Here are a few interesting facts.
On
my last trip to Trader Joes, I saw a great deal on dried Eucalyptus ($4.99 for
a big bunch of it). This is the kind of
Eucalyptus that is used for table decorations or in flower vases. I have vivid
memories of orange Eucalyptus in orange vases (or those cornucopia baskets)
with brown cattails in the bathrooms or hallways of my mom’s friends - way back in the 70s. (Yes, Cathy Flubacher and
Teena Jones – I remember these in your houses.) I think my mom had a few of
those floral arrangements as well - You know, the kind that looked great with
wood paneled walls and shag carpet. (Ours was orange too.) As the years have
passed I have not really thought of it much, but I have always loved the smell
of Eucalyptus.
It turns out that there are many
other uses for Eucalyptus besides outdated décor. I never knew there were
different types of Eucalyptus[1],
and one of the most helpful ones is Eucalyptus globulus. There have been several studies on the medical
benefits of this plant. According to Dennis Zofou, Eucalyptus globulus has been researched as a treatment for malaria in Camaroon.
For centuries,
Eucalyptus globulus has been used for breathing issues. Because this plant’s
pharmacological actions include being and expectorant, a mild antispasmodic, an
antibacterial, an antifungal, and an antiviral, it should be in every
household! Of course, proper use is important. It can be used as an essential
oil – but not directly applied to babies or used internally because of toxicity
to the Kidney (USDA). The dried leaf can also be used as a tea. Of course, for
people who like the smell of Eucalyptus (like me), diffusing the oil in your
home is pleasant. It reminds me of a very clean smell.
Eucalyptus is
native to Tasmania and didn’t come to the US until 1856. Because the Eucalyptus
is a tree, the wood is used in other countries as firewood, but not for lumber.
(USDA) (I wonder if burning a Eucalyptus log in your fireplace would smell as
good as the dried leaves.) It is a good source of nectar. There are really so
many uses for Eucalyptus! According to the USDA Fire Service:
The oil is used as a flavoring agent in
cold and cough medicines. It is
used in disinfectants,
antiseptic liniments, ointments, toothpastes, and
mouthwashes. It is used by veterinarians for treating
influenza in
horses, distemper in
dogs, and septicaemia in all animals.
I’m almost certain I will not
administer Eucalyptus globulus in all of these ways, but I am glad that I
learned more about this versatile plant. I think I will go back to Trader Joes
and get that ornamental Eucalyptus to put somewhere in my house and then read up
on the medicinal uses of Eucalyptus globulus.
Works Cited
Esser, Lora L.USDA
Fire Service. “Eucalyptus globulus.” In: Fire Effects Information System. 7 March 2012. Web.
Zofou,Denis,
Mathieu Tene, Moses N. Ngemenya, Pierre Tane, and Vincent P. K. Titanji. “In Vitro Antiplasmodial Activity and
Cytotoxicity of Extracts of Selected Medicinal
Plants Used by Traditional Healers of Western Cameroon.” Malaria Research and Treatment Volume 2011,
Article ID 561342. 24 January 2011. PubMed.gov.
7 March 2012. Web.
[1] The USDA Fire Service lists the
different species of Eucalyptus as: E.
blakelyi, E. botryoides,
E. cinera, E. cypellocarpa, E. ovata, E. rudis,
E.
tereticornis (forest redgum eucalyptus), E. urnigera, and E.
viminalis
(manna eucalyptus).
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