Improve Athletic Performance with Eucalyptus and Rosemary

The most important essential oils in the aromatherapist’s arsenal for improving sports performance are two with the longest traditions of medicinal use --- eucalyptus and rosemary. Familiar to most people due to their distinctively clean, herbal aromas, these essential oils are traditionally associated with sports and athletic activity. Eucalyptus oil is a complex mixture of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, phenols, oxides, alcohols, aldehydes, esters and ketones, each category of aromatic chemicals providing unique benefits to aid in muscle preparation and recovery. The volatile ketone camphene gives both eucalyptus and rosemary their typical camphoraceous aroma. Weekend warriors and professional athletes alike recognize the aroma of these oils in traditional products like Vicks VapoRub, Mentholatum and Tiger Balm.

Whether your sport is golf, tennis, cycling or running, eucalyptus and rosemary can prepare your mind and body to face the rigors of a strenuous workout, help prevent injury and aid recovery from stress and exertion. Eucalyptus and rosemary oils are rich in natural substances that aid the muscles in efficiently processing lactic acid and metabolic wastes. Recent studies show that these important oils can also help regenerate nerve activity, strengthen cardiovascular function and boost the immune system. As for the mental aspect of sports preparation, rosemary oil in particular has been shown to clear brain fog, sharpen critical faculties and assist in focus, concentration and goal setting, earning it the nickname of the ‘memory herb.’ Eucalyptus and rosemary work together in synergy to address both mind and body in preparing for sports activity.

There are more than 700 varieties of eucalyptus, most native to Australia, ranging from small shrubs to trees reaching over 25 feet high. Eucalyptus oil is steam-distilled from the fresh leaves and branch tops of more than 100 varieties of eucalyptus, the most familiar being Eucalyptus globulus, also known as ‘blue gum’ or ‘fever tree.’ This is the eucalyptus used in many conventional ‘sports rubs,’ and while highly effective, it is only one of many eucalyptus oils which can be used to improve sports performance. In classical aromatherapy, other less pungent oils are used therapeutically, such as the more delicate, peppermint-scented Eucalyptus radiata, an excellent muscle-relieving oil, or the fresh, lemon-scented Eucalyptus citriodora, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has ruled a more effective insect repellent than DEET. Eucalyptus oil contains 1,8 cineol (originally called eucalyptol) which has both anesthetic and antiseptic properties. It also contains tannins, which reduce inflammation, and flavonoids such as quercetin, a potent antioxidant that helps conditions such as gout and arthritis. Whether used in a steam bath, shower or pre- or post-sports massage, eucalyptus is an invaluable ingredient in achieving enhanced sports performance.