Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus

Scientific name: Eucalyptus globulus

Part used: Leaves

In a word: Mucous mover

Uses: Seasonal rhinitis, hay fever, allergies, coughs, colds, recurrent coughs and colds, chronic respiratory mucous over production

Introduction

The scent of Eucalyptus oil and colds go hand in hand. Indeed, very few rub-on cold remedies lack it. What many do not know is that the leaf of the plant was first used as a treatment for coughs and colds. It’s only in recent days that the extracted leaf oil has been used for this purpose. As coughs and colds seem to be getting worse, it might be time to pull out the forgotten weapon, the simple eucalyptus leaf. Today people are picking up coughs that last a winter, coming and going from time to time. Herbalists say that when a person has a cough or a cold that keeps coming back, Eucalyptus leaf is logical choice.

Eucalyptus, and even the honey produced from its flowers, is thought to be a gentle stimulant to health.

History

The eucalyptus tree is native to Australia and was first used by Aboriginal people to treat coughs and colds. "Lloyds History of Vegetable Drugs", written in 1922, give us a window into its former uses.

"Eucalyptus globulus, and other species of eucalyptus, are indigenous to Australia, where the leaves are employed by the natives as a remedy for intermittent fever. It was thus introduced to Europeans towards the middle of the 19^th century. Possibly its employment by the crew of the ship La Favorita, who in the vicinity of Botany Bay were nearly decimated by fever, from which they recovered through the use of an infusion of the leaves of eucalyptus, first through the efforts of Dr. Eydoux and M. de Salvy, gave the drug conspicuity. Dr. Ramel, of Valencia, however, has the credit of introducing the drug to the Academy of Medicine, 1866, thus brining it to the attention of the medical profession, by whom it is now used in extract form, in other directions than that for which it was originally commended. The distilled oil of eucalyptus has now an extended reputation and use. The date of the first use of eucalyptus by the natives of Australia is unknown.

Science

Eucalyptus contains a cocktail of compounds that make it active in infections. Perhaps the most famous are its oils. Eucalyptol, one of its oils, has been found to be expectorant, decongestant, pain relieving, anti-cough, and bacteria killing. The long held traditional uses in recurrent infections suggest Eucalyptus contains immune system stimulating constituents, though this has not been studied as of yet.

Practitioners advice

The Eucalyptus tree, transplanted to the Mediterranean region, was quickly taken up as a tonic. The tea, and even the honey produced from its flowers, is thought to be a gentle stimulant to health. This is especially true if the person is inclined to respiratory infections or is having a hard time kicking a cough or a cold. In addition, it seems to reduce mucous production. This makes it of use in cases of chronic congestion, hay fever and allergies included.

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