Eucalyptus is a genus of evergreen tree and shrub plants from the Myrtaceae family. They grow all over the world, mainly in subtropical and tropical climates, some species grow in mountainous and moderately cold areas, and a number of them can withstand frosts down to -24 C. They prefer brown or red sandy and clay soils, peat bogs, poorly or not at all grow in swampy areas. They are very light-loving and can die in the shade.
The plant is characterized by rapid growth - the most intense growth is observed in the first 10 years of life, by the end of which it reaches about 25 m. Under favorable conditions, eucalyptus grows continuously. Another feature is the sprouting ability: if the above-ground part of the plant dies, it is quickly restored due to sprouting shoots.
A few words about globular eucalyptus
The greatest medicinal value is eucalyptus globulus, rod-shaped and ash or silver eucalyptus. Spheroid is considered a pharmacopoeial plant in most countries where it grows. The leaves have a dense leathery covering that protects against excessive evaporation of water, which saves the plant in dry times. The root system of a tree works on the principle of a pump and is distinguished by its ability to extract water from great depths. Therefore, the plant can be used to naturally drain swampy areas.
Morphological description
The name of this fragrant plant is well known to everyone, but few have seen it.
The evergreen plant reaches a height of up to 100 m. The trunk has a curved or straight shape. The crown is diverse - there are pyramidal, weeping, tent-shaped, oval and other shapes. The bark of the trunk is also diverse and according to its structure, 6 groups of eucalyptus trees are distinguished (smooth-barked, scaly-barked, etc.).
The leaf plate stands edge-on and is located in the same plane as the branches, so trees almost never provide shade. Leaves go through 3 stages of development - young, intermediate and adult. The latter have an ovoid or lance-shaped shape, a rigid structure, a pointed edge and a shade from green to bluish.
The flowers are regular in shape, pedunculated or collected in axillary umbels and corymbose inflorescences, bisexual. The fruit is a capsule, smooth or grooved, containing 1-3 seeds inside.
It begins to bloom from 2-10 years of age, flower buds are formed in spring and summer. A long period of time passes from the appearance of buds to opening, from 3 months. up to 2 years. The fruits ripen within 1 year, and about 80% of the seeds are unripe. Mature seeds retain their viability from 10 to 50 years.
Use of the plant in cooking
Eucalyptus is known not only for its medicinal properties, but also for its taste. The plant is used to prepare tonic energy drinks. The mixture of eucalyptus, honey and water is very reminiscent of the “vitamin bomb” made from ginger, honey and lemon, familiar from childhood. Both remedies strengthen the immune system, help the body fight infections, instantly tone up and put a sick person back on his feet. It is best to prepare such drinks in the cold season in order to further 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. Ground eucalyptus is one of the most common spices. Asians use it as often as we use ground black pepper.
Almost every type of eucalyptus produces a burning juice of a rich red hue. Locals call this juice “Australian cinema” and use it for soups, spicy meat and fish dishes.
Preparation and storage
The procurement of raw materials for pharmaceutical production is most often combined with decorative pruning of plants. You cannot break off branches; you can carefully pick off young leaves from November until the end of winter.
Eucalyptus grass is dried in well-ventilated places in natural conditions or in special dryers at a temperature of about 40 C. It is very important not to exceed the specified temperature, because more of the valuable eucalyptus oil will simply evaporate. Finished raw materials should be stored in glass containers and in the dark for no more than 2 years.
Causes of adenomyosis
Doctors cannot yet find out the exact reasons for the onset of the disease. Although it is known that this is a hormone-dependent disease.
Between the endometrium and myometrium there is a thin layer of connective tissue. When it is disrupted and there is a general decrease in immunity, the inner lining begins to grow into the deep layers of the uterus.
This layer can be damaged during various interventions in the uterus: abortion, difficult childbirth, separate diagnostic curettage, wearing an intrauterine device and inflammatory diseases.
Chemical composition of eucalyptus
The leaves of the plant contain essential eucalyptus oil, from 0.3 to 4.5%. The oil content remains almost the same even when the sheet is dried. Eucalyptus globulus is especially rich in natural oil: about 1.2 liters of essential oil are obtained from 26 kg of leaves.
The main component of the essential oil (up to 80%) is the terpene compound cineole. The oil contains phytoncides, gallotannins, tannins, organic acids (coumaric, cinnamic, etc.), bitterness, aldehydes, trace elements and other active substances. Next, we will describe the medicinal properties and contraindications of eucalyptus as part of the complex treatment of various diseases.
