Eucalyptus: medicinal properties and contraindications

The healing properties of eucalyptus are recognized by both official and traditional medicine. These evergreens belong to the Myrtle family. The genus has more than 700 species, among them there are shrubby species and trees.

The name of the plant comes from the Greek "eucalyptus", which means "good", "good." This word has another meaning - "calipt", translated as "hide". The European name was coined by the French biologist S. Brutel in the late 18th century. In Russia, eucalyptus was called a gummy or marvelous tree.

Chemical composition

The most valuable component of plant leaves is essential oil. In different types of plant materials, from 0.3 to 4.5% of this odorous substance is present. 80% of the oil is cineol. The substance has a chemical name - monocyclic terpene (menthan oxide). In its pure form, it is a liquid with a strong, burning taste, the smell of which is similar to the aroma of camphor. Interestingly, after drying the fresh leaves, the amount of essential oil decreases slightly.

In addition to cineole, the leaves contain tannins, coumaric acid, gallotannins, as well as cinnamic acid. The raw materials are rich in useful trace elements; the leaves contain aromathendren, volatile, turpentine oil, fellandren and vitamins.

The content of the ether component depends on the type of plant. So, from 20 kg of fresh leaves of spherical eucalyptus receive a liter of liquid ether.

How it looks and where it grows

Representatives of a large genus of eucalyptus trees differ in size, leaf shape, plants have common features. Shrubs form tall bushes, and trees grow to a height of 100 m. Trees live for a long time, specimens of 350-400 years old are known.

The tree trunk is straight or curved, the crown of different types of eucalyptus is diverse. It can be spreading, shapeless, pyramidal, ellipsoid, ovoid, or resemble the crown of a weeping willow. Eucalyptus bark also varies, it is smooth, fibrous, furrowed, scaly, folded. Some trees renew the top layer of the bark annually.

The leaves of the tree are oriented vertically, edge up. They have a rigid, dry leaf plate and grow on a “twisted” petiole. Therefore, on sunny days there is almost no shadow under the tree.

In most species, the leaf plate is very elongated, but there are eucalyptus trees with rounded leaves. All eucalyptus trees are evergreens and renew foliage gradually, throughout the year.The color of the leaves is gray-green, dark green with a grayish tint.

Eucalyptus trees begin to bloom and bear fruit when the tree reaches the age of 2–10 years. Flowering occurs in late spring or early summer. Flowers resemble fluffy balls, and fruit ripening lasts a whole year. The color of the flowers is white, pink, yellowish, saturated red, bright yellow.

Boxes have a peculiar shape resembling an acorn, a cone, a jug, ribbed spheres and ellipsoids, cut in half. The box contains several oblong or round seeds. In some species of eucalyptus, the seeds are similar to wings, which allows them to move some distance from the mother tree.

Where grows
The homeland of eucalyptus is considered to be the most southern and isolated continent - Australia, as well as islands lying to the north, in the equatorial belt. Most of the eucalyptus trees grow in Australia, while only 15 species are known outside the continent. Only 9 of them do not have Australian descent.

Representatives of this genus grow in the natural forests of Tasmania, as well as in New Zealand. One species grows in the Philippines, several representatives of the genus - on the islands of New Guinea and in the tropical forests of Indonesia. Above the equator, only one species grows - rainbow eucalyptus.

Trees and shrub species are cultivated artificially. Trees grow quickly and well draw water from the soil. Therefore, eucalyptus groves are planted in swampy areas in order to drain the soils. This is done in the swampy areas of Spain, in southern France, Greece, India, Africa, and the countries of South and North America. There are eucalyptus plantations on the Black Sea coast, in the Crimea and Abkhazia.

Eucalyptus plants grow on clay (brown and red) soils, podzolic, chestnut, sand, peat soils. Plants can be found on the plains, in gorges, on mountain slopes, in savannas, steppes and semi-deserts. On the equatorial islands, where volcanoes covered by forests rise, eucalyptus trees "climb" to a height of 1700–1800 m.

Trees and shrubs prefer moist but not flooded soils, while at the same time they tolerate seasonal floods. But saline and calcareous soils, eucalyptus plants do not tolerate well. Among them there are both thermophilic species that do not tolerate negative temperatures, and frost-resistant, wintering at minus 10-14 degrees. In mountainous areas, eucalyptus trees grow, surviving in very severe cold, when the temperature drops to minus 20-24 degrees.

Collection and storage

Eucalyptus leaves are collected by residents of the Black Sea coast and the Mediterranean countries. Some gardeners grow this plant at home. The bush feels good if there is a lot of light in the house, and the soil is always wet.

