Eucalyptus

The level of public awareness of the medicinal, nutritional and cosmetic properties of eucalyptus is extremely low. Every ordinary citizen knows that eucalyptus is the main dish in the diet of pandas, but no one has heard of the antioxidant and antibacterial effect of the plant. Few people imagine what eucalyptus looks like and what its potential power is.

Let’s figure out what this plant actually is.

General characteristics

Eucalyptus is an evergreen woody plant (growing as a shrub or tree) that belongs to the Myrtaceae family. ^[1]. The tree can reach 100 meters in height. Its trunk develops straight, less often – curved, covered with gum secretions. Massive leaf plates grow from the trunk, standing on an edge. The leaves are always located in the same plane as the branch, so they practically do not cast shadows. Each leaf goes through 3 stages of maturation (development) before giving a flower.

The Australian eucalyptus is a compass plant. The plane of the sheet is located exactly along the meridian. Its edges (facets) are directed to the north and south, and the sheet plane is turned to the east and west.

The flowers are formed regular, sessile, collected in small protected inflorescences. The shape of the flower is very reminiscent of a dandelion, however, the structure of the hairs in plants is different. Over time, the inflorescences turn into curly fruits. They look like oblong boxes with a smooth (rarely furrowed) surface. Eucalyptus seeds are stored in these folding boxes. The seeds are small, covered with a smooth shell, have a pale brown tint. ^[2].

The flowering process of eucalyptus depends on the age of the tree. From 2 to 10 years, the plant forms flowers with an ovary and fruits with seeds inside. From the appearance of buds to the formation of seeds, it takes from 3 months to 2 years. It is impossible to determine the exact flowering season of eucalyptus. It happens so chaotically that setting a time frame just doesn’t make sense.

A Brief Historical Reference

In the XNUMXth century, the French botanist Charles Louis Léritier de Brutel suggested the scientific Latin name “eucalyptus”. It is derived from the Greek word and means “to hide something, to hide under the sepals, hidden under the buds.” In Russian, the Latin name was initially abandoned and the plant was called “gummy diva”. Later, with the development of scientific thought, the Latin term was adopted into use.

Territorial distribution

Most of the plant species have been recorded in Tasmania, Australia and New Zealand. There, eucalyptus forms entire forests and very often gives inflorescences. ^[3]. Several of its species grow and develop in the Philippines, Indonesia and New Guinea.

Eucalyptus has an amazing property – it grows quickly and drains swampy areas. There is a version that the plant is able to disinfect the air, but scientists have proven that this is nothing more than a myth. Already in the first year of life, the plant grows to a mark of 2 meters. By the age of 3, the threshold of 10 meters passes, and by the age of 10 it reaches 25 meters. If the plant continues to grow and develop, and does not become an object of industrial use, then it may well reach 100 meters in height. This is a truly unique example of the rapid growth of flora.

Many countries wanted to grow this plant on their territory to drain numerous swamps:

• France;
• Spain;
• Portugal;
• Israel;
• Greece;
• Saudi Arabia;
• Ukraine
• America;
• India;
• Cuba;
• Abkhazia.

Useful Properties

Eucalyptus is a great antiseptic ^[4]. It cleanses the human body of staphylococci, streptococci and dysenteric bacillus ^[5]. The plant serves as a kind of prevention of the growth of Trichomonas, which can penetrate the genital tract and destroy the human genitourinary system. Eucalyptus is able to prevent the development of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and completely remove them from the body at the initial stage of infection.

Medicinal properties of eucalyptus are successfully used in both alternative and conservative medicine. If a fever is suspected, which is caused by malaria, the patient, in addition to a whole range of additional substances, is prescribed eucalyptus. Plant-based tinctures relieve redness, tighten the wound, eliminate itching and irritation, start the process of rapid regeneration of the skin ^[6]. That’s what should have been applied to the wound in childhood instead of plantain!

Eucalyptus is prescribed for:

• burns;
• influenza;
• catarrhal / putrefactive bronchitis;
• pathologies of the respiratory system ^[7];
• pharyngitis;
• chronic runny nose;
• antritis;
• pathologies of the genitourinary system;
• kidney disease ^[8][9].

In medicine, decoction, tincture, alcohol tincture and eucalyptus oil are used. Each remedy has a special composition, healing properties and scope. ^[10].

decoction

The remedy is taken for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, most often the intestines. The decoction relieves swelling, minimizes inflammation and disinfects not only the infected area, but also the cavity around. Eucalyptus decoction can be used for mouthwash or inhalation ^[11].

Tincture

Alcoholic and “clean” classic tinctures are intended for inhalation and oral administration. The tool disinfects and prevents the development of inflammation. Alcohol tinctures are prescribed for pathologies of the inflammatory nature of the respiratory organs, oral cavity and nasopharynx.

Do not self-medicate or take tinctures without a doctor’s recommendation. A self-prepared remedy can harm the body, cause burns and mechanical damage.