Diagnosis of adenomyosis
Diagnosis is based on the following studies:
- history taking
- examination by a gynecologist before the onset of menstruation, during which an enlarged spherical uterus with nodes is determined and the patient’s complaints about heavy and prolonged menstruation and anemia already during admission make it possible to assume adenomyosis
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs is one of the main diagnostic methods - accuracy reaches 90%. If adenomyosis is diffuse in nature, then in this case the most accurate diagnostic method is hysteroscopy
- hysteroscopy - examination of the uterine cavity using a video device - a hysteroscope.
- In some cases, the patient may be referred for a general blood test and hormone analysis.
Medicinal properties
The essential oil of the plant is characterized by a powerful healing effect and is used to treat a number of diseases. Therapeutic effects of essential oil:
- antimicrobial, incl. against antibacterial drug-resistant staphylococci, streptococci, mycobacterium tuberculosis;
- antiviral against the main groups of viruses that cause ARVI;
- anti-inflammatory;
- expectorant;
- painkiller;
- antiseptic;
- bactericidal;
- immunomodulatory;
- astringent;
- antipruritic;
- fungicidal;
- antiexudative;
- sedative.
Medicinal forms of eucalyptus are actively used in the treatment of respiratory diseases: sore throat, ARVI, bronchitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia and tuberculosis. They are used in the treatment of gynecological diseases such as cervicitis, cervical erosion, endometriosis, adnexitis, trichomoniasis, and inflammatory pathologies of the urinary system. Effective against helminthic infestations.
Externally used to treat abscesses, phlegmon, furunculosis, herpetic rashes. Significantly improve the condition of arthrosis, arthritis, osteochondrosis. They also have a detrimental effect on external parasites such as lice, ticks, and fleas. Helps get rid of headaches and toothaches.
For preventive purposes, it is effective in preventing seasonal infections, the route of transmission of which is airborne, even at the height of the epidemic.
The peculiarity of eucalyptus preparations is their slight local irritant effect, despite their high chemical activity.
Pharmaceutical preparations of eucalyptus
Chlorophyllipt
This drug was developed at the Kharkov Research Institute of Microbiology. It is produced in the form of oil and alcohol solutions in ampoules and is used orally and externally.
The main application is the treatment of diseases caused by staphylococci. Promotes tissue and wound healing and cell regeneration. Used for rinsing and compresses in the treatment of wounds and burns.
Therapy is prescribed in courses of 30 days. Before use, do a drug tolerance test - add 25 drops of chlorophyllipt to 1 tbsp. water and drink. If no allergic reactions occur within 8 hours, the drug can be used for therapeutic purposes.
Eucalyptus oil
- Indicated for obtaining a local analgesic effect: the oil helps with joint, muscle and rheumatic pain.
- Used for rinsing and inhalation for colds of viral and bacterial etiology.
- To rinse, dilute 20 drops of oil in a glass of warm water.
- For foot baths, add 3-5 drops of oil to 5 liters of water. Baths are recommended for the treatment and prevention of fungal infections of the skin and nails.
- In ophthalmology it is prescribed for conjunctivitis and blepharitis.
- When applied to a spot, it helps get rid of herpetic rashes, pigmentation, insect bites, and burns from plants. Effective for pediculosis.
Powder against insect bites
The composition contains starch, talc and eucalyptus oil. Designed for rubbing into unprotected areas of the body to repel insects.
Contraindications
Eucalyptus oil has amazing healing properties, but at the same time it has a powerful effect. If it is used inappropriately and the dosage is not followed, it may cause side effects. They are unpredictable and depend on the individual characteristics of the person, but most often they are severe headaches and allergic reactions (itching, slight tingling, etc.).
Side effects such as:
- vomit;
- diarrhea;
- nausea;
- feeling of suffocation;
- dizziness.
If you notice at least one of the symptoms, stop using the drug and consult a doctor.
The drug is not prescribed in the following cases:
- bronchial asthma;
- increased individual intolerance;
- hypertension;
- allergy to substances related to eucalyptus extracts;
- atrophic rhinitis;
- children under 6 years old.
It is not recommended to combine the substance with homeopathic medicines and other aromatic oils.
Homemade Eucalyptus Recipes
- Eucalyptus tincture
For 1 tbsp. dry raw materials, take half a liter of boiling water, mix and leave for 2 hours. Taken for the treatment of bronchopulmonary diseases in a volume of 50 ml 3-4 times a day. This dosage form can be used for gargling and rinsing the nose for a runny nose, as well as treating the skin for fungal, bacterial and viral infections.
