Eucalyptus Honey

On a hunt for Nettle tips at Kingston Maurward in Dorchester we came across some really majestic Eucalypti trees - and noticed these amazing little buds shaped like knobbly stars -if you remember the game Jacks, they were a bit like those. We tasted one and the essential  oil content was very noticeable as perfumed juices hit our senses-then came a strong refrigerant effect and as we breathed deeply felt our airways really open. Very pleasant and lovely.The eucalyptus plant contains several chemicals, including eucalyptrin, hyperoside, quercetin, quecitrin, tannins, and associated acids. The primary constituent of the volatile oil is eucalyptol (1,8-cineole).

We pick a few and some leaves and brought them home for chopping and adding to some lovely local honey.

I goggled the buds and found that the trees are -Eucalyptus gracilis -


It is said that the Eucalyptus tree is one of the most useful trees in the world, belonging to the Myrtacea family –same as the Tea Tree. A tall water loving tree is also one of the fastest growing trees in the world  


Eucalyptus trees have always been part of my Materia medica as I often burn the essential oil when anyone has any respiratory infection as it is antibacterial, decongestant and stimulate the immune system. I have also made teas from brewing up the fresh leaves but this honey we'd made is amazing -

It was Baron Ferdinand von Müller, the German botanist and explorer, who made the qualities of  Eucalyptus known all over the world. He was the first to suggest that the perfume of the leaves resembling that of Cajaput oil, might be of use as a disinfectant in fever districts.. The rapidly growing Eucalyptus trees are now largely cultivated in many temperate regions with the view of preventing malarial fevers. In Sicily, also, it is being extensively planted to combat malaria, on account of its property of absorbing large quantities of water from the soil.

Next on the agenda is trying some pine needle honey out.... I think if anyone has any pine or eucalyptus trees near- start by going and tasting the leaves/buds/flower do this really slowly with attention to your reactions -if you feel benefits or drawn to the plant - simply take home chop up and add to honey.