Eucalyptus

Latin name: Eucalyptus globules Labill. (Myrtaceae)

Sanskrit/Indian name: Tailapatra, Sugandhapatra

General information:

The essential oil derived from the plant Eucalyptus has various health and medicinal benefits.

Topical ointments containing Eucalyptus oil have been used in traditional Aboriginal medicines to heal wounds and fungal infections. Teas containing Eucalyptus leaves were also used to reduce fevers. The therapeutic uses of Eucalyptus soon spread to other traditional medicine systems, including Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Greco-European.

Nilgiri Oil (Eucalyptus oil distilled in the Nilgiri mountains, Tamil Nadu, India) has been studied by the Medical Department, Government of Madras, India, for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. The results revealed that the oil acts as an expectorant and loosens phlegm in the respiratory passages.

Therapeutic constituents:

Cineole (62%) and pinene (24%) are the principal active constituents of the oil from leaves obtained from plantations of Nilgiri district of Tamilnadu. The essential oil contains the principal compound eucalyptol, which is a potent antiseptic. The leaves contain tannins, which are believed to help reduce inflammation, flavonoids that have antioxidant properties and volatile oils.

Pharmacology

It has analgesic, expectorant, decongestant, antiseptic, anti-neuralgic properties and increases blood circulation¹.

Clinical Studies

The Nilgiri oil (Eucalyptus oil distilled in Nilgiris) is being used by the Medical Department of the Government of Madras for several years in cases of upper respiratory tract infections and has proved quite satisfactory.

Toxicology

Cases of eucalyptus oil poisoning have been sometimes reported. In cases of babies and young children, The oil should not be applied on face, especially on the nose.

Key therapeutic benefits:

Dried leaves are used in the form of a tincture in asthma and chronic bronchitis. The oil is used locally as an antiseptic, especially in the treatment of infections of the upper respiratory tract. Mixed with an equal amount of olive oil, it is useful as a rubefacient for rheumatism. Internally it is used as a stimulating expectorant in chronic bronchitis and asthma. It is frequently given by inhalation.

A few drops of the oil may be added along with menthol, oil of pine and Compound Tincture of Benzoin to boiling water and the mixed vapor and steam are inhaled.Eucalyptus oil is effective for treating a number of respiratory problems including cold, cough, a runny nose, sore throat, asthma, nasal congestion, bronchitis, and sinusitis.

The oil is an effective antiseptic and a germicidal that heals superficial cuts and wounds.Because of its anti-inflammatory property, the essential oil relieves rheumatism and other muscle and joint aches.

Used in Movido

References

1. Cooksley, V.G., 1996, Aromatherapy, Prentice Hall, New Jersey 07652.