As medicinal raw materials, 3 types of eucalyptus are used - ashen, spherical and rod-shaped.

Collection

Recommendations on the timing of collection vary. Some procurers believe that leaves should be collected from mid-summer to late October. During these months, eucalyptus plantations grown in the Northern Hemisphere contain the maximum amount of essential oil.

According to another opinion, young leaves that appeared this year are harvested in November, when the temperature drops to plus 10 degrees and below. Wintered leaves can be taken throughout the year. They collect healthy leaves and young branches up to 40 cm long. It is better to use scissors so as not to cause much harm to the plant.

The collection of raw materials is carried out in clear, dry weather, in the middle of the day. You can’t do the harvesting in cloudy weather, early in the morning, in the rain, and immediately after it. Raw materials, saturated with moisture, dries longer. With large-scale preforms, you can skip the formation of mold and rotting green mass.

Drying

For drying in the open air, the branches are tied into loose bundles and suspended in an attic, in a barn, under a canopy or on a veranda. Brooms are hung so that they do not touch each other. It is important that the greenery does not get direct sunlight.Drying in a darkened, well-ventilated room is considered ideal.

If it started to rain, the humidity increased significantly, it is better to bring the raw materials into the house and take them back when the weather improves. Eucalyptus must be brought home even in good weather, as in coastal countries humidity often rises at night.

Raw materials prepared in separate leaves can be dried in the oven. The heating temperature should not exceed 100 degrees. The oven is heated, put inside a baking sheet or wire rack with raw materials and immediately turn off the heat. The oven door is opened a couple of centimeters. The raw materials are kept for 1.5–2 hours, then removed from the oven. The procedure is repeated until the sheet becomes dry and brittle.

Drying in the oven is best replaced by natural drying or processing in a fruit dryer. At temperatures above 40 degrees, the ether component evaporates very much.

Eucalyptus is also dried in an electric dryer for fruits and vegetables. Pour the leaves on the plates, close the device and set the heating temperature to 35 degrees. Every 15 minutes, the lower and upper baking sheets are interchanged so that the raw materials dry out evenly. At the end of drying, the appliance is turned off and allowed to cool, only after that take out dried eucalyptus.

Storage

Dry raw materials in bundles can be left in storage in the same form in which it was collected. Brooms from eucalyptus branches are hung on a wall in a dry, ventilated pantry or in a barn. Branches and leaves can be chopped and stored in small bags of burlap or other porous tissue.

Also pack the sheet, dried in the oven or electric dryer. Instead of bags, you can use cardboard boxes with holes, but not plastic bags and containers. Eucalyptus raw materials are stored for a short time in metal vessels and glass jars.

Billets can not be placed in the cellar, basement, any other places with high humidity. In the apartment, the stock is stored in a bag or jar, on a closed shelf, separate from food. Shelf life of blanks is not more than 2 years.

The healing properties of eucalyptus

Preparations prepared from dry deciduous raw materials have the following types of action.

1. Antiseptic and bactericidal. Organic hydrocarbons aromadendren and fellandren, in contact with oxygen molecules, form ozone (O3). It destroys many pathogenic bacteria inside the body and on the skin, including mutated forms that are resistant to antibiotics.
2. Antiparasitic action. Eucalyptus is able to destroy helminths and is used to expel parasites; it is effective against adults and eggs.
3. Soothing and analgesic effects, including for pain caused by spasms.
4. The substances contained in eucalyptus normalize the production of insulin by the pancreas, which helps to reduce blood sugar.

For women

Infusions on dry raw materials are successfully used in the treatment of cervical erosion, endometriosis and endometritis. Infusions are taken orally and used externally as an antiseptic and healing agent. Tampons are moistened with a treatment solution and injected (placed) inside the vagina.

Eucalyptus-based agents are effective in treating cystitis and pyelonephritis. And they wipe the skin with infusion in order to quickly get rid of facial pigmentation after childbirth.

For men

The antimicrobial properties of eucalyptus allow the use of infusions from this plant for inflammatory and chronic diseases of the male genital organs. This is acute and chronic prostatitis, other pathologies caused by pathogenic bacteria.

During pregnancy

Official medicine has no data on the benefits and harms of eucalyptus oil and medicinal drinks on the body of the expectant mother. On packages with vegetable raw materials, manufacturers indicate that the use of drugs is not recommended for expectant mothers. On this issue, it is better to consult a gynecologist.

When breastfeeding

Raw material manufacturers do not recommend eucalyptus compounds and oils to nursing mothers. This is due to insufficient knowledge of the effects of esters and other active substances on breast milk and the baby.

