Earth is a truly unique planet. After all, so many beautiful things grow in its soils. One of these beautiful gifts of nature is eucalyptus. Yes, yes, it is its leaves that fluffy koalas constantly chew.
People jokingly nicknamed the tree “shameless”, this is due to the fact that it is capable of “eternally rejuvenating” by independently freeing itself from the bark, thereby becoming bare.
Below we will look at the composition and beneficial properties of eucalyptus and look at several recipes.
An excursion into the past
The tree of life is native to Australia. The aborigines nicknamed eucalyptus for the invaluable help it provided them in everyday life. They used the leaves of the tree to heal wounds, used them to protect their homes from insects, and by consuming them internally , the aborigines felt unprecedented strength and vigor.
Eucalyptus has many names. For its beneficial properties, people did not skimp on flattering reviews. He is called a universal healer, a tree of miracles, a diamond of forests.
Eucalyptus is a truly powerful tree, reaching hundreds of meters in height and capable of growing for up to 500 years. But only a few of its types are used in medicine: spherical, ashy and rod-shaped.
Contraindications to the use of eucalyptus-based decoctions
Like any medicine, natural products also have some contraindications:
- Pregnancy and lactation period. The contraindication is not strict; consultation with a doctor is necessary. But, definitely, you cannot drink the tincture internally, due to the alcohol content in it.
- Chronic diseases of the liver and biliary tract.
- Ulcer.
- Individual intolerance. You can test for eucalyptus allergies at home by applying the substance to the inside of your elbow. If no negative reactions occur, then the product can be used (slight redness is quite a common reaction).
Chemical composition and healing properties
Let's get down to business and evaluate the composition and beneficial properties of eucalyptus on the human body.
Compound | Pharmacological actions |
Essential oil |
|
Resins and wax | |
Tannins | |
Phytoncides | |
Flavonoids | |
Acids:
| |
Vitamin E | |
Gallotannins | |
Antiseptics |
Based on Table 1, we can conclude that eucalyptus was called the tree of life for a reason. It can have a healing effect on human health.
And a tincture prepared from the leaves of the universal healer will become an indispensable assistant in the fight against many ailments.
Industrial production of tincture. Appearance
In this part, we will figure out exactly how to prepare an alcohol tincture in a form in which we can purchase it at the nearest pharmacy.
Preparation of eucalyptus tincture
Fresh raw materials are infused with alcohol. The most important thing is to maintain the proportion (1 to 5). According to the rules, the content of eucalyptus ester should be between 0.5 and 4.5 percent. Therefore, in the pharmacy, each bottle contains an equal amount of valuable substances.
How to recognize that you have the right setting?
Let's look at the indicators by which you can determine that this is a tincture of the “tree of life”:
- The color of the liquid varies from dark brown to dark green.
- The substance has a liquid consistency.
- Distinctive pungent odor.
- When it comes into contact with the dermis, a cold feeling is felt.
The tincture should be in a darkened bottle so as not to be exposed to sunlight.
Other uses in folk medicine
Just above we looked at ways to use a decoction based on eucalyptus in the fight against certain diseases. In this part of the article we will look at other areas of application of leaves from the tree of life.
Medicinal infusion
Used to treat respiratory diseases, sore throat, laryngitis, and oral diseases. But it is worth remembering that there are fewer useful substances in the infusion than in the decoction.
- Pour two teaspoons of dry raw materials into 0.5 liters of boiling water.
- Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- We filter carefully.
You need to drink 2 tablespoons 4 times a day. To gargle a sore throat, the product is heated and used 3 times a day.
Warming tea with eucalyptus
The drink is recommended to be consumed for prevention during colds, flu epidemics and acute respiratory viral infections. Tea is also prepared to normalize digestion, and simply for good health.
- Take one and a half tablespoons of eucalyptus leaves.
- Pour in 300 milliliters of boiling water.
- We insist on average 13-15 minutes.
- Drink in small sips throughout the day.
Alcohol tincture
The product is used to treat diseases of the oral cavity, diseases of the respiratory system, skin diseases, neuroses, insomnia, migraines, depression, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system.
Some people prefer to do everything themselves, so they can be convinced of the quality of the product. Therefore, it is for such people that we will tell you how to make a tincture at home.
On fresh raw materials:
Here we can say with confidence that such a product will be the most useful. But fresh eucalyptus leaves are not easy to come by.
- You need to find a glass bottle of a sufficiently dark color. This way the composition is protected from harmful effects of sunlight.
- Carefully chop the eucalyptus leaves and fill the container with them (by a third).
- Pour granulated sugar into the bottle (up to half).
- We send it in a dark place for four days.
- After the expiration date, pour in 0.5 liters of vodka.
- Again we put it in a dark place for a week.
- Carefully filter and squeeze.
- Shake thoroughly before direct use.
