Eureka . . . Eucalyptus Trees

 

stockvault-zennamp039s-australia116153 copyEucalyptus trees grow in environments ranging from deserts to swamps and mountain sides, and originate mainly from Australia. These trees are not indigenous, in South Africa eucalypts are classified as an exotic species. These forests of trees are of great value and yet not often spoken about. So let us look at some of their special characteristics. Generally eucalyptus has a long life span. Eucalypts are an evergreen species that belong to a group of plants known as angiosperms, plants that flower and form fruits with seeds. Seeds are enclosed in a dry or fleshy fruit that develops from the ovary within the flower. Many, but not all are known as ‘gum trees’ as they exude large amounts of sap from any break in the bark. There are over 700 (species) of eucalypts.

Classified as hardwoods, eucalypts are among the fastest growing woody plants in the world. Eucalypts are the most valuable and most widely planted variety of plantation forest tree species in the world (more than 20 million /ha) due to its wide adaptability, extremely fast growth rate, good form, excellent wood and fibre properties.

Worldwide over the last six decades eucalyptus plantations have expanded due to the superior fibre and pulping properties of the eucalypt species, let alone the increased global demand for short-fibre pulp. In today’s ‘new carbon economy’, eucalypts are receiving attention as fast-growing, short-rotation, renewable biomass crops for energy production.¹

Eucalyptus is suitable for a myriad of tissue papers as the short, slender fibres give a high number of fibres per gram and low coarseness contributes to softness. Certain eucalyptus species are very good for craft pulping and chemical cellulose purposes. In addition, eucalypts are used for a diverse array of products including sawn timber, mine props, poles, firewood, charcoal, essential oils, and tannin and for honey bees. Eucalyptus wood is an important source of fuel and building material in rural communities and developing countries.

A disadvantage of living eucalypts is that they are prone to growth stresses, evident in the warping and splitting of logs and boards. Defects like this can reduce the general quality of the end product and limit the usefulness of the wood. Additional traits in determining the value of eucalyptus wood include: basic density, mechanical properties, and juvenile wood content, all of which can be modified through breeding programmes. Productivity can be enhanced with effective risk management strategies such as species site matching, maintaining genetic diversity and reducing stress caused by negative environmental impacts such as drought, frost, snow, pest and diseases.

Eucalyptus wood quality is critically important to industry because during pulp and paper manufacturing, many aspects such as pulp yield, consumption of cooking liquor, and potential for bleaching, are dependent on the chemical composition of the wood. This is determined by the relative proportions of cellulose, lignin, hemicelluloses and extractives in the wood. The physical attributes of fibres, such as fibre length, cell wall thickness and diameter are all important for pulp and paper qualities including brightness, opacity, absorption, light scattering, tear, tensile and burst strength.

Now that we understand the importance of eucalyptus wood quality let us consider the factors that influence this: Environment, genes and management factors include:

  • The environmental factors include soil, geology, climate and topography.
  • The many characteristics of soils, such as chemical composition, texture, structure, and depth affect the growth of a tree as they affect the supply of water and nutrients.
  • The eucalyptus species have different growing preferences, fibre quality and thereforeneed careful management by matching species to sites.

The major hardwood species grown include: Eucalyptus dunnii, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus nitens, Eucalyptus smithii and a range of hybrids, as well as wattle (Acacia mearnsii).

BON (Busby Oils Natal) are one of the leading producers of pharmaceutical grade eucalyptus oil in the world. BON has a proud heritage spanning more than 40 years. Founded in 1972 with its headquarters situated in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa BON has in excess of 200 active employees during harvest and production cycles. BON support a number of black empowered businesses in their logistics and harvesting operations, with a Level 3 BBBEE rating (110% complaint).

They manufacture and supply a range of specialty eucalyptus oil blends for the flavour and fragrance industry. They are fully compliant with British Pharmacopoeia (B.P.) and European Union specifications. They also manufacture a range of personal care products. These products are formulated for the growing consumer trend towards natural products. BON focuses on high quality natural raw materials delivering affordable products offering the consumer excellent value for money.

BON utilise eucalyptus E.smithii as their preferred species, for it has a high content of cineol. Cineol is the primary active ingredient in eucalyptus oil that makes it such a special medicinal product. As a leading supplier of premium grade eucalyptus oil they consistently ensure that their eucalyptol (or cineole) content is always well above the 70% level as required by British Pharmacopoeia (BP) specifications.

BON consider their eucalyptus oil special as they:

  • Distil their eucalyptus oil twice to create one of the highest cineol/medicinal grade oils in the world, with a Cineol content of approximately 90%. Most other suppliers around the world (China in particular) only have approximately 70% to 80% cineol. Less cineol means less active ingredient and other chemical constituents left in the oil can potentially cause skin irritation  It is for this reason that Eucalyptus smithii oil is recommended rather than globulus (from China). Eucalyptus smithii is the mildest Eucalyptus oil and is the preferred choice for use with children or the elderly or when prolonged use is required.²

Eucalyptus smithii essential oil is also known as Gully Gum, from a tree with long, narrow and yellowish leaves. Originally from Australian, many Eucalyptus varieties were transplanted to South Africa around 1980, where they truly thriving. Like most eucalyptus oils, Eucalyptus smithii is stimulating in aroma, and used for applications such as breathing support, muscle and joint massage formulae.

