage of these skin moisturizing properties by using eucalyptus essential oil to make a foot powder.

7. They Lower Blood Pressure

When eucalyptus leaves are condensed into oil and diffused, they lower high blood pressure after an average of 30 minutes. People in a Korea University study lowered their blood pressure in this same way after dealing with it from a recent knee replacement surgery.

Watch What They Do

It’s easy to assume that herbal remedies aren’t as powerful as medications, but they ease symptoms and prevent illness just the same. Use eucalyptus leaves for personal health issues like avoiding the flu, lowering your blood pressure and repelling fleas in your home. However you decide to use them, you’ll never look at eucalyptus the same way again.