Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a tree that can be as tall as a shrub to a large tree. The eucalyptus actually has 700 species and all have evergreen leaves. Eucalyptus leaves have a waxy or glossy appearance because these leaves are covered with oil glands. This is one of the reasons why eucalyptus leaves are used in various medicinal purposes.
Eucalyptus oil is taken from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree and this oil is useful in so many ailments. It can treat gastrointestinal conditions such as upset stomach, for the treatment of asthma, whooping cough, tuberculosis and other respiratory infections, for skin conditions such as acne, wounds, ulcers, burns and ringworms, for the treatment of liver and gall bladder problems and most of all it is very useful in the treatment of muscle pain and joint pain in arthritis, gout and muscle sprains.
The reason for eucalyptus’ ability to treat a variety of illnesses and its effectiveness as an analgesic is its natural compound called cineole. This compound makes the essential oil powerful in the treatment of all kinds of medical conditions without being harmful to health. When eucalyptus oil is applied on the skin to reduce muscle and joint pain it can reduce pain, reduce swelling, improve mobility and reduces stiffness of the affected joint. Eucalyptus oil is commonly combined with other essential oils to make ointments, liniments, creams and topical oils for the treatment of pain. While it is effective in this manner for pain and inflammation, there are also eucalyptus teas, tinctures and dried eucalyptus that are added to food or beverages.
Eucalyptus has been a very common and effective natural remedy in countless herbal remedies which is why it is still used as a treatment for muscle and joint pains as well as other ailments to this day.
References:
Eucalyptus: MedicinePlus Supplements. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/700.html
Eucalyptus oil – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from May 22, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus_oil
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