It has not been studied which substances can penetrate into breast milk. Therefore, during breastfeeding, it is better to abandon eucalyptus-based drugs.

For kids

Children under 2 years of age do not prescribe eucalyptus drugs. This applies not only to taking drugs inside, but also for external use. For children over 2 years of age, the use of drugs is possible only in the absence of an allergic reaction. When preparing infusions and taking funds inside should be guided by the recommendations of manufacturers of raw materials and preparations.

When losing weight

People who want to lose weight and suffer from hunger will help eucalyptus oil. The pungent smell of ether suppresses an irresistible urge to eat something. It is the feeling of hunger that causes a rejection of the diet, disruptions, after which the extra pounds return. The aroma of eucalyptus oil helps suppress "psychological hunger" when rumbling in the stomach occurs when a beautiful cake, lush buns and ice cream appear. If you inhale the smell of ether before eating, your appetite will decrease, and a person will not overeat.

Eucalyptus in folk medicine

Folk healers treat various diseases with eucalyptus drugs. The composition of the plant includes substances that destroy dysenteric and typhoid bacilli, streptococci, staphylococci, Trichomonas and other pathogens.

Eucalyptus is effective in the treatment of any inflammatory processes, pyelonephritis, urethritis, other diseases of the genitourinary sphere, as well as herpes. Traditional healers believe that herbal remedies also act on viruses, activate immunity and help recover from the flu and respiratory viral infections. When using drugs on eucalyptus raw materials, you can reduce the likelihood of viral diseases.

External remedies are effective for psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis of various genesis. These drugs treat badly healing ulcers and pressure sores. Wipe the skin with broths, make applications and compresses.

Infusions soothe the skin after nettle burns, insect bites, including mosquitoes, midges, mosquitoes, fleas and bedbugs. A strong infusion of eucalyptus leaves can be recommended for rubbing the scalp with pediculosis, eucalyptus oil - for the prevention of infection with lice. In public places where there is a danger of contact with insects, odorous oil is drip applied to the head.

Compresses from eucalyptus infusion are an effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent for joint pain, arthrosis, lumbago, arthritis, rheumatism, neuralgia and osteochondrosis.

Means based on this healing plant are used externally and internally. For internal use, infusions, tinctures, decoctions, oils, tea are prepared. As external preparations, infusions, oils, ointments, powders from crushed leaves, decoctions are used.

With diabetes

Eucalyptus oil is a natural medicine that helps lower sugar levels in diabetes. There are several recipes for using this product from traditional healers and patients.

1. A slice of black bread is kneaded to a crumb and rolled up a small cake. 3 drops of sunflower oil and 1-2 drops of eucalyptus are dripped onto the crumb. The cake is eaten and washed down with water, in which lemon juice is added.
2. 20-30 ml of milk is poured into a glass, 1 drop of geranium and eucalyptus oil is added there and drunk. The tool is consumed twice a day, in the morning after a meal and in the evening before dinner.

With pancreatitis

Eucalyptus has a positive therapeutic effect in pancreatitis. It is used in the treatment of vegetable oils and fats.

1 drop of peppermint and eucalyptus oil is added to a teaspoon of vegetable oil. In the morning, on an empty stomach, they take oil in their mouth, but do not swallow it, but slowly, slowly, dissolve within 15-20 minutes. Instead of mint, you can take juniper, lavender, ginger, tangerine.

To normalize the pancreas, use complex fees that you can prepare yourself. They include a large number of plants. Collection Example:

• crushed eucalyptus leaf;
• immortelle;
• tansy;
• bearberry;
• chamomile flowers;
• clover;
• calamus root;
• flax-seed;
• corn silk;
• St. John's wort
• centaury;
• linden flowers;
• dog-rose fruit;
• elecampane;
• lingonberry leaf.

All types of plant materials are taken in equal amounts. A teaspoon of the collection is brewed with boiling water (400 ml), covered with a lid and insisted until the liquid becomes warm. Infusion is drunk twice a day, in a full glass.

For the intestines

A decoction of dry raw materials helps with cramping and pain in the intestines. This drink is drunk with chronic gastritis associated with low acidity.

On the scales, 25 g of crushed leaves are measured, the raw materials are poured into a liter jar and boiled with boiling water (0.5 l). Then put in a boiling water bath and incubated for 15 minutes. Then remove the pan, cool for 40-50 minutes and filter. If the water has boiled, add water to bring the volume of the broth to 0.5 liters. The drug is drunk three times a day, 2-3 tablespoons.

