Medical Action and Uses

By its very essence, eucalyptus has the scent of freshness and purification. It smells healthy, and consequently, its oils have been used in both folk and modern medicine. The tree is planted in hot, swampy parts of the world to help dry swampland, and to discourage the proliferation of malaria carrying mosquitoes. Throughout the 19th century in England, eucalyptus oil was used in hospitals to clean urinary catheters. Laboratory studies later revealed that eucalyptus oil contains substances with strong antibacterial properties

Eucalyptus is also used in sachets, and pet collars to repel fleas. The parts of this plant used medicinally are the leaves, twigs, and oil. Eucalyptus was first used by Australian Aborigines, who not only chewed the roots for water in the dry outback, but also used the leaves as a remedy for fevers. In traditional Australian Aboriginal medicine, the leaves were used in poultices for any type of wound and inflammation. Eucalyptus was introduced to the West in the 19th century by the director of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens, and cultivation of the tree spread in southern Europe and North America. During the last century, American physicians used Eucalyptus oil to disinfect medical equipment and wounds. They also recommended a steam inhalation of Eucalyptus vapors to help treat whooping cough, bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema.

Eucalyptus leaves contain tannins (which are believed to help reduce inflammation), flavonoids (such as quercetin which has antioxidants properties), and volatile oils. The essential oil used for medicinal purposes is produced by boiling eucalyptus leaves in water, condensing the vapor, and collecting it. A traditional household remedy in Australia, the leaves and oil are especially used for respiratory ailments such as bronchitis, croup, and feverish conditions (malaria, typhoid, cholera, etc.) and skin problems like burns, ulcers and wounds.

One of the most enduring medical uses for eucalyptus is its power to ease nasal congestion and quell cough. It can be used as a stimulant, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, and antiseptic. It is used in the treatment of septic fevers, diphtheria, asthma, foetid breath, ulcers (syphilitic and otherwise), infections of the bladder, urethra, vagina, and spongy and bleeding gums. It is used as a disinfectant in gangrenous or foetid suppuration, foul ulcers, and offensive skin discharges. It is used too for coughs, lung diseases, and sorethroats. Eucalyptus tea is good for digestion. Eucalyptus oil in hot baths serves as a nerve sedative. A popular cure for singers and speakers with sore throats has been "Mission Eucalyptus" used along with Listerine which too contains eucalyptus oil.

Eucalyptus oil manufactured for medical purposes can be found in several     different forms. It comes as a capsule, fluid extract, powered extract, solid extract, elixir compound, inhalant, lozenges, tinctures, and pills. All of these preparations have a strong pepperminty odor. On the tongue and in the stomach, eucalyptus oil produces warmth. If taken internally, large doses can produce headaches, and fatigue. It can cause death in animals from paralysis. Eucalyptus tea is good for digestion. Eucalyptus oil in hot baths serves as a nerve sedative.

The active therapeutic agent of medicinal oils is cineole, of which a minimum of 70% is required to meet commercial specifications. Medicinal oils are graded on their cineole content, and it is common practice to improve them by blending and purification. These oils are used for inhalants, embrocations, soaps, gargles, sprays, lozenges and dentrifices. Eucalypt species which contain commercial quantities of cineole are E.polybractea, E.radiata, E.dives, E.sideroxylon, E.leucoxylon, E.goniocalyx, E.viridis, E.smithii, E.cneorifolia, E.globulus, E.dumosa and E.oleosa.

Eucalyptus oil is used as a stimulant and antiseptic gargle. Locally applied, it impairs sensibility. It increases cardiac action. It also encourages emotional balance.

An emulsion made by shaking up equal parts of the oil and powdered gum-arabic with water has been used as a urethral injection, and has also been given internally in drachm doses in pulmonary tuberculosis and other microbic diseases of the lungs and bronchitis.

In croup and spasmodic throat troubles, the oil may be freely applied externally. The oil is an ingredient of 'catheder oil', used for sterilizing and lubricating urethral catheters.

Eucalyptus honey, gathered by bees from eucalyptus flowers, is quite active, and has been recommended for parasitic and putrescent conditions, gonorrhoea, fevers. and catarrhal diseases. It is sedative to the heart, actively diuretic, and increases the elimination of uric acid.

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