Have you ever heard of the eucalyptus tree? Do you know that the extract of the bark and leaves of this tree contains many properties that make it one of the first herbs that many resort to in folk medicine, so what are the validity of these benefits and what are their potential harms? Follow this article.

What is the eucalyptus tree?

Eucalyptus trees are perennial, evergreen trees, native to the Andes Mountains of South America. It has been famous in alternative medicine for its medical benefits in treating malaria, along with many other benefits because its bark contains many health properties.

Benefits of cinchona bark for the treatment of malaria

What is most used in this tree is the bark, as the cinchona bark contains the substance “quinine”, which is considered an effective remedy in treating malaria and controlling its symptoms.

It is worth noting that the discovery of quinine, as the sources say, came by chance in the early seventeenth century, when there was a person feeling thirsty and suffering from a high fever in the Andean jungle, then he drank from a stagnant pool of water and found that its taste was bitter, and then he realized that the water had been contaminated with eucalyptus trees. around the pond, and thought for a moment that he had been poisoned.

Surprisingly, however, the fever soon disappeared, so he shared this discovery with his fellow villagers, who then used extracts of cinchona bark to treat the fever. Then it was documented as an important anti-malarial drug.

Other benefits of quinoa

It seems that the bark of eucalyptus trees has several benefits that may contribute to some other treatments according to some recent scientific research, and among these treatments are the following:

• Treating some stomach problems such as bloating.
• Treatment of vascular disorders such as hemorrhoids and varicose veins.
• Treating an enlarged spleen.
• Leg cramps treatment.
• Treatment of influenza and colds.
• Treatment of diseases of the mouth and throat.
• Increased appetite.
• Promote the secretion of digestive juices.

Notice; Not enough studies have been conducted to prove the effectiveness of the bark in these aforementioned remedies, so we do not recommend using it except after consulting a doctor, especially if you suffer from health problems.

How to use quinoa

In the past, quinine was taken orally by first drying the bark of the eucalyptus tree, then grinding it into a fine powder, and mixing it with water. However, quinine is currently used in the manufacture of many medical drugs that are taken orally or by injection, and are prepared in laboratories.

Eucalyptus damage

The bark of this plant appears to be safe for most people when used appropriately, however ingesting large amounts of it can be fatal. Symptoms of an overdose include:

• Slowing of the heartbeat.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Skin rash.
• visual disturbances
• Hemorrhoids.
• varicose veins.
• Colds.
• leg cramps
• flu.
• fever.
• Oral and throat diseases.
• splenomegaly.
• muscle cramps
• Anorexia.
• Flatulence.
• constipation.

Therefore, if any of these symptoms appear, you must stop taking this plant and the supplements and medicines that contain it, and go immediately to consult a doctor. There are also some groups that may pose a danger to the quinine present in the bark, and these groups include the following:

• Pregnant and lactating women.
• Patients with stomach ulcers.
• People with heart disease.
• People with myasthenia gravis.
• People who have recently undergone surgery.