Eucalyptus – 100 g ($9.99), 50 g ($7.99), 25 g ($5.99)
Benefits:
Eucalyptus contains the chemical eucalyptol, which has decongestant and antiseptic properties. It is most commonly used internally to clear the respiratory tract, and externally for rheumatic complaints. Eucalyptus has been used in folk medicine internally for the treatment of bladder diseases, asthma, fever, flu, whooping cough, liver and gallbladder complaints, loss of appetite, and diabetes. Externally it was used for wounds, acne, poorly healing ulcers, stomatitis, bleeding gums, neuralgia, gonorrhea, and as a gastrointestinal remedy. It can be added to toothpaste and mouthwash because it has antiseptic properties. The German Commission E has approved the use of the oil for cough and bronchitis and rheumatism, and of the leaf for cough and bronchitis. A tea made from eucalyptus has been shown to clear clogged nasal passages and prevent wounds from becoming infected.
Eucalyptus has myriad pharmacological properties, including: antibiotic, antifungal, insecticidal, and anticaries agent. It works on the skin and contaminated clothing. One form of the herb, E. grandis leaves, has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells of the skin and lung in mouse studies.
Allergies, common cold, cough, bronchitis. Eucalyptus is widely used as a natural cold remedy due to its anti-inflammatory and mucus-relieving properties. It’s often used to help relieve symptoms from conditions like:
- Common cold
- Nasal congestion
- Sinusitis
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Flu
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
The main ingredient responsible for these properties is eucalyptol, also known as cineole. Eucalyptus is also a main ingredient in ointments like Vicks VapoRub, which also contains camphor and menthol. This ointment is primarily used to relieve coughs, but it may also help with nasal congestion by decreasing inflammation and mucus buildup. Eucalyptus oil may be inhaled through your nose or applied topically to relieve cold symptoms. However, it’s important to avoid consuming the oil because it could have toxic effects.
Eucalyptol, found in many over-the-counter remedies, loosens phlegm in the chest and helps to open clogged nasal passages. It kills several types of bacteria and viruses, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Salmonella cholera sui. Using 100 milligram capsules three times daily of cineole allowed patients with a cold (termed non-purulent rhinitis) to feel better at day four and day seven of using the herb. Patients had fewer headaches when bending over and less nasal secretion and obstruction.
Oral Health. When used in a chewing gum, the amount of plaque buildup was significantly reduced. Eucalyptus is one of the most commonly used essential oils for oral health because it may have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
A 2022 review found that eucalyptus may help fight against Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria associated with cavities, tooth decay, and enamel breakdown. The authors also note that eucalyptus is used in some wound dressings to help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and prevent infection. A 2024 study of 60 people found that eucalyptus-based dentifrice may help reduce gum bleeding and dental plaque.
Fungal infections. People with athlete’s foot who were treated with a 1 percent eucalyptus oil ointment for one week were cured of the infection.
Headaches. In one study, using eucalyptus and peppermint oil improved cognition performance and muscle and mental relaxation in people with headaches. No changes occurred in pain sensitivity, however. The preparations were applied to the forehead and temples using a small sponge.
Insects – Ticks, Mosquitoes, Etc. A eucalyptus-based insect repellent known as PMD has been shown to be effective in protecting study volunteers from various types of biting insects, including the Anopheles mosquito (the insect that spreads malaria), for up to five hours. A eucalyptus extract (Citriodiol) works on repelling mosquitoes, midges, and stable flies, and also is effective at reducing the number of tick bites. In one study, tick attachments decreased from 1.5 ticks to 0.5 over a two-week period in participants who lived in a tick-infested region.
A 2021 study found that a combination of eucalyptus and clove essential oils strongly prevented mosquitoes from landing on the skin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lemon eucalyptus oil — derived from the lemon eucalyptus tree — is an ingredient used in several approved and powerful insect repellants. The CDC warns against using pure eucalyptus essential oil on the skin because it hasn’t been tested for efficacy and possible side effects. Eucalyptus products may be effective at repelling mosquitoes and other biting insects for up to 2 hours after topical application.
Skin – Health, Minor cuts, Wounds, Skin Ulcers Eucalyptus may help improve dry skin by increasing its ceramide content. Ceramides are a type of fatty acid in your skin responsible for maintaining its barrier and retaining moisture. People who experience dry skin, dandruff, or skin disorders like dermatitis and psoriasis usually have lower ceramide levels.
A 2024 review suggests topical eucalyptus leaf oil may help boost skin ceramide production, water-holding capacity, and skin barrier protection. A 2018 study in 34 people with atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, or tinea capitis also found that using a scalp lotion containing eucalyptus leaf extract and synthetic ceramide decreased scalp redness, itchiness, dryness, and scaliness. Hence, many hair and skin products contain eucalyptus leaf extract. Because of its antiseptic properties, eucalyptus can be used as a topical antiseptic for minor cuts and scrapes. In another study, patients with incurable malodorous neoplastic ulcers of the head and neck were given eucalyptus-based oil that they applied twice daily. The skin ulcers cleared up and the accompanying foul smell disappeared by day four. In addition, the quality of life of these patients improved because the foul smell was gone.
