Eucalyptus oil

Related Terms

1,8-cineole, aerial eucalyptus, Australian fever tree leaf, blauer gommibaum, blue gum, C10H18O, cajuputol, camphor oil, catheter oil, cider gum, cineole, Citriodiol?, crown gall, essence of eucalyptus rectifiee, essencia de eucalipto, eucalypti aetheroleum, eucalypti folium, eucalyptol, Eucalyptuscamaldulensis (Red gum), Eucalyptuscitriodora (Lemon-scented gum), Eucalyptuscoccifera (Tasmanian snow gum), Eucalyptusdalrympleana (Mountain gum), eucalyptus dried leaves, eucalyptus essential oil, Eucalyptusficifolia (red flowering gum), eucalyptus flower, Eucalyptusfructicetorum F. Von Mueller, eucalyptus globules tree, Eucalyptusglobulus Labillardiere, Eucalyptusgunnii (cider gum), Eucalyptusjohnstonii (yellow gum), eucalyptus leaf extract, Eucalyptusleucoxylon (white ironbark), Eucalyptusmaculate, Eucalyptusoccidentalis, Eucalyptusparvifolia, Eucalyptuspauciflora subsp. niphophila (snow gum), Eucalyptusperriniana (spinning gum), eucalyptus pollen, Eucalyptussideroxylon (red ironbark), Eucalyptussmithii R.T. Baker, Eucalyptusurnigera (urn gum), Eucalyptusviminalis Labill (euvimals), Eucalyptus polybractea, Eucalyptus spp., eucalytpo setma ag, fevertree, gommier bleu, gum tree, kafur ag, lemon eucalyptus extract, lemon-scented gum, malee, Meijer? (eucalyptus oil, camphor, menthol), mountain gum, myrtaceae, oil of eucalyptus citriodora, oleum eucalypti, red flowering gum, red gum, red ironbark, schonmutz, snow gum, southern blue gum, spinning gum, stringy bark tree, Tasmanian blue gum, Tasmanian snow gum, urn gum, verbenone, white ironbark, yellow gum.

Background

Eucalyptus oil is used commonly as a decongestant and expectorant for upper respiratory tract infections or inflammations, as well as for various musculoskeletal conditions. The oil is found in numerous over-the-counter cough and cold lozenges as well as in inhalation vapors or topical ointments. Veterinarians use the oil topically for its reported antimicrobial activity. Other applications include as an aromatic in soaps or perfumes, as flavoring in foodstuffs or beverages, and as a dental or industrial solvent. High quality scientific evidence is currently lacking.
Eucalyptus oil contains 70-85% 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), which is also present in other plant oils. Eucalyptol is used as an ingredient in some mouthwash and dental preparations, as an endodontic solvent, and may possess antimicrobial properties. Listerine? mouthrinse is a combination of essential oils (eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate) that has been shown to be efficacious for the reduction of dental plaque and gingivitis.
Topical use or inhalation of eucalyptus oil at low concentrations may be safe, although significant and potentially lethal toxicity has been consistently reported with oral use and may occur with inhalation use as well. All routes of administration should be avoided in children.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Aromatherapy using eucalyptus has been studied for its effects on pain, depression, and feelings of satisfaction in life in arthritis patients. Aromatherapy may help reduce pain and depression, but does not appear to alter the feeling of satisfaction in life. Additional study is needed to clarify these findings.

 C


Aromatherapy using eucalyptus has been studied for its effects on pain, depression, and feelings of satisfaction in life in arthritis patients. Aromatherapy may help reduce pain and depression, but does not appear to alter the feeling of satisfaction in life. Additional study is needed to clarify these findings.

 C


Further research is needed to confirm anti-inflammatory and mucolytic activity before this agent can be recommended in upper and lower airway diseases.

 C


Further research is needed to confirm anti-inflammatory and mucolytic activity before this agent can be recommended in upper and lower airway diseases.

 C


Although commonly used in non-prescription products, there is inconclusive scientific study of eucalyptus oil or eucalyptol. Better research is necessary before a recommendation can be made.

