Eucalypti Folia. Eucalyptus Leaves.
Related entry: Eucalyptus rostrata gum- Botany bay kino - Oil of Eucalyptus - Eucalyptol.
Eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus, U.S.P.) are obtained front the blue gum tree, Eucalyptus Globulus, Labill. (N.O. Myrtaceae), indigenous to Tasmania and Eastern Australia, but cultivated in Southern Europe. The dried, upper, ensiform leaves are used. The leaves on young plants are ovate, cordate at the base, and sessile, the upper and outer leaves of older trees are longer, ensiform, and shortly stalked, the stalks being often twisted so as to bring the surfaces of the leaf vertical instead of horizontal. They may attain 30 centimetres in length, and are thick, coriaceous and glabrous. The mesophyll contains numerous oil glands, which may be seen by strong transmitted light. Odour, when crushed, camphoraceous; taste, aromatic, pungent, and slightly bitter.
Constituents.—The leaves contain from 1 to 3 per cent. of volatile oil, together with tannin, a bitter principle, and resins.
Action and Uses.—Eucalyptus leaves are smoked in the form of cigarettes to relieve asthma. Any relief which may occur is probably due to the pyridine set free rather than to the essential oil. An infusion of the leaves (1 in 20) has been recommended for diabetes in doses of 30 to 60 mils (1 to 2 fluid ounces).
PREPARATIONS.
- Fluidextractum Eucalypti, U.S.P.—FLUIDEXTRACT OF EUCALYPTUS.
- Eucalyptus, in No. 40 powder, 100; alcohol (71 per cent.), to 100. Average dose.—2 mils (30 minims).
- Tinctura Eucalypti, B.P.C.—TINCTURE OF EUCALYPTUS. 1 in 5.
- Given in asthma, phthisis, and chronic bronchitis. Dose.—1 to 8 mils (15 to 120 minims).
