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Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus - Probably the most easily recognised of all the essential oils. It is most often used as an inhalant for coughs and colds.
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 Eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus since it is included in so many of the medicinal preparations the aroma of eucalyptus is recognised by almost everyone. Native to Australia, there are over 600 species of eucalyptus which are now cultivated throughout the world. Eucalypts, which are evergreen, form about three-quarters of the tree flora of Australia. Eucalyptus are widely distributed over the Australian continent. They range from the dwarfed and stunted forms called "Mallees" to the tall trees which grow in coastal and mountainous regions. The eucalyptus are a valuable source of hardwood and although the leaves of all species contain some eucalyptus oil less than 20 species have enough oil of commercial value to be exploited and of these only 10 account for almost the entire world production. In their country of origin, they often attain a height in excess of 100m, a few are even taller than the famous giant redwoods of California. The trees provide food for the koala bear, which feeds exclusively on eucalyptus leaves. The genus name is derived from the Greek eu, meaning "well", and kalyptos, meaning "cover". Eu kalyptos refers to the well-covered flower buds, which are cone shaped and have a lid-like structure that opens as the flowers mature.
Not all species of eucalyptus produce an essential oil. The Tasmanian blue gum Eucalyptus globulus, called ‘ballook’ by the Australian aboriginals, is widely cultivated around the Mediterranean and is the favoured variety for medicinal purposes. Eucalyptus trees are known as gum trees because they exude a sticky, tannin-rich substance known as kino. The flower buds are covered by an extraorinary cap-like membrane, which pops open like a lid when ready for pollination, revealling the small white, fragrant blooms. The bark occasionally exudes a sweet smelling gum, though only the bluish green leathery leaves produce the essential oil, The numerous oil glands are visible when a leaf is held up to the light. Other species of eucalyptus that produce useful essential oils include: narrow-leaved eucalyptus believed to be particularly helpful for viral infections; and lemon scented eucalyptus E. citriodora especially recommended for rheumatic aches and pains.
Nineteenth-century British colonists, noting the fragrant, medicinal aroma of eucalyptus groves, planted the ‘fever tree’ (as it became to be known), in tropical fever ridden districts throughout the Empire in an effort to drive away insects and contagious disease. The huge, strong roots are capable of absorbing enormous amounts of water, eventually transforming the marsh into dry land., making marshy soils into arable, habitable land. This deterred disease-carrying insects, especially mosquitoes, which need standing water to breed.
Eucalyptus was first used as a medicine by the aboriginal peoples of Australia. They would boil the leaves in water and took the resulting tea as a medicine to cure fevers, such as malaria. They also made poultices with the leaves to heal infected wounds. At one time the European settlers in Australia would smoke the leaves like tobacco to treat asthma.
The eucalyptus oil story began in 1788 with the arrival of the First Fleet and Surgeon-General John White. Within a few weeks of arriving, White recorded in his diary the presence of olfactory oil in the eucalyptus; the genus being named eucalyptus by the French botanist L’Heritier in the same year. Governor Philip sent a sample to Sir Joseph Banks. Surgeon-General White distilled a quart of oil from the "Sydney Peppermint", Eucalyptus piperita Sm., which was found growing on the shores of Port Jackson, where Sydney now stands. When the oil was tested in England, it was reported to be "much more efficacious in removing all cholicky complaints than that of the oil obtained from the well known English peppermint, being less pungent and more aromatic". Following this discovery other people extracted eucalyptus oil, including the pioneer, Dr Officer in Tasmania, and the pastoralist Charles Armitage, but none of them exploited it. |
 Healing Benefits The first medical research into the properties of eucalyptus leaves was carried out in Germany by Doctors Cloez (1870), Faust and Homeyer (1874). They prescribed eucalyptus for bronchitis, asthma, catarrh, coughs, colds and flu because it seemed to have a special affinity with the respiratory system. According to the 20th century aromathrapy pioneer Dr Jean Valnet, tea made from eucalyptus leaves (not the essential oil) can also lower high blood sugar levels. He suggested that eucalyptus tea may therefore help non-insulin dependent diabetes - the type which tends to occur in mid to late life. Treatment of such conditions, however, should be carried out only under the supervision of a qualified herbal medical practitioner.
The essential oil distillation of eucalyptus began in Australia in 1854, although today most of the oil is produced in Spain and Portugal as well as Brazil, California, Russia and China. The oil is captured by steam distillation of the fresh or partially dried leaves and young twigs. It is virtually colourless liquid, which becomes yellow as it ages, and has a piercing camphoraceous aroma, with a woody undertone. Its odour effect is usually perceived as enlivening, cooling and head clearing.
Commercially eucalyptus is used in preparation of liniments, inhalants, cough syrups, antiseptic ointments and toothpastes. It is also used in veterinary practice and dentistry. Although little used in perfumery, eucalyptus is often found as a frgrant component in soaps, detergents and toiletries. Herbal practitioners still prescribe eucalyptus leaf tea for breathing ailments, but the essential oil has a much more potent effect on the respiratory system. Its principal constituent - cineol, comprises 70 - 85% of the oil and is believed to account for its powerful germicidal actions. However, Dr Valnet pointed out that the bactericidal effect of cineol in isolation is less potent than the action of the whole eucalyptus oil, with its other constituents in concert with the cineol.
Therapeutic properties eucalyptus oil is perhaps best known as a decongestant inhalation for chesty coughs, colds and catarrh. At the onset of cold or fly symptoms, inhaling a drops from a bowl of steaming water throughout the day can stop the visus in its tracks. This is less effective if carried out once the virus has taken a strong hold, although it will clear the nasel passages and sinuses temporarily, and help to protect against secondary bacterial infections like bronchitis. For a sore throat, gargle with 1 or 2 drops of eucalyptus oil in warm water.
Used directly, eucalyptus is a good antiseptic for wounds and has been used successfully to treat cold sores. It helps relieve pain and itching when applied to the blisters of shingles, and is a good choice in a massage blend for easing rheumatic pain and fibrositis.
Eucalyptus effectively repels or kills insects, and for this purpose may be applied diluted to the skin, or used in burners and sprays. It can be helpful for blemished skin, greasy hair and dandruff, where it could be blended with a sweeter smelling and therapeutically compatible oil, such as lavender.
The cooling and penetrating qualities of eucalyptus promote easier mental concentration and logical thought processes, so it is a good oil to use in a burner during study periods.
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