On dried leaves:
Unlike the tincture on fresh leaves, this recipe is somewhat inferior in the content of nutrients, but dry raw materials can be purchased at pharmacies in your city.
- Pour about 20-25 grams of dry leaves into 100 ml. alcohol
- Let the substance infuse for about 2 weeks at room temperature.
- Filter and squeeze.
Contraindications:
Pay attention to the following list; if you meet at least one of the points, then eucalyptus alcohol tincture is not for you.
- Pregnancy and lactation period. Contraindication due to alcohol content. Therefore, internal use is prohibited. As for inhalations, rinsing and treatment of skin diseases, a doctor’s permission is required.
- Children under 14. Oral administration is completely contraindicated. Inhalations and rinses can be performed on children aged three years and older.
- Asthma.
- Diabetes.
- Chronic liver diseases.
- Individual intolerance.
Inhalations
This method is used to treat runny nose, severe headaches, and upper respiratory tract diseases.
- The first step is to boil the water.
- Cool it to 65-70 degrees.
- Add a tablespoon of decoction, 15 drops of tincture and the same amount of eucalyptus oil.
- We bend over the container with the product, cover ourselves with a towel, and breathe deeply.
This method is also good for facial skin. After all, under the influence of steam, the skin is cleansed.
Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil can be purchased at pharmacies in your city. This oil, like any essential oil, is sold in dark glass bottles so as not to spoil it from exposure to sunlight. Has powerful bactericidal properties.
It is almost never used in its pure form; it is diluted with water or base oil.
Eucalyptus ether has also found its application in purifying the air in an apartment using aroma lamps.
The oil is also popular among women, who add it to their daily shampoos and cleansers. This is due to the fact that, thanks to its properties, eucalyptus allows you to get rid of excess oily scalp, as well as acne and pimples.
Personally, I have been using it for several months: I dilute it with warm water and wash it.
Use in cosmetology
Ice from the decoction: just prepare the decoction according to one of the presented recipes, pour it into silicone molds and put it in the freezer.
You need to wipe your face morning and evening. This procedure hardens the skin, tightens it, improves complexion, and helps get rid of wrinkles and acne.
Rule: apply ice over the skin of the face without interruption, without lingering on any area for more than 4 seconds, otherwise you can overcool the dermis.
Eucalyptus tincture for the face: use for problem skin. Dilute 15 drops of the product with 180 milliliters of water. Next we wash ourselves. The tincture can also be applied pointwise to the site of inflammation.
Eucalyptus tincture for hair: 20 ml. We dilute the tinctures in 0.5 liters of slightly warmed water. We use it as a rinse for dandruff and hair loss.
Medicinal properties of eucalyptus tincture
A little higher we studied the main medicinal properties of eucalyptus tincture. In this part of the article we will look at some diseases in the fight against which it will become an indispensable assistant.
- Oral diseases.
- Diseases of the respiratory system.
- Skin diseases.
- Injuries, sprains, radiculitis, osteochondrosis.
- Diseases of the genitourinary system.
- Neuroses, insomnia, severe headaches, depression.
- Gastrointestinal diseases: gastritis, cholecystitis, enterocolitis.
Eucalyptus tincture: an amazing and cheap medicine for treating a throat
In this article I will tell you about an amazing medicine that helps treat many diseases of the upper respiratory tract - sore throat, tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, etc.
This medicine is Eucalyptus tincture. For the diseases listed above, it is used to gargle.
You need to buy Eucalyptus tincture at a pharmacy. By the way, instead of the standard tincture of Eucalyptus, the pharmacy may offer you other medicines based on eucalyptus - chlorophyllipt, chlorophyllin, galenophyllipt, etc.
They are also good, but the rules for using these medicines may differ greatly from the rules for using standard Eucalyptus tincture, which I will tell you about below. So be careful not to get confused!
So. 10-15 drops of Eucalyptus tincture should be dropped into a glass of warm, but not hot water, stirred, and with this solution you should thoroughly gargle 3-4 times a day , course from 3 to 7 days , maximum 10 days.
If necessary, this course (3–10 days) can be repeated 3–4 times a year.
This gargling with Eucalyptus tincture is used for sore throats, tonsillitis, colds and even the flu, as well as for laryngitis, pharyngitis and tracheitis. Moreover, pay attention - the earlier in the beginning of the disease you start such rinses, the faster the effect of such treatment will be.
What is important is that eucalyptus tincture has very few contraindications , especially when it comes to gargling. In this case, it cannot be used if you are allergic to eucalyptus, of course. Therefore, before the first use of treatment, it is necessary to check the patient’s sensitivity to the plant. To do this, it is better to gargle for the first time with a weaker solution, say 2-3 drops in half a glass of water. If after such a rinse with a weak solution, allergies do not appear, you can proceed to a full gargle.
