It is an
important medicinal tree that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The
botanical name for Eucalyptus oil is Eucalyptus globules Labill which belongs
to the Myrtaceae family. There are 700 species of eucalyptus found around the
world.
Hindi - Neelgiri
English - Tasmanian blue-gum eucalyptus
Telugu - Neelagiri chettu
Kannada - Neelagiri
In 1843
eucalyptus tree was introduced in India as a fuel tree. The native of this tree
is Australia. It is also called Niligiri Taila because it is cultivated in
India. In India, it is grown in Nilgiris at 5,000-8,300ft, the Annamalai and
Palani hills in the south, and the Simla hills at 4,000-7,000ft in Himanchal
Pradesh and Shillong, Assam in India. It is cultivated around the dry districts
in India. It is also widely distributed in Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Columbia,
Mexico, and the Belgian Congo. It is a large tree at a height of 300ft with a straight
trunk. The leaves are thick, greyish-green, petiolate up to 26cm long and 4cm
broad, petioles are 2 to 3.5cm long and 0.5-1.5mm thick.
On
chemical compound analysis of the eucalyptus oil, it includes
Terpenes
such as 1,8-cineole, camphene, sabinene, myrcene, p menthone, α-and
γ-terpinene, fenchone, α-β-thujone, citral, verbenone. The leaves and bark
contain Dihydroflavonal, Gallotannins, p-coumarin acid, and cinnamic acid.
Action:
TRADITIONAL VIEW:
According
to Ayurveda, it is considered that nasal congestion and headache occur due to
the imbalance of Kapha. Inhaling the eucalyptus oil along with hot water helps
to balance the Kapha which relieves nasal congestion and headache
To avoid
bad odor from the mouth eucalyptus oil is used as a gargle. Take the required
amount of eucalyptus oil in a hot water and gargle to manage bad breath
For quick
wound healing, eucalyptus oil is mixed with coconut oil which helps to reduce
the inflammation
Eucalyptus
oil as Singdha and Kapha balancing property which helps to moisturize the beard
and prevent the hair fall and helps to grow the beard.
MODERN VIEW:
Eucalyptus
oil is used to get relief from stress and body pain. Take the required amount
of oil and mix it into the bathing water but before adding in bathing water
kindly do a skin allergy test by applying the eucalyptus oil along with coconut
oil in the skin to see for skin irritation.
It is used
as a mosquito repellent
It is used
as an inhaled vapor by boiling the water in a bowl and add 2-5 drops of
eucalyptus into the water and cover your face with the cloth and then inhale
the vapor for 5-7 minutes to get relief from nasal congestion
Internal
consumption of this oil is considered poisonous
ANTI-BACTERIAL PROPERTY:
Eucalyptus
oil inhibits the bacteria that cause acne due to its anti-bacterial property by
applying topically along with coconut oil.
SKIN INFECTION:
It helps
to fight against skin infection by adding the eucalyptus oil to bathwater
EXPECTORANT:
Eucalyptus
contains eucalyptol, camphene, pinene, limonene, thymol, and generaniol which
helps to remove the excess mucus from the airway
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY:
It reduces
the inflammation in the nasal passage and helps to breathe without any
difficulty by stimulating the hairline in the nasal passage.
ANTI-PYRETIC:
In a wet
cloth add the required amount of eucalyptus oil and apply it to the skin this
helps to reduce the body temperature by its antipyretic action
ANTISEPTIC:
It contains
gallic acid which helps to clean the wound, cuts, scratches, puncture by acting
as a disinfectant and it also helps to promote healing
The dose
of the drug used according to physicians
Leaf powder - 1-2g
Exudate - 1-2g
Cold infusion - 20-30ml
Oil - 2-4drops
Limited
information is available regarding the use of this eucalyptus oil. Kindly avoid
this oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding
It is not
recommended to use the eucalyptus oil on the skin directly because it may irritate
so apply it along with coconut oil
ASTHMA
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda the doshas
which are involved in asthma are Vata and Kapha. The combination of this Vata
and Kapha in the lungs causes blockage in the respiratory passage. By
eucalyptus oil, on the chest, helps to reduce the Kapha by loosening the mucus
which is accumulated in the lungs.
Modern view: By its anti-inflammatory property
it inhibits the chemical which causes inflammation in the respiratory tract and
makes it breathe easily.
BRONCHITIS:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda it is called
s Kasroga. It occurs due to an imbalance of Kapha and Ushna. The eucalyptus oil
reduces the accumulation of excess mucus and reduces inflammation by balancing
Kapha
Modern view: It has both anti-inflammatory and
anti-allergic properties. Eucalyptus oil inhibits the production of nitric acid
and reduces the symptoms of bronchitis.
BAD ODOUR FROM MOUTH:
Traditional view: To avoid bad odor from the mouth
eucalyptus oil is used as a gargle. Take the required amount of eucalyptus oil
in a hot water and gargle to manage bad breath
Modern view: Limited information is available
but eucalyptus oil useful in managing bad breath.
The Eucalyptus
oil comes in various formulations includes
Eucalyptus oil for congestion:
Take the
required amount of eucalyptus oil and mix it with coconut oil and massage the
mix on the chest to get relief from congestion and cough
Take the
required amount of eucalyptus oil into the boiling water and cover your face
with a towel and inhale the vapor for 5-minutes to get relief
Eucalyptus oil for pain relief:
Take the
required amount of eucalyptus oil and mix it with coconut oil and massage it on
the affected area to get relief from the pain
Is Eucalyptus oil available in the
market?
Yes, it is
available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or ayurvedic
medical stores.
How to store Eucalyptus oil?
It should
be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the heat
and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out to children
How do you use Eucalyptus oil in
case of cold and nasal congestion?
It is used
as an inhaled vapor by boiling the water in a bowl and add 2-5 drops of
eucalyptus into the water and cover your face with the cloth and then inhale
the vapor for 5-7 minutes to get relief from nasal congestion
