Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus globulus

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a tall evergreen tree native to Tasmania. It is the most important genus of trees found in the Australian forests comprising approximately 75% of all of the trees. Today, most commercially grown trees grow in the Mediterranean and subtropical regions, including Spain and Morocco. The leaves and oil of the eucalyptus plant have long been used for medicinal purposes. Eucalyptus oil consists of the volatile, or essential oil that is distilled from the fresh leaves and branch tops of the eucalyptus plant. There are several species of eucalyptus; however the primary one used medicinally is the globulus species. Some are the species are the size of an ornamental shrub, and some grow to be enormous trees. The type of eucalyptus that is most often used medicinally (globulus) is called blue gum or Australian fever tree. It can grow as high as 230 feet. It has 4 – 12 inch leaves which are dark green and shiny. Its outer blue-gray bark peels to reveal an inner cream-colored bark. Topical ointments containing eucalyptus oil have been used in traditional Aboriginal medicine to support wound healing. Various uses of eucalyptus have spread to other traditional systems around the globe, including Chinese, Indian (Ayurvedic), and Greco-European systems over the past centuries. The French government planted eucalyptus trees in Algeria in 1857. In just five years the trees turned a once marshy land where they were planted, into a drier region, which ultimately reduced the mosquito habitat, giving the eucalyptus the name “fever tree.” The trees went on to be planted in other areas. During the 19th century in England, eucalyptus oil was used in hospitals to clean urinary catheters. Many studies later revealed that eucalyptus oil contains substances with microbial properties, confirming the British use as a cleaning agent.