Eucalyptus: beneficial properties and contraindications

The healing properties of representatives of the plant world are not known to everyone. That is why the purpose of our articles is to introduce readers to some of the most useful gifts of nature. One of them is eucalyptus - the most interesting and world-famous exotic tree.

People jokingly nicknamed the tree “shameless”, this is due to the fact that it is capable of “eternally rejuvenating” by independently freeing itself from the bark, thereby, as it were, becoming naked.

Chemical composition and healing properties of eucalyptus

Enough preamble. Let's move on to the most important thing, to the composition and valuable properties of eucalyptus, to the methods of its use.

Studying the information presented in table. 1 we can draw an obvious conclusion that eucalyptus is called the tree of life for a reason.

It has a truly healing effect on the human body. And decoctions, teas and tinctures prepared from the leaves of the universal healer will become indispensable assistants in the fight against many ailments.

The benefits and harms of eucalyptus tea

Tea made from eucalyptus leaves has medicinal properties, which are confirmed by scientific research, but there are also contraindications, so in some cases there may be harm from its use.

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What are the benefits of eucalyptus tea?

This drink is widely used all over the world to eliminate many ailments and infections, and also has a beneficial effect on the human body. For example, in Germany, eucalyptus tea was successfully standardized and approved as a medicine for sore throat and bronchitis. Beneficial features:

• has an antibacterial effect and inhibits the proliferation of a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms;
• Eucalyptus essential oil disinfects the lungs, thins mucus and suppresses its formation;
• helps improve breathing;
• significantly reduces cough;
• increases endurance, invigorates and eliminates the feeling of fatigue;
• normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• helps the body recover from illnesses;
• removes helminthic infestations from the human body;
• helps with stomatitis and periodontal disease;
• facilitates the course of bronchial asthma with proper use, agreed upon by a doctor;
• When taken regularly, it eliminates bad breath;
• normalizes the microflora in the intestines, suppressing the proliferation of harmful bacteria;
• helps fight inflammatory processes in the oral cavity;
• helps with chronic sinusitis;
• helps reduce body temperature;
• strengthens human immunity;
• used as a prophylactic against viral diseases;
• lowers blood sugar;
• has a beneficial effect on people with prediabetic conditions and diabetes mellitus;
• increases overall tone;
• relieves seasonal flu and colds.

Contraindications to the use of the drink

Tea with eucalyptus can be harmful if you are hypersensitive, as well as in the following cases:

• with unstable blood pressure;
• if you have liver disease;
• a person has problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
• inflammatory processes in the kidneys;
• During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is better to avoid drinking the drink;
• It is not recommended to give this tea to children under two years of age;
• presence of whooping cough;
• tendency to allergic reactions;
• Excessive consumption of eucalyptus tea (more than 2-3 cups per day) can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle spasms.

In case of the listed diseases, the drink should be drunk carefully, after consulting with your doctor. If you follow all the rules for brewing and drinking eucalyptus tea, its benefits will be undoubted.

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A decoction of healing eucalyptus in the fight against illness

A little higher, we learned what beneficial properties products made from eucalyptus have. In this part of the article we will look at some diseases in the fight against which its decoction will become an indispensable ally.

• Respiratory tract diseases: bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, pharyngitis, laryngitis.
• Gynecology: inflammation of the uterus, erosion.
• Urology: cystitis, prostatitis.
• Skin diseases: burns, dermatitis, eczema, herpes.
• Injuries, sprains, radiculitis, osteochondrosis, arthritis.
• Neuroses, insomnia, severe headaches, depression.
• Gastrointestinal diseases: gastritis, dysentery.

Features of the use of eucalyptus for children

For children under 3 years of age, it is prohibited to use eucalyptus in any form. Even useful aromatization and air disinfection with a few drops of essential oil can harm a child and should be carried out in his absence. After the procedure, the room must be ventilated.

Older children, up to 12 years old, can receive the substance with complex preparations or infusions. The beneficial properties of eucalyptus for children appear with minimal amounts of substances, precisely calculated in pharmaceutical sprays, ointments, and cough tablets. To choose a treatment method and calculate dosages, consultation with a pediatrician is required.

