The following is an excerpt from Holly's award-winning documentary book Women Healers of the World: https://www.hollybellebuono.com/women-healers-of-the-world

Eucalyptus

Native to Australia, the fragrant Eucalypt tree has charmed people into planting it all across the southern Pacific, so that most of the 600 Eucalyptus species of the Myrtle family are found in the forests, swamps and bogs of tropical and semi-tropical islands. Humans have collected the slender leaves, resinous gum and essential oil of the Eucalypt for hundreds of years.

Western herbalism uses the fresh leaves as carminatives, for laryngitis, and as an expectorant, since its strong scent—like its cousins cajeput and Tea Tree—relieves congestion. The analgesic oil or gum is applied topically as a warming liniment to stimulate blood flow to sore joints. Eucalyptus oil is a favorite in saunas to ease bronchial airflow and as an antiseptic and disinfectant.

In Hawai’i, where the Eucalypt is the most frequently planted tree (for windbreaks, timber and ornamentation), the tree is called nuholani. The aromatic leaves are boiled and applied as a “sweat bath” for aching joints and muscles, and the steam is inhaled for bronchial ailments and fever. In Hawaiian, nu means “to cough or sigh,” ho “to give” and lani “heaven,” so a simplified and romantic interpretation of the name might be “to give the cough to heaven.” 

Ceremonial Uses

For her “la limpia” ceremony, which means clean, ethnobotanist Rocío Alarcon told me in our interview for Women Healers of the World about her ceremonial plants. She uses aromatic plants such as eucalyptus, chamomile, sweet thyme, calendula, laurel and nogal (see walnut sidebar). “These plants are very simple to find and use for this ceremony that makes people feel less stress,” she says. But in her travels to more temperate climates, it has been difficult for her to find her beloved plants—in countries with four seasons, the winter plants are “dry.” She also laments that not all people have a special relationship with plants and many think “all problems in their health can find solutions in the western medicine.”

Steam-Inhalation Recipe

Take advantage of the volatile, strong-smelling essential oils present in many plants. These fragrant oils can be used in a variety of ways; by mixing with hot water, an effective steam can be obtained that is useful in cases of bronchial congestion, asthma, sinusitis, and sore throat. Fresh plants can be left in the bowl for beauty and to infuse further, or they can be strained. This easy home remedy is inspired by Middle Eastern remedies with Polynesian plants and is included in the Women Healers of the World book.

Eucalyptus Respiratory Steam

Ingredients

1 cup dried eucalyptus leaves

3-4 cups boiling water

To Make

Prepare a large shallow pan or salad bowl and a thick bath towel. Place the leaves in the bowl and heat a pot of water to boiling.

To Use

Sitting by the bowl, pour the water into the bowl. Lean your head over the bowl, pulling the towel over your head to capture the steam. Be sure to close your eyes! Breathe through the nose and/or mouth. Have a tissue nearby so you can blow your nose as the steam helps clear mucous and nasal passages.