ANTIBIOTIC PROPERTY OF EUCALYPYTUS ----------------------------------About Eucalyptus Eucalyptus is excreted from the body through the lungs and urine.

It is therefor e especially useful for upper respiratory and urinary tract infections. Test results by researchers throughout the world have confirmed eucalyptus as one of the agents with the broadest spectrum against antibiotic-re sistant disease. Though there has been a great deal of research on its effects in animals, there has been litt le in humans other than its long historical use by indigenous peoples and, subsequently, medical practitioners of many countries. One major advantage of the herb and essential oil is that its scent is pleasing, especiall y in a sickroom and to the sick. This uplifting odor of the herb is in its own way a powerful additive to the healing process in that it helps alleviate the inevitable depression attending long and severe illness. Antimalarial Properties Note: Though I have been unable to find any clinical trial data for the use of eucalyptus as an antimalaria agent, it has been found specific (and powerful) for that microbial disease in several in vitro studies. Historical use, both in indigeneous practice and in medicine, shows it to be specific as a treatment for malaria as well as typhoid, diphtheria, and influenza, especially with attending fetid conditions such as upper respiratory infection with foul breath or fetid catarrh, infected wound with foul discharge, foul diarrhea, vaginal infection with foul discharge, and gangrenous conditions. Preparation and Dosage The leaf can be prepared as tea, powder, tincture, gargle, nasal spray, steam in halant, smoke, or douche. The essential oil is used as an inhalant for aromatherapy. Tea: 1 ounce (25 g) herb in 8 ounces (237 ml) water, steep 30 minutes. Use as ex

ternal wash for infected wounds or up to 6 times a day internally for colds, sore throat, bronchial conge stion, fevers, chill Powder: Dust on infected skin, wounds, ulcerations as needed. Tincture: Fresh herb 1:2 with 95 percent alcohol, dried herb 1:5 in 65 percent a lcohol; 10 to 30 drops in water for same conditions as tea. Gargle: 30 drops tincture in 6 ounces (177 ml) water, gargle up to 3 times a day , and swallow. Nasal spray: 30 drops of tincture (or 5 drops essential oil) in 1 ounce (30 ml) water as nasal spray as often as desired. Steam: Boil 3 to 4 ounces (75 to 100 g) of herb in 1 gallon (4 1) water, remove from heat, and inhale steam. Smoke: In sweat lodge or sauna, or in rolled cigarettes for upper respiratory co nditions. Douche: 2 drams (8 ml) tincture to 1 pint (475 ml) water once daily. Essential oil: 10 drops in hot water in narrow-necked vessel, and the resulting vapor inhaled. In a diffuser daily, or diluted in the bath during illness. Side Effects and Contraindications The eucalyptus oil begins to be toxic if taken internally in any quantity over 4 or 5 drops. The oil can be irritating when directly placed on the skin. Ingestion of too much tea can resul t in intestinal cramping. Alternatives to Eucalyptus For fetid conditions: alder (Alnus spp.) bark For internal antibacterial actions: garlic As essential oil: tea tree oil Recent clinical research has shown tea tree oil to be specifically active agains t antibiotic-resistant disease organisms. Other essential oils showing exceptional antibiotic activity are rose mary, yarrow, wormwood, grapefruit seed, thyme, and feverfew. A recent study reported at a meeting of th e American Society of Microbiology noted that essential oils are extremely powerful in the treatment o f pneumonia. Lead researcher Diane Horne noted that the essential oils of thyme, rosewood, and oregano cause pneumonia-causing antibioticresistant bacteria to simply "go to pieces.