Use of eucalyptus decoction

A decoction based on the leaves of the miracle tree is used both as an external and internal remedy. The range of its use is quite wide: gargling a sore throat, douching, inhalation, and in cosmetology.

Let's look at several effective recipes for treating this or that ailment.

For gastritis with low acidity

The following recipe is suitable for people suffering from hypoacid gastritis. A decoction prepared using it helps improve digestion and improve motor skills.

• Take 3 teaspoons of dry leaves.
• Fill with one glass of pure mineral water.
• Place in a steam bath for 30 minutes.
• After the specified period, cool the composition, leaving it on the table (10-15 minutes).
• We filter.
• Add about 300 ml more. water.
• We send it to the refrigerator.

It is recommended to take this decoction 2 tablespoons orally three times a day, preheating it.

To strengthen the immune system

The recipe is perfect for preventing influenza and viral diseases, especially during epidemic periods.

• Let's take 5 grams of raw materials.
• Pour in 200 ml. some water.
• Boil the composition.
• Remove from heat, cover with a towel, and let sit for about half an hour.
• We filter.

It is recommended to drink this decoction a glass a day for a whole month, preheating it.

In obstetrics and gynecology

A decoction prepared according to the following instructions is used to treat serious gynecological diseases. Helps with acute lesions of the female genital organs.

For douching:

• Pour two tablespoons of dry leaves into exactly one glass of water.
• Next we put it in a water bath.
• We leave it on the table.
• Filter the liquid.

The composition is used twice a day (in the morning and before going to bed). In this case, a glass of broth is poured into 1 liter of hot water.

For chronic sinusitis

As mentioned above, eucalyptus has an antimicrobial effect, and therefore can cure sinusitis no worse than modern antibiotics.

• Take a tablespoon (about 20 grams) of eucalyptus raw material.
• Fill with water.
• We rinse each nasal sinus with a slightly warmed decoction twice a day (in the morning and before going to bed).

For the treatment of chronic pharyngitis, bronchitis, asthma and cough

A decoction prepared based on the following instructions is almost universal.

• Take 5 grams of black tea. Fill with boiling water.
• We process and filter.
• Pour the prepared tea over the eucalyptus leaves.
• Keep on low heat for about 4-5 minutes.
• We freeze and carefully filter.
• To give it a more pleasant taste, add a spoonful of honey.

The liquid can be used as pharmaceutical nasal drops. It is necessary to instill eight drops into each nasal passage 5 times a day. To treat other ailments, we take the decoction orally.

Eucalyptus for sore throat

For rinsing and inhalation:

• Pour a glass of water into 20 grams of dry eucalyptus leaves.
• Next we send it to a water bath.
• Leave on the table to cool naturally.
• Filtering the composition.
• Add a spoonful of honey.

For skin diseases

Suitable for the treatment of burns, dermatitis, eczema, herpes and other skin diseases.

• Pour 60 grams of dry eucalyptus leaves with 200 milliliters of mineral water.
• Place in a steam bath.
• Pour the liquid into a small thermos and leave for about five hours.
• We filter thoroughly.
• We use it as compresses or lotions.

Contraindications to the use of eucalyptus-based decoctions

Like any medicine, natural products also have some contraindications:

• Pregnancy and lactation period. The contraindication is not strict; consultation with a doctor is necessary. But, definitely, you cannot drink the tincture internally, due to the alcohol content in it.
• Chronic diseases of the liver and biliary tract.
• Ulcer.
• Individual intolerance. You can test for eucalyptus allergies at home by applying the substance to the inside of your elbow. If no negative reactions occur, then the product can be used (slight redness is quite a common reaction).

Contraindications and restrictions

The use of eucalyptus and any plant-based products is contraindicated in the following cases:

• early childhood (up to 3 years);
• gastrointestinal diseases accompanied by high acidity;
• serious disorders of the liver and kidneys;
• tendency to spasms of the respiratory tract.

People who are prone to allergic reactions or have individual intolerance to certain plant components should avoid taking medications that contain eucalyptus essential oil.

Treatment with eucalyptus should not be combined with therapy for hypertension, epilepsy, or chemotherapy procedures.

