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Family Myrtaceae
Blue gum eucalyptus
Eucalyptus globulus Labill
BLUE GUM TREE

Lan an

Scientific names Common names
Eucalyptus gigantea LabiDehnh.  Australian blue gum tree (Engl.)
Eucalyptus glauca A.Cunn. ex DC.  Blue gum eucalyptus (Engl.)
Eucalyptus globulosus St,-Lag.  Blue gum tree (Engl.)
Eucalyptus globulus Labill  Eucalyptos (Tag.)  
Eucalyptus perfoliata Desf.  Eucalipto (Bis.)  
Eucalyptus pulverulenta Link [Illegitimate]  Fever tree leaf (Engl.)
  Iron bark (Engl.) 
  Stringybark (Engl.)
There are over 500 different species sharing similar medicinal properties.
This Philippine compilation includes several species of Eucalyptus, a few with a sharing a confusing crossover of color-referring common names: (1) Eucalyptus globulus, blue gum eucalyptus (2) Eucalyptus deglupta, bagras, rainbow gum (3) Eucalyptus camaldulensis, red gum eucalyptus (4) Eucalyptus tereticornis, red gum tree, forest red gum. (5) Eucalyptus robusta, beakpod eucalyptus, brown gum, red gum.(6) Eucalyptus cinerea, silver dollar eucalyptus.
Eucalyptus globulus Labill is an accepted name. The Plant List

Other vernacular names
AMHARIC: Nech bahir zaf.
CHINESE: Lan an.
CREOLE: Kaliptis.
FRENCH: Gommier bleu, Arbre a fievre.
GUJARATI: Harit parn.
HINDI: Neelgir.
JAPANESE: Yukari-no-ki.
KANNADA: Nilgiri.
PORTUGUESE: Gomeiro azul, Eucalipto comum.
SANSKRIT: Tail parn, Sugandh patra.
SPANISH: Eucalipto.
SWAHILI: Mkaratusi.
TIGRIGNA: Tsaeda-kelamitos.

Snippets
- Eucalyptus globulus was discovered in the islands of Tasmania in 1792 by French Explorers.
- Genus Eucalyptus contains about 600 species, and E. globulus is the most widely cultivated in subtropical and Mediterranean regions. (26)
- The genus name Eucalyptus comes from the Greek word eukalyptos, meaning "well-covered", referring to the flowers, when in bud, are covered with a cup-like membrane that is shed when the flower expands. (26)

Botany
Eucalyptus is an evergreen tree that reaches a height of 15 meters or more. Bark is grayish, peeling off in thin, long strips, whitish gray underneath. Young leaves are cordate, glaucous-blue, and clasping the stem. Mature leaves are leathery, lanceolate, dark green, usually somewhat sickle-shaped, more than 30 centimeters long. Flowers are white, about 1.5 centimeters in diameter, becoming fragrat as they mature. Fruit is obovoid or somewhat rounded, about 8 millimeters in diameter.

Distribution
- Usually planted as a garden plant in Baguio and Manila.
- Grows vigorously in the Baguio area.
- Native to Australia.
- Also in North and South Africa, India, and southern Europe.


Constituents
• Yields a volatile oil, 0.01 - 1.96% - cineol, 80%, d-alpha pinene, camphene, fenchene, butyric and caprionic aldehydes, ethyl and iso-amyl alcohols, acetic acid, cymol, sesquiterpene, eudesmos, 1-pinocarveol.
• Of the more than 300 species, the species with the highest yield of eucalyptus oil are E. globosus, E. tereticornis, E. polyanthemos and E. citriodora.
• Leaves, buds, branches and bark yield taxifolin and eriodictyol.
• Study of essential oil yielded 53 oil components:1,8-cineole, a-pinene, limonene, aromadendrene, delta-cadinene, and globulol were the most abundant compounds, representing 93% of the total oil.
• Study of fruits yielded 15 compounds: beta-sitosterol, betulinic acid, stigmasterol, euscaphic acid, 2a-Hydroxybetulinic acid, macrocarpal B, macrocarpal A, oleanolic acid, 3,4,3'-O-trimethylellagic acid, 3-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-(2"-O-acetyl )-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, camaldulenside (cypellocarpin C, 3-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, 3-O-methylellagic acid, ellagic acid, and gallic acid.
• Study leaf essential oil yielded forty-seven compounds with the main constituents of 1, 8-eucalyptol (72.71 %), α-pinene (9.22 %), α-terpineol (2.54 %), (-)-globulol (2.77 %), α-terpineol acetate (3.11 %), and alloaromadendrene (2.47 %).(19)
• Isolation of water-distilled volatile oil from leaves of E. globulus consisted mainly of oxygenated monoterpenes, monoterpenes, and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The main oxygenated monoterpene were 1,8-eucalyptol (72.71%), a-terpineol (2.54%), terpinen-4-ol (0.34%), and linalool (0.24%). Main monoterpenes were a-pinene (9.22%), and ß-pinene (0.4%) while the main sesquiterpenes were a-eudesmol (0.39%), (-)-globulol (2.77%), and epiglobulol (0.44%). (23)

