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What’s this
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) is a big tree of the Myrtaceae family native to Australia and cultivated in various temperate climate zones, including Italy. The eucalyptus plants they are very widespread thanks to their ability to grow very quickly, which is why they have often been used to reforest the woods, drain wet land and as windbreaks, as well as to produce paper. The eucalyptus has the particularity of developing different leaves based on the age of the plant itself and of the branches, a phenomenon known as leaf dysmorphism: the young plants and nrami bear oval and rounded leaves, while the adult plants and branches have sickle-shaped leaves. The latter constitute the drug of the plant. The eucalyptus leaves they are used as a natural remedy due to the presence of essential oil, contained in secretory pockets clearly visible when looking at the leaf against the light. L’eucalyptus essential oil it is balsamic and has an antiseptic, expectorant and mucolytic action.
Property
The leaves of adult eucalyptus plants are rich in essential oil, phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins which give this remedy property antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, expectorant and mucolytic. It is therefore a plant that is used against respiratory disorders such as colds, pharyngitis, sinusitis and minor bronchopulmonary diseases. When a preparation based on eucalyptus is taken, part of the essential oil is eliminated from the body through the lungs where it acts by reducing inflammation, inhibiting the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and stimulating the production of mucus. The antiseptic action of eucalyptus is also useful in case of urinary tract infections, to fight mycoses such as Candida albicans and to treat intestinal parasites.
Uses
The dried eucalyptus leaves are taken in the form of herbal tea alone or with other plants with similar action such as thyme, oregano or rosemary to reduce the flu symptoms such as cough, sore throat, cold, excess mucus and fever. To treat these ailments, they are also commercially available syrups with eucalyptus, candies, supplements containing the dry extract of the plant and mother tinctures. Eucalyptus herbal tea is also useful as an adjunct in the treatment of cystitis, candida infections and intestinal parasites. Furthermore, theeucalyptus infusion it can also be used to gargle to relieve sore throats.
L’eucalyptus essential oil it is instead used for fumigations, spread in the environment and applied on the chest and back always with the same indications of the infusion. For the fumigations it is sufficient to pour a dozen drops of essence into boiling water, and then inhale the vapors. Diffusion into the environment is instead carried out thanks to burners or electric diffusers and is useful for cleaning the air and decongesting the airways. To apply the essence on the skin, instead, it is necessary to dilute two drops of essential oil in a tablespoon of olive, sunflower or sweet almond oil or in a tablespoon of shea butter: the mixture is then massaged into the area of the shoulder blades and breastbone up to three times a day, particularly before going to sleep, in order to be able to breathe better at night. Also as regards the essence, as for the infusion, the essential oil of eucalyptus can be associated with other oils with balsamic action such as those of thyme, rosemary, pine, mint, oregano.
The applications of creams, oils, ointments and ointments containing eucalyptus also help in case of skin burns, rheumatic pains and mycosis of the skin and nails. In this case, the essence of eucalyptus can be used together with that of lavender, with a soothing action, that of rosemary to combat pain or that of Tea tree in case of fungi. On the other hand, oral administration of eucalyptus essential oil is not recommended because, although it is effective, it can lead to toxicity.
Contraindications
Herbal teas prepared with eucalyptus leaves have no particular side effects but it must be taken into account that at high dosages the use of eucalyptus can be toxic, therefore therapeutic dosages must not be exceeded. The overdose it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. The internal use of eucalyptus-based preparations are then contraindicated in case of liver diseases and inflammatory pathologies affecting the gastrointestinal tract and biliary tract.
The use of essential oil can instead cause allergic dermatitis in sensitive people, irritation of the mucous membranes, asthma and spasms in the larynx and bronchi. Also in this case, do not exceed with the quantities of essence used. The internal administration of essential oil is always not recommended: the essence must be used only externally and always diluted. Better to avoid using it in pregnancy, breastfeeding and on small children, including topical preparations.
