Eucalyptus
(Eucalyptus globulus)
The majority of eucalyptus species originate from Australia where the plant was widely used in Aboriginal medicine to treat fevers, dysentery and sores.
In
the 19th century, Baron Ferdinand von Muller, director of the Melbourne Botanical
Gardens from 1857 to 1873, brought the plant to Europe and cultivation spread
in southern Europe and North America.
The tree requires large amounts of water and widespread cultivation in parts
of Italy has since had a dramatic and adverse effect on local water-table
levels.
Parts Used: : leaves, essential oil
Actions: antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, anthelmintic, expectorant, febrifuge, lowers blood sugar levels, stimulant
Properties And Uses: The essential oil (extracted by
steam distillation) is mainly used externally and is included in numerous
rubs for muscle aches, steam inhalations for catarrh and colds, or added
in small quantities to throat pastilles.
Various species are used medicinally, some of them with slightly different
actions: Australian peppermint (E. dives) is largely used for chest
rubs, sciatica and arthritis; lemon-scented eucalyptus (E. atnodoro) has
a more anti-fungal action and is used for athlete's foot and candidiasis.
Russian research has suggested that some species are effective against the
flu virus. others are anti-malarial or combat a wide range of bacteria.
Caution: Excess may cause headache and delirium.
