Scientific name
Eucalyptus globulus
Family
Myrtaceae
Origin
Australia
Used Parts
Drug supplied by the leaves
Chemical constituents
- Essential oil particularly rich in eucalyptol (or 1, 8-cineol);
- Terpenes (pinene, camphene, fellandrene);
- Terpenic alcohols;
- sesquiterpenes;
- aldehydes;
- Polyphenols (gallic acid, ferulic acid, gentisic acid);
- Flavonoids (rutoside, hyperoside);
- Tannins.
Eucalyptus in Herbal Medicine: Eucalyptus Properties
Eucalyptus is used for its balsamic activity, fluidifying catarrhal secretions of the respiratory and cough sedative.
Eucalyptus essential oil is present in many registered pharmaceutical specialties, in the form of suppositories, syrups, balsamic ointments and nasal drops.
However, aerosol can be irritating and data from recent work shows that essential oils at high concentrations can reduce in vitro the ciliary activity of cells in the respiratory mucosa not protected by mucus.
In cosmetics, eucalyptus is considered useful in the presence of oily and acneic skin; for its antiseptic and refreshing properties, it is often included in the formulation of trichological products together with nettle, thyme, rosemary and lavender (for more information about the uses of eucalyptus in the cosmetic industry, we recommend reading the article dedicated "Essential oil of Eucalyptus in Cosmetics ").
Biological activities
Numerous properties are attributed to eucalyptus, including antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, hyperemic and secretolytic expectorants.
The activities mentioned above are mainly attributed to the essential oil of eucalyptus, in particular to the eucalyptol contained in it.
The antibacterial properties ascribed to the plant have been confirmed by several in vitro studies. More in detail, the essential oil of eucalyptus seems to be able to exert its antiseptic action causing immediate and irreversible damage to bacterial cells, thus leading them to certain death. This oil has been shown to be effective against several Gram-negative microorganisms, including Escherichia coli .
Similarly, the plant's anti-fungal properties have also been confirmed, thanks to various studies conducted in vitro on different species of fungi.
Other studies, on the other hand, have confirmed the anti-inflammatory properties traditionally ascribed to eucalyptus, in particular to its leaves and the essential oil extracted from them.
The anti-inflammatory action appears to be exercised through different mechanisms, such as: interaction with reactive oxygen species, decrease in leukocyte activation and inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.
In addition, a study has shown that the essential oil of eucalyptus is also able to eliminate dust mites that infest, for example, blankets or bed linen.
Eucalyptus has also been shown to have hypoglycemic activity in studies conducted on overweight mice. In light of this result, therefore, this plant could represent a potential resource also for diabetic patients. However, before being able to approve a similar application of the eucalyptus in the medical field, in-depth clinical studies are certainly necessary, so as to establish the real therapeutic efficacy and effective safety of use.
Finally, some research has shown that some compounds isolated from the eucalyptus bark (such as taxifolin, quercetin, ramnetin, ramnazine and eriodictiol) have been shown to have an interesting antioxidant activity, even greater than that exerted by Vitamin E.
Eucalyptus against cough and bronchitis
Thanks to the anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, balsamic and secretolytic expectorant properties of the eucalyptus, the use of its leaves and its essential oil has been officially approved for the treatment of coughs, bronchitis and catarrhal diseases of the respiratory tract in general.
For the treatment of the aforementioned disorders, when using the essential oil of eucalyptus, we recommend taking about 0.3-0.6 grams of product per day.
Alternatively, fumigations can be performed by diluting 3-6 drops of essential oil in hot water.
If, on the other hand, eucalyptus leaves are used, the usually recommended dose is about 4-6 grams of drug per day.
In the case in which the dye obtained from eucalyptus leaves is used (ratio drug / solvent 1: 5, using ethanol at 70% V / V as extraction solvent), generally, it is recommended to take about 3-4 grams of product per day.
Eucalyptus against rheumatism
Eucalyptus essential oil - when used externally - has proved to be a useful remedy to combat rheumatism.
For the treatment of these disorders, the essential oil of eucalyptus is generally contained in semi-solid preparations, in concentrations that can vary from 5% to 20%. Usually, it is recommended to apply the product directly on the area to be treated, several times a day.
Eucalyptus in folk medicine and homeopathy
The many properties of eucalyptus are well known in folk medicine which uses its leaves internally to treat a wide variety of disorders, such as asthma, whooping cough, fever, flu, diabetes and hepatobiliary disorders; besides using them as a remedy to counteract the loss of appetite.
Externally, however, eucalyptus leaves are used as a remedy to promote the healing of ulcers, burns and wounds, and to counteract acne, stomatitis, gum bleeding, neuralgia and rheumatism.
Eucalyptus is also used in the homeopathic field, where it can easily be found in the form of granules and oral drops.
In this context, the homeopathic eucalyptus remedy is used in case of gastrointestinal spasms, diarrhea, bronchitis (both acute and chronic), rhinopharyngitis, sinusitis, pulmonary emphysema, chronic nephritis, flu, measles and other infectious diseases.
The dose of remedy to be taken can be different between one individual and another, also depending on the type of disorder to be treated and the type of homeopathic preparation and dilution that is intended to be used.
Side effects
After taking eucalyptus or its preparations, side effects may occur, such as: nausea, vomiting, epigastric burning, esophagitis and diarrhea.
Furthermore, sensitization reactions may occur in sensitive individuals.
On the other hand, after an overdose of eucalyptus essential oil, serious symptoms can occur, such as: decreased blood pressure, circulatory disorders, collapse, convulsions and asphyxia.
Contraindications
Avoid taking eucalyptus-based preparations in case of hypersensitivity to one or more components, in patients suffering from inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or bile ducts and in patients suffering from severe liver disorders.
Furthermore, the use of eucalyptus is also contraindicated during pregnancy, lactation and in pediatric patients.
Pharmacological Interactions
Eucalyptus is an enzyme inducer, therefore it can increase the metabolism of numerous drugs (among which we mention barbiturates, aminopirin and amphetamines), thus reducing its therapeutic efficacy.
Furthermore, eucalyptus can cause an increase in the effects of oral hypoglycemic drugs.
