Application of eucalyptus: the life-giving force of a hundred-meter tree

The use of eucalyptus - a plant from the family of myrtle, for medicinal purposes today is not a curiosity. And this despite the fact that his homeland is on the other hemisphere of the planet, in Australia. Nowadays, the widespread use of eucalyptus is not limited to the geographical scope, it is cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world and even in the CIS, Crimea, Azerbaijan and Moldova. This is an evergreen plant, considered the record for growth rate. Trees reach a height of over 100 meters. It has a powerful and ramified root system, covering a large area, due to which it pumps out huge amounts of water from the soil.

For medical purposes, the use of eucalyptus is limited to its leaves and young shoots, from which various preparations are made or essential oil is extracted. They gather them almost all the year round, except for spring. One ton of raw materials is enough to produce five kilograms of oil. The best in terms of concentration of nutrients are leaves and shoots collected in winter and autumn. The technology of procurement is quite simple. For this, a part of the branches is cut off and all leaves and shoots break off from them. In order to use the eucalyptus as efficiently as possible, when drying raw materials that go on to drugs in the future, one should not expose them to temperatures above forty degrees, if higher, a significant loss of essential oils will occur. After drying, leaves and shoots are stored in iron or glass jars no longer than three years.

A large number of useful substances contains eucalyptus, treating them effectively thanks to tannic and astringent elements. A special concentration of them is observed in its oil. There are more than forty components. The most important for the treatment and prevention of diseases are phytoncides, flavonoids, cinnamon, elagus and coumaric acid, cineol and gallotanins, red hot juice, aldehydes (isovaleric, cumin, caprylic).

The production of essential oils during the processing of eucalyptus is the main direction in terms of medical use of this plant. They are used for erosive and ulcerative lesions of the mucous membranes, for infections of the urinary tract, as a bactericidal agent in the diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

Eucalyptus oil is used for the treatment of migraine, fever, bronchitis and sore throat as a drug for liquefying phlegm and calming cough. In dermatology it is used as a deodorizing, antiseptic and regenerating substance. With the help of him treat acne, furunculosis, spots on the skin, dandruff. It is an effective antiparasitic substance against lice, for repelling mosquitoes and ants. Oil helps and with muscle pain and radiculitis.

The known preparations of this plant are still eucalyptus tea and tincture. They are also used in the above ailments. In addition, preparations from eucalyptus are used as a sedative, soothing and analgesic. From it do lotions and solutions for washing in the case of inflammatory diseases of female genital organs. It is used for the rapid healing of infected and fresh wounds.