The eucalyptus is a popular tree that people may know for two things: its pleasantly relaxing scent and the fact that cuddly koalas live in them.
But what a lot of people don’t know is that eucalyptus has actually made its mark in the field of science.
It has long been used in folk medicine and is cultivated for various reasons, ranging from wood to non-wood uses. Apart from being used as timber and pulp, it has also been utilized as food, medicine, and an essential oil. [1] [2]
However, it’s popularly known that eucalyptus is poisonous, which might have led some people to stay away from consuming it for its health benefits. But what a lot of people don’t know is that the dangerous poisoning is actually a result of inappropriate and irresponsible use.
In this article, we’ll look at the many health benefits that organic eucalyptus has been known to provide and how we can maximize these benefits to improve our lives.
What is Eucalyptus?
The evergreen eucalyptus trees, also known as gum trees, is initially native to Australia but is now cultivated worldwide. There are 300 known variants of the eucalyptus, but the most common variety is the Blue Gum tree which thrives in Australia and Tasmania. Nowadays, the majority of commercially grown eucalyptus is concentrated in the Mediterranean region.
The native Aboriginal people of Australia have used eucalyptus as a topical ointment for healing wounds. Eventually, the use of eucalyptus permeated to the centuries-old traditional medicines of China, India, and Greco-European cultures.
Most of what is used the eucalyptus trees benefits come from its leaves and branch tops, which are the parts typically harvested to be processed into eucalyptus oil.
The stumps of eucalyptus trees have also been found to be rich in flavonoids, compounds that are known for their health benefits. These include their antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. [3] [4]
7 Health Benefits of Eucalyptus
The benefits of eucalyptus can be experienced from topical administration to inhalation. As mentioned earlier, the extracts existing in eucalyptus leaves and stumps present several health benefits.
Here are some details on the health conditions that eucalyptus can help with:
1. Respiratory Conditions
Eucalyptus is a well-known home remedy for cough and colds. A major component of the oil derived from eucalyptus, eucalyptol, helps in managing mucus buildup and inflammation thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Aside from the common cold, it can also help in treating asthma and bronchitis. [5] [6]
This usage has already been widely employed in folk medicine, such as by Brazilians and Zulus, wherein both have actually been supported by scientific research. [4] [5] [6]
A study conducted in 2003 probed for the possible development of both anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs derived from this tree.[4] Additionally, a study from 2018 which tested the possibility of E. globulus extracts to be employed as raw material for food and pharmaceutical supplements showed promising results.[7]
2. Chronic Diseases
Throughout the years, eucalyptol has also shown its efficacy in helping manage chronic diseases. A study in 2016 concluded that eucalyptus can be a “potentially important drug for the treatment of chronic diseases.”
This is due to its proven anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as the majority of these chronic illnesses stem from chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. [8]
When tested in vitro, it was even found to be helpful in terminating leukemia cells, suggesting that eucalyptus has potential anti-cancer properties. [9]
3. Skin Ailments
Several antiseptic and acne treatment medications contain eucalyptol. It is also used to treat boils, wounds, and herpes. [10] As mentioned earlier, it had been a part of traditional Aborigine medicine as a topical treatment for external wounds.[11]
Eucalyptus extract is also known to be a natural moisturizer that can help treat dry skin. Eucalyptus leaf extract contains the compound called macrocarpal A, which is essential in boosting ceramide production in the skin. Ceramides are the lipids which coat the outer layer of the skin, which helps retain moisture and protects against pollution. [12]
4. Dental Ailments
As seen in numerous dental products, eucalyptus is proven to help with bad breath, dental plaque, and gingivitis. [4]
A review on the roles of eucalyptus oil in the field of dentistry published last 2013 evaluated its efficacy in certain activities, namely: antibacterial, antiplaque, and anticarcinogenic. The study revealed relatively favorable results for the first two, with significant findings for antibacterial properties, while it performed modestly in antiplaque activity.[13]
5. Pain Relief
Aside from applying eucalyptus-infused ointments on sore joints, it can also help reduce pain via inhalation. A study in 2013 found it effective in relieving pain following a total knee replacement.[15]
6. Colon Damage
Research showed that eucalyptol is a viable treatment for colorectal cancer. Although the study was not tested clinically on humans, it was evaluated and showed promising results against colon cancer cells in vitro.[16]
7. Diabetes
In traditional medicine, eucalyptus leaves have been utilized to manage diabetes.[17] However, using it for diabetes treatment should be practiced with caution. Since eucalyptus is capable of lowering blood sugar, it should be avoided by those who are already taking diabetes medications as it may reduce blood sugar levels even further (which is potentially dangerous!).[18]
Best Ways to Incorporate Eucalyptus in Your Diet
Although eucalyptus is unsafe for raw consumption, there are plenty of ways you can benefit from it safely.
