Eucalyptus: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
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Scientific name(s)
Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus radiata
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Eucalyptol
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Asthma ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research suggests that eucalyptol, a constituent of eucalyptus oil, has mucolytic properties. When used orally, it may reduce the dosage of oral steroids in patients with severe asthma. ESCOP indicates eucalyptus oil for adjuvant treatment of chronic obstructive respiratory conditions, including bronchial asthma.
Posologie
Oral administration: leaf
200 - 600 mg
essential oil, dry extract
Bronchitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Some clinical research suggests that oral intake of a commercial product named GeloMyrtol®, containing essential oils from eucalyptus leaves, myrtle, sweet orange, and lemon peels, at 900-1200 mg/day for at least 2 weeks improves symptoms and reduces exacerbations of chronic and acute bronchitis. ESCOP indicates eucalyptus oil for the adjuvant treatment of chronic obstructive respiratory conditions, including bronchitis.
Posologie
Oral administration: leaf
900 - 1200 mg
2 - weeks
essential oil, GeloMyrtol®
Synergies
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Efficacy and tolerability of myrtol standardized in acute bronchitis. A multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group clinical trial vs. cefuroxime and ambroxol
Lice ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that preparations containing eucalyptus essential oil may help prevent lice recurrence in treated children.
Posologie
Oral administration: leaf
essential oil
An Ex Vivo, Assessor Blind, Randomised, Parallel Group, Comparative Efficacy Trial of the Ovicidal Activity of Three Pediculicides After a Single Application--Melaleuca Oil and Lavender Oil, Eucalyptus Oil and Lemon Tea Tree Oil, and a "Suffocation" Pediculicide
Gingivitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that chewing gum containing 0.4 to 0.6% eucalyptus extract five times a day for four days improves gingivitis.
Posologie
Buccal administration: leaf
essential oil
Dental plaque ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that chewing gum containing 0.3 to 0.6% eucalyptus extract 3 to 5 times a day for 4 to 12 weeks reduces dental plaque compared to placebo.
Posologie
Buccal administration: leaf
essential oil
Cold ✪✪✪✪✪
EMA indicates that eucalyptus oil is a traditional medication used to relieve cough associated with colds. ESCOP recommends it for symptomatic relief of colds and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.
Posologie
Oral administration: leaf
200 - 1000 mg
essential oil, dry extract
Rheumatism ✪✪✪✪✪
Application of eucalyptus essential oil can relieve rheumatic pain. Recognized usage by EMA.
Posologie
Topical application: leaf
essential oil
Properties
Mucolytic
Thanks to its high content of 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), the essential oil is expectorant and mucolytic, it thins bronchial secretions to facilitate their expulsion. It also promotes the relaxation of smooth muscles of the airways.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
Eucalyptus essential oil (EO) contains 60 to 90% eucalyptol (1,8-cineole), and it has been shown that eucalyptol has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Preliminary research suggests that eucalyptol may block the production of arachidonic acid metabolites involved in pain. It may also inhibit cyclooxygenase pathways. Eucalyptol and other constituents also seem to inhibit the production of cytokines responsible for inflammation, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, leukotriene B4, and thromboxane B2. Besides the EO, ethanolic extracts of eucalyptus leaves also appear to have anti-inflammatory activity. This could explain its use in asthma.
Usages associés
Antiparasitic
Eucalyptus oil is used in some topical solutions against head lice. The ovicidal effects of terpenes present in the oil have been demonstrated in vitro.
Usages associés
Antimicrobial
Eucalyptus leaf extracts and their isolated components appear to have antimicrobial and antifungal activity.
Usages associés
Analgesic
The essential oil is traditionally recommended for the symptomatic relief of localized muscle pain.
Usages associés
Hypoglycemic
An aqueous extract of eucalyptus leaves appears to have hypoglycemic activity. Preliminary research shows that it increases insulin secretion and improves glucose absorption and metabolism by muscles.
Safety dosage
Adults from 12 years: 200 mg - 1000 mg
For oral use, single dose: 100-200 mg, 2 to 5 times a day For topical use, a few drops on the chest or back, 2 to 3 times a day. Single dose for semi-solid dosage forms (10% eucalyptus oil): apply a thin layer on the chest and back, 2 to 3 times a day.
Children from 4 to 12 years:
Topical use only.
Interactions
Médicaments
Aminopyrine: moderate interaction
In human studies, inhalation of 1,8 cineole increased the disappearance of plasma aminopyrine.
Amphetamines: weak interaction
Animal research suggests that eucalyptol inhalation may reduce blood levels of amphetamines.
Antidiabetic: weak interaction
Animal research suggests that eucalyptus leaf may have hypoglycemic activity and could have additive effects when used with antidiabetic medications.
Pentobarbital: moderate interaction
Animal research suggests eucalyptol inhalation reduces the level of pentobarbital reaching the brain.
Precautions
Type 2 diabetes: use with caution
Preliminary research suggests that eucalyptus leaves may have hypoglycemic activity and could theoretically have cumulative effects when used with antidiabetic medications. Seek medical advice before any use.
Allergies: avoid
Eucalyptus and tea tree oils share many constituents. If a patient is allergic to eucalyptus oil, cross-reactivity with other essential oils, including tea tree oil, is possible. Certain compounds such as 1-8-cineole (eucalyptol), limonene, and beta-caryophyllene are present in almost all essential oils and may account for the observation that many patients exhibit cross-reactivity to more than one essential oil.
Children aged 2 to 4 years: avoid
Use in children between 2.5 and 4 years has not been established due to lack of data.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Not enough data, avoid as a precaution.
Contraindications
Infants up to 30 months: prohibited
Contraindicated for children under 30 months because there's a risk that preparations containing 1,8-cineole, like other essential oils, might induce a laryngospasm.
Pregnant women: prohibited
Eucalyptus oil is not indicated for pregnant women.
