Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus globulus (gum trees or blue gum) is an herb and plant used historically to help with respiratory infections, breathing and fending off pathogens. Eucalyptus is a herbal medicine most often prepared as eucalyptus oil. It is derived from the eucalyptus trees that are found in Australia. It is most commonly prepared as an essential oil and commercially used around the world. When eucalyptus oil is used externally either topically or inhaled it can have powerful healing properties.
Eucalyptus plants encompass many species and hundreds of flowering trees and plants that are native to Australia. They are part of the Myrtaceae family. Within the eucalyptus species, the eucalyptus trees vary slightly based on the region of Australia that they are found in. The trees from the Eucalyptus species that are used to make the Eucalyptus oil essential oil are the Eucalyptus Globulus type. These are found in the southeastern part of Australia.
What does the plant look like?
This plant is a tree that can vary in height from a shrub size to 45m tall. The bark is usually a white/cream colour, but it is the leaves that hold the essential oil content. It is this essential oil content that is used commercially and in medicine. The leaves of the tree are dark green and glossy. The eucalyptus plant produces flowers that can either be white, cream, yellow, pink or red when they bloom. However, when they are just buds they are covered in a cap.
Where the name comes from?
The name Eucalyptus is derived from Ancient Greek. It is thought to be based on two words from this language eu meaning good, well, true, beautiful and kalypto meaning cover, conceal, hide. These words are through to reflect the appearance of the tree with the kalypto part referring to the covering that is found over the flower buds.
Eucalyptus Globulus as a medicinal plant
This plant's eucalyptus leaves are used to make a Eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil is a plant-based essential oil that has been used for generations as a cleaning product as well as a medicinal tool. This oil is often added to cleaning agents and used as an ingredient to sterilize and clean surfaces. This is because of its strong antibacterial action. It can have impacted many different pathogens including bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungus. In addition, this oil is often added to essential oil blends because of its action of the respiratory system. It can help to promote breathing and relaxation by clearing out the respiratory tubes by helping us to cough up phlegm and opening the airways. It can also help to kill any pathogens found in the respiratory system the same way it works on cleaning surfaces. As it is so powerful of an agent only small amounts are needed to be inhaled to have a medicinal impact. It does not need to be ingested and can be dangerous or harmful it if is.
Medicinal Properties of Eucalyptus
- antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-fungal
- antispasmodic
- relaxing expectorant
- stimulant
- anti-inflammatory
- counter-irritant, analgesic (topically)
Eucalyptus is a herbal medicine that is prepared most often as a Eucalyptus Oil and used topically or inhaled through steam. The leaves are steam distilled in order to create the eucalyptus oil. Commercially this eucalyptus oil is an ingredient added to cleaning products as an antiseptic or in small quantities to foods. It is the eucalyptus globulus tree leaves that are used to create eucalyptus oil.
The main compound in Eucalyptus is eucalyptol which is part of its volatile oil compound. The eucalyptol and volatile oils are both what gives eucalyptus its main therapeutic benefit as well as its toxicity when ingested. Eucalyptol is antiseptic helping the body to fight off and kill and pathogens that are in the body causing infection. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect. This herb helps to stimulant the flow of lymph and blood in the body increases its ability to expel waste and move the immune cells through the body so that inflammation does not build up in one area. It can help to bring the immune system to where it is needed and remove it from where it is not needed. All of this without being ingested.
When this herb is inhaled Eucalyptus oil is added to hot water and the steam is breathed in. This can help to stimulate bronchial secretions and may help to break-up phlegm directly. In general Eucalyptus oil used in steam inhalation to help facilitate the expulsion of phlegm from the lungs. This makes it extremely effective in helping to clear sinuses, congestion, cough and to mitigate trouble breathing.
In addition, when this herb is used as a eucalyptus oil topically it can be irritating to the skin and mucous membranes because of its volatile oil content. This can be uncomfortable but it can help it to decrease pain through a counter-irritant effective. Beyond this, it helps with pain by soothing the tissue and stimulating the flow of blood in the area.
Eucalyptus: Respiratory Support
The globulus eucalyptus plant is an essential tool for supporting the entire respiratory system, especially during a respiratory infection. It helps to open all of the airways including the sinuses and nasal passages without being ingested. This makes it an incredibly powerful tool. It is able to concentrate its medicine to the system that needs it because of its mode of being applied - either topically to a local area or inhaled directly into the respiratory system. Its antibacterial activity makes it appropriate for any kind of infection of the respiratory system or a skin infection.
What makes Eucalyptus different?
Eucalyptus is an extremely powerful herb. What makes it so special is that its benefit can come from just interacting with the herb or essential oil externally instead of it entering the body. For steam inhalation only a few drops of the blue gum essential oil are needed. This attests to the strength of the chemical composition in the plant - only a small amount is needed to have an effect on the body.
Cautions and Side Effects
Eucalyptus is a plant that should not be ingested. It can be extremely toxic and irritating to the body if it is ingested. This is due to its essential oil content. When ingested it can cause kidney damage as the organ tries to metabolize and eliminate the essential oil content from the body. In addition in severe cases ingesting this essential oil can lead to respiratory or nervous system depression. Caution should always be taken because of these severe side effects.
Topically side effects can also occur from using this essential oil. It can be irritating for the skin and mucous membrane causing a rash or itchiness because of this same essential oil content. This should resolve after a few minutes or when it is washed off. Do not apply to open wounds, eyes etc. Putting a few drops of the essential oil into a carrier oil dilutes the essential oil content making it less irritating when it is applied directly to the skin.
Disclaimer
Pascoe Canada does not offer health or medical advice as we are not a healthcare practitioner. Please speak with your healthcare practitioner before beginning any program related to nutrition, diet, exercise, fitness, medical, and/or wellness. All content published by Pascoe Canada is developed through collaborating with licensed medical professionals and contributors. This includes text, graphics, images, and other material on the website, newsletter, and products (“Content”). This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please always do your own research on whether this is for you along with your healthcare practitioner advice. Always consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use specific herbs because you might have underlined conditions needs professional care. The content is general in nature and are subject to change. It is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.
What can Eucalyptus Help with
- congested sinuses
- coughs
- spasms of the respiratory tract
- trouble breathing
- respiratory infections
- sinus infections
- pain of any kind including joint pain
What can Eucalyptus Help with
- congested sinuses
- coughs
- spasms of the respiratory tract
- trouble breathing
- respiratory infections
- sinus infections
- pain of any kind including joint pain
What can Echinacea Help with
- stimulates the immune system
- improves resistance to infections
- repairs tissue damage
- supports the immune function to prevent and treat symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections, common colds, upper respiratory tract infections, upper respiratory infections, the flu, sore throats and much more.
What can Eucalyptus Help with
- congested sinuses
- coughs
- spasms of the respiratory tract
- trouble breathing
- respiratory infections
- sinus infections
- pain of any kind including joint pain