Eucalyptus

Species-rich trees and shrubs in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native to Australia and Indonesia. There are over 600 species of Eucalyptus, the majority of Australia's tree population are Eucalyptus trees. The trees can reach a height of up to 60m. Characteristic is their silver-grey, warty bark and the twisted trunk. Eucalyptus trees serve as timber suppliers or ornamental trees. The name "eucalyptus" ("well hidden") is based on the hood-like closed calyx, which hides the "hidden" stamens and fruit leaves. Most eucalyptus species are tall trees (up to 100 m high) and shrubs. Natural distribution of eucalyptus is in Australia, Tasmania and the eastern half of Indonesia. Eucalyptus species are the food plants of the koala and some other marsupials. For most other animal species, however, it is poisonous and useless. Strong-smelling essential oils are extracted from various species of eucalyptus, which differ significantly in composition depending on the species.

The flower buds are stuck in decorative, silvery capsules whose lids pop off when they blossom.

Phytotherapeutically, the dried leaves (eucalyptus leaves - Eucalypti folium) are used. When crushed, the typical eucalyptus smell is produced, due to an essential oil, this is contained in large quantities in the leaf tissue. The essential oil (Eucalyptus oil - Eucalypti aetheroleum, s.a. Cineol) is extracted from the leaves and twigs of various Eucalyptus species, mainly from China.

HMPC monograph: Eucalyptus leaves and eucalyptus oil: traditional - use: Relief of cold cough and symptomatic relief of localized muscle pain.

Essential oils(eucalypti aetheroleum = eucalyptus oil) are obtained from branches and leaves by steam distillation. Eucalyptus globulus is the parent plant of Eucalypti folium, the dried eucalyptus leaves. Although they are also used medicinally as such, they are mostly used to obtain essential oil, eucalyptus oil (Eucalypti aetherolum), which is monographed in Ph.Eur.2.

The best known eucalyptus representative from which eucalyptus oil is extracted is eucalyptus globulus, the "blue eucalyptus".

From eucalyptus pauciflora (snow eucalyptus) a 1% oil is obtained with a high content of cineol and a proven antimycotic effect on tinea pedum and tinea corporis.

According to HMPC: Relief of cold cough and symptomatic relief of localized muscle pain.

HMPC: internal: adolescents and adults single dose: 100-200 mg, 2 to 5 times daily. Not recommended for children under 12 years, see also contraindications.

external: children between 4 and 12 years, adolescents, adults: single dose: a few drops on the chest or back, 2 to 3 times a day

Single dose for semi-solid dosage forms (10% eucalyptus oil): Apply a thin layer on the chest and back 2 to 3 times a day.

Use in children under 30 months is also contraindicated externally

Children under 30 months

Not recommended for children under 12 years

The fixed combination of camphor + eucalyptus oil + purified turpentine oil consists of:

• Camphor
• Eucalyptus oil
• Terebinthinae aetheroleum rectificatum(purified turpentine oil).

It has a light antispasmodic, antiseptic, hyperemic and sputum stimulating effect. In addition, this combination has secretolytic, respiratory, bronchospasmolytic, toning effects on the patient's circulation and is used in the treatment of respiratory catarrhs and muscle and joint pain in non-inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

The fixed combination eucalyptus oil + pine needle oil consists of:

• Eucalyptus oil
• Pine needle oil (see Pini turiones below)

has a slightly antispasmodic, slightly antiseptic, hyperemic, secretolytic, expectorant effect and is used in a catarrh of the airways.

Angocin® N ointment Precutan, Aspecton® balm, Babiforton® inhalant, Babix inhalant (external), Bronchicum® nalsam with eucalyptus oil, Bronchodurat® ointment, Dolexamed® fluid, Dolo-cyl® oil - muscle and joint oil, Menthol, cold balsam-ratiopharm®, Hustagil® cold balsam, Ilon® abscess ointment, Insprio® N solution for gargling, Kneipp® cold balsam N, Leukona® eucaline bath, Liniplant® inhaler, Lyobalsam® S Ointment, Makatussin® Balsam with Menthol, Mentholon Original® N, Monopax® N Cough Balm, Nerve Cream Fides S, Nervfluid Fides S, Palatol® Ointment N, Palatol® Distillate, Pinimenthol® Bath, Pinimenthol® S Ointment, Pinimenthol® Liquidum N, Piniol® Balm N, Repha-Os® Mouth Spray, Rheumatism ointment con ct, stas® Cold ointment, stas® Mild Cold Ointment, Tussamag® Cold Balsam N

The extracts of the different types of eucalyptus are not suitable for children < 6 years due to their ingredients.

Experimentally, eucalyptus globulus showed a photoprotective effect (Park B et al. 2018)

1. Bachir RG et al. (2012) Antibacterial activity of the essential oils from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2: 739-742.
2. Park B et al. (2018) Eucalyptus globulus extract protects against UVB-induced photoaging by enhancing
3. collagen synthesis via regulation of TGF-β/Smad signals and attenuation of AP-1. Arch Biochem Biophys 637:31-39.
4. Shahi SK et al (2000) Broad spectrum herbal therapy against superficial fungal infections. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 13: 60-64.
5. Slimane BB et al. (2014) Essential oils from two Eucalyptus from Tunisia and their insecticidal action on Orgyia trigotephras (Lepidotera, Lymantriidae). Biol Res 47:29
6. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/eucalyptus.php.
7. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-eucalyptus-globulus-labill-eucalyptus-polybractea-rt-baker/eucalyptus-smithii-rt-baker-aetheroleum_en.pdf
8. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 103-104