Eucalyptus
Possible Side Effects: Eucalyptus's side effects include dizziness, seizures, nausea, loss of appetite, and confusion.

Medicinal Uses:
Externally, in inhalations and vapor rubs, for mucus, bronchitis, sinusitis, colds, and influenza; in liniments for bruises, sprains, and muscular pains; in ointments, for wounds and abscesses. Excess causes headaches, convulsions, and delirium and may prove fatal.
Eucalyptus leaf is used to treat asthma, fever, whooping cough, loss of appetite, diabetes, and fever. Eucalyptus oil is used to treat asthma, emphysema, cough, ulcers, wounds, burns, and rheumatism. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of eucalyptus leaf to treat coughs and bronchitis and eucalyptus oil to treat rheumatism, bronchitis, and cough.
Eucalyptus has antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, blood-sugar-lowering, decongestant, expectorant, fever-reducing, and stimulant properties. It is used externally—as an inhalant and in oils and ointments—to treat bacterial infections, bronchitis, bruises, colds, congestions, coughs, fevers, flu, muscle aches and spasms, sinus infections, and wound.

Preparation:
Eucalyptus is widely available in commercially prepared bath additives, cough drops, creams, oil, and ointments. Follow the manufacturer's or your practitioner's directions.

Typical Dose:
The average daily dose of eucalyptus is 1.5 gm of the leaf taken several times a day. A typical internal dose of eucalyptus oil may range from 0.3 to 0.6 gm, while externally several drops of the essential oil may be rubbed onto the skin.

Caution: Despite the practice of some herbalists who prescribe small amounts of eucalyptus oil for internal consumption, we strongly caution you against taking eucalyptus internally; it is extremely toxic, even in small amounts. If you are insulin-dependent, consult your practitioner about how to use eucalyptus externally. ...read more