By the way, another hint - intolerance to this medicine may be indicated by the patient’s very strong aversion to the smell of eucalyptus.
If there is no allergy, then even small children can gargle with this medicine, except very young children under 3 years old.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers can also gargle with a solution containing eucalyptus tincture, but, as the manufacturers write in the instructions, only if the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus and child. You should consult your doctor.
Interestingly, for laryngitis, pharyngitis, and tracheitis, as well as for a runny nose, the effect of rinsing can be enhanced with the help of steam inhalations. Just drop the same 10-15 drops of eucalyptus tincture into a glass of hot, just boiled water, and just breathe in this steam for a few minutes. Or breathe a solution with eucalyptus tincture through a steam-moist inhaler - fortunately, steam-moist inhalers can be bought in pharmacies at very low prices.
However, I will immediately warn you that inhalations with eucalyptus have more contraindications . They should not be used for whooping cough, bronchospasm and bronchial asthma.
If we return to rinsing with eucalyptus tincture, I will mention one more use of this wonderful plant. Rinsing with such a solution is very useful in the treatment of gums and the oral cavity - with stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease and periodontitis. Only in this case, of course, you need to gargle not your throat, but your mouth.
What are the disadvantages of eucalyptus tincture? Even in the reviews I hardly found them. Except that in some people, using a solution with eucalyptus tincture causes dry mucous membranes and throat - but most often only when this medicine is used incorrectly - either a more concentrated solution is made than necessary. Or they rinse not 3-4 times a day, as per instructions, but much more often, almost every hour.
Therefore, do everything according to the rules, do not abuse this wonderful medicine. And do not be treated with Eucalyptus tincture if you are initially allergic to eucalyptus or atrophy of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Then everything will almost certainly be fine.
At the end of the article, I would like to remind you that when treating throat diseases, sometimes it is not enough just to gargle. You also need to stimulate blood circulation. And for this it is useful to do the so-called lion pose. You can easily find variations on how to do the lion pose on the Internet.
***
Author of the article - Dr. Evdokimenko Published - January 2021 All rights reserved
Is eucalyptus tincture harmful?
If the tincture is used incorrectly or excessively, the following consequences are inevitable:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Dizziness.
- Reduced pressure.
- Spasms.
- Rash.
- Bronchospasm.
If these symptoms occur, you must immediately stop using the substance and swallow activated carbon.
Contraindications for use
Like any medicine, natural products also have some contraindications:
- Pregnancy and lactation period. Contraindication due to alcohol content. Therefore, internal use is prohibited. As for inhalations, rinsing and treatment of skin diseases, a doctor’s permission is required.
- Children under 14. Oral administration is completely contraindicated. Inhalations and rinses can be performed on children aged three years and older.
- Asthma.
- Diabetes.
- Chronic liver diseases.
- Individual intolerance. You can test for allergies at home by applying a substance to the inside of your elbow.
Eucalyptus tincture
Dosage form:
tincture
Compound
To obtain 1000 ml of the drug you need:
Active substance:
Eucalyptus twig leaves – 200 g
Excipient:
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) 70% is a sufficient amount to obtain 1000 ml of the drug.
Description
Transparent liquid of greenish-brown color, peculiar odor.
Pharmacotherapeutic group
Antiseptic of plant origin.
pharmachologic effect
Has a local anti-inflammatory, antiseptic effect.
Indications for use
In the complex therapy of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the pharynx and upper respiratory tract (pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis), and oral cavity (stomatitis, gingivitis).
Contraindications
Increased individual sensitivity to the components of the drug, children under 3 years of age. For inhalations – bronchial asthma, bronchospasm, whooping cough.
Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is possible if the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus and child. You should consult your doctor.
Directions for use and doses
Locally, inhalation.
For rinsing in adults and children over 3 years old, use 10-15 drops per glass of water 3-4 times a day; for steam inhalations - 10-15 drops per glass of water 1-2 times a day.
The course of treatment is 10 days. If necessary, repeat courses are carried out with two-week breaks (or without them) after consultation with a doctor.
Side effect
Allergic reactions are possible.
Overdose
When the drug is used correctly, cases of overdose have not been reported.
Interaction with other drugs
Not described.
special instructions
During the period of use of the drug, care must be taken when performing potentially hazardous activities that require increased concentration and speed of psychomotor reactions (driving vehicles, working with moving mechanisms, working as a dispatcher and operator, etc.).
Release form.
Tincture.
25, 40, 80 ml of the drug in orange glass bottles with a screw neck, sealed with polymer stoppers and polymer screw caps.
25, 40, 80 ml in polyethylene terephthalate bottles, sealed with polymer screw caps.
Each bottle, along with instructions for use, is placed in a cardboard pack.
18 kg in glass bottles or polyethylene canisters (for the production of non-sterile medicines).
Best before date
5 years. Do not use after expiration date.
