Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus, dried leaves)
Medicinal Profile of
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus
globulus, dried leaves)
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus, dried leaves), native to Australia, has long been used in Aboriginal medicine for fevers, wounds, and respiratory ailments. The dried leaves are rich in volatile oils, especially eucalyptol (1,8-cineole), which provide strong antimicrobial, expectorant, and decongestant effects. Today, eucalyptus is widely used in steam inhalations, lozenges, rubs, and teas for colds, flu, and sinus congestion. Its sharp, penetrating quality makes it an important remedy for opening the lungs, clearing mucus, and reducing microbial load in the respiratory tract.
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👉 Tastes describe the initial impression a herb leaves on the tongue, and they reveal its deeper actions in the body, shaping digestion, circulation, and tissue response.
Pungent – Stimulating, clears stagnation, opens blocked passages.
Bitter – Drying, cooling, and detoxifying.
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👉 Qualities describe the felt nature of a substance or practice, and how it acts in the body beyond nutrients or chemistry.
Stimulating (Circulating) – Promotes flow and awakens sluggishness.
Drying – Reduces damp congestion in lungs and sinuses.
Light – Disperses heaviness and stuck mucus.
Penetrating – Reaches deeply into tissues via volatile oils.
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👉 Terrain patterns describe the body’s functional state, showing when a herb is most helpful or aggravating, while affinities identify the organ systems or tissues where its actions are most directly felt.
Fluid Congestion and Stagnation (Primary Indicated Terrain Pattern) – When fluids, mucus, or wastes build up, creating heaviness or obstruction.
Respiratory System (Affinity) – Clears lungs and sinuses, thins mucus, opens passages.
Immune System (Affinity) – Reduces microbial load, supports defense in congestion.
Warranted: Steam inhalation or tea from dried leaves. Dose: Inhalation 5–10 min, tea 1 cup 1–2x daily.
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Hyperreactivity (Secondary Indicated Terrain Pattern) – When the body is over-responsive or inflamed, showing up as fever, irritation, or sensitivity.
Immune System (Affinity) – Antimicrobial, calms excessive immune activity.
Circulatory System (Affinity) – Stimulates blood flow, disperses feverish heat.
Warranted: Diluted essential oil inhalation or tea in small amounts.
Dose: Inhalation 2–3x daily, tea 1 cup daily. -
Infusion/tea – Dried leaves steeped for respiratory and antimicrobial support.
Steam inhalation – Hot water poured over leaves, inhaled to clear sinuses/lungs.
Topical compress/wash – Infused leaves applied to wounds or infections.
Essential oil (external use only) – Diluted in carrier oil for chest rubs, or inhaled for decongestion.
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👉 Medicinal actions describe the specific ways a food influences organ systems and body functions.
Respiratory System
Expectorant – Promotes clearance of thick mucus and phlegm.
Decongestant – Opens nasal and bronchial passages by reducing swelling and thinning secretions.
Antimicrobial – Volatile oils inhibit bacterial and viral growth in the respiratory tract.
Anti-inflammatory – Reduces irritation and inflammation in airway tissues.
Immune System
Immune stimulant – Activates immune defenses during infection.
Antiviral / Antibacterial – Inhibits microbial growth, particularly in colds, flu, and sinus infections.
Circulatory System
Circulatory stimulant – Enhances peripheral blood flow, especially when used in topical applications (rubs, oils).
Integumentary System (Skin)
Topical antimicrobial – Used in washes, compresses, or ointments for infected wounds.
Topical anti-inflammatory – Soothes minor burns, insect bites, or skin irritation when diluted.
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👉 Constituents are the natural compounds in a herb that give rise to its actions in the body.
Volatile oils (1,8-cineole/eucalyptol, pinene, limonene) – Expectorant, antimicrobial, decongestant.
Tannins – Astringent, drying, antimicrobial.
Flavonoids (rutin, quercetin) – Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory.
Resins – Protective, antimicrobial.
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Eucalyptus Leaf (whole plant, dried leaves) Medicinal Strength Level → Second Degree
Eucalyptus Essential Oil (concentrated volatile oil) Medicinal Strength Level → Third Degree
Distilled volatile oil is highly concentrated, penetrating, and can be toxic if ingested or overused topically.
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Respiratory medications (decongestants, bronchodilators) – May have additive effects.
Antidiabetic drugs – Eucalyptus may lower blood sugar slightly; monitor.
Hepatotoxic drugs – Use cautiously, as high essential oil doses may stress the liver.
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Internal use – Only in tea form and in moderate doses; concentrated essential oil is toxic if ingested.
Children – Essential oil should not be applied near nose or mouth due to risk of spasm; avoid strong inhalations in infants.
Pregnancy / breastfeeding – Avoid internal use of essential oil; leaf tea in small amounts considered safe.
Dry / Atrophic terrain – May worsen dryness; best combined with moistening herbs.
Allergy / sensitivity – Rare, but possible with topical use.
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Traditional Sources
Aboriginal Australian medicine — Eucalyptus leaves used as poultices for wounds, fevers, and infections.
Grieve, M. (1931). A Modern Herbal. Penguin. (Details on eucalyptus leaf teas, inhalations, and topical applications.)
King’s American Dispensatory (1898). Eclectic Medical Publications.
Modern Sources
Sadlon, A. E., & Lamson, D. W. (2010). “Immune-modifying and antimicrobial effects of eucalyptus oil and simple inhalation devices.” Alternative Medicine Review, 15(1), 33–47.
Juergens, U. R. (2014). “Anti-inflammatory properties of the monoterpene 1,8-cineole: Current evidence for co-medication in inflammatory airway diseases.” Drug Research, 64(12), 638–646.
USDA Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) – Eucalyptus globulus profile.
