 |
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms |
|
|
|
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus leaves contain an essential oil which is a powerful natural disinfectant. The oil is readily distilled from the leaves and can be used for cleaning, deodorizing, and in very small quantities in food supplements, especially cough drops and decongestants. Eucalypt oil has been used in medicine, industry and for perfumes. Essential oils are the aromatic 'essences' found in various plant parts. Because they evaporate when exposed to the air at ordinary temperatures they are called volatile or essential oils. These oils possess characteristic odours, are colourless, insoluble in water and are separated from plant material by steam distillation or solvent extraction.
Extracts of Eucalyptus have been an integral part of folk medicine for centuries, and it is well documented in mummeries early medical texts. Now Eucalyptus Oil is stem distilled from Eucalyptus trees in Australia. This essential oil is 100% pure.
A great number of species of Eucalyptus trees yielding essential oils, the oils from the various species differing widely in character, the foliage of some being more odorous than others.
Species which have been found to gave larger yields or better oils are commercially planted. About 25 species are at the present time being utilized for their oils.
All eucalyptus oils are produced through steam distillation of the fresh leaves and branch tips. The initial distillation yields a darker yellow oil than most commercially available oil. This is because the crude oil is redistilled or rectified, removing various less stable constituents that would cause the oil to deteriorate more rapidly. It also produces a more consistent product with the characteristic cineole constituent predominating.
The Eucalyptus oils can be roughly divided into 3 classes of commercial importance: (1) the medicinal oils and aromatherapy oils, which contain large amounts of eucalyptol (2) the industrials oils, containing terpenes, which are used for floatation purposes in mining operations; (3) the aromatic oils, such as citriodora, which are characterized by their aroma.
Medicinal oils and aromatherapy oils -- 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.
lndustrial oils -- these contain phellandrene and piperitone as the principal constituents. Phellandrene oils are used in the manufacture of inexpensive disinfectants, household and industrial liquid soaps, and germicidal preparations. Piperitone oils provide the base material for the manufacture of synthetic menthol and thymol. Species used to provide these oils are E.dives, E.elata and E.radiata.
Perfumery oils -- two species of eucalypt have been exploited to supply oils for the perfumery industry: E.citriodora (now Corymbia citriodora) for citronellal and E.macarthurii for geranyl acetate and eudesmol. Extraction of these oils in Australia is no longer economically viable.
Uses - The oil, or lozenges and cough drops made from it, is useful for lung diseases, sore throat, gout, syphilis, gonorrhea, typhoid, varicose ulcers, worms, colds, croup, diphtheria, malaria, neuralgia, piles, and sore throat. It can be used as a vapor bath and inhaled for asthma and other respiratory ailments, and is an antiseptic bath addition. Its expectorant properties are useful for bronchitis. The oil is also said to be useful for pyorrhea and for burns, to prevent infection. Externally, the antiseptic and deodorant qualities of the oil make it suitable for use on purulent (pus filled) wounds, sores, boils, and ulcers. Rubbed on the skin, oil of eucalyptus gives relief from the pain of arthritis, and rheumatism, it increases blood flow to the area, producing a feeling of warmth. The oil is commonly used in steam inhalation for colds and flu, a few whiffs is often all it takes to clear a stuffy nose and a foggy head.
| Physical Properties | | Species | | Fighting Malaria |
| Eucalyptus Oil | | Medicinal Action and Uses |
| Home |