It is allowed to use eucalyptus exclusively externally during pregnancy (in the form of rinses, ointments, inhalations).

The fact is that special substances that make up the plant oil, when consumed orally (especially in the early stages), can cause undesirable consequences for the child and provoke a miscarriage.

Other uses in folk medicine

Just above we looked at ways to use a decoction based on eucalyptus in the fight against certain diseases. In this part of the article we will look at other areas of application of leaves from the tree of life.

Medicinal infusion

Used to treat respiratory diseases, sore throat, laryngitis, and oral diseases. But it is worth remembering that there are fewer useful substances in the infusion than in the decoction.

• Pour two teaspoons of dry raw materials into 0.5 liters of boiling water.
• Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
• We filter carefully.

You need to drink 2 tablespoons 4 times a day. To gargle a sore throat, the product is heated and used 3 times a day.

Warming tea with eucalyptus

The drink is recommended to be consumed for prevention during colds, flu epidemics and acute respiratory viral infections. Tea is also prepared to normalize digestion, and simply for good health.

• Take one and a half tablespoons of eucalyptus leaves.
• Pour in 300 milliliters of boiling water.
• We insist on average 13-15 minutes.
• Drink in small sips throughout the day.

Alcohol tincture

The product is used to treat diseases of the oral cavity, diseases of the respiratory system, skin diseases, neuroses, insomnia, migraines, depression, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system.

Medicinal properties of eucalyptus tincture

The use of eucalyptus tincture is appropriate for most diseases of a bacterial nature. Due to its antiviral activity, it is used for preventive purposes during the cold season. The spectrum of action of the drug is described in the table.

Table - Indications for treatment with eucalyptus tincture

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Some people prefer to do everything themselves, so they can be convinced of the quality of the product. Therefore, it is for such people that we will tell you how to make a tincture at home.

On fresh raw materials:

Here we can say with confidence that such a product will be the most useful. But fresh eucalyptus leaves are not easy to come by.

• You need to find a glass bottle of a sufficiently dark color. This way the composition is protected from harmful effects of sunlight.
• Carefully chop the eucalyptus leaves and fill the container with them (by a third).
• Pour granulated sugar into the bottle (up to half).
• We send it in a dark place for four days.
• After the expiration date, pour in 0.5 liters of vodka.
• Again we put it in a dark place for a week.
• Carefully filter and squeeze.
• Shake thoroughly before direct use.

On dried leaves:

Unlike the tincture on fresh leaves, this recipe is somewhat inferior in the content of nutrients, but dry raw materials can be purchased at pharmacies in your city.

• Pour about 20-25 grams of dry leaves into 100 ml. alcohol
• Let the substance infuse for about 2 weeks at room temperature.
• Filter and squeeze.

Contraindications:

Pay attention to the following list; if you meet at least one of the points, then eucalyptus alcohol tincture is not for you.

• Pregnancy and lactation period. Contraindication due to alcohol content. Therefore, internal use is prohibited. As for inhalations, rinsing and treatment of skin diseases, a doctor’s permission is required.
• Children under 14. Oral administration is completely contraindicated. Inhalations and rinses can be performed on children aged three years and older.
• Asthma.
• Diabetes.
• Chronic liver diseases.
• Individual intolerance.

Inhalations

This method is used to treat runny nose, severe headaches, and upper respiratory tract diseases.

• The first step is to boil the water.
• Cool it to 65-70 degrees.
• Add a tablespoon of decoction, 15 drops of tincture and the same amount of eucalyptus oil.
• We bend over the container with the product, cover ourselves with a towel, and breathe deeply.

This method is also good for facial skin. After all, under the influence of steam, the skin is cleansed.

Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil can be purchased at pharmacies in your city. This oil, like any essential oil, is sold in dark glass bottles so as not to spoil it from exposure to sunlight. Has powerful bactericidal properties.

It is almost never used in its pure form; it is diluted with water or base oil.

Eucalyptus ether has also found its application in purifying the air in an apartment using aroma lamps.

The oil is also popular among women, who add it to their daily shampoos and cleansers. This is due to the fact that, thanks to its properties, eucalyptus allows you to get rid of excess oily scalp, as well as acne and pimples.

