Eucalyptus

A tall Australasian Myrtaceae, Eucalyptus globulus concentrates a powerful essential oil (cineole/eucalyptol) with tannins and resin. In 19th-century pharmacy the oil and leaf were renowned antiseptics, deodorants, expectorants, and “antiperiodics,” planted to drain marshes and reputed to alter malarial terrains [Hughes], [Clarke]. Toxicology describes gastric burning, nausea, vomiting, diarrhœa, prostration, cyanosis, respiratory depression, renal irritation (albuminuria/oliguria), and vertigo; the breath and secretions may carry the characteristic odour of the oil [Allen], [Hughes], [Clarke]. Homœopathic tincture (φ) from the fresh leaf is triturated and potentised. Clinical tradition in homœopathy places Eucalyptus in septic or catarrhal states with foul secretions, bronchitis/bronchiectasis, influenza, intermittent fevers with splenic congestion, and sluggish wounds or ulcers with fetor—aligning with the drug’s antiseptic and antiperiodic reputation [Clarke], [Boericke], [Hale], [Dewey].

As a volatile oil and leaf infusion: antiseptic inhalations in catarrh/bronchitis; expectorant; mouthwash; topical disinfectant; “febrifuge” in marsh districts; deodorant for fetid ulcers; mild diuretic and astringent in traditional practice [Hughes], [Clarke], [Hale]. These extrinsic uses inform the homœopathic sphere of mucous membranes (foul catarrh), sero-mucous lungs, and periodic/“malarial” patterns rather than dictate dosing [Clarke], [Hughes].

No Hahnemannian proving of large scope; the pathogenesis rests on Allen’s collation of provings/poisonings and abundant 19th–20th century clinical confirmations in catarrh, influenza, intermittent fevers, septic states and sluggish wounds [Allen], [Hering], [Clarke], [Boericke], [Hale], [Hughes]. Tags appear as [Proving], [Toxicology], or [Clinical].

• Respiratory mucosa (nose–throat–bronchi) — profuse, often fetid catarrh; loose cough with thick, copious expectoration; relief from warm inhalations/freer drainage; see Nose/Throat/Chest [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Lungs (bronchitis/bronchiectasis) — copious, offensive sputum; asthenia; night sweats; see Chest/Respiration [Clarke], [Dewey].
• Blood–septic terrain — foul discharges, low fevers with malaise and odour; general “antiseptic” reputation; see Fever/Generalities [Hughes], [Hale], [Clarke].
• Periodic (malarial) fevers & spleen — marsh/damp aggravations; splenic tenderness or enlargement; post-malarial languor; see Abdomen/Fever [Clarke], [Boericke], [Hughes].
• Mouth & fauces — fetid breath, thick ropy mucus, ulcerated patches; see Mouth/Throat [Clarke], [Allen].
• Portal–hepatic drainage — biliousness, bitter taste, coated tongue; dysenteric tendencies; see Stomach/Abdomen/Rectum [Hughes], [Allen].
• Genito-urinary catarrh — irritating urine, cloudy with mucus; mild burning; septic odours; see Urinary [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Skin & wounds — sluggish, fetid ulcers or suppurations; deodorant action; see Skin [Clarke], [Hale].

• Open air and ventilation; free, warm inhalations; easier expectoration and clearer head (see Nose/Chest/Head) [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Expectoration or free nasal discharge; “loosening” relieves oppression (Head/Chest echoes) [Clarke].
• Warmth locally (steam, warm drinks) to throat/chest; soothes rawness and aids mucus detachment (Throat/Chest) [Boericke], [Hale].
• Dry weather; elevation from marsh damp; less periodic fever (Fever/Generalities) [Hughes], [Clarke].
• Rest during fever; avoidance of exertion that rekindles cough/chill (Respiration/Fever) [Dewey].
• Gentle pressure/hand support over spleen/right hypochondrium in congestive states (Abdomen) [Clinical], [Clarke].
• After copious perspiration in influenza, with subsequent relief of headache (Fever/Head) [Boericke], [Clarke].
• Light, simple food; warm broths in gastric catarrh (Stomach) [Hughes], [Dewey].

• Damp, foggy, marshy weather; dwellings near swamps—periodic fevers, catarrh flare (Fever/Nose/Generalities) [Clarke], [Hughes].
• Close, hot rooms; foul or stagnant air; oppression and nausea (Mind/Head/Chest) [Clarke].
• Night; after midnight—cough, sweat, and weakness more marked (Sleep/Chest/Fever) [Boericke].
• Sudden exposure to cold air directly on chest/throat—hoarseness, cough (Throat/Respiration) [Clarke].
• Exertion—brings dyspnœa, cough paroxysms, and weariness (Respiration/Chest) [Dewey].
• Suppressed discharges; “checked coryza” leading to frontal headache or chest tightness (Head/Nose) [Clarke].
• Rich or greasy foods—bitter taste, gastric oppression, diarrhœa (Stomach/Rectum) [Hughes].
• Lying flat in bronchial subjects—prefers to be propped (Chest/Respiration) [Boericke].

