Chest congestion? Try eucalyptus
Aug 08, 2011
EUCALYPTUS, one of the commonest trees in Uganda, is mostly used for fuel wood and poles. However, unknown to most people, the tree can be used for medicinal purposes.
By Hillary Kuteisa
EUCALYPTUS, one of the commonest trees in Uganda, is mostly used for fuel wood and poles. However, unknown to most people, the tree can be used for medicinal purposes.
According to Everest Mubuuke, a naturopathist (specialist in natural medicine) at Adam and Eve Integrated Medical Care in Kampala, the tree is especially handy for the alleviation of several respiratory disorders such as a common cold, cough, asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.
It can also be used to ease chest infections, and soothe mouth sores. It opens sinuses in the nose and reduces headaches. Even for a clogged nose, it acts on nerve receptors in the nose and unclogs it thus enabling one to breathe better.
He says to alleviate such respiratory ailments, one only needs to make a concoction by taking a few fresh leaves from the tree, add hot water and cover for some time.
“The mixture is then left to stand for about five minutes after which honey or sugar is added.â€
He says it is better if the mixture is boiled and left to stand for about 30 minutes, because this allows the aroma to seep in better.
“However, it should be taken when still hot, for then it massages a swollen throat and provides relief.†To relieve nasal blockage, one can cover himself over a steaming mixture of the eucalyptus leaves and hot water.
Mubuuke says eucalyptus also has the ability to reduce body temperature and is, therefore, recommended for a fever. He says in case one has trouble snoring, eucalyptus can be helpful because it alleviates respiratory disorders which cause snoring.
He adds that eucalyptus can be used as a preventive medicine because it boosts immunity especially for the respiratory system. “The more often it is taken, the more immune the body is to respiratory ailments,†he says.
Formal medical practitioners also put eucalyptus to use by extracting oil, extracted readily by steam distillation from leaves and shoots, and using the oil for medicinal purposes.
The sweet smelling and refreshingly fragrant oil is used for massage or for hot baths to refresh and energise the body. Because of its antiseptic and anti-infective properties, the oil also works against all kinds of wounds, skin problems or rashes. It is further very helpful against insect bites — applied diluted on the bitten/swollen area for quick relief.
Mubuuke, however, cautions that it is not advisable to use eucalyptus oil in making any drink for oral use because it is volatile. Eucalyptus oil is mainly for external application.
Eucalyptus also has significant insect repellent properties. You will commonly see twigs of eucalyptus hung in places where local brew such as omuramba are stored to keep away flies and other insects. It is an active agent in several mosquito repellents.
One of the commonest species in Uganda is eucalyptus grandis, however, the species which is mostly used for extraction of eucalyptus oil is eucalyptus globulus, also called blue gum.
EUCALYPTUS, one of the commonest trees in Uganda, is mostly used for fuel wood and poles. However, unknown to most people, the tree can be used for medicinal purposes.
According to Everest Mubuuke, a naturopathist (specialist in natural medicine) at Adam and Eve Integrated Medical Care in Kampala, the tree is especially handy for the alleviation of several respiratory disorders such as a common cold, cough, asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.
It can also be used to ease chest infections, and soothe mouth sores. It opens sinuses in the nose and reduces headaches. Even for a clogged nose, it acts on nerve receptors in the nose and unclogs it thus enabling one to breathe better.
He says to alleviate such respiratory ailments, one only needs to make a concoction by taking a few fresh leaves from the tree, add hot water and cover for some time.
“The mixture is then left to stand for about five minutes after which honey or sugar is added.â€
He says it is better if the mixture is boiled and left to stand for about 30 minutes, because this allows the aroma to seep in better.
“However, it should be taken when still hot, for then it massages a swollen throat and provides relief.†To relieve nasal blockage, one can cover himself over a steaming mixture of the eucalyptus leaves and hot water.
Mubuuke says eucalyptus also has the ability to reduce body temperature and is, therefore, recommended for a fever. He says in case one has trouble snoring, eucalyptus can be helpful because it alleviates respiratory disorders which cause snoring.
He adds that eucalyptus can be used as a preventive medicine because it boosts immunity especially for the respiratory system. “The more often it is taken, the more immune the body is to respiratory ailments,†he says.
Formal medical practitioners also put eucalyptus to use by extracting oil, extracted readily by steam distillation from leaves and shoots, and using the oil for medicinal purposes.
The sweet smelling and refreshingly fragrant oil is used for massage or for hot baths to refresh and energise the body. Because of its antiseptic and anti-infective properties, the oil also works against all kinds of wounds, skin problems or rashes. It is further very helpful against insect bites — applied diluted on the bitten/swollen area for quick relief.
Mubuuke, however, cautions that it is not advisable to use eucalyptus oil in making any drink for oral use because it is volatile. Eucalyptus oil is mainly for external application.
Eucalyptus also has significant insect repellent properties. You will commonly see twigs of eucalyptus hung in places where local brew such as omuramba are stored to keep away flies and other insects. It is an active agent in several mosquito repellents.
One of the commonest species in Uganda is eucalyptus grandis, however, the species which is mostly used for extraction of eucalyptus oil is eucalyptus globulus, also called blue gum.