Higher classification: Eucalypteae
Rank: Genus
Scientific name: Eucalyptus globulus,
Family: Myrtaceae
Subfamily: Myrtoideae
Order: Myrtales
Common Name: southern blue gum
Part used: Mature leaves, oil.
What is Eucalyptus?
Eucalyptus, (genus Eucalyptus), large genus of more than 660 species of shrubs and tall trees of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native to Australia, Tasmania, and nearby islands. In Australia the eucalypti are commonly known as gum trees or Stringybark trees. Many species are cultivated widely throughout the temperate regions of the world as shade trees or in forestry plantations. Economically, eucalyptus trees constitute one of the most valuable groups within the order Myrtales.
Eucalyptus is a fast-growing evergreen tree. As an ingredient in many products, it is used to reduce symptoms of coughs, colds, and congestion. It also features in creams and ointments aimed at relieving muscle and joint pain.
What does Eucalyptus taste like?
As a standalone tea with no other ingredients, the first and foremost comment you’ll hear about the taste of this tea is that it’s bitter with a menthol finish. The bitterness comes from the high levels of tannin. Hints of woody mint faintly hide in the overall flavor. On the palate, they impart pungent flavors that are bitter and warm that finish with a cooling sensation.
What are the culinary uses for Eucalyptus?
Eucalyptus has been used for centuries as an herbal medicine for respiratory ailments and as an essential oil. Cough syrups and lozenges use eucalyptus for its healing qualities. Cooking with eucalyptus is a delicate art as it can be harmful if ingested before it’s cooked. Specialty dishes using eucalyptus have been developed by everyone from experienced chefs to local fishermen, all using the leaf to enhance the flavor of food.
Use fresh eucalyptus leaves by brewing them into a tea or making herbal tea.
Before using or ingesting ANY herb or plant for medicinal purposes or otherwise, please consult a physician, medical herbalist, or other suitable professional for advice.
What are the Health benefits of Eucalyptus?
Stuffy nose:
A clinical study reported that inhaling eucalyptus oil for five minutes results in a cooling sensation and increased nasal airflow in people with upper respiratory tract infection.
Reduced sense of smell:
It helps in the speedy recovery of the sense of smell in people with dyssomnia. Taking a deep sniff of eucalyptus for 10 seconds twice daily for 12 weeks helps in about 30 percent of cases.
Insect bites:
Eucalyptus oil can be applied to various spots on the body. This reduces the instances of bites due to mosquitoes, ticks and fleas. This, in turn, prevents the spread of malaria, tick-borne typhus and Lyme disease.
Arthritis pain:
Eucalyptus is a major ingredient in Brazilian folk medicine. The available data suggest that essential oils from eucalyptus exerts pain-relieving effects through modifying brain action and blocking the pain-causing chemicals in the nerves. However, further investigation is needed. Eucalyptus is the main ingredient in some topical analgesic ointment. It soothes the painful joints and relieves the pain when applied directly. It is available in many forms, such as sprays, ointments or salves.
Dental and oral health:
A study was conducted to compare a natural toothpaste containing eucalyptus with the standard toothpaste. Eucalyptus seemed to work well to lessen problems such as gingivitis (mild gum inflammation, swelling, and redness) and plaque (sticky, unhygienic coat on the teeth) buildup. Some chewing gums contain eucalyptus. Chewing these gums will keep dental plaque, gingivitis and dental bleeding away. Moreover, chewing sugar-free gum may stimulate your salivary glands to keep your mouth moist.
Cold sores:
Eucalyptus oil exerts beneficial effects against herpes simplex viral infection that causes cold sores in the mouth. Eucalyptus has superior antiviral properties than standard medication, such as acyclovir, as per a laboratory study. It locks down virus particles and may block them from entering the body cells. It can control viral spread by more than 96%.
Blood sugar:
Eucalyptus oil has the potential for treating diabetes, although there is not enough evidence to prove the efficacy of eucalyptus oil in controlling blood sugar. Caution should be exercised when using eucalyptus oil to manage blood sugar.
Skin care:
Eucalyptus oil has natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Moreover, it has some moisturizing and cooling properties for the skin, making it ideal for relieving acne, eczema, ulcers, cuts, wounds, and sunburns
Hair care:
Eucalyptus oil is effective in treating head lice. According to one study, a mixture of tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil killed 100% of lice and eggs in a single dose compared with traditional treatments such as pyrethrin. No side effects were experienced by adults or children.
Edibility
- Blue gum leaves used as therapeutic herbal tea.
- Leaves are used as food additives.
The oil that comes from the eucalyptus tree is used as an antiseptic, a perfume, as an ingredient in cosmetics, as a flavoring, in dental preparations, and in industrial solvents.
Chinese, Indian Ayurvedic, Greek, and other European styles of medicine have incorporated it into the treatment of a range of conditions for thousands of years.
There are over 400 different species of eucalyptus. Eucalyptus globulus, also known as Blue Gum, is the main source of eucalyptus oil used globally.
Leaves are steam distilled to extract the oil, which is a colorless liquid with a strong, sweet, woody scent. It contains 1,8-cineole, also known as eucalyptol.
The leaves also contain flavonoids and tannins; flavonoids are plant-based antioxida nts, and tannins may help to reduce inflammation.