DESCRIPTION
Eucalyptus is a genus of over seven hundred species of flowering trees, shrubs or mallees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Along with other genera in the tribe Eucalypteae, they are commonly known as eucalypts. Plants in the genus Eucalyptus have bark that is either smooth, fibrous, hard or stringy, leaves with oil glands, and sepals and petals that are fused to form a “cap” or operculum over the stamens. The fruit is a woody capsule commonly referred to as a “gumnut”.
Most species of Eucalyptus are native to Australia, and every state and territory has representative species.
Eucalypts vary in size and habit from shrubs to tall trees. Trees usually have a single main stem or trunk but many eucalypts grow as mallees that are multistemmed from ground level and rarely taller than 10 metres. There is no clear distinction between a mallee and a shrub but in eucalypts, a shrub is a mature plant less than 1 metre tall and growing in an extreme environment.
Tradition and/or Folklore: Traditional Aboriginal medicines used eucalyptus to treat fungal infections and skin wounds.
USES
Eucalyptus essential oil has a reputation as being purifying, cleansing, clarifying, and immune-boosting oil, it is ideal for use on skin and in aromatherapy. It is known for its ability to reduce or eliminate harmful surface and airborne bacteria, and infections upon contact. Eucalyptus leaves are a great source of antioxidants, particularly flavonoids (catechins, isorhamnetin, luteolin, kaempferol, phloretin, and quercetin) which protect your body from oxidative stress and free radical damage.
Using products containing eucalyptus extract may improve dry skin by increasing its ceramide content. Ceramides are a type of fatty acid in your skin that is responsible for maintaining its barrier and retaining its moisture. Those who experience dry skin, dandruff, or skin disorders like dermatitis and psoriasis usually have lower ceramide levels. Topical eucalyptus leaf extract application has been found to boost skin ceramide production, water-holding capacity, and skin barrier protection. It contains a compound called macrocarpal A, which appears to stimulate ceramide production
Eucalyptus oil is a natural insect repellent, mainly due to its eucalyptol content. Research has shown that it’s effective at warding off mosquitoes and other biting insects for up to eight hours after topical application. The higher the eucalyptol content in eucalyptus oil, the longer and more effectively it works as a repellent. In 1948, the United States officially registered eucalyptus oil as an insecticide and miticide, for killing mites and ticks.
TOXICOLOGY
Eucalyptus products can generally be used safely on the skin, as long as the oil is diluted. It should not be applied directly onto the skin until it is diluted with a carrier oil, such as olive oil.
The dilution should be between 1 percent and 5 percent eucalyptus oil to between 95 percent and 99 percent carrier oil; this equates to roughly one to five drops of essential oil in 30 ml of carrier oil.
You can do an allergy testing before using eucalyptus on your own. An allergy test can be done by adding the eucalyptus oil in the carrier oil and putting a drop on the arm. If there is no reaction within 24 hours, it is safe to use.
Eucalyptus can cause irritation and a burning sensation. It should not be used too close to the eyes.
It is not safe to take eucalyptus oil orally because it is poisonous.
ESSENTIQ PRODUCTS CONTAINING EUCALYPTUS
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