Properties
• Oils are in classified into: (1) medicinal, containing eucalytol or cineol (2) industrial, containing terpenes, used in mining operations, and (3) aromatic, as in E. citriodora.
• Considered anesthetic, antibronchitic, antiseptic, anticatarrh, antiparasitic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, antiviral, cooling, antiinflammatory, diuretic, febrifuge, rubefacient, analgesic, insect repellent, sedative, expectorant, stimulant.

Parts used
Mature leaves, oil.

Uses
Edibility
- Blue gum leaves used as therapeutic herbal tea.
- Leaves are used as food additives.
Folkloric
- As antiseptic and deodorant, leaves are crushed and applied on affected areas.
- Decoction of leaves as tea for cough, asthma, hoarseness, fevers.
- Pure eucalyptus oil, two drops in a tsp of warm water, for coughs, whooping coughs, asthma and bronchitis.
- Infusion of leaves used for asthma, catarrh, bronchitis, whooping cough, coryza, dysentery, diabetes, fevers and colds, malaria, rhinitis, tuberculosis.
- For sinusitis, breathing of vapor of decoction of leaves.
- Decoction of leaves used for washing and cleaning wounds.
- Other uses: Diabetes, lumbago, sciatica, toothaches, tuberculosis, dysentery, gout.
- In China, used for promote eschar formation.
- In France, leaf extract used as hypoglycemic.
- In Guatemala, leaf decoction for fever. Hot water extract of dried leaf used for ringworm, wounds, ulcers, pimples and as vaginal douche.
- In India, as mosquito repellent and insecticide.
- In Italy, as inhalation therapy for asthma; also for diabetes.
- In Kenya, for snail infestation.
- In Mexico, for urethritis, laryngitis, cystitis, gastritis, enteritis; as antipyretic and antimalarial.
- In Tunisia, for bronchial conditions and cough.
- In Spain, for colds, catarrh, diabetes.
- Aborigines of Australia traditionally use the leaves for wound healing and fungal infections. (25)
Preparation for use: Gather the leaves, dry in the sun for 5-6 hours. Place in a paper bag, tie and hang in the shade for a week. Decoct 50 gms of the dried leaves in a pint of boiling water; drink 6 glasses daily. For fresh leaves, use 60 to 70 gms to a pint of boiling water, drink the same amount.
Livestock
Mastitis: A herbal gel made from C longa, Cedrus deodara, G glabra and E globulus, applied twice daily, is used to treat and prevent subclinical mastitis in crossbred cows.
Bovine endometriosis: Cow with endometritis were given an intrauterine infusion of a 10% solution of a tincture of E globulus.
Ectoparasites: Two experimental herbal mixtures containing E globulus along with several other plant oils have been used on dogs to treat ectoparasites.
Other
- Apiculture: Flowers are a source of nectar. The honey as a distinctive flavor of muscatel grapes. (27)
- Biopesticidal: Leaves burned for use as Insect repellant. Extract used to kill fleas.
- Timber: Wood is hard and strong, but seasons poorly, difficult to work with and nail but gives a high finish. Used for light construction, plywood, utility poles, tool handles, for making parquet and low-grade veneer. (27)
- Perfumery / Cosmetic: Oil used in perfumery. Extracts used in cosmetic formulations.
- Pharmaceutical component: In both the United States and Germany, eucalyptus oil is used extensively as an expectorant component of cough and cold compounds, in various forms such as lozenges, syrups, and as vaporized inhalant. (26)
- Commission E:
CommE has approved the internal use of eucalyptus oil for catarrhs of the respiratory tract and externally for rheumatic complains. (26)
- Fiber / Paper:
E. globulus is one of the better Eucalyptus species for papermaking and is widely used as pulp. The pulp is used in making fiberboards and particleboard. (27)
- Fuel:
Makes a good firewood with an over-dry calorific value of 18,000 kJ/kg, burns freely with little residual ash, and carbonized easily for good characoal. (27)


