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Eucalyptus oil

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**Types and Production of Eucalyptus Oil:**
– Eucalyptus oils are classified into medicinal, perfumery, and industrial types.
– China is the leading producer, accounting for 75% of the world’s eucalyptus oil, mainly from camphor laurel.
– Other major producers include South Africa, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Australia, Chile, and Eswatini.
– Eucalyptus polybractea is renowned for high-quality oil production.
– Eucalyptus globulus dominates global production, while Eucalyptus kochii and Eucalyptus polybractea have the highest cineole content.

**Uses of Eucalyptus Oil:**
– Herbal medicine uses eucalyptus oil for coughs and muscle pain.
– It acts as an insect repellent, biopesticide, flavoring agent, and has antimicrobial properties.
Eucalyptus oil is utilized in industrial applications to prevent fuel blend separation and in cleaning products as a solvent.

**Safety and Toxicity of Eucalyptus Oil:**
– Cineole-based eucalyptus oil is safe at recommended doses but can be toxic at higher levels.
Eucalyptus oil poisoning cases, especially in children, have been increasing in Australia.
– The lethal dose of pure eucalyptus oil for adults ranges from 0.05 mL to 0.5 mL per kg of body weight.
– Children are more susceptible to poisoning due to their body surface area, and eucalyptus oil is toxic to domestic cats.

**History of Eucalyptus Oil:**
Aboriginal Australians historically used eucalyptus oil for medicinal purposes.
– Surgeons on the First Fleet in 1788 distilled eucalyptus oil.
– Commercial exploitation began in the 19th century, and eucalyptol (cineole) was identified in the oil.
– Surgeons used eucalyptus oil as an antiseptic during surgeries in the 1880s.

**Research, Toxicity, and Traditional Uses of Eucalyptus Oil:**
– Various research studies have explored the properties and applications of eucalyptus essential oil.
– Toxicity and poisoning cases related to eucalyptus oil have been documented.
– Historical and traditional uses of eucalyptus oil have been significant, with references to its medicinal properties in different cultures.

Eucalyptus oil (Wikipedia)

Eucalyptus oil is the generic name for distilled oil from the leaf of Eucalyptus, a genus of the plant family Myrtaceae native to Australia and cultivated worldwide. Eucalyptus oil has a history of wide application, as a pharmaceutical, antiseptic, repellent, flavouring, fragrance and industrial uses. The leaves of selected Eucalyptus species are steam distilled to extract eucalyptus oil.

Eucalypt oils distilled in the early 20th century, on display at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney
Eucalyptus oil for pharmaceutical use.
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