Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is an evergreen tree with a sharp, specific aroma, the essential oil and greens of which have been used in medicine, cosmetology, cooking and other areas of life. In other European languages, the name of this plant sounds like this:

• Deutsch – Eucalyptus;
• English – eucalyptus;
• French – eucalyptus.

Eucalyptus is a tree or shrub with oblong, pointed leaves. An adult plant can reach 100 meters in height. The shape of the crown can be round, triangular, "weeping", etc. - depending on the type. During the flowering period, eucalyptus is covered with large white, red or yellow inflorescences. Flowers with long, thin petals are collected in fluffy umbrellas. Some parts of the plant secrete essential oil and gum.

About seven hundred species of eucalyptus have been described in the scientific literature. Here are just a few of them:

• crowded;
• white;
• almond-leaved;
• Andrews;
• angophore-like;
• Camaldulian;
• capitate;
• ashen;
• berry;
• conical.

Eucalyptus is native to Australia. Also, wild thickets of eucalyptus can be found in New Zealand, Tasmania, New Guinea, Indonesia and the Philippine Islands. Today, this plant is distributed throughout the globe. In Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, eucalyptus has gained popularity due to its ability to grow rapidly.It is planted in wetlands to drain the soil. In Russia, eucalyptus is grown in the Krasnodar Territory, in the Crimea and the Caucasus. Eucalyptus trees love sunlight, but also grow on mountain slopes, in gorges and ravines.

The best raw materials are young eucalyptus leaves, which begin to be collected from September, since during this period they contain the largest amount of essential oil. First, the branches are cut with a sharp cleaver, then the leaves are collected from them. The leaves are laid out in a thin layer on the floor and dried outside under a canopy or in a room that is constantly ventilated.

• dark green color;
• fresh, intense aroma with hints of camphor;
• spicy, bitter taste.

You can learn more about the properties of eucalyptus from the video.

• essential oil
• tannins
• gallotannins
• coumaric acid
• cinnamic acid
• calcium
• potassium
• magnesium
• iron
• manganese
• copper
• cobalt
• silicon
• nickel
• boron

• produces a disinfecting effect;
• has antimicrobial properties;
• has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• relieves pain;
• strengthens the immune system;
• is a good means of preventing certain infections;
• has a wound healing effect.

In the presence of individual intolerance, eucalyptus can cause a severe allergic reaction.

• hypertension;
• pregnancy;
• childhood.

Eucalyptus juice is called "cinema" or "Australian cinema". It is a thick red substance, pungent and burning.

• in small quantities, dried eucalyptus leaves are used to flavor meat and fish dishes;
• marinade for meat is prepared with the addition of eucalyptus;
• eucalyptus tea is known for its invigorating and warming effect;
• eucalyptus leaves are used in the production of various types of alcohol;
• Eucalyptus is added to confectionery products to give them a fresh aroma.

Pour into a saucepan 2 tbsp. dried sage and dried eucalyptus, pour 2 cups of cold water and bring to a boil. When the broth boils, pour in 2 cups of milk and sweat for a few minutes. This drink will help warm you up on a cold winter day.

Grind a few dry or fresh eucalyptus leaves. 2 tbsp spices pour 1 liter of boiling water. When the broth has cooled, add chopped onion and a couple of carrots, wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Put the meat in the marinade and leave in the refrigerator for several hours.

Healing agents based on eucalyptus are used to treat and prevent the following diseases:

• neuralgia;
• lumbago;
• rheumatism;
• acute respiratory diseases;
• angina;
• bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• tuberculosis;
• fever;
• adnexitis;
• endometriosis;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• wounds and ulcers;
• herpes;
• flu;
• helminths;
• arthritis;
• arthrosis;
• osteochondrosis.

With herpes infection. Take a few leaves of geranium and eucalyptus and squeeze out 5-6 drops of the juice of each plant. Mix juice with 1 tsp. vegetable oil. Apply to the area affected by herpes 4-5 times a day.

With severe cold. Grind 20 grams of dried eucalyptus leaves and pour a small amount of medical alcohol.Infuse in a tightly closed container for a week, then strain. Dilute 20 ml of tincture in 50 ml of water and take 2 times a day.

With milkmaid. Take one part of dried or fresh herbs - chamomile, calendula, birch buds, sage, yarrow, eucalyptus, juniper. Pour a glass of boiling water and cook in a water bath for 10 minutes. Then insist 40-50 minutes and strain. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day after meals.

• The aroma of eucalyptus eliminates unpleasant odors in the house. To do this, you can use fresh or dry leaves of the plant, as well as eucalyptus oil.
• The smell of eucalyptus repels many insects, including annoying midges and mosquitoes.
• Bath brooms are collected from eucalyptus branches, the use of which has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and respiratory system.

• Eucalyptus may well be a potted plant. Keeping it at home is quite easy. For these purposes, it is best to purchase a ready-made seedling, and not grow it from seeds.
• In a spacious pot, eucalyptus can grow into a large, two-meter bush. At the same time, it grows by about 50 cm per year.
• Eucalyptus prefers room temperature in summer and quite low (6-7 degrees) in winter.
• Eucalyptus needs sunlight. The pot must be installed in such a way that the plant is under direct sunlight for several hours a day.
• In summer, eucalyptus is watered 2-3 times a week, and in winter 3-4 times a month is enough. Every 2-3 days the plant should be sprayed.
• All year, except for the winter months, you need to feed the soil with organic fertilizer.
• For the first few years of a eucalyptus' life, it should be transplanted annually into a larger pot.
• Eucalyptus grown at home is unlikely to please you with flowering, but it will constantly disinfect the air and eliminate unpleasant odors in the apartment.

For growing eucalyptus at home, see the following video.

• In the homeland of eucalyptus, in Australia, the cardinal directions are determined by the arrangement of the leaves of the plant.
• In Russia, eucalyptus is also called a gum tree or marvelous tree.
• Eucalyptus bark is used in the manufacture of paper.
• The koala's only food is eucalyptus leaves. If you deprive an animal of this plant, it will die.