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 Decongestant

Every one of us has at one time or another experienced having a cold. You feel stuffy, your nose feels swollen, and what’s worse, this causes your sinusitis to act up. Sure, the symptoms that comes with the common cold are so uncomfortable, you feel like screaming, only you can’t because your throat feels funny, too.

There are actually several herbs available that can help relieve the discomfort of the common cold. These herbs, called herbal decongestants, work by opening up clogged nasal passages to ease breathing. Herbal decongestants can be bought and used individually. But for best results, a blend of these botanicals provides the unique healing qualities of many different herbs in just a single pill.

Herbal and nutritional supplements have long been used traditionally as treatment for illnesses during the cold season. Ailments such as colds, flus, coughs, sore throats, and congestion can be prevented and eased through herbal decongestants. However, because of the many herbal decongestants present, you might get confused on which one to take to remedy which illness. Add to that the confusion of when to take a particular herbal decongestant and the length of time it should be used and you find yourself in a truly botanical tangle.

Previously, the primary herbal mainstay for herbal decongestants used to be Ma Huang, which is the Chinese name for Ephedra. Ephedra, in its synthesized form, is more commonly known as ephedrine which is actually the basis for many prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Ephedrine has been associated with several cases of heart attack and stroke and in some, even death, so that U.S. health officials decided to ban the use of ephedra in over-the-counter herbal decongestants and other products in December of 2003.

For general safety, it is strongly recommended that you limit your intake or perhaps avoid altogether using Ma Huang as an herbal decongestant. As an alternative, you can utilize a combination of herbs in order to create for yourself an herbal decongestant program. Remember that the most effective herbal cure is one that combines all the positive effects and nutrients brought by a specific sequence of herbs.

A synergistic effect is created if you rotate and alternate remedies, thus enhancing your body’s ability to maintain optimal health. This is especially true in the winter when the body’s resistance may be compromised. In addition to that, natural remedies and herbal decongestants in specific cycles can make the body more sensitive and responsive.

During the acute phase of the cold, the best herbal decongestant supplement you can turn to is a combination of Echinacea and Goldenseal. These two herbs have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and therefore have the ability to nip the cold or flu in the bud. If the infection persists, you can use herbs known for their blood-cleansing abilities. These herbs include red clover, sage, and burdock which drain the lymph system of toxic metabolites created by the blood during an acute infection.

Zinc as a lozenge and antioxidants, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Selenium should be able to work synergistically with the blood cleansers in reducing tissue and blood toxicity. During the recovery phase, you can use the herbal combination of Chinese Astralagus. This herb tonic can enhance the function of the immune system and improve the body’s resistance.