In our present time, products derived from eucalyptus are widely available. These range from over-the-counter medications, such as oils and ointments, to medicinal teas.
From using its dried leaves to essential oils, incorporating eucalyptus can be or has been a daily part of our lives already.
Here are some of the common ways on how eucalyptus can used in our daily lives:
As an essential oil and ointment
Eucalyptol is usually infused with several other ingredients to be used in medications such as cold medicines and antiseptics. To extract it from eucalyptus trees, its leaves must be “dried, crushed, and distilled” and then must be diluted if to be used for medicinal purposes.”[13]
We actually use products infused with eucalyptol more than we think. Perhaps the most popular form of eucalyptus products are ointments, which people commonly use to combat a stuffy nose.
Eucalyptus can also be enjoyed through aromatherapy, which is known for being effective against inflammation. This is done by adding a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil into a diffuser.
As a tea
Like most herbal remedies, eucalyptus leaves can be turned into tea.
It is important to know that this tea is not made from eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus tea is made from its dried and crushed leaves, which are definitely safe for consumption. It can also be bought as tea bags especially if eucalyptus leaves are not widely available.
To make eucalyptus tea, simply boil half a teaspoon of crushed dried eucalyptus leaves in 1 cup of water, then steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Make sure to strain upon pouring into your teacup to avoid accidentally ingesting a eucalyptus leaf. You can also add honey or sugar according to your preference.
If you prefer combining different herbs in your tea, eucalyptus is best paired with peppermint and chamomile.
As dental products
If you’re suffering from any conditions that gives your breath an undesirable odor, you might want to consider using a dental product with eucalyptus in it.
As mentioned earlier, eucalyptol is already being used for the treatment of several dental ailments due to its antibacterial, antiplaque, and anticariogenic properties. It’s no question that several dental products already contain eucalyptus extracts — aside from attacking bacteria that causes bad breath, it leaves your mouth feeling fresh, too!
Precautions
It is important to note that regardless of existing recommendations from researchers, other experts have called for further studies. More evidence on its efficacy should be collected for its claims to be well-grounded. [13] [19]
Therefore, it is crucial that a physician is consulted before usage, especially if you’re planning to use it for self-medication. It can be fatally dangerous when consumed in inappropriate doses.
Like many medications, extra precautions should be taken by pregnant, breast-feeding women, and especially children, who are at a high risk of being poisoned.[19] Those with existing illnesses should also consult with their physician as eucalyptus might inhibit any medications currently being taken.
Summary
Eucalyptus has been around long enough for it to be widely used in traditional medicine.
Although it is a fairly common home-remedy for coughs, colds, and skin infections, further studies must be conducted to back up its multitude of health benefit claims. Nonetheless, its contribution to traditional medicine and its widespread use as an ingredient in over-the-counter products suggest that there is some truth to those claims.
If you’re planning to use it include eucalyptus in your daily routine, it is best to consult your doctor to make sure that it will not interfere with any existing medication, or to confirm any allergies to compounds present in eucalyptus.