Properly prepared and prescribed by a specialist, the tincture instantly relieves pain, stimulates expectoration and fights pathogenic microflora. The substance is used for:

• inhalations;
• syringing;
• rubbing;
• приема внутрь;
• wiping problem areas.

Oil

Eucalyptus oil is used for phlegmon, carbuncles and osteomyelitis. The substance acts as an analgesic tablet and can minimize the symptoms of rheumatism, neuralgic pathologies, sciatica. In addition to medicinal properties, eucalyptus oil performs a purely domestic function – it repels mosquitoes, mosquitoes and other insects. ^[12].

Side effects and contraindications

Side effects occur only with uncontrolled use of the plant. Strict adherence to the instructions minimizes the risk of complications. In addition, the treatment should be constantly monitored by a doctor or other medical professional.

The therapeutic effect of eucalyptus should be abandoned when:

• individual intolerance to the product and its components;
• the manifestation of an allergic reaction in the first few hours / days after the start of therapy;
• hypersensitivity to the product;
• severe diseases of the kidneys and liver;
• whooping cough;
• spasm of the airways;
• epilepsy;
• conducting chemotherapy;
• minimum age threshold (eucalyptus is allowed for children from 2 years old) ^[13].

Pregnant and lactating women should be especially careful.

Any action (especially of a therapeutic nature) a woman should coordinate with her doctor. If the specialist gives permission and is ready to monitor the health of the mother at each stage, then feel free to use eucalyptus according to the instructions and the therapeutic course. Do not self-medicate, so as not to endanger your health and the life of the child.

The use of the plant in cooking

Eucalyptus is known not only for medicinal properties, but also for taste. The plant is used to make tonic energy drinks. A mixture of eucalyptus, honey and water is very reminiscent of the “vitamin bomb” familiar from childhood from ginger, honey and lemon. Both remedies strengthen the immune system, help the body fight infections, instantly tone up and put a sick person on his feet. Such drinks are best prepared in the cold season in order to additionally protect the body from all kinds of viruses.

Eucalyptus is a traditional element of the Asian culinary tradition. The plant organically “fits” into spicy soups, sweet meat marinades and specific national dishes. Grated eucalyptus is one of the most common spices. Asians use it as often as we use black pepper.

Almost every type of eucalyptus forms a burning juice of a rich red hue. Locals call this juice “Australian cinema” and use it for soups, spicy meat and fish dishes.

Used in cosmetics

Due to its properties, the plant is used in all branches of medicine, including dermatology. Experts advise making a mask of eucalyptus at least once a week. So women will be able to smooth out the first wrinkles, nourish the skin with vitamins / minerals, give the face a radiant and healthy look. Eucalyptus is suitable for dehydrated, devoid of vitality skin that needs to be nourished and toned. ^[14].

Home care with eucalyptus

Tonic Cubes

Cut the plant into pieces and boil until soft. Pour the water in which the eucalyptus was boiled into ice molds, freeze. Every day after waking up, take a piece of frozen eucalyptus decoction and drive along the massage lines of the face for about 5 minutes. Do not wipe your face after an ice massage: let the skin absorb the tincture on its own and be saturated with the necessary moisture. This procedure will instantly invigorate the skin, help you wake up faster and prepare for a productive day. Within a week, the pores will become narrower, the tone of the face will even out, the redness will disappear, and the skin will look taut and fresh.

Mask for the face

Boil small pieces of the plant and grind them into a dense gruel. Mix with the nutritional ingredients that suit your skin type and apply to the face. 10-20 minutes will be enough for the skin to receive a vitamin charge, but not to dry out under the influence of active ingredients.

Body lotion

The recipe is similar to a face mask made from ground boiled eucalyptus. Apply a pure or enriched slurry to the skin of the body, but do not rub, but leave for 30-60 minutes. The skin itself will absorb the necessary components in the required amount. After an hour, take a warm shower, rinse off the greasy lotion and apply your usual care products. Eucalyptus will relieve irritation after depilation, visually tighten the skin, even out its color and structure.

Enrich basic care

In the arsenal of every woman there is at least one jar of cosmetic product for one area of ​​the body. In one of these jars, you can add 2-10 drops of eucalyptus oil (the amount depends on the size of the container). Everything can be enriched: from foot cream to serum for sensitive skin around the eyes. The oil will prevent the appearance of the first wrinkles, stretch marks, protect the skin from ultraviolet rays or treat traces of their impact.

Spot remedy for inflammation

Apply the essential oil topically to inflammation to dry out the pimple, disinfect the infected area of ​​the skin and prevent the formation of scar tissue.

Product Storage Rules

Storage conditions directly depend on the condition of the plant. Dried leaves should be placed in closed glass jars with a thick bottom and walls to prevent the penetration of ultraviolet rays. In this state, the leaves can be stored for 3 years without losing their appearance, benefits, or taste palette. In the same conditions and time frame, you need to store eucalyptus spices.

Fresh plants are stored no more than a week. During these 7 days, you need to have time to get acquainted with eucalyptus as a spice, a medicine and a means to preserve natural beauty. Store the fresh plant in the refrigerator in a paper bag, glass or plastic container.

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