Influenza / Catarrhal Fevers

• Gelsemium — dull, droopy, trembling, little catarrh; Eucalyptus has heavier, fetid secretions, relief by ventilation and sweat [Dewey], [Clarke].
• Bryonia — dry, painful cough, stitching chest, great thirst, worse least motion; Eucalyptus is looser, fouler, better after expectoration [Boger], [Farrington].
• Eupatorium perf. — intense bone-aches, scant catarrh; Eucalyptus: catarrh and fetor lead [Dewey].

Bronchitis / Bronchiectasis

• Stannum — copious, greenish, sweetish sputum with marked chest weakness and empty feeling; Eucalyptus: fetid, offensive sputum, damp aggravation, better ventilation [Farrington].
• Kali bichromicum — tough, stringy plugs, pain at one spot; Eucalyptus has looser, foul mucus, better warmth/steam [Farrington].
• Antimonium tart. — rattling with poor power to raise; drowsy, cyanotic; Eucalyptus raises freely and is better after expectoration [Boericke].
• Kali sulphuricum — yellow, slimy sputum, worse warm rooms, better cool air; very close and often complementary [Boger], [Boericke].

Septic States / Fetor

• Baptisia — typhoid stupor, besotted mind; Eucalyptus: dull but clear, odour/fetor with catarrh [Dewey].
• Echinacea — foul discharges with dusky margins and tender nodes; Eucalyptus more mucosal, less glandular [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Pyrogenium — pulse–temperature discordance; Eucalyptus lacks paradox, focuses on mucosae [Dewey].

Intermittent (Malarial) Fevers

• China — periodicity with profound debility, bloating; Eucalyptus when damp/fog triggers, splenic heaviness plus catarrh [Hughes], [Clarke].
• Cedron — clock-like periodicity, neuralgias; Eucalyptus periodicity more meteorologic [Farrington].
• Natrum muriaticum — chronic post-malarial anaemia, headaches 10–11 a.m.; Eucalyptus has more fetid catarrh [Clarke].

Throat / Nose

• Allium cepa — acrid nasal, bland lachrymation, better open air but worse warm rooms; Eucalyptus has fetor, thicker mucus, relief by warmth/steam [Farrington].
• Hepar sulph. — raw, painful throat, stitching; Eucalyptus: scraping with copious foul mucus, better warmth but less stabbing pain [Kent].

Gastric / Enteric

• Arsenicum — burning pains, anxiety, restlessness; Eucalyptus is more foul-catarrhal, less anxious [Farrington].
• Mercurius — salivation, ulceration, offensive breath with nightly aggravation; Eucalyptus lacks the constant sweat–saliva complex [Kent], [Clarke].

• Complementary: Kali sulph. — both crave fresh air; Kali-s. for yellow slimy mucus; Eucalyptus where fetor and septic odour dominate [Boericke], [Boger].
• Complementary: China — post-malarial weakness after Eucalyptus quiets damp-triggered periodicity [Hughes], [Dewey].
• Complementary: Calendula — for clean granulation after Eucalyptus has corrected foulness in wounds [Clarke], [Hale].
• Follows well: Gelsemium — after the initial fluey stupor lifts but foul catarrh remains [Dewey].
• Follows well: Bryonia — after the dry, stitching phase yields to loose fetid expectoration [Boger].
• Precedes well: Stannum — when weakness in chest remains after fetor declines [Farrington].
• Precedes well: Kali bich. — if tough plugs persist in sinuses post-catarrh [Farrington].
• Related/Compare: Baptisia, Echinacea, Pyrogen., Ant-t., Stann., Kali-s., Kali-bich., Allium cepa, Bry., Gels., China, Cedron (see Differentials).
• Antidotes: Nux/Camphor for over-action or crude oil effects (gastric/cardiac depression) [Allen], [Hughes], [Kent].
• Inimicals: none specific recorded; avoid needless alternation among close catarrhal congeners [Kent], [Boger].

Eucalyptus is the antiseptic catarrh remedy with a marsh-weather accent. The whole picture smells of stagnation: rooms too hot and still, weather too damp and foggy, secretions thick and fetid. Open the window—literally and therapeutically—and the patient brightens: the head clears, the cough loosens, the chest lightens. Drainage is the law: better after free nasal discharge, better after copious expectoration, better after a good sweat. The mucosae—nose, throat, bronchi—bear the brunt: loose, heavy catarrh with an offensive odour; voice rough; throat raw but soothed by warmth and steam; cough productive, especially at night, yet relieved when the spittoon fills. The environmental polarity is decisive: worse in damp, foggy, marshy localities; worse in hot, close rooms; better in fresh, dry moving air—the keynote that recurs across Mind (seeks a window), Head (frontal relief after discharge), Nose/Throat (drainage + warmth), Chest/Respiration (easier propped by the sash), Sleep (rest only after sweat).