- Decoction of eucalyptus leaves
For 2 tbsp. dry leaves, take 1 cup of boiling water and leave in a water bath for 20 minutes. Take 1 tbsp. three times a day. Externally, the decoction is used to wash wounds, and the volume of the solution is adjusted to 1 liter. Used locally for tamponage and douching in the treatment of gynecological diseases. 2 tbsp. The decoction is diluted in 1 liter of water and used for 5-10 days in a row.
- Eucalyptus tea
3 tbsp. dry raw materials are infused in 250 ml of boiling water and left for 15 minutes. Take in small sips throughout the day to treat bronchial asthma, bronchitis, exacerbations of chronic diseases of the bronchopulmonary system.
- Alcohol solution
10 drops of solution are diluted in 1 glass of water and used to rinse the mouth for stomatitis and gingivitis. To treat wounds and cuts, an alcohol solution is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10, gauze is moistened in it and applied to skin lesions 2 times a day.
- Ointment
To treat inflammation and joint pain, dry leaves are ground into powder, about 10 grams of raw material are taken and mixed with 100 grams. heated goose fat, leave for 3 days. Lubricate sore spots 2-3 times a day.
- Collection
To collect, take leaves of eucalyptus, coltsfoot, and thyme in equal parts, mix, brew and take like tea. Helps in the treatment of cough, asthma, bronchitis.
- Aromatherapy
For the procedure, essential oil is used, which purifies the air from pathogenic microorganisms and helps improve the condition of ARVI. Aromatic inhalations should be carried out at the very first signs of a cold, an obsessive runny nose, or sore throat. For inhalation, take 1-2 drops of oil per 100 ml of water, but for an aroma lamp you need 4-5 drops of oil. Inhalations should be carried out 2 times a day for 15 minutes.
- Aroma massage
Recommended for relieving pain from radiculitis, rheumatism, joint pain and headaches. For 20 ml of base oil, take 5 drops of eucalyptus oil.
- Aromatic baths
Effective for genitourinary infections, colds and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Do not take at elevated body temperature. For one bath, 5-7 drops of oil are enough, which are diluted in 200 ml of milk.
- Aromatic baths
Brooms with the addition of eucalyptus branches can be used in a steam room. However, you can take no more than 2-3 eucalyptus branches for a standard birch or oak broom. Such procedures help get rid of chronic bronchopulmonary pathology and get rid of long-term painful cough, incl. in heavy smokers.
- In cosmetology
Eucalyptus infusion is used to rinse the scalp during hair loss, as a lotion to treat acne, dryness and itching. For oily skin, especially prone to inflammation, and microcracks, it is effective to enrich conventional cosmetics with eucalyptus oil at the rate of 7 drops per 5 ml of cream or lotion.
Application in cosmetology
Due to its properties, the plant is used in all branches of medicine, including dermatology. Experts advise making a eucalyptus mask at least once a week. This way, women will be able to smooth out the first wrinkles, nourish the skin with vitamins/minerals, and give their face a radiant and healthy look. Eucalyptus is suitable for dehydrated, lacking 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 trays and freeze. Every day after waking up, take a piece of frozen eucalyptus decoction and rub it along the massage lines of your face for about 5 minutes. Do not wipe your face after the ice massage: let the skin absorb the tincture on its own and be saturated with the necessary moisture. This procedure will instantly invigorate your skin, help you wake up faster and prepare for a productive day. In just a week, the pores will become narrower, the complexion will even out, redness will disappear, and the skin will look tightened and fresh.
Mask for the face
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Boil small pieces of the plant and grind them into a thick paste. Mix with those food ingredients that suit your skin type and apply to your face. 10-20 minutes will be enough for the skin to receive a vitamin charge, but not dry out under the influence of the active ingredients.
Body lotion
The recipe is similar to a face mask made from ground boiled eucalyptus. Apply pure or enriched gruel to the skin of the body, but do not rub, but leave for 30-60 minutes. The skin will independently absorb the necessary components in the required quantity. After an hour, take a warm shower, rinse off the oily 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
Every woman has at least one jar of cosmetic product for one area of the body in her arsenal. You can add 2-10 drops of eucalyptus oil to one of these jars (the amount depends on the size of the container). You can enrich everything: 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 heal traces of their effects.
Anti-inflammatory spot treatment
Apply essential oil directly to inflammation to dry out the pimple, disinfect the infected area of skin and prevent the formation of scar tissue.
