Common Name: |
Blue Gum |
Other Names: |
Eucalyptus, Fever Tree, Gum Tree, Tasmanian Blue Gum |
Botanical Name: |
Eucalyptus globulus |
Genus: |
Eucalyptus |
Family: |
Myrtaceae |
Cultivation: |
Fertile, well-drained neutral to acid soil in sun; E. camaldulensis thrives in moist to wet soil and shallow water. Young specimens make good container plants for cool areas but do not thrive long-term in pots. Eucalyptus citriodora and E. globulus may be grown as annuals for summer bedding or containers. Prone to silver leaf, edema, and psyllids. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown in spring or summer 13-18°C (55-64%deg;F). Cut back in spring only to restrict size or to retain juvenile foliage. |
Harvest: |
Leaves are cut as required and dried for decoctions and infusions, or distilled for oil. Kino is collected from bark incisions and dried for use in lozenges, powders, and tinctures. |
Native Location: |
To moist valleys in uplands of New South Wales and Victoria Australia, Algeria, Southern China, Egypt, India, South Africa, Spain, California |
Height: |
15-45m (50-150ft) |
Width: |
10-25m (30-80ft) |
Extraction: |
Steam Distillation |
Hardiness: |
Z9-10 |
Parts Used: |
Leaves, oil extracted from leaf and branch tips. |
Properties: |
An aromatic, stimulant, decongestant herb that is expectorant, relaxes spasms, and lowers fevers. It is effective against many bacteria, especially staphylococci Antiseptic, expectorant, slightly antispasmodic, mildly astringent, analgesic, rubefacient, bactericidal, antiviral. |
Color and Odor: |
The essential oil is colorless and has a distinct, crisp, camphoraceous odor that is penetrating and refreshing. |
Planet: |
Mercury |
Background: |
It was introduced to Europe and the rest of the world from Australia in 1857. The trees are usually planted in swampy areas to prevent the spread of malaria. However, when grown outside Australia it tends to secrete substances that inhibit the growth of surrounding plants. |
Element: |
Air |
Magical Influences: |
Health, Purification, Healing. |
Uses: |
- Respiratory SytemAn extremely effective remedy for reducing body temperature in all type of fever. Valuable as a decongestant for catarrh in most respiratory infections including colds, influenza, sinusitis, tuberculosis and throat infections, especially when there is a purulent mucus discharge. Provides good protection during epidemics. Eucalyptus is useful for hayfever.
- Nervous SystemAnalgesic in neuralgia and congestive headaches.
- Muscular SytemGood for general muscular aches and pains.
- Skeletal SystemBeneficial for rheumatoid arthritis and helps to remove toxins in the joints.
- SkinGood for skin eruptions, shingles, herpes, indolent wounds, ulcers and burns.
- EmotionsClears the head of mental exhaustion and the inability to concentrate. Balances extremes of the mood. Eucalyptus cools heated emotions when people are engaged in any form of combat, be it verbal, emotional or physical. It's aroma creates a feeling of space.
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Blends: |
RESPIRATORY |
NERVOUS |
MUSCULAR |
Eucalyptus 7 |
Eucalyptus 7 |
Eucalytptus 6 |
Pine 3 |
Lavender 4 |
Chamomile (R) 5 |
Benzoin 3 |
Peppermint 2 |
Lavender 3 |
|
SKELETAL |
SKIN |
EMOTION |
Eucalyptus 7 |
Eucalyptus 5 |
Eucalyptus 5 |
Juniper 4 |
Lavender 4 |
Lemon 4 |
Rosemary 3 |
Tea Tree 3 |
Basil 3 |
|
Medicinal Uses: |
Externally, in inhalations and vapor rubs, for mucus, bronchitis, sinusitis, colds, and influenza; in liniments for bruises, sprains, and muscular pains; in ointments, for wounds and abscesses. Excess causes headaches, convulsions, and delirium and may prove fatal. Eucalyptus leaf is used to treat asthma, fever, whooping cough, loss of appetite, diabetes, and fever. Eucalyptus oil is used to treat asthma, emphysema, cough, ulcers, wounds, burns, and rheumatism. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of eucalyptus leaf to treat coughs and bronchitis and eucalyptus oil to treat rheumatism, bronchitis, and cough. |
Typical Dose: |
The average daily dose of eucalyptus is 1.5 gm of the leaf taken several times a day. A typical internal dose of eucalyptus oil may range from 0.3 to 0.6 gm, while externally several drops of the essential oil may be rubbed onto the skin. |
Possible Side Effects: |
Eucalyptus's side effects include dizziness, seizures, nausea, loss of appetite, and confusion. |
Warning: |
Subject to legal restrictions some countries in the form of eucalyptus oil. Skin irritant. |
Drug Interactions: |
Taking eucalyptus with these drugs may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): |
Acarbose, (Prandase, Precose) |
Acetohexamide, (Acetohexamide) |
Chlorpropamide, (Diabinese, Novo-Propamide) |
Gliclazide, (Diamicron, Novo-Gliclazide) |
Glimepiride, (Amaryl) |
Glipizide, (Glucotrol) |
Glipizide and Metformin, (Metaglip) |
Gliquidone, (Beglynor, Glurenorm) |
Glyburide, (DiaBeta, Micronase) |
Glyburide and Metformin, (Glucovance) |
Insulin, (Humulin, Novolin R) |
Metformin, (Glucophage, Riomet) |
Miglitol, (Glyset) |
Nateglinide, (Starlix) |
Pioglitazone, (Actos) |
Repaglinide, (GlucoNorm, Prandin) |
Rosiglitazone, (Avandia) |
Rosiglitazone and Metformin, (Avandamet) |
Tolazamide, (Tolinase) |
Tolbutamide, (Apo-Tolbutamide, Tol-Tab) |
Taking eucalyptus with these drugs may reduce the effectiveness of the drug: |
Amobarbital, (Amytal) |
Amobarbital and Secobarbital, (Tuinal) |
Butabarbital, (Butisol Sodium) |
Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine, (Esgic, Fioricet) |
Butalbital, Aspirin, and Caffeine, (Fiorinal) |
Mephobarbital, (Mebaral) |
Methohexital, (Brevital, Brevital Sodium) |
Pentobarbital, (Nembutal) |
Phenobarbital, (Luminal Sodium, PMS-Phenobarbital) |
Primidone, (Apo-Primidone, Mysoline) |
Secobarbital, (Seconal) |
Thiopental, (Pentothal) |
|
Disease Effects: |
- May interfere with attempts to control blood sugar in diabetes.
- May worsen disease of the liver or gastrointestinal tract.
|
Supplement Interactions: |
Increased risk of additive toxicity when eucalyptus oil is used with herbs and supplements containing unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (UPAs), such as Butterbur, Comfrey, and Colt's Foot. |
Economic Uses: |
Used as a flavoring in pharmaceutical products and in spot removers for oil and grease. An important lumber species, used for the keels of ships in the 19th century. Widely planted to dry out swampy ground, notably in Italy and California. |
Bibliography: |
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp 206-207 Aromatherapy Blends and recipes by Franzesca Watson Copyright © 1995 Thorsons, Harper Parker Publishing Inc. Pp 100-101 Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham Copyright © 1989 Llewellyn Publications, Inc. Pp 84 The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.208-209
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