A second axis is periodicity: in marsh seasons a malarial rhythm appears—splenic heaviness, evening chill, head heat, then sweat with relief. Here Eucalyptus fits where the intermittent picture is meteorologic (fog/low-lying damp) and catarrhal, not the punctilious clock of Cedron nor the profound post-sweat collapse of China. Post-malarial languor responds when foul catarrh and the ventilation/relief hinges are present. A third axis is fetor/sepsis: mouths, throats, sputum, even wounds seem “ill-smelling”; Eucalyptus belongs before the raw granulation stage (Calendula), clearing the toxic atmosphere (compare Echinacea where dusky glands and septic tissue dominate, or Baptisia with besotted typhoid mind).

Pathophysiologically, think cineole’s tropism for mucosae and the vascular bed: increased secretion, antiseptic odour, expectorant loosening coupled to portal–splenic congestion in marsh-triggered intermittents. Hence the practical pivots: ventilation, warmth locally to airways, dry climate if possible, light diet. Prescribing pointers: if the case repeats “I feel oppressed in this room; I must open the window,” and improvement follows expectoration/sweat, and the foulness of breath/sputum is remarked—Eucalyptus merits front-rank consideration. If instead secretions are tough, stringy plugs (Kali bich.), or green–sweetish with chest emptiness (Stann.), or if there’s rattling with inability to raise (Ant-t.), adjust accordingly. In influenza, Eucalyptus often follows Gelsemium and Bryonia as the case turns “wet and foul.” In wounds it buys time and cleanliness before remedies of repair. The overall pace is subacute-chronic—a dragging catarrh that lifts when the window, kettle, and remedy are used together.

Typical indications: Foul, copious catarrh (nose→bronchi) with relief from warm inhalations, open air, and free expectoration; bronchitis/bronchiectasis with offensive sputum and night sweats; influenza turning “wet” with frontal pressure and fetid breath; intermittent fevers in damp/fog with splenic heaviness; septic, ill-smelling wounds/ulcers needing constitutional “airing” [Clarke], [Boericke], [Hughes], [Dewey], [Hale]. Potency: φ–3x/6x were used classically for topical/inhalant adjuncts and low-grade catarrh; 6C–30C for systemic catarrh/influenza; 200C when keynotes are crystalline (fetor + ventilation craving + drainage relief); LM/Q for chronic bronchiectasis or marsh periodicity [Dewey], [Vithoulkas], [Boericke]. Repetition: in acute catarrh, repeat per return of oppression (often q4–8h), then space as drainage and air hunger lessen; in chronic bronchiectasis, daily LM/Q or weekly centesimals with close watch on sputum burden and night sweats [Dewey]. Adjuncts mirroring modalities: ventilate rooms; avoid damp exposure; use warm steam (plain) to assist expectoration; light, warm broths; avoid oils/fats and alcohol during catarrh; convalescent walks in dry air; in intermittent fevers, keep out of marsh fogs when possible [Clarke], [Hughes].
Case pearls:
• Bronchiectasis with fetid, copious sputum, night sweats; better by an open window—Eucalypt. 30C b.i.d. + simple steam loosened sputum; later Stann. for residual chest weakness [Clarke], [Dewey].
• Marsh intermittent with splenic drag, coryza, evening chill, sweat-relief; Eucalypt. 6C t.i.d., dry-air regimen; fewer attacks over a wet fortnight [Hughes].
• Influenza turned wet and foul after a dry Bryonia phase; Eucalypt. 200C single dose; next day freer expectoration and good sweat with head clear [Boericke], [Clinical].

Mind

• Desire for open air; aversion to close, hot rooms — ventilation keynote; predicts relief by window [Clarke].
• Irritable from foul catarrh; prefers silence and rest — catarrhal temperament [Boericke].
• Anxiety about breathing at night; better when expectoration is free — hinge rubric [Dewey].
• Weather-watching; anticipates fog with relapse — meteorologic periodicity [Hughes].
• Concentration difficult in rooms filled with odours — fetor sensitivity [Clarke].
• Better after perspiration/expectoration — drainage hinge [Clarke], [Boericke].

Head

• Headache, frontal, dull, with coryza; better in open air and after nasal discharge — classic drainage relief [Clarke].
• Vertex heat with general chilliness in influenza — biphasic fever sign [Boericke].
• Headache, malarial, worse damp weather — marsh periodicity [Hughes].
• Dizziness with nausea in hot rooms; better at window — environment polarity [Clarke].
• Sinus pressure with fog; infra-orbital soreness — damp aggravation [Clarke].
• Headache relieved by perspiration — fever hinge [Boericke].

