Eucalyptus
Parts Usually Used
Leaves
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
A tall, aromatic evergreen tree of the myrtle family, chiefly native to Australia and Tasmania, bearing pendent leaves and umbels of white, red, or pink flowers and valued for the timber, gum and oil. Among its various species, the blue gum is the one commonly grown in the United States, the trunk, which grows to 300 feet or more, is covered with peeling, papery bark. The leaves on the young plant, up to 5 years old, are opposite, sessile, soft, oblong, pointed, and a hoary blue color.
The mature leaves are alternate, petioled, leathery, and shaped like a scimitar. The flowers are solitary, coarse, axillary, and white, with no petals, many white stamens, and a woody calyx. The fruit is a hard, four-celled, bluish, top-shaped, many-seeded capsule enclosed in the calyx cup. Eucalyptus will only grow in warm climates, and does not tolerate frost.
Where Found
Found in California, Florida and parts of the south.
Medicinal Properties
Antiseptic, astringent, tonic, antispasmodic, deodorant, expectorant, stimulant, antibiotic, rubefacient, febrifuge
Biochemical Information
Essential oil with cineole, ellagic and gallic acid, bitter principle, resin, antibiotic properties, tannin, aldehydes, resin
Legends, Myths and Stories
Because it grows rapidly, it is used in Africa to drain malarial swamps. The common name given it there is fever tree; indicates that through its help in draining the swamps, the breeding grounds of the malarial (anopheles) mosquito are being eliminated and hence the fever (malaria) is becoming less common. A traditional Aboriginal fever remedy, eucalyptus was introduced to the West in the 19th century by the director of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens, and cultivation of the tree spread in southern Europe and North America.
The properties of the oils from different species vary slightly, but all are very antiseptic. Russian research suggests that some species counteract flu viruses, while others are anti-malarial or highly active against bacteria. The tallest known living eucalyptus tree is 322 ft. and was found in 1956 in the Styx Valley, Tasmania.
Uses
Historically, herbal preparations derived from eucalyptus were typically prepared using the oil extracted from the mature leaves. Herbalists incorporated this oil into lozenges, vapor baths, and steam inhalations, recommending them for common colds, coughs, sore throats, bronchitis, asthma, and respiratory congestion. The oil was also traditionally applied as a chest rub or ointment with the intention of easing lung discomfort.
In traditional practices, a cold extract of the leaves was administered for indigestion and intermittent fevers. Externally, practitioners applied the oil to the skin to address arthritis, rheumatism, neuralgia, hemorrhoids, and gout, believing that it stimulated local blood flow to produce a warming sensation. Folk traditions also utilized the oil topically on burns, boils, sores, and skin ulcers.
Additionally, diluted leaf oil and finely powdered dried leaves were traditionally employed as insect repellents and insecticides for both humans and animals.
How Sold
The number of ready-made preparations that contain eucalyptus oil is enormous. Every kind of product is represented, from pure oil through oil-containing ointments and rubs, cough drops, salves, to candles and syrups.
Warning
Eucalyptus oil should be used only infrequently since it is difficult to eliminate through the kidneys. Side effects from the tea or from any of the commercial preparations are extremely rare when directions of dosage is followed. With an overdose (this applies to all essential oils), muscular weakness, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea have been noted. Very few people have developed an allergy to eucalyptus oil.
Do not use on broken or irritated skin. Do not use internally.
Bibliography
The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974. The Complete Medicinal Herbal , by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993 The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine , by Dr. A. , 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876.
Copyright Verlag A. Vogel, Teufen (AR) Switzerland 1952, 1991 Indian Herbalogy of North America , by Alma R. , Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023 An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants , by Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay, Crescent Books (January 27, 1992). The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine , by Dr. David Frawley & Dr.
Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988. The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book) , edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. , 1974 The Healing Plants , by Mannfried Pahlow, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. , Hauppauge, NY 11788, 1992