Summary

Dr. Preeti Singh recounts her experience of being welcomed by the natural fragrance of eucalyptus trees upon visiting her son in Albany, California, drawing parallels between the tree's characteristics and life lessons.

Abstract

Upon visiting her son in the Bay Area, Dr. Preeti Singh was greeted by the refreshing scent of eucalyptus trees, which she initially mistook for oil diffused within the home. The fragrance, in fact, emanated from a park full of eucalyptus trees behind her son's residence. Reflecting on the encounter, Singh recalls the medicinal properties of eucalyptus oil from her childhood and the tree's global presence, particularly in Australia. She observes the eucalyptus's ability to spread happiness through its scent, despite its leaves withering, and draws life lessons from its nature: the importance of bringing happiness to others, adapting to change, shedding negativity, focusing on what matters, and maintaining a growth mindset. Singh concludes by encouraging readers to adopt these eucalyptus-inspired principles for personal growth and sustainability.

Opinions

The author appreciates the natural and organic eucalyptus fragrance as a welcoming and peaceful presence in her son's home.
Singh reminisces about the traditional use of eucalyptus oil in Indian Ayurvedic medicine and its broader applications in allopathic treatments and industry.
She admires the eucalyptus tree's resilience and adaptability, noting its ability to thrive in various environments and its symbolic representation of shedding dead weight and focusing on growth.
The author believes that the eucalyptus, through its ever-present fragrance, exemplifies the act of spreading joy and maintaining positivity, even in the face of adversity.
Singh advocates for a lifestyle that emulates the eucalyptus tree's qualities, such as bringing happiness to others, embracing change, letting go of past grievances, concentrating on essential aspects of life, and fostering personal development without infringing on others' space.

A Whiff Of Eucalyptus In The House

The eucalyptus fragrance refreshes me

Photo by the author ©Dr. Preeti Singh, 2022.

The eucalyptus welcome

I recently came to the USA to visit my son and my two grandkids.

My son lives in the Bay area. There are two adjoining cities Berkeley and Albany in California. He now lives in a condominium in Albany and it is on the ground level.

When I look outside there are the Albany hills.

When I first entered his house I got a whiff of the eucalyptus. I was wondering if my son was burning eucalyptus oil for freshness in the home.

It was so welcoming. I felt relaxed and happy that my son had taken so much care. It was so peaceful.

I did not ask him but kept getting the fragrance. Suddenly I shot him a question. “Where is the fragrance of eucalyptus coming from”?

“Mother do you like it or not”? “Amazing,” I said. Well, it is natural coming from the trees” he said!

“It is pure and organic coming from the park behind the house. Turn around mom”

I looked outside the house and saw so many eucalyptus trees standing tall! The ground was full of the dry leaves of the tree. Nature is so intriguing and full of interesting things.

I remembered that when I was a kid often the eucalyptus oil was brought home and given to me to inhale when I had a cold.

I went down memory lane about what I had learned about it in school as a child:

The oil is used as an antiseptic, perfume, and an ingredient in cosmetics, as a flavoring, It is used for dental preparations, and also as an industrial solvent.
Indian Ayurvedic, medicine has incorporated it for treatments of a range of medical conditions. It is also used in allopathic medicines and is useful for treating malaria.
There are over 400 different species of eucalyptus. Eucalyptus globulus, also known as Blue Gum, is the main source of eucalyptus oil used globally.
Eucalyptus is a native of Australia but is grown all over the world quickly and with great ease.
Leaves are usually steam distilled in order to extract the oil, which is a colorless liquid with a strong, sweet, woody scent.
Besides medicines, it is used industrially and gum is also extracted from it.

I went out and found dry leaves of eucalyptus all over. If you see below you will be shocked to find out that all the leaves were long withered away.

Photo of the leaves by the author ©Dr. Preeti Singh, 2022.

The dry leaves were dull but the eucalyptus scent was full of fragrance all over.

I compared the eucalyptus to our life and I thought that we human beings are so selfish that we think about ourselves but we do not think of what we can do for others in our lives.

We should spread love and happiness amongst people and think of peace.

The eucalyptus spreads happiness through its fragrance.

What I learned from the eucalyptus

It became dry itself but did not lose the will to make others happy. It brought about medicinal value for people’s well-being through good health.

Bringing happiness to others: The eucalyptus spread its fragrance all around even though it was withering away becoming dry with the dry weather and approaching summer it thought of bringing happiness and relaxation to people.
Adapt to change: Accept change in your life. Although eucalyptus is a native of Australia it grows everywhere in the world without any fuss.
Eucalyptus sheds dead weight: Each year, the eucalyptus sheds its outer layer of dead bark. It sheds its branches, to maintain the health of the rest of the plant. We must also clear our old enmities and problems with friends. We should also shed things we do not need to maintain ourselves properly. Declutter our minds and our things.
Focus your attention: It focuses its attention on where it matters. This is important for succeeding in your goals and also maintaining your health and sanity.

To conclude

The eucalyptus grows fast and that is the reason it is grown in different parts of the world wherever quick vegetation is required. In areas that are particularly dry also it grows quickly.

Be like the eucalyptus. Adopt a growth mindset. Always decide to focus on the steps to see that you are moving forward in life.

You should often take a relook at your goals and be grateful for the gains you make. Make yourself sustainable without encroaching on the space of other people.