With hemorrhoids

Enema from fresh eucalyptus will soothe pain and relieve inflammation in hemorrhoids. 300 g of leaves are finely chopped, pour 1 liter of water and bring the liquid to a boil. Then remove the pan from the stove, put on a thick towel and wrap it on all sides.

The vessel is kept warm for 30–35 minutes, then the broth is filtered. They put warm enemas using a small balloon. If the cones of hemorrhoids are not corrected, make external compresses from the same infusion.

With cystitis

Cystitis is best treated with antibiotics. As an additional procedure, a sedentary bath with healing oils is made. In 15 l of warm water (bath volume) add 5-7 drops of eucalyptus, sandalwood and lavender oil. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes, you can take baths twice a day.

Traditional healers recommend taking sedentary baths with herbal decoctions based on a collection of 5 components. The composition of the mixture includes dried raw materials:

• eucalyptus leaf - 1 spoon;
• calendula (flowers) - 6 spoons;
• knotweed, horsetail, chamomile - 5 tablespoons.

The raw materials are mixed, steamed with any amount of water, brought to a boil and cooled. Then it is poured into a prepared sitz bath with warm water (38–40 degrees). The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes, you can take a bath twice a day until the symptoms of the disease disappear.

With prostatitis

In chronic prostatitis, they make general and sitz baths with infusions and oils. Decoctions of chamomile, thyme, and other herbs that have anti-inflammatory and soothing effects are added to the large bath. Decoctions are prepared according to instructions from manufacturers of medicinal herbs.

Oil of rosemary, cypress, eucalyptus (3-4 drops each) is also added to the water. The patchouli, sea-buckthorn, and coniferous essential oils (3 drops each) have a good effect.

An enema is a good anti-inflammatory in acute prostatitis. To prepare the solution, 3 drops of eucalyptus oil is added to 30 ml of milk. For the procedure, take a small rubber can with a soft tip.

Against cough

When coughing, tea is prepared from dry leaves. 3 tablespoons of crushed eucalyptus brew with boiling water (250-300 ml). Insist 25 minutes and filter through several layers of gauze. Tea is drunk during the day in small sips.
Every day they make new tea. This expectorant can be drunk with bronchitis and respiratory complications.

From a cold

Washing the nose cleans the sinuses and destroys pathogens on the mucous membranes, relieves swelling and inflammation. To prepare a solution in warm water (0.5 l), dissolve a teaspoon of sea salt and add 4 drops of eucalyptus oil. Gather fluid in a rubber enema and rinse your nose, keeping your head upright.

In case of a cold, it is useful to inhale the smell of ether.Eucalyptus oil is dripped onto cotton pads and placed in the bedroom. Also, with a runny nose, it is useful to take inhalations. A few drops of eucalyptus oil are added to the pot of hot water. Covering your head with a towel, breathe in pairs of water and ether, inhaling through your nose.

For inhalation, a nebulizer is also used - a convenient device, especially when it comes to treating a child. 30 ml of warm boiled water or saline solution are poured into the container. Add 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil and inhalation for 6-10 minutes. It is recommended that you close your eyes so that the ether does not irritate the mucous membranes.

An ointment also helps with a runny nose, which is not difficult to do on your own. In a cream jar or in a small container put a spoonful of petroleum jelly and add oils - eucalyptus (5 drops), tea tree (5 drops), mint (2-3 drops). The ingredients mix well. Lubricate the skin over the sinuses, updating the ointment 2-3 times a day. The product can be stored for several days by closing the jar with a sealed lid.

At a temperature

At high temperature, rubbing with a water-oil emulsion is done. 4-5 drops of eucalyptus oil are added to 50 ml of water and rubbed into the chest and back. After a few minutes, the temperature will begin to drop. If necessary, repeat the procedure.

With bronchitis

Inhalation is used to treat bronchitis. For hot inhalation, 10-15 drops of oil are added to freshly boiled water and inhaled steam, bending over the pan. The head is covered with a towel. You need to breathe through the mouth and nose. For a speedy recovery, the procedure is carried out 1-2 times a day.

Instead of oil, you can use hot infusion. To do this, 20 g of crushed eucalyptus leaves are brewed and allowed to infuse for 15 minutes. Inhalation is carried out in the same way as when using oil. The duration of the procedure is 6-10 minutes. You can do cold inhalation. To do this, drip oil on a napkin, inhale ether deeply.

With pneumonia

When treating pneumonia, it is helpful to massage your chest with a mixture of eucalyptus and sunflower oil. You can use olive.

