(The iBenefits). Out of the hundreds species of eucalyptus, the common tea leaves used come from the eucalyptus globulus, the blue gum or Australia fever tree. Eucalyptus globulus leaves contain volatile oil called eucalyptol and also tannins, phenolic acids and flavonoids. These natural chemicals are extracted through steam distillation to make eucalyptus oil.The leaves were traditionally used by the aboriginal people of Australia to reduce fever, treat fungal infections and wounds. Laboratory and animal studies confirm its medicinal value as the leaf extract is seen to exhibit antibacterial and antiviral properties and antiseptic and decongestant qualities.

Uses and Health Benefits of Eucalyptus Leaf Tea

To make eucalyptus leaf tea, steep a quarter to half teaspoon of fresh or dried eucalyptus herb in a cup of hot water for 3 to 5 minutes. Drink the tea 3 times per day as a remedy for treating the symptoms of certain ailments.

1. To use eucalyptus herb to treat or reduce fever, drink a cup of eucalyptus tea leaf and also soak several leaves or eucalyptus leaf tea bag in ice water, wet a cloth or towel in it and use it as a cold compress by placing it on your forehead. It may help lower your temperature because eucalyptus has shown to have febrifuge and antipyretic properties.
2. Drinking eucalyptus herbal tea may help treat respiratory infection, blocked nasal passages and loosen phlegm. It is helpful to treat the symptoms of bronchitis, the common cold, flu and sinus infection

Another way to use eucalyptus herbal tea is to add fresh eucalyptus leaves into a bowl of hot water, put a towel over to cover your head and inhale the steam. The vapor containing the oil molecules and constituents will move through your nose into your lungs and bloodstream and clears your nasal passage and fight the infection.

3. Preliminary studies on mice indicate that drinking eucalyptus leaf tea may help increase insulin production and lower blood sugar level. Unless you are on medication, you can try drinking this herbal tea to manage your sugar level.
4. Gargling eucalyptus leaf tea may soothe throat inflammation or sore throat. A sore throat is usually one of the early symptoms of a cold or flu. Drinking the tea may also strengthen your immune system and fight the infection since it contains quercetin which is an antioxidant.
5. Make a herbal bath or herbal soak by adding the leaves in hot water and once the heat is comfortable, soak in it to treat skin inflammation, fungal infection such as nail fungus or athlete's foot. The tannin present will treat and reduce external inflammations.
6. Gargling with eucalyptus tea may also treat bad breath. Its antibacterial and antiseptic activities can fight bacteria in the mouth which is one of the major causes of halitosis. Some commercial antiseptic mouthwashes or mouth rinse use eucalyptus oil as one of its ingredient.

If you are pregnant, breast feeding or on medication such as taking diabetes medication, do not drink eucalyptus tea unless your doctor agrees to it. It is also not advisable to drink eucalyptus herb tea, if you suffer from any digestive, bile or liver problems or diseases.