Eucalyptus: A Reminder of Patience
By Lauren Spain
Why Eucalyptus?:
When I choose a flower essence, I go for what my intuition tells me. As I glanced at the list of research flower essences by the Flower Essence Society, Eucalyptus immediately sparked my interest. I wasn’t exactly sure why. I didn’t even know Eucalyptus made flowers to be created into flower essences! But deep down there was this inner knowing assuring me this would be a great essence to try for the Nature Knows course. While there isn’t much research currently on the internet regarding Eucalyptus flower essence I did research my best about the plant and learned a great deal about patience. This essence came to me in a perfect time in my life where I was currently feeling anxiety about my flower essence journey. A key takeaway with Eucalyptus flower essence: trust in divine timing. Everything will be okay. Be patient and have grace for yourself.
Lessons Learned with Eucalyptus Flower Essence:
The Eucalyptus flower essence has given me a sense of peace. While journeying with this flower essence I’ve noticed I began to think about an old rooted trauma within myself specifically towards my “job”. I’ve always had old rooted guilt about not finding the right job for me out of college. I studied writing and realized I did not want to be a writer so I felt like a failure and stuck. So instead I headed to the medical field where there were plenty of jobs available. This flower essence has shown me that I don’t need to continue to chase the “perfect job” and it’s okay to find balance between where I am now with my day job and wanting to learn more about flower essences. It’s been a financial strain studying flower essences but it always seems to work out in the end paying for classes. For years now I’ve been in a negative headspace about money and how it relates to my personal dreams and goals. I’ve really been in deep thought about how I don’t need to stress and strain myself mentally and financially. My true passion is flower essences and that’s what I’m going to continue to do. It’s okay to take rests and breaks as needed. My path will still be there to journey through. I have been noticing a sense of inner peace confirming with myself that I don’t have to get it right when it comes to my day job. I don’t need to keep chasing and hunting for a job just to make more money. When the time comes to move on it will. Some other thoughts I’ve been discovering with taking the Eucalyptus flower essence: inner peace, self realization, stillness, grief, release, balance. Also finding inner stillness knowing there is no right way in my flower essence journey (navigating anxiety in continuing flower essences classes and paying for them). My path will still be there to journey on no matter what.
Eucalyptus Qualities:
Eucalyptus leaves are a great remedy for the respiratory system. It’s also known as the fever tree. The leaves have been used in a variety of traditions for their healing properties. In Chinese medicine, the leaves are made into a demotion and used for pulmonary tuberculosis. Also the dried leaves can be used for asthma by smoking them. In South American countries, the Eucalyptus leaves are burnt to purify the atmosphere. Simmering leaves in a pot all day can continually disinfect the air and prevent the spread of contagious diseases. You can also use bundles of the branches in your shower to help decongest your lungs and sinuses. Eucalyptus is popularly known around the world as an essential oil. The oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves makes an excellent natural antiseptic!