3-4 drops of eucalyptus oil are combined with the base oil and the components are well whipped. The tool is rubbed into the chest and back.

After consulting a doctor, you can do eucalyptus inhalation as in bronchitis.

With angina

With reddening of the throat and sore throat, 10-15 drops of oil are dissolved in a glass of boiled warm water. The resulting solution is gargled every 2-3 hours.

You can make an infusion to rinse on the basis of dry pharmaceutical raw materials. 2 tablespoons of chopped eucalyptus is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted for 2 hours and filtered. Gargle do 5-6 times a day.

With sinusitis

In the treatment of sinusitis, 2 tablespoons of dry eucalyptus leaves are placed in a humidifier. You can also drip a few drops of oil on a cotton wool and put it in the room.

In the treatment of sinusitis, it is useful to do inhalation over steam. In just boiled water, add 2 drops of ginger and eucalyptus oil. 1-2 drops of thyme and tea tree oil are also added. Inhalation is carried out by tilting your head over the pan and covering yourself with a towel. The duration of the procedure is 7-10 minutes.

For immunity

To increase immunity, it is recommended to inhale the aroma of eucalyptus ether. Aromatherapy stores sell small canvas bags with dry herbs, leaves, and flowers called sachets. You can make such a healing bag with your own hands by putting eucalyptus leaves in it.

The smell of essential oil is especially useful to breathe in the winter, when there is a high probability of infection with influenza and acute respiratory infections, and the rooms are poorly ventilated. To increase immunity, it is useful to drink tea with eucalyptus leaves and do aroma massage with essential oil.

Types of healing compounds

On the basis of eucalyptus, traditional healers make infusions, tinctures, decoctions, teas, ointments and oils. Mostly dry raw materials are used, but there are recipes for preparations from fresh leaves.

Infusion

Therapeutic infusions are made from dry leaves, the raw materials are prepared on their own or bought in a pharmacy.To prepare a therapeutic agent, the raw materials are poured into an enameled or ceramic container, brewed with hot water and placed in a hot water bath. The liquid in a large pan (bath) is heated to a boil and maintained in this mode for a predetermined time.

In some recipes, it is enough to bring the bath to a boiling state, in others, the infusion is heated for several minutes. After that, a small saucepan is removed from the bath and cooled, and the raw materials are filtered and squeezed.

In many folk recipes, they do not use a water bath, they heat a saucepan with raw materials and water directly on the stove, and after boiling they cool it.

Tincture

Tincture of eucalyptus raw materials is used for oral and external procedures, as well as for rubbing. The composition of the home-made product is identical to a similar drug manufactured by pharmacological enterprises.

To prepare the product, you need ethyl alcohol (0.5 l) and a dry leaf of eucalyptus rod (100-120 g). The raw materials are placed in a glass jar, filled with medical alcohol (70%) or good vodka. Tightly close and insist 2-3 weeks without access to sunlight. Then the vegetable meal is removed, the alcohol is filtered. Tincture is stored in a hermetically sealed vessel in the refrigerator.

Decoction

The broth is prepared according to the same technology as the infusion, in a water bath. But plant materials are boiled longer - from 10 to 30 minutes or more. This method for preparing funds from eucalyptus is not often used, since when boiling the ether component evaporates and the product loses its healing properties

For the preparation of therapeutic agents, not only the leaf, but also the eucalyptus bark is used. This raw material contains much less essential oil. But there are a lot of tannins in it - 40% more than in the leaves.

Bark is used in folk medicine of many peoples of the world. Astringents, tannins have a fixing effect on the intestines with diarrhea.

Tea

Eucalyptus medicinal tea is prepared by brewing a crushed dry leaf. This is done in a thick-walled cup or mug of large volume. For one serving of a drink (200–250 ml) take 0.5–1 teaspoon of a dry plant.

Tea is insisted for 3-5 minutes and drunk hot. This drink is used as a preventive, restorative and tonic.

Ointment

The basis of homemade ointments can be petrolatum or fat cream, sunflower or olive oil. Healing substances are introduced into the base. In addition to eucalyptus oil, you can add several more species with a similar effect - myrtle, lavender, peach, sea buckthorn, ginger and others.

Pharmaceuticals based on eucalyptus (drug review)

The pharmaceutical industry produces a wide range of drugs, which includes raw materials and extracts of eucalyptus leaves. These medicines are sold over the counter.

Chlorophyllipt

Chlorophyllipt group preparations are produced on the basis of spherical eucalyptus extract.

Medicines are available in the following forms:

• topical oil solution;
• lozenges;
• alcohol infusion.

The active substance of the preparations is spherical eucalyptus leaf extract.

