Benefits of Eucalyptus Tea

Eucalyptus tea is made from the ground leaves of the eucalyptus tree, native to Australia and known in that region as the fever tree due to its medicinal properties. Germany has standardized eucalyptus tea where it is widely recommended as a treatment for bronchitis and sore throat. Add a cup of eucalyptus tea to your seasonal cold and flu-fighting strategy. Its anti-microbial effects are backed by scientific research. Check with your doctor before trying eucalyptus tea if you take prescription medicine, as there may be side effects with some medications.

Drinking eucalyptus tea throughout the day may help to lower blood sugar for those with pre-diabetic or confirmed diabetes. An animal-based study published in August 1998 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition" noted that the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, known as eucalyptus globulus in the scientific community, may offer a dietary complement for those undergoing treatment for diabetes. Ask your doctor how much tea is safe for you to drink.

Scientific research suggests that the oil extracted from eucalyptus tree leaves has anti-inflammatory properties that may be applicable for those suffering from asthma and other steroid-sensitive disorders as a viable long-term therapy. Dried eucalyptus tea leaves offer a mild method of ingesting these beneficial properties. One study published in the March 2003 "Respiratory Medical Journal" noted that the findings of a double-blind placebo controlled trial deduced that eucalyptol, a constituent of eucalyptus oil, is a useful mucolytic agent in upper and lower airway diseases, able to aid in dissolving mucus.

Beat back those misery-causing bacteria that invade when your immune system defenses are down with a soothing cup of eucalyptus tea. The March 2007 "Phytotherapy Research" journal published a study citing that eucalyptus leaf oil extract inhibited the growth of three potentially destructive bacterias staphylococcus aureus, the cause of strep throat; escherichia coli, better known as E. coli; and candida albicans, the cause of yeast infections. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends up to three cups of the tea per day for adults. A pleasant side effect of this tea is that it also kills the bacteria that cause bad breath.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns that products containing eucalyptus oil taken along with some medications that are altered by the liver, can enhance the side effects of those medications. Further, the NIH recommends close monitoring of blood sugar for diabetics who ingest any product containing eucalyptus leaf extract. Check with your medical adviser before adding any herbal products to your diet.