If you could choose just one plant oil that might serve you well in these current times, what would it be? Something fragrant like jasmine or ylang ylang? Or perhaps you’d go for something strong and symbolic like frankincense? This month, we’d like to look into one plant oil that would be worth having at hand at all times, which is eucalyptus essential oil. Known to help ward off germs, relieve coughs, and even sanitise your bath water, Eucalyptus essential oil is a versatile, relatively inexpensive, and easily available oil. Here’s all you need to know about this scintillatingly refreshing plant oil.

• Cough reliever. For centuries, essential oil of eucalyptus has been used as an active ingredient in home remedies for coughs and flu. It’s no surprise to find that even today, it’s still found in capsule form, and in alternative cough medicines.