Chlorophyllipt oil solution contains 2% eucalyptus extract, used to treat cervical erosion. The drug is used by wetting cotton swabs in oil and injecting them into the vagina. The drug lubricates the cervix and eroded areas.

Resorption tablets contain 0.25 ml of eucalyptus extract. It is prescribed as an antibacterial drug for diseases caused by staphylococci, as well as a disinfectant for staphylococcus carriage, infection by bacteria resistant to antibiotics, and treatment of poorly healing wounds.

Some types of tablet preparation contain additives - ascorbic acid and echinacea extract.

Alcohol tincture Chlorophyllipt contains 1% eucalyptus extract. The drug is intended for oral administration, it is also prescribed as a remedy against staphylococcus and microorganisms resistant to antibiotics.The drug has an anti-inflammatory effect. The drug is not prescribed for patients under 18 years of age.

Eucalyptus M, lozenges and lozenges

For the manufacture of the drug, eucalyptus rod-like oil and levomenthol are used. Menthol has a “cooling”, antiseptic effect, eucalyptus extract destroys pathogens in the mouth and throat, and also has an anti-inflammatory effect. The tool reduces cough and sore throat. The drug is effective for pharyngitis and tracheitis. Pastilles can be used to soften the vocal cords before long performances in front of an audience.

Pectusin tablets

The active ingredients of the drug are the leaf eucalyptus leaf oil and levomenthol (racementol). The drug acts in the same way as Eucalyptus M, providing an antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. Pectusin is prescribed orally for pharyngitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis. The tablets are placed on the tongue and held until dissolved.

Alcohol eucalyptus tincture

Tincture is a greenish-brown liquid with the smell of alcohol and eucalyptus ether. The extractant of the drug is ethyl alcohol (70%). The solution was prepared by insisting 200 g of dried leaves of eucalyptus rod-like per 1 liter of ethanol.

So that the ether component does not decompose from sunlight, the tincture is released in dark glass bottles packed in a cardboard case. The drug is used for steam inhalation, baths, ointments and cosmetics. Inhalation is not given to children under 3 years of age.

Eucalyptus oil: properties and applications

Few of the leaves of eucalyptus have the same beneficial properties as other means - infusions, tinctures and decoctions. The advantage of the product is a high concentration of ether, organic acids, other substances and elements.

The properties of eucalyptus oil are associated with a wide range of nutrients and their combination. Product:

1. It has a bactericidal, antiseptic effect, destroying pathogens.
2. It acts as an anesthetic, including for spasms of various origins.
3. It has a sedative effect.
4. Kills helminths (worms and pinworms) in the intestines.

Due to its many medicinal properties, ether is successfully used in the treatment of gynecological diseases, burns, acne, rheumatism, arthritis and other pathologies accompanied by joint pain, it is used as an antipyretic. Infusions and decoctions are effective drugs for inhalation in bronchitis and colds. Vapors kill bacteria indoors. Therefore, inhaling the smell of ether is recommended for those who are sick and do not want to infect others.

Application in cosmetology

Home and pharmacy preparations based on eucalyptus raw materials are actively used in home cosmetology. They are used to care for problem skin and hair.

Acne Treatment Lotion

This lotion dries well oily skin and acne. To prepare the product you need eucalyptus oil. You will also need tea tree oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 tablespoons), grape seed oil.

Lemon juice is squeezed into a small cup and filtered through several layers of gauze (or through a cloth). The procedure is repeated until flakes and particles of the film covering the lobules remain in the juice. Using a pipette, add 2 drops of each type of oil.

Lotion is used twice a day. The first time the skin is wiped in the morning, after washing. After 10-15 minutes, if skin tightness is felt, the composition is washed off with cool water. The procedure is repeated in the evening, before bedtime.

Acne moxibustion

Eucalyptus oil is used for acne spot treatment. A cotton swab is dipped in oil and applied to a pimple.No need to smear the entire skin with a product, the oil is applied pointwise, only on the acne head. Under the influence of ether, pimples dry up quickly and disappear.

Anti-aging mask for aging skin

Break the chicken egg into a small cup, remove the protein and leave the yolk. Add half a teaspoon of eucalyptus oil and the same amount of castor oil. The mixture is thoroughly whipped and applied to the face with an even layer. The mask is kept for 6-8 minutes, then washed off with water at room temperature.

The yolk perfectly tones the aging skin, and the oils soften well. Eucalyptus extract nourishes the skin with organic acids and trace elements.

