EUCALYPTUS–Eucalyptus
Globulus, Eucalyptus Citriodora, Eucalyptus Piperata, Eucalyptus Macarthurii,
Eucalyptus Dives, Eucalyptus Radiata, Eucalyptus Polybractea, etc.
Also
known as: bluegum tree
Parts
used: leaves, bark
Systems/organs
affected: lungs, kidneys, skin, urinary, immune, muscular,
nervous
Properties:
expectorant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, stimulant, antispasmodic,
rubefacient, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antifungal,
antipyretic, diaphoretic, antiviral, diuretic, analgesic, deodorant, cell
proliferant, etc.
Eucalyptus is a member of the
Myrtaceae family. There are about 700
varieties of this species of which 500 are distilled into oil for various use.
It is native to Australia but can be found naturalized in North Africa, Central
Asia, India, Spain, Portugal, California, Latin America, Hawaii, Tahiti and a
host of other places. It is an evergreen
tree with round silvery leaves when young that turn to long, ovate shaped,
bluish gray green leaves once mature.
The bark exudes a gum-like sap and the leaves contain the oil. The flowers look like tiny pots whose lids
have popped and are medicinally fragrant and white. It takes around 50 pounds of leaves to make
one pound of oil. As there are around
250 compounds within eucalyptus it makes it rather difficult to reproduce
synthetically. Eucalyptus globulus is
the most used medicinally.
This herbs effects would probably still be lost to the world
were it not for the Aborigines of Australia.
They were/are responsible for teaching others of its use. Referred to by them as ‘kino’, they would bind the leaves around wounds to keep them from getting
infected as well as to speed the healing process. They would also consume the water stored in
the roots for health and vigor and taught the early European settlers the
same. This fluid was also found to be
beneficial for malaria and was utilized quite often for such things
(fevers). It was also used as a body
wash to keep insects at bay as they detest the scent. Early vets would use it to treat dogs with
distemper, horses with the flu and for parasitic skin infections of various
animals. The first commercial
distillation was in 1854.
In 1777 an English botanist took
a sample of it to the British Museum in London where it was aptly named
Eucalyptus Obliqua by a fellow French botanist.
The word eucalyptus is derived from the Greek and means ‘well covered’’ referring to the flower
bud. In 1788 three more varieties of
eucalyptus were discovered by James Edward Smith, yet another English
botanist. The Germans (Drs. Faust, Cleoz
and Homeyer) were the first to actually publish works on its antibacterial
abilities in the 1870’s. They used it
for respiratory complaints and classified the herb as an anti-catarrhal amongst
other things. They used it for
bronchitis, asthma, the flu and coughs.
Fast forward to more recent
times, there have been a myriad of studies conducted on eucalyptus verifying
its considerable strengths. In New Delhi, India, eucalyptus was found to be
effective in repelling houseflies. (www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001706X12000162)
A study published in ‘Clinical
Microbiology and Infection’ it was found to have antibacterial effects
against Haemophilis Influenza-a
bacteria responsible for such things as meningitis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis,
septic arthritis and more. It was also
found to be effective against Stenotrophomonas
Maltiphilia-one of the newly emerging
resistant bacteria picked up in hospitals more often than not.
In 2016 the Serbians found that
when combined with certain antibiotics it made them more effective (so it
enhanced how the antibiotic was used). (www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874115302609)
The ‘Journal of Periodontology’
found that eucalyptus extract in gum could help fight tooth decay and
periodontitis. Perhaps that is why you
can find one of its main constituents (eucalyptol) in mouthwashes, toothpaste
and an assortment of products used for oral care. (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18672986)
The ‘American Journal of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation’ found that a combination of eucalyptus and
peppermint applied topically to the skin effectively treated muscle and joint
pain associated with arthritis, backaches, sprains, bruises, etc. (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1994967)
A study published in ‘BMC
Immunology’ found that eucalyptus oil enhances the immune system’s
ability to consume and destroy foreign entities in the body aka
phagocytosis. (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2374764/)
Stephen Buhner *author of Herbal
Antivirals and Herbal Antibiotics) speaks of using eucalyptus for SARS (sudden
acute respiratory syndrome) along with licorice, forsythia, skullcap and a few
other herbs. It seems to also be
effective for Epstein Barr, laryngitis, migraines, urinary tract infections,
rheumatism, tonsillitis, sinusitis, fungal infections, insect bites and stings,
the pain associated with herpes outbreaks, shingles, cold sores and
chickenpox. It has also been proven
effective against Salmonella, E.Coli, H. Pylori, Staph, Shigella (the bacteria
that causes dysentery), Candida, Klebsiella (a normal gut bacterium that
produces too much mucus when in excess), Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (a type of
bacteria that usually only affects those with compromised systems already such
as those with cystic fibrosis or burn victims.
However, it can infect anyone with immune issues as well and can start
out as simple as a scratch from a hot tub.
Very difficult to treat as it tends to be pharmaceutically resistant),
etc.
As an aromatic agent it is believed
to refresh and stimulate ones sense. It
can improve concentration, restore balance, ease anger or angry emotions and
increase one’s intellectual capacity.
On a side note, most people
and/or animals do not or cannot consume eucalyptus as too much of it is
considered poisonous. The koala bear
subsists almost entirely on a diet of eucalyptus leaves. They can do this however as they have a
special caecum that breaks down eucalyptus safely.
WebMD cautions against using it
for children, those taking diabetic meds (as it may lower their blood sugar),
pregnant and/or nursing women and those scheduled for surgical procedures. As it can be toxic in large amounts (causing
burning, stomach pain, muscle weakness, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, etc.) it
is believed that taking 3.5 ml of it can be fatal. Eucalyptus also decreases how fast the liver
utilizes some medications such as NSAIDS, Haldol, Prilosec, Prevacid, Allegra,
Insulin and more. Always consult with a
qualified physician before beginning any herbal product or regimen.
As always I have included some links below for your perusal. Enjoy and stay strong and healthy!
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