Blue Gum
Eucalyptus globulus
TREE
"The Leaves of this Eucalyptus, are of a bluish-green colour with a highly pungent and camphoraceous nature. It has been successfully employed as a Febrifuge, and with a singular efficacy in clearing the clogged tubes of the Lungs, having a power to arrest the progress of disease in the Respiratory Organs which is truly remarkable."
— Dr. W. Thompson, The Medical and Surgical Dictionary, 1856
Every South African knows the Blue Gum and its wonderful menthol scent after a heavy downpour - an aroma which seems to cleanse and refresh the air.
While it has earned itself a reputation as a pushy invader, I’ve always felt it’s a tree that invites us to appreciate it anyway. It grows so abundantly that, instead of fighting it, we can simply make use of what is already around us—no planting required. There’s something quite satisfying about working with a plant that insists on being here, especially one so full of scent, medicine, and practical use.
Blue gum may not be well behaved, but it is certainly generous if you take the time to get to know it.
For tens of thousands of years, Aboriginal peoples held deep ancestral relationships with this tree, using it in smoking ceremonies to clear stagnant energy and heal the sick in a steam bath.
When European settlers arrived, they noticed malaria was absent near groves of eucalyptus and, believing the trees purified a mysterious toxic mist, they called it the "fever tree". Science later revealed their aggressively thirsty root networks were simply draining the marshlands and destroying mosquito breeding grounds.
THE HERBAL KITCHEN
Let’s clear this up immediately: blue gum is absolutely not a culinary kitchen herb, and you should never go tossing these leaves into your standard stews or salads - despite what the social media influencers say! The high concentration of volatile essential oils can cause severe gastric irritation, nausea, and toxicity if consumed internally.
There are edible eucalyptus relatives like the Strawberry Gum (E. olida) or Broad-leaved Peppermint Gum (E. dives) which are used for sweet syrups or intense wood-fired smoking, but the standard blue gum should definitely be kept out of the cooking pot and left to the koala bears.
THE HERBAL APOTHECARY
This is where blue gum steps into its true glory. It acts as a fierce decongestant, antimicrobial, and expectorant that cuts straight through stubborn phlegm. A simple home steam inhalation using a few crushed leaves in a bowl of boiling water will instantly open up locked sinuses and soothe tight, spasmodic coughs.
Of course you can buy a eucalyptus oil, but Mother Nature provides us with a protection mechanism. Using the whole leaf gives us a safety web of tannins and resins to tone down the volatile oils. Essential oils must always be diluted heavily and kept far away from the faces of children under six.
BOTANICAL BEAUTY
Blue gum is a herb I use in winter. It is brilliant for waking up the circulation and deep cleansing the skin. Try it in an invigorating foot bath to soothe your tired feet or add a bunch to your shower and enjoy the wonderful scent.
THE NATURAL HOME & GARDEN
I've just realised Blue Gum is a winter herb for me! That is when I use it to clear stale air and negative energy, and also keep a few leaves in a vase for the delicious scent.
Infusing the leaves into white spirit vinegar creates an antimicrobial countertop spray, or you could combine ground leaves with bicarb for carpet powder that clears pet odours.
SHOULD GROW THIS HERB?
No - it is Category 1b Invasive Alien Plant so you should not be planting a new blue gum tree in your garden today!
That said, you only have to take a walk down the street and you will probably find a tree or two that will happily share their leaves.
UNLOCK THE FULL MASTER GUIDE
For the deep dive—including botanical etymology, ancestral history, and the complete medicinal and functional archive for Blue Gum—look for the Barefoot Herb Guide here:
Trees Volume 2
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"I'm Sharon. I've spent 25 years helping people remember the old ways of healing. (Read More....)
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