Nose/Throat

• Coryza, profuse, fetid; obstruction at night — catarrhal sphere [Clarke].
• Post-nasal drip, thick, offensive; better warm drinks/steam — management cue [Hale].
• Fetor, breath/nasal — antiseptic indication [Clarke].
• Rawness in fauces with thick ropy mucus — throat catarrh [Boericke].
• Hoarseness from cold draught; better warmth — modality [Clarke].
• Coryza suppressed → chest tightness — “driven in” warning [Clarke].

Chest/Respiration

• Cough, loose, with copious, offensive expectoration; better after expectorating — master chest rubric [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Bronchitis/bronchiectasis with fetor and night sweats — chronic sphere [Dewey].
• Dyspnoea worse damp/fog; better dry, moving air — environment hallmark [Clarke].
• Must be propped up; lying flat aggravates — positional rubric [Boericke].
• Sudden cold air to chest excites cough — trigger [Clarke].
• Oppression relieved by warm inhalations — practical note [Hale].

Fever/Generalities

• Intermittent fever, damp-weather periodicity; splenic heaviness — malaria-adjacent [Hughes], [Clarke].
• Sweat profuse with relief; offensive in bronchial subjects — drainage + fetor [Boericke].
• Worse in hot, close rooms; better in open air — environment [Clarke].
• Septic odours/ill-smelling secretions — antiseptic signature [Clarke], [Hale].
• Weakness after sweats but mind clearer — fever arc [Dewey].
• Damp weather aggravates all symptoms — meteorologic rubric [Hughes].

Stomach/Abdomen/Rectum

• Bitter taste; coated tongue with catarrh — portal link [Hughes].
• Nausea in close rooms; better warm drinks — environment + warmth [Clarke].
• Splenic enlargement/tenderness in marsh dwellers — lateralising aid [Clarke], [Hughes].
• Diarrhoea dysentery, offensive; summer/septic — enteric sphere [Dewey].
• Stool offensive; relief after diet and air — practical [Hughes].
• Hæmorrhoids sore with fetor — confirmatory [Clarke].

Urinary/Skin

• Urine cloudy with mucus; catarrhal cystitis — mucosal echo [Clarke].
• Burning at beginning of micturition, mild — differentiation from Canth. [Farrington].
• Albuminuria in drug effects — toxicology warning [Allen], [Hughes].
• Ulcers, fetid, sluggish granulation — antiseptic terrain [Clarke], [Hale].
• Night sweats with bronchial fetor — systemic tie [Boericke].
• Offensive body odour in septic colds — adjunctive guide [Clarke].

Allen, T. F. — Encyclopædia of Pure Materia Medica (1874–79): provings/toxicology—gastric burning, albuminuria, respiratory depression; catarrhal notes.
Hering, C. — The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica (1879): clinical confirmations in catarrh, influenza, intermittent fevers; modalities (open air, drainage).
Hughes, R. — A Manual of Pharmacodynamics (1870): pharmacology of Eucalyptus; antiperiodic reputation; marsh/damp influence; gastric/renal drug effects.
Clarke, J. H. — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): substance background; antiseptic sphere; fetid catarrh; intermittent fevers; modalities and clinical uses.
Boericke, W. — Pocket Manual of Homœopathic Materia Medica (1901): keynotes—loose fetid cough, better after expectoration; influenza; bronchitis; night sweats; open-air craving.
Hale, E. M. — New Remedies (var. eds., late 19th c.): antiseptic/deodorant uses; inhalations; wound applications; clinical pointers for fetid catarrh.
Boger, C. M. — Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica (1915): comparisons (Bry., Kali-s., Ant-t., Stann.); meteorologic aggravations; chest modalities.
Farrington, E. A. — Clinical Materia Medica (1887): differentials in catarrh/bronchitis (Kali bich., Stann., Ant-t., Allium cepa); sepsis contrasts.
Dewey, W. A. — Practical Homœopathic Therapeutics (1901): influenza groupings; bronchiectasis tips; repetition strategies; post-malarial convalescence.
Kent, J. T. — Lectures on Homœopathic Materia Medica (1905): comparative philosophy (Ars., Merc., Hepar) applied to catarrh/sepsis; antidotal notes.
Vithoulkas, G. — Materia Medica Viva (1991–93): potency and repetition strategies in chronic catarrhal and post-infective states (applied to Eucalyptus cases).
Nash, E. B. — Leaders in Homœopathic Therapeutics (1899): general remarks on influenza/catarrh (for contrasts with Gels./Bry.) informing sequencing.