Traditional Medicine by Regions - Australasia

The Eucalyptus tree is almost synonymous Australia itself. With around 600 species of the genus Eucalyptus, it is the one of the two dominant tree plants (other being Acacia spp.).




Also known as blue gum, the species Eucalyptus globulus is the probably the most well-known species among the Eucalyptus species. Eucalyptus trees are prized for their oil, whereby they are used to treat ailments such as diarrhoea, lung congestions and headaches.


What does the brands Thursday's Plantation and Blackmore's have in common? Well, definitely they are the well known tea tree oil-based facial products. Mainly, the essential oils are derived from species of the two genera; Leptospermum and Melaleuca of the Myrtle family.







There are 83 (out of the total 86 Leptospermum tea trees) have been described in Australia alone. The chief species of the two genera are Melaleuca alternifolia and Leptospermum scoparium (manuka).








The Australian tea tree, particularly of the species Melaleuca alternifolia is renowned for its antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Tea tree oil-based products are so ubiquitous, ranging from acne medications, essential oils for aromatherapy,antiseptic mouth-washes, bath creams/gels to toothpastes.

In a broader perspective, their herbal medicinal practice can be categorized into indigenous practice (Aborigines) and Western practice (European settlers). Australian bushmens and New Zealand's Maoris for example, have been using herbs in treating health conditions as well as in religious rituals. They mainly use herbs externally in the from of poultice, paste and in steam baths.

In 1992, Australia made an effort to boost R&D on medicinal plants by setting up Asian-Australian Centre for the Study of Bioactive Medicinal Plant Constituents at La Trobe University. This institute collaborated research efforts with experts from Thailand, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Indonesia and Singapore. This effort definitely signified the importance of the country's traditional medicine and herbal medicine industry as whole. Recognition of the native's use of medicinal plants can no longer be ignored as they may hold the key to many potential cures for modern diseases.