Eucalyptus

Gum Tree, Blue-Gum (E. globulus)
Lan An 蓝桉 (TCM)
Tilaparna (Ayurveda)
Karpooramaram (Siddha)
Picture Eucalyptus globulus
Köhler, F.E., Köhler’s Medizinal Pflanzen (1898)

Picture 1, Upper surface of the leaf at the left; under surface at the right.
2, An older fruit with the lid removed. 3, Persistent stamen and a
central style. 4, Lid of the fruit. 5, Side view of a young fruit.
(Squibb’s Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919)

Botanical name:


Eucalyptus globulus
E. citriodora (Lemon-scented Gum) is used similarly, as have several other species.

Parts used:


Leaf, Essential oil; long, narrow mature leaves are selected.
The bark has been used similarly for Fever, Intermittent Fever etc.

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, dry. Pungent, Bitter. Some have suggested Eucalyptus has both heating and cooling effects.

Uses:


1. Clears Wind-Heat, Resists Poison:
-Fever, Common Cold, Flu, Malarial Fever
-Sore Throat, Diphtheria
-Abscess, Sores, Eczema
-Enteritis, Diarrhea, Dysentery
-Neuralgia, Headache, Migraine (topically)

2. Clears Heat, Stops Cough:
-Lung-heat type Cough and Asthma
-Chronic Bronchitis, Whooping Cough
-accepted as efficacious for Cough and Bronchitis by Commission E.

3. Strengthens the Stomach:
-indigestion, bloating, colic
-Gastric Pain, Gastric Ulcers
-also for Worms in children
-also used for Diabetes

4. Externally:
-oil is used topically for Headache, Neuralgia, Joint pain
-oil is used topically for Itchy Skin diseases
-oil topically is strong against Acne
-in mouth washes for sore and inflamed Gums, and to freshen the breath
-gargle for Sore Throat
-apply to Mosquito Bites and other insect bites
-oil or compress for Wounds (oil shouldn’t be applied to broken skin)
-a paste of the crushed fresh leaves is applied to Wounds
-steaming or vaporizing with Eucalyptus oil to prevent infection during Flu epidemics
-steaming or vaporizing and inhaling for sore throat and acute cough
-an enema of Eucalyptus decoction or extract has been used for Worms
-paste of the fresh leaves applied to promote hair growth in baldness
-the infusion is used as a shampoo


Dose:


Powder: 1–2 grams
Standard Infusion (1 teaspoonful per cup) can be given in 50–100ml doses, several times per day.
Decoction: 2–6 grams, added at the end of decoction
Tincture (1:5 in 60% alcohol): 2–5mls
Fluid Extract of Eucalyptus: 15–60 drops (1–2mls. according to other sources)
Essential Oil: 2–5 drops (to a maximum of 8 drops, or 0.5 ml.) taken on sugar.
The Essential oil or decoction is used topically.

Main Combinations:


1. Fever:
i. Eucalyptus, Camomile, Peppermint
ii. Fever with Chills: “Not failed once in an hundred cases by giving adult 60 drops of the Fluid Extract of Eucalyptus, three times a day.” (The medical genius – a guide to the cure, Jones, 1887)
2. Colds with Cough, Eucalyptus leaf, Peppermint, Basil leaf as a hot infusion
3. Cough, Bronchitis:
i. Eucalyptus, Thyme, Aniseed
ii. Eucalyptus oil, Peppermint oil, Thyme oil (equal parts) applied to the chest and upper back
4. Malarial (Intermittent) Fever, Eucalyptus, Cinchona
5. Diabetes: “Case reported cured, with Fluid Extract of Eucalyptus, adult 20 drops, 4 times a day” (The medical genius – a guide to the cure, Jones, 1887)
6. Muscle aches and Pains:
i. Eucalyptus oil, Lavender oil
ii. Eucalyptus oil, Peppermint oil, Clove oil, Camphor in a base of oil and wax
7. Dirty, blocked skin pores, Eucalyptus oil, Lavender oil, Aloe vera gel; mix and apply
8. To clear the Sinus, mix essential oils of Eucalyptus and Mint and sniff often. It also clears and refreshes the head.

Major Formulas:



Cautions:


1. Occasionally, Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea have been reported.
2. The Essential oil should be used very cautiously internally, if at all. It is contraindicated in gastrointestinal and during Pregnancy inflammations.

Toxicity:


Overdose of the oil causes burning pain in the stomach, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.

Main Preparations used:


Essential Oil