Eucalyptus

The Eucalyptus globulus is a tree indigenous to Australia and Tasmania. There are about 300 species in the genus, making it one of the most characteristic genera of the Australian flora.

The Plant

The eucalyptus has leaves that are leathery in texture hanging obliquely or vertically from its stem. These leaves contain various glands that secret fragrant volatile oil which can be used for various medicinal purposes.

The eucalyptus has flowers, which when in bud are covered with a cup-like membrane, hence the name which means “well-covered.” When the flower expands and comes into full bloom, the bud membranes are thrown off as a lid. The eucalyptus fruit is surrounded by a woody, cup-shaped receptacle, containing numerous tiny seeds.

Eucalyptus trees grow quickly. Many of its species grow to a height of 480 feet, exceeding even that of the California giant sequoia. Eucalyptus trees yield timber but they are all the more valuable for the oil they produce. The oils derived from Eucalyptus leaves are roughly divided into three classes of commercial importance, the medicinal oils, the industrial oils, and the aromatic oils.

Medicinal Oil

Oil is extracted from Eucalyptus leaves by aqueous distillation. It is a colorless or straw-colored liquid substance with a characteristic odor and taste and soluble in its own weight of alcohol. Probably the most powerful antiseptic of its class, Eucalyptus oil has decided disinfectant action. It is most effective when it’s old and it can destroy the lower forms of life.

The most important constituent of Eucalyptus oil is eucalyptol. E. globulus species contains up to 70 per cent of eucalyptol, making it an effective disinfectant.

Internally, Eucalyptus oil acts like a typical volatile oil to a marked degree. It is a stimulant and can be used as an antiseptic gargle. If locally applied, Eucalyptus oil can impair sensibility and increase cardiac action. With its antiseptic properties, the oil from this plant may have some action against malaria but it’s not as powerful as the more traditional anti-malarial remedy, Cinchona.

Two of the major effects of Eucalyptus are its role in balancing and stimulation. Its middle note aroma, reminiscent of camphorous or woody scents make it an important ingredient in aroma therapy and as a nasal inhalant. Eucalyptus has many medicinal properties, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, and stimulant.

Eucalyptus can be used as an air disinfectant and a decongestant. It is used to fight asthma, bronchitis, treat burns, cuts, flu, and headaches. The strong aroma of eucalyptus acts as an effective insect repellant. It can treat muscle aches, rheumatism, sinusitis, skin ulcers, urinary infections, and wounds.

How to do a Steam Inhalation

Steam inhalation allows hot, moist air to enter the respiratory tract. Eucalyptus is known for its decongestant properties. By using the oil as a steam inhalation, your nasal passages and sinuses can be cleared.

To prepare a Eucalyptus steam inhalation, you need the following materials: kettle with boiling water, oil (E. globulus), sheet or large towel, and large bowl or container.

Once you have all these, carefully pour about 4-6 cubs of boiling water from the kettle into the large bowl. Then, add three drops of oil. Hold your head over the bowl, eyes looking down on it. Next, cover your head with the sheet or towel. Close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply. Do this for about 15 minutes until your nasal passages are cleared.

Peppermint

Peppermint (Mentha piperata) is an herb which has a number of medicinal benefits. It is a hybrid of spearmint (M. spicata) and water mint (M. aquatica). Peppermint oil contains the powerful therapeutic ingredient menthol including menthonse, menthyl acetate and 40 other compounds. The oil is made by distilling peppermint’s leaves and stems which are harvested before the light-purple flowers appear in the summer.

Peppermint has various health benefits:

- It is a muscle relaxant especially in the digestive tract and it reduces inflammation of nasal passages and treats muscle pains.

- Peppermint can be fund in antacid preparations. It is also an ingredient in toothpastes and breath fresheners due to its minty taste.

- Treats headache by mixing peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and ethanol on the forehead and temples.

- It treats irritable bowel syndrome due to its antispasmodic effect that provides relief for abdominal pain, bloating, alternating constipation and diarrhea and general abdominal discomfort.

- It treats nausea and vomiting by moderately anesthetizing the stomach’s mucus lining.

- It controls flatulence and diverticular disorders because it relaxes digestive spasms.

- Improve digestion and lowers heartburn though its menthol which can increase the flow of all digestive juices, bile included.

- It dissolves gallstones by reducing the size of gallstones and help those inflicted avoid surgery.

- It lowers viral levels of herpes simplex 1 and 2.

- It fights bad breath by killing bacteria and keeping the mouth moist.

- It controls muscle aches and pain. When rub on the skin, it produce cool and soothing sensation and prevents the nerve to pick up pain messages.

- It clears congestion and cough due to colds and allergies by decreasing inflammation on the nasal passages.

- It controls mild asthma by lessening bronchial constriction.

- It fights stress when the aroma of peppermint oil is added to bath water.

- It is substitute to usual medication used to calm digestive system during medical procedures.

Peppermint comes in different formulations such as: tincture, softgel, ointment, oil, dried herb/tea, cream and capsule. Keep in mind the following tips in order to get the most out of the peppermint medicine:

- in irritable bowel syndrome, nausea or gallstones, take one or two enteric-coated peppermint capsules two or three times a day between meals. Each capsule should have .2 ml of oil.

- Stomach upset relief, flatulence, diverticular disorders, digestive complaints, take three to four cups of peppermint tea daily between meals. In diverticular disorders, combine once part peppermint and one part valerian to two parts wild yam. Pour 8 oz. of hot water over the mixture, steep for 10 minutes then strain and sweeten to taste. Take this mixture three to four times daily.

- For heartburn and bad breath, drink three or four cups of peppermint tea spread through the day or place one or two drops of peppermint oil on tongue as needed.

- Muscle aches and pain can be treated by adding several drops of undiluted peppermint oil to 1 tablespoon neutral oil such as almond oil. Apply up to four times in a day.

- For congestion, drink up to four cups a day.

- Mild asthma, take two to three peppermint oil capsules a day.

- To relieve stress, place six to eight drops of essential oil into warm bath.

Never take in pure mentol as this can be fatal. Refrain from using peppermint oil if you have hiatal hernia. Avoid large does of peppermint oil when pregnant or you could undergo earlier labor.