All Healing Herbs

his is the plant leaf, not the essential oil (which should never be taken internally), of the Australian gum tree; works by its strong menthol odor; common ingredient in many over-the-counter remedies for sore muscles, colds, and flu: chest rubs, cough drops, throat lozenges, toothpaste, gargles, mouthwash, steam-kettle herbs, salves, ointments, bath salts, sports liniments; leaves may be smoked as a lung decongestant and also used as a tea; decongestant and expectorant for respiratory viruses and mucus, cough, colds, flu, bronchitis, nasal congestion, fever, chronic and acute ear infections (eardrop), sinusitis, hay fever, whooping cough, pneumonia, asthma, emphysema; use in topical salves and liniments for muscle aches and pains, fungus, wound disinfecting, bad breath, and to revive someone who has fainted; lowers blood sugar and increases insulin production for diabetes treatment; digestive and urinary tract antiseptic. Antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antiviral, antimicrobial, stimulant, aromatic. The oil is poisonous when ingested. Leaf side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; do not overuse; not for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding or for internal use by children; children under six should not use the cough drops, though steam-kettle and chest-rub use for children is safe; not for those with kidney, liver, or gastrointestinal tract inflammation, or high blood pressure; listed drug interactions are contradictory; research your medications and read package labels for safety warnings.