Storage conditions
In a place protected from light at a temperature of 15 to 25 ° C. Keep out of the reach of children.
Conditions for dispensing from pharmacies
Over the counter.
Making tincture at home
Some people prefer to do everything themselves, so they can be convinced of the quality of the product. Therefore, it is for such people that we will tell you how to make a tincture at home.
On fresh raw materials
Remember that tincture on fresh leaves is most useful, but it is not always possible to obtain it.
- You need to find a glass bottle of a sufficiently dark color.
- Carefully chop the eucalyptus leaves and fill the container with them (by a third).
- Pour granulated sugar into the bottle (up to half).
- We send it in a dark place for four days.
- After the expiration date, pour in 0.5 liters of vodka.
- Again we put it in a dark place for a week.
- Filter and squeeze.
- Shake before direct use.
On dried leaves
Unlike tinctures made with fresh leaves, this recipe is somewhat inferior in the content of nutrients.
- Pour 20-25 grams of dry leaves into 100 ml. alcohol
- Let the substance infuse for about 2 weeks at room temperature.
- Filter and squeeze.
Use of eucalyptus decoction
A decoction based on the leaves of the miracle tree is used both as an external and internal remedy. The range of its use is quite wide: gargling a sore throat, douching, inhalation, and in cosmetology.
Let's look at several effective recipes for treating this or that ailment.
For gastritis with low acidity
The following recipe is suitable for people suffering from hypoacid gastritis. A decoction prepared using it helps improve digestion and improve motor skills.
- Take 3 teaspoons of dry leaves.
- Fill with one glass of pure mineral water.
- Place in a steam bath for 30 minutes.
- After the specified period, cool the composition, leaving it on the table (10-15 minutes).
- We filter.
- Add about 300 ml more. water.
- We send it to the refrigerator.
It is recommended to take this decoction 2 tablespoons orally three times a day, preheating it.
To strengthen the immune system
The recipe is perfect for preventing influenza and viral diseases, especially during epidemic periods.
- Let's take 5 grams of raw materials.
- Pour in 200 ml. some water.
- Boil the composition.
- Remove from heat, cover with a towel, and let sit for about half an hour.
- We filter.
It is recommended to drink this decoction a glass a day for a whole month, preheating it.
In obstetrics and gynecology
A decoction prepared according to the following instructions is used to treat serious gynecological diseases. Helps with acute lesions of the female genital organs.
For douching:
- Pour two tablespoons of dry leaves into exactly one glass of water.
- Next we put it in a water bath.
- We leave it on the table.
- Filter the liquid.
The composition is used twice a day (in the morning and before going to bed). In this case, a glass of broth is poured into 1 liter of hot water.
For chronic sinusitis
As mentioned above, eucalyptus has an antimicrobial effect, and therefore can cure sinusitis no worse than modern antibiotics.
- Take a tablespoon (about 20 grams) of eucalyptus raw material.
- Fill with water.
- We rinse each nasal sinus with a slightly warmed decoction twice a day (in the morning and before going to bed).
For the treatment of chronic pharyngitis, bronchitis, asthma and cough
A decoction prepared based on the following instructions is almost universal.
- Take 5 grams of black tea. Fill with boiling water.
- We process and filter.
- Pour the prepared tea over the eucalyptus leaves.
- Keep on low heat for about 4-5 minutes.
- We freeze and carefully filter.
- To give it a more pleasant taste, add a spoonful of honey.
The liquid can be used as pharmaceutical nasal drops. It is necessary to instill eight drops into each nasal passage 5 times a day. To treat other ailments, we take the decoction orally.
Eucalyptus for sore throat
For rinsing and inhalation:
- Pour a glass of water into 20 grams of dry eucalyptus leaves.
- Next we send it to a water bath.
- Leave on the table to cool naturally.
- Filtering the composition.
- Add a spoonful of honey.
For skin diseases
Suitable for the treatment of burns, dermatitis, eczema, herpes and other skin diseases.
- Pour 60 grams of dry eucalyptus leaves with 200 milliliters of mineral water.
- Place in a steam bath.
- Pour the liquid into a small thermos and leave for about five hours.
- We filter thoroughly.
- We use it as compresses or lotions.
Reviews
Christina:
Eucalyptus tincture is a universal remedy. I first learned about the beneficial properties of the leaves of this tree when I bought nasal drops containing eucalyptus. And then I thought, what if I could make them myself or buy a tincture at the pharmacy. Now this is an indispensable remedy for me, because every winter I suffer from a runny nose and often have a cough.
Marina:
During my student years I began to suffer from acne. I tried many modern products: scrubs, masks, micellar water. Things only got worse. Then I discovered folk remedies. Basically I alternate them so as not to become addictive. Eucalyptus tincture is one of them. Perfectly dries out pimples. Promotes their speedy disappearance.