References
[1] Vecchio, M., C. Loganes, C. Minto. (2015). “Beneficial and Healthy Properties of Eucalyptus Plants: A Great Potential Use.” The Open Agriculture Journal, 2016(10): 52-57.
[2] Batish, D., H. Singh, R. Kohli. (2008). “Eucalyptus essential oil as natural pesticide.” Forest Ecology and Management, 256(12): 2166-2174.
[3] Luis, A., D. Neiva, A. Duarte. (2014). “Stumps of Eucalyptus globulus as a Source of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Polyphenols.” Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 19(10): 16428-16446.
[4] Silva, J., W. Abebe, S. Sousa, V. Duarte, M. Machado, F. Matos. (2003). “Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils of Eucalyptus.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 89(2-3): 277-283.
[5] Fischer, J. and Dethlefsen, U. (2013). “Efficacy of Cineole in Patients Suffering from Acute Bronchitis: A Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Trial.” Cough, 9(25).
[6] Soyingbe, O., B. Mahlobo, T. Makhafola, H. Salahdeen. (2017). “Antiasthma activity of Eucalyptus grandis essential oil and its main constituent: Vasorelaxant effect on aortic smooth muscle isolated from nomotensive rats.” Journal of Experimental and Applied Animal Sciences, 2(2): 211-222.
[7] Gonzales-Burgos, E., M. Liaudanskas, J. Viskelis, V. Zuikas, V. Janulis, M. Gomez-Serranillos. (2018). “Antioxidant activity, neuroprotective properties and bioactive constituents analysis of varying polarity extracts from Eucalyptus globulus leaves.” Journal of Food and Drug Analysys, 26(2018): 1293-1302.
[8] Seol, G. And Kim, K. (2016). “Eucalyptol and Its Role in Chronic Diseases.” Drug Discovery from Mother Nature, 2016(929): 389-398.
[9] DrugBank. (n.d.). “Eucalyptol.” Retrieved June 20, 2020 from http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB03852.
[10] Keville, K. And M. Green. (2012). “Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art.”
[11] Vemurugan, C., C. Geetha, S. Shajahan, S. Vijayakumar, P. Kumar. (2013). “Wound Healing Potential of Leaves of Eucalyptus Citriodoralin Rats.” World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
[12] Takagi, Y., Ning, X., Takahashi, A., Ishizaki, C., Nishizaka, T., Kaizu, K., Miyaki, M., Yamamuro, H., & Kawashima, M. (2018). The efficacy of a pseudo-ceramide and eucalyptus extract containing lotion on dry scalp skin. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 11, 141–148. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S158428
[13] Agarwal, R., T. Lakshmi. 2013. “Eucalyptus oil in dentistry: A mini Review.” International Journal of Drug Development and Research, 5(4): 58-61.
[14] Ishnava, K., M. Barad, J. Chauhan. (2012). “Anticariogenic and phytochemical evaluation of Eucalyptus globules Labill.” Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 20(1): 69-74.
[15] Jun, Y. , P. Kang, S. Min, J. Lee, H. Kim, G. Seol. (2013). “Effect of Eucalyptus Oil Inhalation on Pain and Inflammatory Responses After Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
[16] Murata, S., R. Shiragami, C. Kosugi, T. Tezuka, M. Yamazaki, A. Hirano, Y. Yoshimura, M. Suzuki, K. Shuto, N. Ohkohchi, K. Koda. (2013). “Antitumor effect of 1, 8-cineole against colon cancer.” Oncology Reports, 2013(30): 2647-2652.
[17] Mahmoudzadeh-Sagheb, H., Z. Heidari, M. Bokaeian, B. Moudi. (2010). “Antidiabetic Effects of Eucalyptus Globulus on Pancreatic Islets: A Stereological Study.” Folia morphologica, 69(2): 112-118.
[18] WebMD. (n.d.). “Eucalyptus.” Retrieved June 20, 2020 from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-700/eucalyptu
[19] Loo, M. (2009). “Integrative Medicine for Children.” Saunders Elsevier.