Extraction of oil
Boil mature leaves in water, condensing the vapor to recover the oil. Eucalyptus globulus yields less oil than the other varieties used for commercial production of medicinal grade oils.

Studies
Antibacterial:
Study investigated the antibacterial activity of three medicinal plants: Eucalyptus globulus, Aristolochial latas and Vitex negundo against enteric pathogens. Results showed varying degrees of antibacterial activity with the maximum zone of inhibition obtained with E. globulus. (3)
Antihyperglycemic: In the study, incorporation of eucalyptus in the diet and drinking water reduced hyperglycemia and associated weight loss of STZ-treated mice. The study showed pancreatic protection or regeneration following exposure to streptozotocin. Data indicate E globulus represents an effective antihyperglycemic dietary adjunct for the treatment of diabetes. (4)
Antibacterial / Leaf Essential Oils: Antibacterial activity of leaf essential oils of Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus camaldulensis: Study suggested the potential usefulness of the two Eucalyptus species as a micobiostatis, antiseptic or as a disinfectant agent
. (5)
Chemical Constituents of Fruit: Five compounds were isolated from the fruit: betulonic acid, betulinic acid, ursolic acid, corosolic acid and daucosterol
. (6)
Acaricidal: Study on the acaricidal effects of the essential oils of two medicinal plants – Pelargonium roseum and E globulus – showed a dose-dependent effect on mortality rate for adult ticks and mass of egg production. Results showed both plants can be considered as potential candidates for the biocontrol of R annulatus in the field
. (8)
Antioxidant / Anti-Diabetic: Study results conclude that eucalyptus possess antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. Data indicated
eucalyptus either increase antioxidant power or reduce oxidative stress due to reduction in plasma glucose in diabetic rats, which prevents excessive production of free radicals through glycation of proteins. (9)
Antibacterial / Leaves: Study evaluated the antibacterial activity of E globulus leaf extract on 56 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 25 isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes, 12 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae and seven isolates of Hemophilus influenza from 200 clinical specimens of patients with respiratory tract disorders. MIC50s were 64, 32, 16, and 16 mg/mL, respectively; MIC90s were 128, 64, 32, and 32 mg/L, respectively, and MBCs were 512, 128, 64, and 64 mg/L, respectively. (10)
Antioxidant / Food Dye: Study showed the SCF (superficial fluid extract), methanolic and water extracts of the stem bark possess similar free radical scavenging and antioxidative activity higher than synthetic antioxidants BHT. The SCF extract also showed to be a good source of yellow natural food dye. (11)
Antidiabetic / Restoration of Pancreatic Islets: Study evaluated the effects of eucalyptus leaves on STZ-induced damage in pancreatic islets. Results suggest EG caused dose-dependent amelioration of the diabetic state by partial restoration of pancreatic beta cells and repair STZ-induced damage in rats. (12)
Hepatotoxicity / Leaves: Study of aqueous extract of E. globulus leaves on biochemical parameters of rat liver showed deleterious effects on liver membrane and functional integrity. Repeated administration produced a significant increase in ALP in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanism may be due to enzyme induction by the extract. Results suggest the aqueous extract of leaves, despite its antidiabetic efficacy, may have deleteerious effect when administered repetitively. (13)
Eucalyptone / Antibacterial: Study of an ethyl acetate bark fraction of small twigs isolated a new pholoroglucinol, eucalyptone G, together with nine other known compounds. Eucalyptone G exhibited antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and E coli. (14)