Antioxidants Eucalyptus leaves are a great source of antioxidants, helping protect your body from oxidative stress and free radical damage. Some of the main antioxidants in eucalyptus include:
Catechin
Quercetin
Gallic Acid
P-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
Syringic Acid
Vanillic Acid
Rutin
Luteolin
Apigenin
Research suggests that diets rich in these compounds may help protect against:
- Certain cancers
- Heart disease
- Mental health conditions
- Neurodegenerative conditions
Eucalyptus tea is a good source of these antioxidants and generally recognized as safe for adults. However, children are at higher risk of eucalyptus toxicity and should get approval from a healthcare professional before drinking this tea.
Pain Inhaling eucalyptus essential oil may help decrease pain due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds. A 2022 study of 70 people with rheumatoid arthritis found that inhaling 1 milliliter (mL) of eucalyptus oil for 5 minutes, three times daily for 1 month, helped relieve pain alongside other conventional treatments.
Relaxation Eucalyptus is widely believed to decrease symptoms of stress. A small 2022 study found that inhaling eucalyptus oil helped increase brain spectrums associated with relaxation and rest. Similarly, a 2014 study of 62 people found that inhaling eucalyptus oil helped reduce pre-surgery anxiety. The stress-relieving properties of eucalyptus may be due to eucalyptol. This may decrease the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and increase the activity of your parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation.
Recommendations for Use
Eucalyptus is used in aromatherapy and steam inhalations and is also available in capsule and tea forms. Daily doses of the leaf are 4 to 6 grams and 0.3 to 0.6 gram from the oil. Side effects are rare and include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition, there have been reports of skin redness, rash, and a burning stomach pain.
You should never apply eucalyptus oil directly to the nostrils or take it internally, especially in children who may develop laryngeal spasms. Taken internally, eucalyptus oil is highly poisonous. If eucalyptus oil is accidentally swallowed, seek emergency medical help. Since there is a remote possibility that cineole, a component in eucalyptus, may trigger seizures in children, eucalyptus products should not be used around a child who has had seizures or any child under the age of two. Eucalyptus oil affects liver enzymes and can weaken or shorten the effects of other drugs. It should not be used in those who have hypersensitivity to eucalyptus, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or the bile ducts, and serious liver disease. Eucalyptus may lower blood sugar, so those who are already using drugs to lower blood sugar should carefully monitor their blood sugar levels.
Concurrent use with barbiturates is ill advised because the herb decreases the drugs’ effectiveness. Liver problems may develop when eucalyptus is used with comfrey, borage, coltsfoot, and hound’s tooth.
When using eucalyptus, it is important to follow directions carefully, as overdosing is possible. Overdosing can lead to life-threatening poisonings. Such poisoning in children has been reported in the medical literature; over one twelve-year period, there were reports of 109 children being hospitalized from eucalyptus poisoning in one hospital in Australia.
Botanical Name: Eucalyptus globulus
English: Eucalyptus
Ayurvedic: Tilaparna, Tailaparna Unani: Neelgiri
Also, known as: Blue Gum Tree, Australian Gum tree, Sugandhapatra, Haritaparna Neelaniryaasa, Tribhandi, Triputaa, Saralaa, Suvahaa, Rechani, Nishotraa, Nilgiri, Karpooramaram, Jeevakamu, Yukkaalimaram, Yukkaalimaram, Yukeliptas, Nilaniryasa, Ekalipth, Sugandha Patrah
Habitat: Australia. Now North and South Africa, India, and Southern Europe
Origin: India
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Leaves
General Information:
Eucalyptus globulus, a large tree attaining a height of 90 m or more, native to Australia, but planted worldwide and introduced in Nilgiris, Annamalai and Palni hills, Simla and Shillong at an altitude of 1500-2500 m. Size of eucalyptus depends on the species. Eucalyptus tree can reach 33 to 200 feet in height. Most eucalyptus species are evergreen plants. Besides in the form of trees, some species of eucalyptus develop as shrubs.
There are over 400 different species of eucalyptus. Eucalyptus globulus, also known as Blue Gum, is the main source of eucalyptus oil used globally.
Leaves of eucalyptus have a lanceolate shape. They are positioned downwards to prevent direct exposure to the sunlight. The bark of the eucalyptus tree is usually brown in color. Rainbow eucalyptus sheds its bark several times per year and reveals inner bark that is multicolored (red, blue, yellow, purple…). Most species of eucalyptus shed their bark once per year. The bark can be removed in long ribbons, spongy pieces, furrowed and rough pieces or small flakes. Eucalyptus is also known as a “gum tree” because of the sticky rubbery substance that flows from the injured bark. All parts of eucalyptus trees are used in the manufacture of dyes. Eucalyptus has white, yellow, pink or red flowers. The Beautiful color of the flowers is the result of the huge number of stamens (male reproductive organs). They do not have petals. Insects, birds and small mammals (such as bats) pollinate eucalyptus flowers. They are attracted by delicious nectar that is produced in big quantity. The fruit of eucalyptus is called gum nut. The lifespan of eucalyptus depends on the species. Most eucalyptus trees can survive more than 250 years in the wild.
Eucalyptus is commercially grown in tropical and subtropical areas all over the world. Since it absorbs huge quantities of water from the ground, eucalyptus can be used for draining of marshes. It can also eradicate malaria by destroying wet habitats which are required for the development of mosquito’s eggs. Unfortunately, the drying of the soil negatively affects other plant species.
The oil that comes from the eucalyptus tree is used as an antiseptic, a perfume, as an ingredient in cosmetics, as a flavoring, in dental preparations, and in industrial solvents.
How to use:
Hot Infusion:
The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water
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