Curd honey mask for normal skin

This type of mask soothes and nourishes the skin with normal fat content. In a small container, honey, fresh cottage cheese, mashed into a homogeneous paste, and eucalyptus infusion are mixed. The ingredients are taken in equal amounts and mixed well. The mask is applied to the face and rest for 20 minutes. Then the curd-honey mass is washed off with water at room temperature.

Baking yeast mask for oily skin

A bag of yeast is diluted with a warm decoction of eucalyptus (to the consistency of sour cream) and a spoonful of low-fat kefir is added to the paste. The mask is applied in a thick layer and kept until dry, when the skin begins to feel tightening. The paste is washed off with cool or warm water.

Instead of yeast, you can use rye bread soaked in a decoction of eucalyptus. This mask does not create a strong pulling effect.

Eucalyptus Hair Oil

This herbal remedy is used to restore hair damaged by daily “care” - styling with a hairdryer, curlers, dyeing and other hairdressing procedures. The oil effectively eliminates dandruff, reduces the oily scalp, the main cause of oily hair, saturates split ends, but does not make the hair heavier. The tool restores hair shine, flexibility and a healthy look.

This drug is also useful for hair loss. Organic acids, aldehydes, flavonoids and ether nourish the hair follicles, as a result, hair loss ceases, hair follicles begin to come to life.

You can buy oil in a pharmacy or make it yourself from individual ingredients. The treatment procedure is carried out in the following order.

1. Wash hair with shampoo, dry and comb with a massage brush.
2. A few drops of oil are dripped onto a comb with small teeth and the product is applied to the hair, passing the comb from root to tip. Then again apply oil to the comb and comb all the strands, along the entire length.
3. The hair is wrapped and wrapped in a towel in the form of a turban.
4. The oil mask is kept for 30 minutes and washed off with shampoo. It is recommended to dry hair naturally.

A simple way to improve hair

A small amount of shampoo is needed in the cup to wash your hair. Then 4-5 drops of eucalyptus oil are added to the container and mixed with shampoo. After that they wash their hair. Shampoo with eucalyptus is an effective tool for nourishing the hair and healing the roots.

Rinse with a decoction and infusion

Eucalyptus rinses are done after shampooing, once a week. If the procedure is carried out regularly, the hair becomes silky, supple and flexible. Decoctions should be prepared immediately before the bath procedures.

Tincture to strengthen hair and remove sebaceous secretions

This tool is prepared on an alcohol basis. In a liter jar put dry raw eucalyptus (2-3 tablespoons) and a spoonful of sugar. The jar is closed and the liquid is insisted for five days, without access to sunlight. Then the tincture is filtered, poured into a bottle, the vessel is tightly closed and placed in the refrigerator.

Once a week they treat the scalp by dipping a cotton swab in the tincture. After half an hour, the product is washed off.

How to use eucalyptus in cooking

The sharp, bitter taste of eucalyptus leaves, the strong smell of essential oil allows you to use this plant as an exotic spice.

Culinary Recipe

You can independently prepare an infusion and add it in small quantities to a variety of dishes. 2 tablespoons of dried chopped leaves are brewed with a glass of boiling water, allowed to cool and filtered. The spice is ready.

A small amount of infusion sprinkle meat and fish during frying, add a spoonful of liquid to stews. So that the essential oil does not evaporate completely, the spice is added to the products a few minutes before the end of the heat treatment.

Exotic tea

To make a drink you need a large teapot. Several pieces of lime, 1-2 dry eucalyptus leaves, a sprig of rooibos (rooibos) are placed in a jar. Brew with boiling water and close the lid. The drink is not stored, it is prepared before use, according to the number of participants in the tea party.

"Hunting Marinade"

“Hunting marinade” refers to branches of odorous plants that are placed on coals or grill when baking meat and large river fish. These are, first of all, plants in which there are esters and resinous substances - eucalyptus, juniper, laurel, rosemary, black and allspice (peas). It is better to limit the amount of eucalyptus to a pair of leaves, since the essential oils evaporate intensively on hot coals, and the food will acquire an excess smell and bitterness.

Eucalyptus oil as a seasoning

1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil can be added to the sauce prepared for baked lamb, wild poultry and other meat. The smell of ether is combined with the smell and taste of garlic, coriander, honey.

The same amount of eucalyptus oil is added to brown sugar, honey-based sweet desserts, fruit sauces, vinegar, jam and jam.

Pork marinade

2 crushed leaves of eucalyptus brew 1 liter of boiling water. While the infusion cools, pieces of meat are placed in a ceramic, plastic or enamel pan. In the eucalyptus solution put the onion, sliced ​​into rings, slices of carrots, salt and black pepper (peas). Then pour the half-glasses of wine vinegar. Pork is poured into the marinade and refrigerated for 5-7 hours.

