Eucalyptus Oil

(Eucalyptus globulus)

Description A beautiful, tall, evergreen tree, up to 90 metres high. The young trees have bluish-green oval leaves while the mature trees develop long, narrow, yellowish leaves, creamy-white flowers and a smooth, pale grey hark often covered in a white powder.

History / Traditions A traditional household remedy in Australia, the leaves and oil are especially used for respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and croup, and the dried leaves are smoked like tobacco for asthma. It is also used for feverish conditions (malaria, typhoid, cholera, etc.) and skin problems like burns, ulcers and wounds. Aqueous extracts are used for aching joints, bacterial dysentery, ringworms, tuberculosis, etc. and employed for similar reasons in western and eastern medicine. The wood is also used for timber production in Spain.

Extraction Essential oil by steam distillation from the fresh or partially dried leaves and young twigs.

Details of Oil A colorless mobile liquid (yellows on ageing), with a somewhat harsh camphoraceous odour and woody-sweet undertone. It blends well with thyme, rosemary, lavender, marjoram, pine, cedarwood and lemon. (The narrow-leaved eucalyptus (F. radiata var. australiana) is often used in preference to the blue gum in aromatherapy work, being rich in cineol but with a sweeter and less harsh odour.)

Properties

SKIN CARE: Burns, blisters, cuts, herpes, insect bites, insect repellent, lice, skin infections, wounds.

CIRCULATION, MUSCLES AND JOINTS: Muscular aches and pains, poor circulation, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains, etc.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis, throat infections.

GENITO-URINARY SYSTEM: Cystitis, leucorrhoea.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Chickenpox, colds, epidemics, 'flu, measles.

NERVOUS SYSTEM: Debility, headaches, neuralgia.

OTHER USES The oil and cineol are largely employed in the preparation of liniments, inhalants, cough syrups, ointments, toothpaste and as pharmaceutical flavourings also used in veterinary practise and dentistry. Used as a fragrance component in soaps, detergents and toiletries - little used in perfumes. Used for the isolation of cineol and employed as a flavour ingredient in most major food categories.

Physical Effects Analgesic, anti neuralgic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, balsamic, cicatrisant, decongestant, deodorant, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, parasiticide, prophylactic, rubefacient, stimulant, vermifuge, vulnerary.

Contra Indications Externally non-toxic, non-irritant (in dilution), non-sensitizing. 'When taken internally eucalyptus oil is toxic and as little as 3.Sml has been reported as fatal'.

Components Cineol (70-85 per cent), pinene, limonene, cymene, phellandrene, terpinene, aromadendrene, among others.

Back to Essential Oils