Eucalyptus Leaves

We all have seen and are well accustomed with the benefits of eucalyptus trees. This tree is basically a native of Australia but is also grown on a large scale in the Middle East, Africa, America, India, China and America. Almost all parts of the tree has some or other significance that is beneficial to mankind. In this article we shall explore the properties and usefulness of eucalyptus leaves, that make it one of the important herbs in the science of Ayurveda.

The trees are tropical evergreen species shedding their leaves during the late dry season. Eucalyptus leaves have an alternate arrangement and taxonomically they are classified as petiolate and lanceolate. Most species have matte finished leaves due to the waxy coating. Quite contrary to this, a few species of eucalyptus trees have shiny lush green leaves. The age of the plant can be inferred from the four different stages of the leaf development, viz, seedling, juvenile, intermediate and adult phase. The growth of leaves is maximum during the transition period of juvenile to adult phase.

Uses of Eucalyptus Leaves

The major health benefits come from eucalyptus oil derived by processing the leaves. The leaves contain healing properties owing to its constituents with which it is made up of. It contains volatile oils, tannins and flavonoids, having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in them.

• Dried eucalyptus leaves are used as an infusion for herbal tea. The leaves are steeped in hot water and is then filtered. The drink is consumed for curing cold and cough during winter season.
• The tincture of eucalyptus leaves is used for curing respiratory congestion. The average recommended dose is 10-30 drops daily for an adult, depending upon the severity of the illness.
• Different forms of eucalyptus supplements are extracted from fresh leaves that act as effective expectorant. It's available in the form of syrups, oils and capsules for curing nasal congestion and sinus associated problems.
• Children below 6 years are not permitted to intake eucalyptus oil. Instead, the fresh leaves can be boiled and the concentrated solution or the steam can be inhaled or used as a chest rub for getting relief from respiratory problems.
• The leaves mostly have an industrial application for the manufacture of oils, that is also used for treating muscle pains, rheumatism and neuralgia due to the anti-inflammatory properties.
• If you have these plants grown at home, then the leaves can be used to provide immediate relief for wounds, cuts, burns, boils, sores and scrapes. Crush the leaves and apply topically. The antibacterial action cures the wounds rapidly.
• The strong aromatic scent also makes the leaves a wonderful bathing ingredient. You can either drop a few leaves in the warm hot water or add a few drops of oil while taking bath. The leaves can also be kept indoors to purify the air.
• The smell of the leaves acts as flea deterrent. In this regard, you can rub the leaves on your pet's coat for guarding against flea attack. You can also make them smell the leaves frequently for this purpose.

These leaves are very prone to spider attacks. 'Eucalyptus leaves spiders', build web in the leaves that is quite a nuisance. You should keep the leaves in a fresh environment to prevent infliction by cobwebs. If you do not have a plant at your house, then you might be wondering where to buy Eucalyptus leaves. Fresh leaves can be purchased from herbal shops that sell crude products. Eucalyptus oil is readily available in any drug stores. The other option is to opt for online shopping on a bulk scale.