Eucalyptus helps combat coughing and mucous buildup. Rebecca Park, a registered nurse from New York, recommends it because it not only eases your cold symptoms, but has also been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Dr. Elizabeth Trattner, an acupuncture physician, recommends diffusing the eucalyptus oil or breathing it in. "I like to take a bowl of hot water and drape a towel over my head, creating a tent around the bowl," she told POPSUGAR. "I'll put a few drops of eucalyptus oil in and inhale the steam."