• Basic Info

Category

Herbs & Supplements

Synonyms

1,8-cineole, aerial Eucalyptus, Australian fever tree leaf, blauer gommibaum, blue gum, C10H18O, cajuputol, camphor oil, catheter oil, cider gum, cineole, Citriodiol (lemon eucalyptus extract), crown gall, essence of eucalyptus rectifiee, essencia de eucalipto, eucalypti aetheroleum, eucalypti folium, eucalyptol, Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Red gum), E. citriodora (Lemon-scented gum), E. coccifera (Tasmanian snow gum), E. dalrympleana (Mountain gum), Eucalyptus dried leaves, Eucalyptus essential oil, E. ficifolia (Red flowering gum), Eucalyptus flower, E. fructicetorum F. Von Mueller, Eucalyptus globules tree, E. globulus Labillardiere, E. gunnii (Cider gum), E. johnstonii (Yellow gum), Eucalyptus leaf extract, E. leucoxylon (White ironbark), E. maculate, E. occidentalis, E. parvifolia, E. pauciflora subsp. niphophila (Snow gum), E. perriniana (Spinning gum), Eucalyptus pollen, E. sideroxylon (Red ironbark), E. smithii R.T. Baker, E. urnigera (Urn gum), E. viminalis Labill (euvimals), Eucalyptus polybractea, Eucalyptus spp. eucalytpo setma ag, fevertree, gommier bleu, gum tree, infusion containing Eucalyptus, kafur ag, lemon eucalyptus extract (Citriodiol), 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), which has been shown to be efficacious for the reduction of dental plaque and gingivitis.

Topical use or inhalation use 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

DISCLAIMER: 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.

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

Decongestant/expectorant: 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.
Grade: C

Dental plaque/gingivitis (mouthwash): 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.
Grade: C

Headache (applied to the skin): Effectiveness of eucalyptus oil applied to the skin for headache relief has not been supported with reliable human research.
Grade: C

Tick repellant (topical): 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.
Grade: C