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.

Herbal body care

Total body care is a necessary regimen. It isn’t enough to take care of the face; the rest of the skin deserves some pampering too. There are a number of herbs which you can use for herbal body care. The body is composed largely of the skin organ. In order to take care of the boy, you need to take care of the skin. The herbal body care applied will essentially provide protection for the skin too.

Herbal body care for dry skin includes using body lotions, scrubs and bath oils. Refrain from using soap since it could dry your skin even more. For dry skin itches, add quarter-cup vinegar to bath. The herbs that could promote oil production and herbal body care in dry skin are: chamomile, fennel, rose, geranium, lavender, palmarosa, sandalwood and small amounts peppermint and rosemary. Frankincense, jasmine, neroli and rose although expensive are also beneficial.

Herbal body care for oily skin involves using herb that normalize overactive oil glands which include herbs such as sage, lemongrass, basil, eucalyptus, cedarwood, cypress, lemon, yarrow and ylang-ylang. Bathing could also help oily skin if used with Aromatic Bath Salts or Aromatic Batch Vinegar. Avoid high heat in saunas since it encourages skin to become oilier. Bath salts make bath water feel silky, remove body oils, perspiration and soften the skin.

Herbal body care for sun-damaged skin involves PABA (part of the B-complex vitamins) and cinoxate (cinanamic acid from cinnamon). These two herbal body cares are commonly used ingredients in sunscreens. Sesame oil is also believed to decrease the impact of the sun’s burning rays by 30 per cent. Olive, coconut, peanut oils and aloe vera are herbal body cares that block out 20 per cent of the rays. Using three to six percent dilution of extract of helichrysum also called immortelle is also an effective herbal body care that serves as sunscreen. Carrot-seed essential oil is very helpful to sun-damaged skin and is used to treat pre-cancerous conditions. The beta-carotene found in this oil is also effective herbal body care used in protecting against skin cancer induced by ultraviolet rays. The South American herb pau d’arco is also an effective herbal body care that is an antioxidant that helps treat skin cancer.

Do not use bergamot if you go out into the sun. This herb contains phototoxic compound called bergaptene which skin’s sensitivity to light and can cause skin discoloration or rashes.

Herbal heat packs

Herbal heat packs are used for back pain, neck pain, eye strain and to give other forms of relaxation. Commercial herbal packs could cost some money anywhere between $18 and 35 per herbal pack. Herbal heat packs use all kinds of fillers where certain amounts of herbs are added. Fillers for herbal heat packs could be wheat or rice, husks of grains, buckwheat husks, cattails seeds, lavender and other herbs. The beauty of the commercial herbal heat packs is that they are reusable and can be reheated a number of times of times without losing their effectiveness. These herbal heat packs are safe to use. And the ingredients of these commercial herbal packs are entirely organic. On the other hand, making your own herbal heat packs especially if you have your own botanical can be another alternative. All you need to do is assemble different herbs freshly picked from your garden. You can discard them and change them once the effect has lessened.

Herbal heat packs are particularly effective when relaxing. To heat herbal pack, place the pack in the microwave oven for as little time as possible, usually less as a minute depending on the size of the pack. Herbs will lose their effectiveness if heated for a long time especially the mints. If the smell of mint has dissipated, you don’t need to make new herbal heat packs, just dab on essential oils in the pack. The same herbal heat pack can be put in the freezer and used as a cold herbal pack to treat inflammation. You can use the herb catnip as effective herbal heat packs or pillows for relaxation and to relieve congestion. Just hang the plants up to dry, put them into an old pillowslip and use them as a pillow to aid sleep. You can use other herbs for your herbal pillows. Lavender, hops or chamomile are good alternatives. You can use mints herbal pillows to relieve congestion.

Herbal heat packs usually contain the following ingredients:

For the base content: rice and lavender, buckwheat husks, popping corn, other grains, peas or beans and cherry pits.

For the herbal content: lavender which is for relaxation, catnip as sleep aid, peppermint, spearmint, eucalyptus for congestion, garlic for severe congestion, yucca to treat inflammation and other herbal ingredients.

Herbal heat packs are used to treat and are effective for the following symptoms:

- General muscle fatigue
- Sciatic nerve
- Back pain
- Arthritic and rheumatic pain
- Tight, still muscles
- Sinus headaches, backaches, joint discomfort or inflammation
- Warming muscle before exercising
- Muscle spasms in neck or upper back
- Ease pain of migraines and TMJ problems