Diseases and effects: Abscesses, phlegmon, purulent mastitis, sluggish infected chronic ulcers, pustular diseases, burns, frostbite, gingivitis, stomatitis, tonsillitis, acute respiratory diseases, tracheitis, laryngitis, furunculosis, phlegmon, erosive and ulcerative lesions of the mucous membranes, cervical erosion uterus, cervical ulcers, catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract, myositis, radiculitis, plexitis.
Active substances: essential oil, terpene compounds, cineole, pinene, organic acids, tannins, bitter substances, aldehydes, ketones, resinous substances of a balsamic nature, phytoncides.
Collection time: September – November
Myrtle family (Myrtaceae).\r
Botanical description
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Evergreen fast-growing tree up to 60-80 m high, of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). The diameter of the eucalyptus trunk reaches 1-2 m. It grows in the Caucasus and in the south of Ukraine.\r
Eucalyptus bark is smooth, light gray.\r
The leaves on young trees are opposite each other, sessile, leathery, covered with bluish-green wax, broadly lanceolate, heart-shaped at the base, covered with dots with essential oil. On old trees, the leaves elongate into narrow-lanceolate, sickle-shaped, curved, short-cut.\r
The fruit is a hemispherical box with numerous seeds.\r
It blooms in autumn, at 30%-fifth year of plant development.\r
Eucalyptus tends to absorb a large amount of moisture and quickly evaporate it, while the leaves emit a large amount of volatile substances.\r
Storage and preparation
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Grow eucalyptus as a cultivated plant on wet soils in parks, gardens, groves. For the medical industry, the leaves of the plant are harvested. In addition to the indicated globular eucalyptus, there are varieties of twig-shaped eucalyptus and ashy eucalyptus, similar in their properties.\r
Leaves are harvested starting from September (when they contain the greatest amount of essential oil), cut off from cut branches, dried in the fresh air or in a well-ventilated area, spreading in a thin layer and often shaking. Eucalyptus leaves as aromatic raw materials are stored separately from other non-scented plants in a dry, well-ventilated area.\r
Chemical composition
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The leaves of all three types of eucalyptus (spherical eucalyptus, twig eucalyptus, ashy eucalyptus) contain essential oil (0.7-2%), the main component of which is eucalyptol with a powerful oxidizing effect, which explains the disinfectant and antihelminthic effect. In addition, all kinds of terpene compounds were found in eucalyptus leaves, in particular cineole and pinene, as well as aldehydes, ketones, resinous substances of a balsamic nature, phytoncides, organic acids, tannins, bitter and other substances.\r
Pharmacological properties
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Herbal products from eucalyptus leaves have a pronounced antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. They are active against gram-positive, gram-negative microorganisms, have a detrimental effect on fungi and protozoa.\r
Eucalyptus inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia, tuberculosis microbacteria, dysenteric amoeba and Trichomonas.\r
Galenic forms from eucalyptus leaves (decoction, infusion and tincture of the plant) in acute and chronic experiments on various laboratory animals were non-toxic and did not have a significant local irritant effect on the mucous membranes of the eyes and vagina.\r
When studying the general pharmacological properties of the leaves of the plant, no noticeable effect of eucalyptus products on the activity of the heart was noted, with the exception of some cardiotonic action, which manifests itself in a decrease in heart rate and a slight increase in their amplitude. In addition, eucalyptus products have a slight sedative effect on the central nervous system and have slight expectorant properties.\r
Application in medicine
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Galenic forms from eucalyptus leaves are used as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agents. They are used for rinsing, inhalation, preparation of wet swabs, lotions. Infusions and decoctions of eucalyptus leaves are prescribed for abscesses, phlegmon, purulent mastitis, sluggish infected chronic ulcers, in dermatological practice – for all kinds of pustular diseases. In gynecological diseases, decoction and infusion of eucalyptus leaves are used for douching. They are also prescribed for the treatment of burns and frostbite.\r
Tincture (15-30 drops) or infusion of eucalyptus leaves is prescribed for rinsing with gingivitis, stomatitis, tonsillitis. In the form of inhalations, eucalyptus is used for acute respiratory diseases, tracheitis, laryngitis.\r
In 19th century medicine, eucalyptus products were used for malaria, scarlet fever, diphtheria, and as an antihelminthic.\r
Eucalyptus oil is used to treat furunculosis, phlegmon, erosive and ulcerative lesions of the mucous membranes (in particular, with erosions and ulcers of the cervix), for inhalation with catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract, as a distraction and analgesic for rubbing with myositis, radiculitis, plexitis and other diseases. Plant oil is a part of many products (eucamone, eucatol, pectusin, etc.).\r
The medical industry produces the product chlorophyllipt, which contains a mixture of chlorophylls found in eucalyptus leaves. The drug has antibacterial activity, is applied topically in the treatment of burns and trophic ulcers (the initial 1% alcohol solution is diluted in a ratio of 1: 5 in a 0.25% solution of novocaine), with erosion of the cervix, 1% alcohol and 2% oil solutions are used (cervix lubrication uterus and erosion, the introduction of moistened swabs).\r
Inside used in the carriage of staphylococci in the intestine (5 ml of 1% alcohol solution, diluted in 30 ml of water, every day 3 times every day for 40 minutes before meals). Intravenously (2 ml of a 0.25% solution diluted in 38 ml of a sterile isotonic sodium chloride solution) is administered (slowly!) 4 times every day for 4-5 days in septic conditions, pneumonia, etc. Allergic reactions are possible.\r
Dosage forms
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Dry crushed leaves (in boxes of 100 g) and briquettes , divided into 10 equal slices of 10 g, for home-made decoction.\r
Eucalyptus leaf decoction (Decoctum folii Eucalypti): 10 g (2 tablespoons) of raw materials are placed in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml (1 glass) of hot water, cover with a lid and heat in boiling water (in a water bath) for 30 minutes, cool for 10 minutes at room temperature, filter, the remaining raw material is squeezed out. The volume of the resulting broth is adjusted with boiled water to 200 ml. The prepared broth is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days.\r
Applied inside 1/4 cup of warm broth 3 times every day after meals as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. For inhalation and gargling, 1 tablespoon of decoction is diluted with 1 glass of water.\r
Available in packs of 100 g. The leaves are stored in a dry, cool place.\r
Eucalyptus tincture (Tinctura Eucalypti) 1:5 in 70% alcohol. Transparent liquid of greenish-brown color with a peculiar smell. Available in bottles of 25 ml.\r
Eucalyptus oil (Oleum Eucalypti) is available in bottles of 10-15 ml and is part of complex products.\r
Chlorophyllipt (Chlorophyliptum). 1% alcohol solution of 100 or 200 ml in orange glass bottles, applied topically and orally; 2% solution in oil (in vials), applied topically; 0.25% solution (in ampoules of 2 ml), used intravenously.