This fast-growing, flowering evergreen tree can reach 200 feet tall. Its leaves are leathery, and its flowers in bud state are covered in a cup-like membrane (from where it gets its name, from the Greek eucalyptos, meaning “well covered”). This membrane falls off when the flower expands.
WHERE IT CAN BE FOUND:
Australia, Mediterranean, South America, parts of Central America
PROPERTIES AND USE:
Antispasmodic, rubefacient, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, expectorant, insecticidal. Not only a sinus decongestant, but in parts of Mexico and Central America, a tea made of Eucalyptus leaves is used to decongest the liver, bladder, and kidneys. Treats gastritis, diabetes, liver disease, colds, flu, sore throat, bronchitis, catarrh, epilepsy, rheumatism, herpes, candida, migraine, ulcers, wounds, eye infection, asthma, acne, rheumatism, minor burns.
TRADITIONAL PREPARATION:
To make a basic tea, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1/2 teaspoon dried Eucalyptus leaves. Cover, and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Strain. You may wish to serve sweetened with honey or stevia. For asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions, add 1/2 teaspoon dried coltsfoot leaves and 1 ounce dried thyme leaves to the basic tea recipe. For head colds, add
2 teaspoons dried peppermint leaves and
1 teaspoon dried chamomile flowers to the basic tea recipe. For sinus congestion, place a towel over the head, and inhale the steam from the Eucalyptus tea. For rheumatism and minor burns, soak a clean cotton cloth in the cooled basic tea, and apply directly to the affected area two to three times per day. For sore throats, make a gargle with equal parts dried eucalyptus and dried calendula flowers. Gargle three times per day as needed.