Antiplasmodial / Antibacterial: In a study for antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of eleven extracts prepared from seven selected plants in Western Cameroon, seven extracts from five different plants, including E globulus leaves showed activity with weak or no toxicity. E. globulus also had the highest extraction yield.
(17)
Antifungal / Treatment of Candidiasis / Antidiabetic: Study evaluated the leaves of E. globulus for treatment of established systemic infection with Candida albicans in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Eucalyptus administration significantly improved hyperglycemia, polydipsia, polyphagia and also significantly reduced Candida albicans concentration in liver and kidney homogenates. (18)
• Drug Interactions: Moderate: (1) Medications changed by the liver (Cytocrhome P450 1A2 [CYP1A2] substrates interact with eucalyptus. Taking eucalyptus oil with some medications (amitriptyline, haloperidol, ondansetron, propranolol, theophylline, verapamil, etc) can increase the effects and side effects of those medications. (2) Mediciations change by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 substrates interactions with eucalyptus. Taking eucalyptus oil can increased the effects and side effects of some medications, such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, diazepam, carisoprodol, nelfinavir, among others. (3) Medications change by liver Cytochrome P450 2C9 substrates interacts with eucalyptus, with decrease rate of breakdown of some medications, such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, meloxicam, piroxicam, celecoxib, amitriptyline, warfarin, glipizide, losartan, among others. (4) Medications affected by liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 substrates may decrease how quickly some medications are broken down, such as lovastatin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fexofenadine, triazolam, among others. (5) Eucalyptus leaf extract may decreased blood sugar and may augment the glucose lowering effect of antidiabetic drugs, such as glimepiride, glyburide, insulin, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, chlorpropamide, glipizide, tolbutamide, among others. (21)
• Antibacterial / Essential Oil of Leaves: Hydrodistillation obtained essential oils from leaves of the plant. The essential oil showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus. (22)
• Analgesic / Anti-Inflammatory / Essential Oil: Study evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oil extracts from three species of Eucalyptus (E. citriodora, E. teretocornis, and E. globulus). Using acetic acid-induced writhes in mice and hot plate thermal stimulation in rats, results showed all three induced analgesic effects inn both models, suggesting both peripheral and central actions. All three species also exhibited anti-inflammatory effects as evidenced by inhibition of rat paw edema induced by carrageenan and dextran, neutrophil into peritonela cavities induced by carrageenan, and vascular permeability induced by carrageenan and histamine. (24)
• Comparative Antimicrobial Activity / Xylitol, Papain and Essential Oil / Pilot Study: Study evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of E. globulus essential oil, xylitol and papain against P. aeruginosa, Salmonella sp., S. aureus, P. vulgaris, E. coli and C. albicans. Chlorhexidine 0.5% was used as control. E. globulus EO showed higher inhibition than chlorhexidine against S. aureus and equal inhibition to E. coli, P. vulgaris, and C. albicans. Papain 10% showed lower antimicrobial effect than chlorhexidine in relation to C. albicans; xylitol showed no inhibitory effect on tested organisms. (25)