Personally, I have been using it for several months: I dilute it with warm water and wash it.

Use in cosmetology

Ice from the decoction: just prepare the decoction according to one of the presented recipes, pour it into silicone molds and put it in the freezer.

You need to wipe your face morning and evening. This procedure hardens the skin, tightens it, improves complexion, and helps get rid of wrinkles and acne.

Rule: apply ice over the skin of the face without interruption, without lingering on any area for more than 4 seconds, otherwise you can overcool the dermis.

Eucalyptus tincture for the face: use for problem skin. Dilute 15 drops of the product with 180 milliliters of water. Next we wash ourselves. The tincture can also be applied pointwise to the site of inflammation.

Eucalyptus tincture for hair: 20 ml. We dilute the tinctures in 0.5 liters of slightly warmed water. We use it as a rinse for dandruff and hair loss.

Rainbow eucalyptus is the most colorful tree on Earth

Rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta) is the only species of eucalyptus native to the northern hemisphere. In addition to the fact that eucalyptus grows up to 70 meters in height, it also shines with all the colors of the rainbow: its bark can be colored yellow, green, orange and even purple.

Rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta) is amazing because its trunk seems to be covered with multi-colored paints, and the coloring changes all the time. This effect is achieved due to the gradual peeling of the bark in the form of narrow strips (in place of the old bark, a new one is gradually formed). With age, the bark changes color. At first it is bright green, then dark green, later the bark acquires shades from bluish to purple, then the bark becomes pink-orange and finally brown-crimson.

Take a look at the photo, it seems as if this pattern was drawn by some abstract artist, but in fact, this coloring of the rainbow eucalyptus was created by nature itself:

Rainbow eucalyptus reaches a height of 75 meters, the trunk reaches a diameter of 2.4 meters. Under natural conditions, rainbow eucalyptus grows in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Rainbow eucalyptus is the only species of eucalyptus whose natural habitat is in the Northern Hemisphere. Since the mid-20th century, other countries began to grow rainbow eucalyptus: Brazil, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Fiji, Honduras, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, China.

In the photographs, which look more like abstract paintings, you can see how the eucalyptus bark changes its color:

The unusual phenomenon is explained by sections of the bark peeling off at different times. The different colors are indicators of the age of the bark: when recently shed, the outer bark will be a bright green color. Over time, the bark darkens and changes from blue to purple and then reaches maroon and orange. It turns out a kind of natural camouflage:

You would think that such an unusual tree should be protected by the state, but in fact, everything happens exactly the opposite. Rainbow eucalyptus trees are used around the world to be processed into a special ingredient to create paper. This is the most ideal tree for creating high-quality white paper. Eucalyptus wood is chemically or mechanically processed into a special dry fibrous material, which is then soaked in water

Flowering of the rainbow eucalyptus can occur during the first year of life, but most often flowering occurs for the first time in the second year of life and annually thereafter:

Rainbow eucalyptus leaf and fruit:

Ripe fruits open to release seeds:

The main pests of rainbow eucalyptus are termites.

Despite the fact that the surface of rainbow eucalyptus comes in a variety of colors, its wood is the most common in color - light, which darkens over time, becoming red-brown. Most of the world's rainbow eucalyptus plantations are dedicated to pulp production. The wood is also used to make chipboard, fiberboard and wood wool. Eucalyptus wood can be used to make furniture, floors, and boats.

The conversion of wood into paper has increased in the last few years. Of all the eucalyptus trees processed into paper, only 16% were specially grown. 9% are old forests, and 75% are forests of the third generation and higher. These trees grew for decades to eventually be processed into small amounts of paper. However, recently there has been a positive trend towards increasing the cultivation of rainbow eucalyptus and reforestation

If you want to see a living Rainbow Eucalyptus in all its glory, you need to travel to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea or the Philippines - the natural habitats of this tree. However, the tree has also been cultivated in South America, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, China and some other countries.

Thank you everyone for your attention!!!!

Material taken from: https://www.udivitelno.com/plants/item/66-raduzhnyj_jevkalipt_26_foto lifeglobe net/entry/1189