C


Although commonly used in non-prescription products, there is inconclusive scientific study of eucalyptus oil or eucalyptol. Better research is necessary before a recommendation can be made.

C


Although studies on combination mouthwashes show effectiveness (such as Listerine?), it is not clear that eucalyptus oil by itself is effective or safe for this purpose.

 C


Although studies on combination mouthwashes show effectiveness (such as Listerine?), it is not clear that eucalyptus oil by itself is effective or safe for this purpose.

 C


Effectiveness of eucalyptus oil applied to the skin for headache relief has not been supported with reliable human research.

 C


Effectiveness of eucalyptus oil applied to the skin for headache relief has not been supported with reliable human research.

 C


Limited evidence suggests that eucalyptus essential oil may be beneficial for patients with skin ulcers when combined with antibiotics. More studies are needed to confirm these early findings.

 C


Limited evidence suggests that eucalyptus essential oil may be beneficial for patients with skin ulcers when combined with antibiotics. More studies are needed to confirm these early findings.

 C


Nicobrevin is a proprietary product marketed as an aid for smoking cessation that contains quinine, menthyl valerate, camphor, and eucalyptus oil. Despite use of this product, there is a lack of evidence suggesting benefit of this product or eucalyptus oil for smoking cessation.

 C


Nicobrevin is a proprietary product marketed as an aid for smoking cessation that contains quinine, menthyl valerate, camphor, and eucalyptus oil. Despite use of this product, there is a lack of evidence suggesting benefit of this product or eucalyptus oil for smoking cessation.

 C


Preliminary research shows that Citriodiol? spray, containing eucalyptus, may reduce the number of tick bites and thereby tick-borne infections, although additional studies are warranted.

 C


Preliminary research shows that Citriodiol? spray, containing eucalyptus, may reduce the number of tick bites and thereby tick-borne infections, although additional studies are warranted.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Application of 5% to 20% in an oil-based formulation or 5% to 10% in an alcohol-based formulation has been used. In one study, topical lemon eucalyptus extract spray (Citriodiol?) was applied daily for two weeks to the lower extremities to reduce tick attachment.
Eucalyptus oil should be taken with caution, since small amounts of oil taken by mouth have resulted in severe and deadly reactions. For eucalyptus oil, doses of 0.05 to 0.2 milliliter or 0.3 to 0.6 gram daily have been used traditionally, but may cause toxic side effects. For infusions prepared with eucalyptus leaf, a quantity of 2 to 3 grams of eucalyptus leaf in 150 milliliters of water, three times a day, has been used traditionally, but may result in toxic side effects.
Tincture with 5% to 10% eucalyptus oil or a few drops placed into a vaporizer as an inhalant have been used.
Eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) is a major chemical in eucalyptus oil, and it is used in some commercially sold mouthwashes.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Multiple case reports associate eucalyptus oil taken by mouth with slowing of the mind and nervous system. These symptoms may be worsened when eucalyptus is taken with sedating medications. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital or pentobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery. Eucalyptus may also interact with amphetamine.
Eucalyptus should be taken with caution if combined with medications that lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare provider. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Several components of eucalyptus interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be decreased in the blood with reduced intended effects. Patients using any medications should check the package insert and speak with a healthcare provider or pharmacist about possible interactions.
When applied to the skin with 5-fluorouracil lotion (5-FU, Efudex?, Carac?), eucalyptus may increase the absorption of 5-FU.
Many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and may cause nausea or vomiting when taken with metronidazole (Flagyl?) or disulfiram (Antabuse?).

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Galdi E, Perfetti L, Calcagno G, et al. Exacerbation of asthma related to Eucalyptus pollens and to herb infusion containing Eucalyptus. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 2003;59(3):220-221.
Gardulf A, Wohlfart I, Gustafson R. A prospective cross-over field trial shows protection of lemon eucalyptus extract against tick bites. J Med Entomol 2004;41(6):1064-1067.
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