Availability
- Wild-crafted. 
- Essential oil, ointments, tinctures, lozenges in the cybermarket.

Update Jan 2019 / Nov 2013

Photos © Godofredo Stuart / StuartXchange
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE / Public Domain / File:Eucalyptus globulus.png / Dammer, Zimmerblattpflanzen, Berlin, Siegismund / Udo Damme / 1908 / Wikimedia Commons
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE / Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.) / Botanical.com/A Modern Herbal

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Eucalyptus / Botanical.com
(2)
Medicinal Plants of the World / Ivan A. Ross
(3)
Antibacterial Activity of Three Medicinal Plants: Eucalyptus Globulus / Aristolochial Latas and Vitex Negundo against Enteric Pathogens
(4)
Antihyperglycemic Actions of Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus) are Associated with Pancreatic and Extra-Pancreatic Effects in Mice / Alison M Gray and Peter R Flatt / The Journal of Nutrition Vol. 128 No. 12 December 1998, pp. 2319-2323
(5)
Antibacterial activity of leaf essential oils of Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus camaldulensis /

(6)
Studies on chemical constituents in fruit of Eucalyptus globulus / Chen B, Zhu M et al / Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2002 Aug;27(8):596-7.
(7)
Medicinal Plants for Livesstock / Eucalyptus spp / Cornell University / Department of Animal Science
(8)
Acaricidal effect of Pelargonium roseum and Eucalyptus globulus essential oils against adult stage of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus in vitro / Khodadad Pirall-Khelrabadi et al / Veterinary Parasitology
Volume 162, Issues 3-4, 10 June 2009, Pages 346-349 / doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.03.015
(9)
ATTENUATION OF OXIDATIVE STRESS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS
BY EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS
/ Alireza Nakhaee, Mohammad Bokaeian et al / Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 2009 / 24 (4) 419-425
(10)
Antibacterial effects of Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract on pathogenic bacteria isolated from specimens of patients with respiratory tract disorders / M H Salari, G Amine et al / Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Feb 2006; Vol 12, Issue 2: pp 194-196 / DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-0691.2005.01284.x
(11)
EXTRACTS OF STEM BARK OF EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS AS FOOD DYE WITH HIGH ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES / Padma S Vankar et al / Vankar et al. EJEAFChe, 5 (6), 2006. [1664-1669]
(12)
Antidiabetic effects of Eucalyptus globulus on pancreatic islets: a stereological study / Mahmoudzadeh-Sagheb H, Heidari Z, Bokaeian M, Moudi B. / Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2010 May;69(2):112-8.
(13)
Effects of aqueous extract of Eucalyptus globulus on lipid peroxidation and selected enzymes of rat liver / R O Arise, S O Malomo et al / Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, February 2009; 3(2): pp. 077-081
(14)
Eucalyptone G, a new phloroglucinol derivative and other constituents from Eucalyptus globulus Labill / Gamal A. Mohameda and Sabrin R. M. Ibrahim / ARKIVOC 2007 (xv) 281-291
(15)
The essential oil of eucalyptus globulus labill. from Portugal / Armando J. D. Silvestre, José A. S. Cavaleiro et al / Flavour and Fragrance Journal, Vol 9, No 2, pages 51–53, March/April 1994 / DOI: 10.1002/ffj.2730090203
(16)
Studies on chemical constituents in fruits of Eucalyptus globulus / Yang XW, Guo QM./ Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2007 Mar;32(6):496-500.
(17)
In Vitro Antiplasmodial Activity and Cytotoxicity of Extracts of Selected Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers of Western Cameroon / Denis Zofou, Mathieu Tene, Moses N. Ngemenya, Pierre Tane, and Vincent P. K. Titanji / Malaria Research and Treatment, Volume 2011 (2011) / doi:10.4061/2011/561342
(18)
Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus) Treatment of Candidiasis in Normal and Diabetic Rats / Mohammad Bokaeian, Alireza Nakhaee, Bita Moodi, and Hossein Ali Khazaei / Iranian Biomedical Journal, July 2010; 14(3): pp 121-126 / PMID: 21079663
(19)
Study on the chemical constituents of the essential oil of the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus Labill from China
/ Aihua Song, Ying Wang, Yanmei Liu / Asian Journal of Traditional Medicines, 2009; 4(4)
(20)
Eucalyptus globulus / Synonyms / The Plant List
(21)
Drug Interactions / WebMD
(22)
Antibacterial activity of the essential oils from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus against Escherichia coliand Staphylococcus aureus
/ Raho G Bachir, and M Benali / Asian Pac J. Trop Biomed., Sept 2012; 2(9): pp 739-742 / doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60220-2 / PMID: 23570005
(23)
A REVIEW ON PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL OF EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS: A MULTIPURPOSE TREE / Hardel Danendra kumar, Sahoo Laxmidhar / IJRAP, 2011; 2(5): pp 1527-1530
(24)
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils of Eucalyptus / Jeane Silva, Worku Abebe, S.M. Sousa, V.G. Duarte, M.I.L. Machado c, F.J.A. Matos / Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2003; 89: pp 277–283
(25)
Antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus globulus oil, xylitol and papain: a pilot study
/ Valéria de Siqueira Mota,  Ruth Natalia Teresa Turrini, Vanessa de Brito Poveda / Rev. esc. enferm. USP, Mar-Apr 2015;  Vol 49, No 2  / http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0080-623420150000200005 
(26)
About Eucalyptus globulus and 1,8 cineole / New York Institute of AROMATIC STUDIES
(27)
Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus / WorldAgroForestry

It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page.

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