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Eucalyptus Herbarium

Picture
Latin Name: Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Oil can also come from Eucalyptus polybractea (R. T. Baker) and Eucalyptus dumosa (A. Cunn. Ex J. Oxley) (Petersen, 2018, p. 138)

            Common names: Blue gum, fever tree, Tasmanian blue gum, and Southern blue gum.

Family: Myrtaceae

Descriptive Characteristics: This evergreen tree can grow as tall as 195 feet!  It has a blue-grey truck and green-oval leaves. The fresh leaves are used to make oil. Interestingly, these trees drink a LOT of water so caution is needed in choosing a growing location.

            Part of the plant used: Leaf, essential oils from leaf

Texture: Like a waxy dried leaf

Color: Sage green

Aroma: The scent was far more faint than it should have been but when I ground it down to make my tincture, the aroma I expected was there.

Flavor: Like eucalyptus

Constituents: Volatile oil (1,8-cineole - eucalyptol, a-poinene, p-pinene, d-limonene, a-phellandrene), polyphenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, gallic, protocatechuic, and others), flavonoids (eucalyptin, hyperosides, rutin) (Hoffman, 2003, p. 547). Chevallier (2016) adds tannins and resin (p. 96).

Therapeutic Actions: Antimicrobial, antispasmodic, expectorant, stimulant, febrifuge (Hoffman, 2003, p. 548). Chevallier (2016) adds antiseptic, analgesic, and insect repellent (p. 96).

Indications: Internally – decongestant and expectorant. Externally as anti-microbial (Hoffman, 2003, p. 548). Hoffman has a whole half-page on this section for the historical use but these are the current uses. Chevallier (2016) says this was used by aborigines for infection and fevers. The expectorant makes it great for colds and coughs, including bronchitis and pneumonia. The antiseptic property helps with colds as well including sore throats.

Formulary:
     Chevallier (2016)
     Congestion, sinus problems, and earache (p. 312): Steam inhalation using an infusion with 15g of herb to 3c water. Inhale for 10 minutes.
     Coughs and Bronchitis (p. 310): Make a decoction with elecampane and 5g of eucalyptus. Take 1 ¼ - 1 2/3 c per day.  Add 5g of licorice for flavor (it will help with the remedy as well).

Dosage:
     Hoffman (2003, p. 548)
     1:5 25% Tincture:  1 ml 3/day
     Infusion: 1-2 teaspoons to 1 cup boiling water, steep 10-15 minutes. 3/day
 
     Commission E:
     Dried leaf: 4-6 g
     Tincture: 3-9g
 
     Petersen (2018, p. 138-9) 3-4/day
     Fluid extract: 1-3 ml
     Infusion: 2T/day
     Inhalation: 10-20 drops of oil in hot water
     Oil: 1-3 drops
     Ointment: apply as needed
     Tincture: 2-4 ml
 
     Chevallier (2016, p. 96)
     Lozenge: take for sore throats
     Capsules: for bronchitis, 200mg 3/day
     Infusion: 1c 3/day for bronchitis
     Tincture: ½ t to ½ c water 2/day

Safety: No drug interactions known (Hoffman, 2003, p. 548).

Lab, Notes And Media:
     On 25 May, 2019, I started a tincture of 55g of herb. This equates to 275ml of menstruum. I only had 40% alcohol so this meant 172ml of alcohol and 103 of distilled water.  On 8 June, I strained this with a yield of 130ml.  I have personal experience with this herb (hence the sample was larger than the lab sample – I added my personal herb to this).  The issue I have is neither set of herb was as strong as I feel they should have been making me question the potency of the herb.  I ground the herbs to powder, like I always do and the smell was stronger but I feel it should have been a lot stronger than it was. 

Research:
     This study is on oils but I found it interesting so I’m adding it ere since I do use oils once in a while.  Lee et al. (2019) determined eucalyptus essential oil helps with visceral pain but not thermal nociceptive pain.  It also demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity.

 
References
Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for common Ailments. New York, NY:  DK, a Division of Penguin Random House, LLC. p. 46, 47, 96.
Griffin, J. (1997). Mother Nature’s Herbal: A Complete Guide for Experiencing the Beauty, Knowledge, & Synergy of Everything that Grows. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications. P. 8, 11, 258, 269, 272, 312, 318, 320, 324-5, 327, 336, 357.
Heinerman, J. (1996). Healing Herbs and Spices, Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of. Reward Books. P. 222-5.
Hoffman, David. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. p. 547
Peterson, D. (2018). Herb 504: Advanced Herbal Materica Medica III. American College of Healthcare Sciences. P. 137-146.
Lee, G., Park, J., Seol, G. H., min, S. S. (2019). Analgesic effects of eucalyptus essential oil in mice. Korean Journal of Pain, 32(2): 79-86. doi: 10.3344/kjp.2019.32.2.79| Original
Weiss, R. F. & Fintelmann, V. (2000) Herbal Medicine. Theime. P. 203-4, 414.

The image at the top pf this page is from the lesson from American College of Healthcare Sciences.  The rest of the images are the personal property of the site owner.  All rights reserved.

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