How to Prepare Eucalyptus Leaf Tea at Home

And what they pick are eucalyptus leaves. Because these have high water content, most koalas meet their water requirements by simply dining on the leaves. Surprisingly, eucalyptus leaves are poisonous to most animals and humans. It has to do with the unique microbes that inhabit the animals’ digestive tract.

When used as a medicine, the leaves of the eucalyptus plant are boiled in plain water. The fumes of the boiling water can be inhaled to help ease respiratory problems, while sore throats can be treated by drinking the water in which the leaves are boiled.

1. Use one dried eucalyptus leaf (about a teaspoon) to make your tea.
2. Heat water to 90-95 Celsius or 194-205 Fahrenheit.
3. Pour six ounces of water over the tea leaves.
4. Let tea leaves steep for as long as desired, up to 10 minutes.

Eucalyptus globalus, also known as blue gum, is a common ornamental tree in many states, including California. The leaves of the tree contain eucalyptus oil, which is a medication for many maladies such as asthma, sore throat and nasal congestion, and is taken internally for that purpose.

1. High in antioxidants. Although you cannot eat fresh, whole eucalyptus leaves, dried leaves can be made into tea. Be careful not to mistake this tea for eucalyptus oil, which can be toxic if consumed.

Humans who swallow eucalyptus leaves may suffer from serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and coma upon ingestion, states North Carolina State University. Severe symptoms occur with eating large quantities of the leaves. Handling the eucalyptus leaf can cause skin irritation, redness and burning.

It can grow rapidly (6-8 feet in one season). The leaves are round, fragrant and an attractive silver color, hence the common name, silver dollar tree. Minor skin irritation can occur when handling bark or leaves. Plant oil is extremely toxic, especially if large quantities are ingested.

Some of the compounds in eucalyptus oil provide potential health benefits that include promoting relaxation and clearing nasal congestion. Shower steam helps activate and release eucalyptus oil compounds into the air, allowing you to breathe them in. You can use either fresh or dried leaves for this purpose.

The amount of time your eucalyptus will last hanging in the shower depends on how often your shower is used. If your shower is used multiple times a day, expect it to last around 3 to 4 weeks. If you use your shower less often, it may last for up to 2 months.

Once you have the fresh eucalyptus, you simply tie the stems together with a rubber band or a natural twine and hang them over your shower head. You want to hang them on the back of your shower head, though, so they don’t get wet, which can cause the leaves to fall.

Your eucalyptus plant doesn’t smell because either its soil has become deficient in nutrients, the cuttings you are using are old and have lost their scent or you have become so accustomed to your living eucalyptus plant that your sense of smell has become immune to it.

Even if you intend on drying your eucalyptus and keeping it for the long term, putting it in water when you first bring it home is a good idea. Having your fresh eucalyptus in water actually helps it dry more slowly and prevents the leaves from warping and wrinkling during the drying process.

Eucalyptus can last up to three weeks with fresh water changes and after three weeks, you can remove the Eucalyptus from water and let is air dry. Once the Eucalyptus is air dried, Eucalyptus can last forever and its scent will last for years.

Step 7: Intensify the Eucalyptus Smell Add a drop of eucalyptus essential or fragrance oil to one or two of the leaves or stems in your arrangement. Easy does it; more than one or two drops can make the scent overwhelming.

Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.

Eucalyptus trees have a minty, pine scent with a touch of honey. There are more than 600 eucalyptus species throughout the world varying in physical appearance and aroma.

Eucalyptus: A Scent Guide These aromatic compounds give eucalyptus a minty, camphorous scent that is sharp and highly pungent. Like mint, inhaling eucalyptus opens your sinuses and clears your head. However, the aroma also contains some hints of the forest, which some people describe as sweet and similar to honey.

The 4 Best Eucalyptus Oils

• Eucalyptus Globulus: The strong, medicinal-like aroma of this variety is instantly recognizable because it’s widely used in personal care products.
• Eucalyptus Radiata: This is a slightly lighter version of the familiar eucalyptus scent with refreshing and energizing properties.