Eucalyptus Folklore:
(https://www.herbco.com/c-372-eucalyptus.aspx)
Eucalyptus is a traditional Aboriginal remedy for fevers and infections known for its antiseptic properties. The volatile oils in the leaves stimulates the skin supporting blood flow to cause sweating. This process helps clears toxins from the blood, lowers fevers and aiding in the process of healing including with measles and chickenpox. “The Eucalyptus is a holy tree for the Aboriginals. For them it represents the division of underworld, Earth and heaven. The eucalyptus leaf also has a purifying effect, as negative energy disappears in the place where you burn a eucalyptus leaf.” It was also an old folk remedy for typhoid and scarlet fever, malaria and cholera. Eucalyptus was used for colds, flus, coughs, asthma and chest infections including pneumonia and bronchitis. Eucalyptus was also made into wine and used as a digestive. Devotions were created out of the leaves for a mouthwash for infected gums, thrush and mouth ulcers. Quote: https://www.thejoyofplants.co.uk/eucalyptus (https://www.herbco.com/c-372-eucalyptus.aspx)
Eucalyptus Plant family:
The Eucalyptus plant family is the Myrtaceae. Its genius name is Eucalyptus and species and
Eucalyptus Globulus (for the Eucalyptus flower Essence). The Eucalyptus tree is a beautiful evergreen tree with bluish green leaves which are full of glands containing a fragrant volatile oil. The tree is indigenous to Australia and Tasamania. The trees can get up to 375 feet ranking one of the largest trees in the world. The leaves and branches on the eucalyptus tree can also be seen similarly to a diaphragm of our lungs, which the plant is known for its healing properties! “Most species of Eucalyptus are native to Australia, and every state and territory has its own representative species. About three-quarters of Australian forests are eucalyptus forests. Wildfire is a feature of the Australian landscape and many eucalyptus species are adapted to fire, and re-sprout after fire or have seeds which survive fire.” Quote: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus
(Plant drawing for Nature Knows course)
Eco-therapy practices with Eucalyptus:
(Eucalyptus Flower Essence card)
One of my favorite ways to connect with Eucalyptus is with flower arranging. Eucalyptus is a very popular option for greenery in flower arrangements. There are many different styles of Eucalyptus which give a variety of options in choosing what arrangement you would like. Whether it’s fresh or faux, Eucalyptus leaves look absolutely stunning as greenery! I personally love working with both. I do have to say however with fresh Eucalyptus leaves, the leaves can be quite sticky and leave a residue on your fingers. Their volatile oils are quite strong. I also like to use Eucalyptus essential oil for mediation and for providing a calming presence in my home. I even add a couple of drops to my bath salts for a relaxing soak. Eucalyptus essential oil has powerful antiviral and antiseptic properties and can help decongest and open the sinuses. It’s also cooling to the skin and it helps relieve sore muscles and feet. There are many varieties of Eucalyptus essential oil. E.globulus is more common but also another popular oil E.radiata is a bit more gentle. I also created a flower essence card for my Eucalyptus plant.Even though I don’t have access to get the physical flowers, I used pictures of the leaves instead. I enjoy using flower Essence cards while journeying with my flower essences. My affirmation: I remain calm, rooted and collected, finding balance is key and a safe space is essential for my peace of mind”. The qualities I included are : calm, tranquility, stillness, safe containers, balance. I enjoyed creating the flower essence card so much! It really brought me closer to my flower essence.
(A silk floral bouquet I created with faux Eucalyptus greenery)
Eucalyptus recipes:
The following two recipes I have enjoyed working with the physical Eucalyptus plant before. The respiratory steam and bath blend are very simple ways of benefiting from the healing properties of this plant. The ingredients are also accessible to use!
Eucalyptus Respiratory Steam-
1. Put three teaspoons of leaves in a bowl.
2. Pour 2 liters of boiling water in the bowl onto the leaves.
3. Place head over the bowl and cover head with a towel, to help prevent the loss of the
volatile oils. Inhale through the nose for about ten minutes.
● Source: Completed Illustrated Guide to The Holistic Herbal by David Hoffman
Stimulating Bath blend-
Uses the following parts:
3 parts peppermint
2 parts calendula
1 part bay leaf or eucalyptus
1 part rosemary
1 part sage
1. Mix the herbs together.
2. Place a handful of the mixed herbs into a muslin bag of cheesecloth.
3. Run a bath and place the herb mixture into the bath to infuse. Can also be used as a
foot soak!
Source: Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar
Sources:
Flower Power: Flower Remedies for Healing Body and Soul Through Herbalism, Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, and Flower Essences by Anne McIntyre
Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar
Completed Illustrated Guide to The Holistic Herbal by David Hoffman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus
https://www.thejoyofplants.co.uk/eucalyptus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus#/media/File:Eucalyptus_tereticornis_flowers,_capsules,
_buds_and_foliage.jpeg
https://www.herbco.com/c-372-eucalyptus.aspx
