Eucalyptus

The height of this tree can vary between 30 and 60 metres. It grows extremely rapidly because it can grow approximately 1 metre per month in its first three years. It is also commonly referred to as the “blue gum”, because of its bluish green, generally evergreen leaves. Its fibrous bark comes off in long strips. Its cream-coloured flowers provide bees with abundant nectar that they transform into honey with a distinctive flavour. Its flower buds are shaped like a spinning top.

Latin name

Eucalyptus globulus Labill.

Origin

Australia, more specifically, Tasmania.

Used part

The essential oil from the leaves.

Active components

Monoterpenoids (eucalyptol): anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action.

Usage

For centuries, the tree was used by indigenous Australians, before westerners discovered its medicinal properties. Due to its fresh, spicy aroma and pleasant flavour, eucalyptus essential oil is used for fragrances as well as perfumes and cosmetics. Numerous mouthwashes contain eucalyptol. It is also used as an insecticide and an insect-repellent. Traditionally, the leaves and the oil are used to treat respiratory ailments such as bronchitis. The dried leaves were smoked to treat asthma. Eucalyptus oil is also used to treat fever, thanks to its cooling effect on the body. Historically, the plant was also used to treat skin conditions, joint pain and bacterial infections in eastern and western medicine. Scientific studies have demonstrated that eucalyptus has a soothing effect on irritation of the throat, pharynx and vocal chords. _1-16

Bibliographical references

Anti-inflammatory activity of 1.8-cineol (eucalyptol) in bronchial asthma: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
Juergens UR, Dethlefsen U, Steinkamp G, Gillissen A, Repges R, Vetter H.
Respir Med. 2003 Mar;97(3):250-6.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12645832
Inhibition of cytokine production and arachidonic acid metabolism by eucalyptol (1.8-cineole) in human blood monocytes in vitro.
Juergens UR, Stöber M, Vetter H.
Eur J Med Res. 1998 Nov 17;3(11):508-10.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9810029
Inhibitory activity of 1,8-cineol (eucalyptol) on cytokine production in cultured human lymphocytes and monocytes.
Juergens UR, Engelen T, Racké K, Stöber M, Gillissen A, Vetter H.
Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2004;17(5):281-7.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15477123
Therapy for acute nonpurulent rhinosinusitis with cineole: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Kehrl W, Sonnemann U, Dethlefsen U.
Laryngoscope. 2004 Apr;114(4):738-42.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15064633
Antiinflammatory and antinociceptive effects of 1,8-cineole a terpenoid oxide present in many plant essential oils.
Santos FA, Rao VS.
Phytother Res. 2000 Jun;14(4):240-4.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10861965
1,8-cineole, a TRPM8 agonist, is a novel natural antagonist of human TRPA1.
Takaishi M, Fujita F, Uchida K, Yamamoto S, Sawada Shimizu M, Hatai Uotsu C, Shimizu M, Tominaga M.
Mol Pain. 2012 Nov 29;8:86.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23192000
Inhaled 1,8-cineole reduces inflammatory parameters in airways of ovalbumin-challenged Guinea pigs.
Bastos VP, Gomes AS, Lima FJ, Brito TS, Soares PM, Pinho JP, Silva CS, Santos AA, Souza MH, Magalhães PJ.
Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2011 Jan;108(1):34-9.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20722639
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants - Volume 2 - Aetheroleum Eucalypti
World Health Organisation Geneva 2002
WHO: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2002/9241545372.pdf
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils of Eucalyptus.
Silva J, Abebe W, Sousa SM, Duarte VG, Machado MI, Matos FJ.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Dec;89(2-3):277-83.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14611892
In vitro antifungal activity of terpinen-4-ol, eugenol, carvone, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) and thymol against mycotoxigenic plant pathogens.
Morcia C, Malnati M, Terzi V.
Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess. 2012;29(3):415-22.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22257275
Antibacterial activity of the essential oils from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Bachir RG, Benali M.
Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2012 Sep;2(9):739-42.
PMC: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609378/
Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Thymus algeriensis, Eucalyptus globulus and Rosmarinus officinalis from Morocco.
Ait-Ouazzou A, Lorán S, Bakkali M, Laglaoui A, Rota C, Herrera A, Pagán R, Conchello P.
J Sci Food Agric. 2011 Nov;91(14):2643-51.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21769875
Antibacterial activity of essential oils from Eucalyptus and of selected components against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens.
Mulyaningsih S, Sporer F, Reichling J, Wink M.
Pharm Biol. 2011 Sep;49(9):893-9.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21591991
GC/MS analysis and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of fresh leaves of Eucalytus globulus, and leaves and stems of Smyrnium olusatrum from Constantine (Algeria).
Daroui-Mokaddem H, Kabouche A, Bouacha M, Soumati B, El-Azzouny A, Bruneau C, Kabouche Z.
Nat Prod Commun. 2010 Oct;5(10):1669-72.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21121270
Antibacterial effect of essential oils from two medicinal plants against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Tohidpour A, Sattari M, Omidbaigi R, Yadegar A, Nazemi J.
Phytomedicine. 2010 Feb;17(2):142-5.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19576738
Effect of eucalyptus essential oil on respiratory bacteria and viruses.
Cermelli C, Fabio A, Fabio G, Quaglio P.
Curr Microbiol. 2008 Jan;56(1):89-92.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17972131

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