|
 Botanical Name:
Eucalyptus globulus
Plant Family:
Myrtaceae
Common Name:
Tasmanian Blue Gum
Origin:
Indigenous to Australia. It is now found in North and South Africa, China,
India, southern Europe and California, USA
Description:
A tall evergreen tree which can grow to over 100 meters. The trunk is
covered with peeling, papery bark. The leaves on the young plant are
opposite, sessile, soft, oblong pointed and a hoary blue color. The mature
leaves are alternate, petioled, leathery, shaped like a Arabian sword. The
flowers are solitary, auxiliary and white, with no petals and a woody calyx.
The fruit is a hard, four-celled, and many-seeded capsule enclosed in the
calyx cup.
Medicinal Parts used:
Leaves and essential oil.
Method of Extraction:
Double Steam Distilled
Chemical composition:
The main chemical components of Eucalyptus are:
Camphene, Citronellal, Fenchene, Phellandrene, Cineole
Oil Properties:
Eucalyptus has a clear, sharp, fresh and very distinctive smell. It is
pale clear to yellow in color and is thin and watery in viscosity.
Therapeutic Properties:
Eucalyptus oil is a strong antiseptic and lozenges made from it are useful
for lung diseases, cold and sore throats. its expectorant properties are
useful in treating bronchitis. It can also be used as a vapor bath or chest
rub for asthma and other respiratory complaints. It is said to be useful for
pyorrhea and for burns, where it prevents infection, and it also eradicates
lice and fleas. Externally, its antiseptic and deodorant qualities make it
suitable for use on purulent wounds and ulcers. Diluted in grape seed oil it
can be applied to cold sores or used as a massage oil, it can be applied to
cold sores or used as a massage oil for painful joints. A cold extract made
from the leaves is helpful for indigestion and for intermittent fever. In
traditional Australian Aboriginal medicine the leaves are used as a
poultices for any type of wound and inflammation.
Safety Information:
Toxic if taken internally (essential oils should not be taken internally
without the advise of a healthcare practitioner).
|