How to steam a broom from eucalyptus for a bath

Fans of hot steam appreciate the aroma of essential oil that fills the steam room. Dry eucalyptus leaves are not as hard and brittle as other breeds. Therefore, broom is steamed in a special way.

Boiling water is poured into a wooden tub and a broom is immersed there for 15–20 minutes. After 5 minutes, the leaf changes color and becomes saturated green. When the leaves are slightly softened, the brooms are removed and lowered by the handle into the water so that the hot moisture goes inside the branches. This is done if the tub is narrow. If the capacity is wide, then the brooms are immersed as a whole.

After 20 minutes, the broom becomes soft, all leaves and branches become flexible and elastic. Twigs and leaves bend well and do not break. The water remaining after steaming is saturated with essential oil. If you splash it on the stove, the fragrant smell of eucalyptus will stand in the entire steam room. The steamed broom is placed on the face and inhale the smell, thus making inhalation by steam.

The disadvantages of the steamed eucalyptus broom include excessive flexibility. You need to be skilled in order to bathe in flexible twigs with long leaves.

Some bath lovers make brooms from different types of wood, being guided by what smell the steamed "bouquet" will emit. Eucalyptus is combined with birch, oak and juniper.

Contraindications

Drugs based on eucalyptus raw materials can not be used for allergies to this product. The ban applies not only to medicinal products, but also to cosmetology and cooking.Allergic reactions with external use are manifested in the form of a rash, redness, itching, and general malaise. When ingested, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, rash and redness on the skin, and swelling may appear.

Eucalyptus leaf and oil are contraindicated for inhalation with whooping cough, bronchospasm and bronchial asthma. These products are not intended to treat children under 24 months of age.

Eucalyptus treatment should not be given to people undergoing chemotherapy, those who are diagnosed with epilepsy, severe kidney disease, liver disease, often blood pressure rises.

Although eucalyptus-based medicines are considered homeopathic medicines, they cannot be combined with other medicines. There is no verified data on their interaction with essential oil and other active substances.

Interesting facts about eucalyptus

1. From the leaves of eucalyptus, you can determine the cardinal points. In Australia, the plane of a long sheet extends parallel to the meridian, and the planes of the sheet plate “look” east and west.
2. Biologists argue that the age of some Australian eucalyptus can reach 8-9 thousand years.
3. Eucalyptus bark contains twice as many tannins as oak bark.
4. In Australia, in the Gippslend region, on Mount Bau-Bau, one of the highest eucalyptus trees in the world grows. Its height is 99.4 m.
5. Another giant eucalyptus grew on the island of Tasmania, not far from the river Styx. The height of the tree is 98.1 m. The age of the giants is estimated at 350-400 years.
6. Eucalyptus seeds are adapted to survive in harsh Australian conditions. They retain viability up to 9–10 years, but there are cases when seeds remained viable and after 40–50 years.
7. Many types of eucalyptus with damage to the trunk secrete red gum, which is used in medicine, cooking and industry. To extract this substance, cuts are made on the tree trunk, as when collecting birch sap. Gum is called kino (with emphasis on the first syllable). This word is of Indian origin. The evolving gum resembles redcurrant jelly, but after a few hours it dries up and becomes like red amber. The main active ingredient in gum is astringent tannin compounds, kinotannic acid. Gum has a burning taste and is sold under the general name "Australian Cinema".
8. Cinema was used as a drug to stop diarrhea. This substance does not dissolve and is not absorbed in the stomach, interacts only in the lower intestine.
9. Pounded gum was added to a mixture of glycerol, alcohol and water and used to rinse with angina. Australian Aborigines add film powder to tea for treating colds. Such eucalyptus groves, in which tree trunks secrete gum, are called "bloody forests" in Australia.
10. In India, cotton was dyed with this substance.
11. On the leaves of the rod-shaped eucalyptus in the winter season, an exudation resembling mucus appears. This substance tastes like glucose or fructose. Australian Aborigines and Māori collect it and use it as a sweet treat. This substance is known as New Zealand or Australian manna.
12. On the leaves of manniferous eucalyptus, as well as the species dumosa and resinifera, growing in Tasmania and southern Australia, another type of manna appears - perpp. This type of discharge appears as a result of punctures of the leaf plate by insects.
13. In Italy, liquor is made from eucalyptus leaves. The drink is considered medicinal, it is drunk to prevent and treat a febrile state (intermittent fever).

Eucalyptus Photo