EUCALYPTUS or TASMANIAN BLUEGUM

Description

Fast growing tree that can reach up to 60 m high. It has a smooth trunk with a stringy bark that detaches in long stripes and leaves a grayish lower layer. Leaves from young branches are oval-shaped and are covered with a grayish wax-like texture, while leaves from older branches are sickle-shaped. Flowers are not very eye-catching and form apex in the little branches from the prior year. The flower bud is a hard, granulose, four-angled cap that holds the stamens within. The fruit is surrounded by a woody, cup-shaped receptacle and contains numerous minute seeds, which opens by means of the fissures at the apical disc. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family.

It is native to Australia. It’s cultivated in almost any kind of soil, as long as it is very humid. In Spain, eucalyptus trees can be found in Huelva, Santander, Asturias, Galician and Catalonian regions. It is to be harvested between April and September and then sun-dried.

Part used

Leaves from older branches.

Indications

Internal use

• Respiratory disorders: bronchitis, flu, pharyngitis, sinusitis, irritating cough, asthma, etc.
• Urinary tract infection.
• Intestinal parasites (ascariasis, enterobiais, teniasis, toxocariasis, trichuriasis).
• Diabetes.

External use

• Respiratory disorders.
• Skin disorders: dermatosis, varicose ulcer, acne, etc.
• Neuralgia.
• Stomatitis.
• Rheumatologic disorders: arthralgia, arthritis, etc.

Bibliography

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