Eucalyptus Plant Health Benefits

In the mid 19^th century, the eucalyptus plant was brought to Europe and America from Australia and Tasmania, growing up to 100 m high. It is one of the tallest trees known, with some examples reaching 180 m high.

The Eucalyptus grows quickly and absorbs a vast amount of water from the soil, thus draining marshy lands and preventing anopheles (which transmits malaria) from reproducing. However, this beautiful tree takes its toll on the soils where it is planted. It acidifies the ground and does not allow other plants to grow around it.

Healing Properties and Warning

The eucalyptus plant’s leaves contain tannin, resin, fatty acids, and mainly essences in which its active components concentrate. This essence contains cineol or eucalyptol, terpene hydrocarbons, pinene, and alymphatic and sesquiterpene alcohols. The eucalyptus’s expectorant, a balsamic, antiseptic, bronchodilator, and mild febrifuge and sudorific properties are caused by this essence.

The eucalyptus is recommended in all respiratory system disorders, especially in bronchial catarrh, asthma, and acute and chronic bronchitis. Due to its antiseptic and balsamic actions on the bronchial mucous membrane, the eucalyptus helps regenerate damaged cells, ease the expulsion of mucus, and alleviate coughs. This is one of the most effective plants known for bronchial and pulmonary afflictions.

The charcoal of the eucalyptus plant is a valuable remedy for the following cases:

1. Accidental poisoning caused by toxic substances, meals in bad condition, poisonous mushrooms, etc. It acts as a universal antidote.
2. Colitis, diarrhea, intestinal flora dysfunction, or intestinal fermentation. It adsorbs the toxin which pathological micro-organisms produce. Its effects are fantastic.

WARNING! Never exceed the doses recommended for internal use (both infusion and essence) since high doses may produce gastroenteritis and hematuria (blood in the urine). However, recommended doses will not produce any side effects.

Eucalyptus Plant Scientific Facts

1. Other names: Blue gum.
2. French: Eucalyptus.
3. Spanish: Eucalipto.
4. Environment: Grown and naturalized in warm regions of Europe and America, in wet, marshy soils.
5. Description: Tall tree, growing up to 100 m high in Australia, though only to 30 m high in Europe. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family, with a smooth, light-colored trunk and evergreen spear-shaped leaves.
6. Parts of the plant used medicinally: The leaves and the charcoal made from its wood.

How to use Eucalyptus

1. Infusion with two large leaves per cup of water (20-30 g per liter). Steep for ten minutes in a covered jar. Drink three cups a day, sweetened with honey.
2. Essence: Administer from four to ten drops daily.
3. Vapor baths on the chest and the head, as described below.

Several Effective Uses of the Eucalyptus Plant

Vapor baths

1. These are the best method to take advantage of all properties of the eucalyptus. In a bowl with boiling water, place a handful of eucalyptus leaves or four to six drops of its essence per liter of water. The person must sit down with a bare torso and the head over the bowl so that the vapor reaches the chest and head. The bath should last from five to ten minutes, three or four times a day. This vapor, as well as the evaporated eucalyptus essence, acts in two ways.
   
   – Directly on the chest skin, favoring the elimination of toxins through the skin and alleviating lung congestion.
   – Inhaled into the bronchi: To the antiseptic, balsamic, and expectorant properties of the essence, the mucous effects of the water vapor are added, then breaking down the bronchi mucus and easing its elimination.

Charcoal

1. Charcoal has many medicinal properties, primarily because of its adsorption power. Both taken and applied on the skin, it has a remarkable ability to retain toxins and germs, as well as the liquid which inflammation produces. Charcoal must be finely ground to produce the most effective action.
   
   From five to ten g, dissolved in water, can be drunk four to six times a day. In an emergency, one can also directly eat a piece of charcoal. It may be found in pharmacies, both charcoal powder and pills or capsules.
   
   Eucalyptus plant charcoal can be mixed with olive oil until a paste is formed. This is a traditional remedy to clean the digestive tract for indigestion, diarrhea, or intestinal fermentation. Charcoal has rendered surprising results in persistent halitosis (bad breath) caused by intestinal fermentation. Take from one to three spoonfuls 15 to 30 minutes before meals.

Essence against coughs

1. Dissolve two spoonfuls of honey in half a glass of water, then add two or three drops of eucalyptus essence. Drink in the case of coughs caused by pharyngitis or laryngitis (throat infections), tracheitis, bronchitis, or bronchial catarrh.
   
   Up to five cups daily can be taken; however, the recommended dose for children should not exceed two or three cups a day.

REFERENCES

George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 304,305. Print. [eucalyptus plant]