Herb Spotlight: Eucalyptus

The Herb Spotlight Series is to bring note to some of the most popular, useful and accessible herbs. For the purpose of this blog, I'll be using the Medical Definition of Herb: a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities, instead of the Scientific Definition.

Using plants in natural remedies and cosmetics are traditional practices that our modern synthetic chemical-dependent society has distanced itself from. Believe Botanica wants to integrate those holistic ideas and herbal remedies into a modern lifestyle.

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This evening I present...

Eucalyptus 

Botanical Name: Eucalyptus globulus 

Family: N.O. Myrtaceae

Walking through the Eucalyptus Grove on the San Francisco State University Campus today, I could not help but appreciate the slightly mentholated and very particular fragrance of the eucalyptus. The sheer size of the trees rival the California Sequoias. Natural oils are derived from the leaves of the Eucalyptus, and have medicinal, industrial (mining for ores), and aromatic uses. In California, we see a lot of Eucalyptus trees because they are somewhat drought-resistant, however Eucalyptus trees have been introduced around the world with positive results.

Medicinal Uses

 Stimulant // Antiseptic // Aromatic

The Essential Oil of Ecualyptus should be in every Holistic First-Aid Kit. This Volatile Oil (basically, a distilled oil) is one of the finest natural antiseptics. Helpful in healing and cleaning cuts, scrapes, burns and other wounds, Eucalyptus can be used for both children and adults.

For asthmatics, anyone with respiratory problems or just the sniffles you can boil the leaves  OR about 5 drops of the Organic Essential Oil per 3 cups of water with the top on and when the mixture is at a rolling boil, place your head OVER and inhale the vapors. For an added benefit put a towel over your head and the pot to make a Ghetto-Sauna for your lungs. This technique can also be used for the steam portion of an At-Home Facial (more on that later).

Essential Eucalyptus oil is also one of the few oils that can be applied neat (aka undiluted) to the skin. Rub a small amount on the wrists, neck, ankles or any other exposed areas as a natural Insect Repellent.  Rub some on the chest for bronchial issues or a cold (like VapORub only without the nonrenewable and possibly hazardous Petrolatum additive).

Restorative Sore-Muscle Soak

1 Cup Epsom or Mineral Salts

2 Tablespoons Organic Almond, Grapeseed or Apricot Kernel Oil

4 Drops Essential Eucalyptus Oil

2 Drops Peppermint Oil

4 Drops Lavender Oil

2 Drops Rosemary Oil

Mix salt and oils in a non-metal bowl and then add to a full hot bath. Be sure to let the salts dissolve and then enjoy. Take deep breaths and let the aromatherapy relax your sore muscles, mind and spirit! Can also be used in a large bowl, just as a foot soak.

Contraindications (aka Don't Do It If....)

Liver or Kidney Issues

Pregnancy

Should not be taken too often

Local Eucalyptus Groves

SFSU
UC Berkeley 
Glen Park Canyon
Golden Gate Park's Eucalyptus trees feed the koalas at the SF Zoo!

Mt. Sutro is an Eucalyptus Forest 
Stanford University



"The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while Nature cures the disease."

-Voltaire