While the science of Eucalyptus doesn’t focus on smithii, simply due to it being less popular in production than Blue Gum or Radiata, it has been shown that inhalation of the essential oils can stimulate the immune system by up-regulating the actions of our white blood cells, causing them to more actively remove infectious contagions from the bloodstream.³

A 2008 study published in the BMC journal of Immunology (Apr 18;9:17) namely “Stimulatory effect of eucalyptus essential oil on innate cell-mediated immune response” concluded with this note: “Our data, demonstrates that eucalyptus oil extract is able to implement the innate cell-mediated immune response, provide scientific support for an additional use of this plant extract, besides those concerning its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and stimulate further investigations also using single components of this essential oil”.

BON look at biomass

The growing of biomass and producing energy from eucalyptus creates sustainable business for the future. There are several well-known advantages in using locally produced bioenergy in terms of the environment, local economic growth and reduced dependence from less than reliable foreign oil suppliers. However, bioenergy from biomass will speed up only when the business becomes more profitable. There are opportunities to reduce the delivered cost of eucalyptus biomass while achieving adequate IRR. Shorter rotation lengths, development of more freeze-tolerant seedlings, higher stand tree density together with other silvi-culture practices are being developed to improve plantation productivity. Such outcomes indicate that Eucalyptus is a promising biomass for bioenergy production. Eucalyptus is a forest genus that meets most of the desired features for low-cost delivered biomass.

Did you know?

Notably Eucalyptus trees have for centuries has been used for its healing and beneficial properties. Eucalyptus is used in many medicines to treat coughs and the common cold. It is found in many lozenges, cough syrups, rubs, and vapour baths. Herbalists often recommend using fresh leaves in teas and gargles to soothe sore throats, treat bronchitis and sinusitis. Alternatively, place a few drops on a tissue or pillowcase whilst sleeping, or in humidifiers. Ointments containing eucalyptus may be applied to the nose and chest to relieve congestion. Eucalyptus oil helps loosen phlegm and many people inhale eucalyptus steam to help treat respiratory conditions including coughs and influenza.

  •  Plaque and gum disease – Eucalyptus oil is rich in cineol, an antiseptic that kills bacteria that can cause bad breath. Eucalyptus is used in some antiseptic mouthwashes, along with other oils, and the mouthwashes have been shown to help prevent plaque and gingivitis.
  • Aromatherapy massage oil blends are made by mixing eucalyptus oil with a carrier oil such as almond or olive for a soothing massage. Eucalyptus is soothing for skin irritations such as scaling, flaking and itching.
    • Saunas/Jacuzzi/ Baths – Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water and allow it to vaporise in the sauna. Eucalyptus is invigorating and head clearing. Offers antifungal, antiseptic and decongestant properties.
    • Aching feet soak – Place feet in warm water with a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a soothing and revitalising effect.
    • Muscle & back pain – Apply a warm wash cloth to the affected area for a few minutes to open pores. Then massage a few drops of eucalyptus oil into skin for at least a minute. For a sensitive skin, dilute the eucalyptus oil in an equal part of organic baby oil or pure vegetable oil.
    • Powerful antiviral & antibacterial – Use several times a day as a room spray, especially during the cold and flu season. Very beneficial in classrooms and office areas as it provides a clean, fresh fragrance (add 20 drops of eucalyptus oil to 50ml of water).
    • Sores, cuts & abrasions – A few drops of neat eucalyptus oil applied directly to minor wounds after cleansing the dirt away offers strong antiseptic and healing properties.
    • Asthma & allergies – Eucalyptus oil is highly effective in killing and controlling dust mites, which are a major trigger in asthmatic and allergy attacks. By using a eucalyptus spray throughout the house and adding neat eucalyptus oil in your washing cycle, allergies will be reduced.
    • Other benefits – Used topically on the skin, eucalyptus oil has been used to treat arthritis, boils, sores and wounds. The oil is also used in some insect repellents, and one study found that an oil product made of lemon and eucalyptus also keeps ticks away.
    • Removes Head Lice – Add to hair shampoo to remove head lice. Shampoo hair and wrap head in a bath towel for 10 minutes. Remove towel, rinse hair well, and comb out with a nit comb to remove eggs. Repeat as required. (Mix 3ml of eucalyptus oil in 30ml of shampoo)
    • Hand cleaner – Eucalyptus is excellent for eliminating unpleasant smells, removing grease and paint. Rub hands with a cloth dipped in eucalyptus oil and then rinse off with soap and water.

Precautions: Eucalyptus oil is flammable, be cautious and keep away from heat and flames. Eucalyptus should be store in a cool place and kept out of the reach of children. Note it is toxic if ingested. Use sparingly and avoid contact with eyes and discontinue use if irritation occurs.

Website: http://www.busbyoilnatal.co.za

References:

1.Myburg, Z and other members of the Eucalyptus Genome Network: Sequencing of the Eucalyptus Genome, A Proposal to DOE-JGI, June 2006; 2. Base Formula importers, exporters & analysers of essential oils & absolutes. (members of aromatherapy trade council (uk)) 3. http://www.wikipedia.com.