Eucalyptus: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Scientific name(s)
Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus radiata
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Eucalyptol
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Asthma ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research suggests that eucalyptol, a constituent of eucalyptus oil, has mucolytic properties. When taken orally, it may allow a reduction in the dosage of oral steroids in patients suffering from severe asthma.nnESCOP lists eucalyptus oil as an adjuvant treatment for chronic obstructive respiratory conditions, including bronchial asthma.nn
Posologie
Oral: leaf
200 - 600 mg
essential oil, dry extract
Bronchitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Some clinical research suggests that oral intake of a product marketed under the name GeloMyrtol®, containing essential oils of eucalyptus and myrtle leaves with sweet orange and lemon peels, at a dose of 900 - 1200 mg/day for at least 2 weeks improves symptoms and reduces exacerbations of chronic and acute bronchitis.nnESCOP lists eucalyptus oil as an adjuvant treatment for chronic obstructive respiratory conditions, including bronchitis.nn
Posologie
Oral: 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 standardized myrtol in acute bronchitis: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial versus cefuroxime and ambroxol
Lice ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research suggests that preparations containing eucalyptus essential oil may help prevent the recurrence of lice in treated children.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
essential oil
An Ex Vivo, Assessor-Blind, Randomized, 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, taken five times a day for four days, improves gingivitis.
Posologie
Oral (buccal): leaf
essential oil
Dental plaque ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that chewing gum containing 0.3 to 0.6% eucalyptus extract, taken 3 to 5 times per day for a period ranging from 4 days to 12 weeks, reduces dental plaque compared with placebo.
Posologie
Oral (buccal): leaf
essential oil
Common cold ✪✪✪✪✪
The EMA indicates that eucalyptus oil is a traditional medicine used to relieve cough associated with the common cold.nnESCOP indicates it for the symptomatic relief of colds and catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract.nn
Posologie
Oral: leaf
200 - 1000 mg
essential oil, dry extract
Rheumatism ✪✪✪✪✪
Topical application of eucalyptus essential oil may relieve rheumatic pain. Use recognized by the EMA.nn
Posologie
Topical: 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 relaxation of the airway smooth muscles.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
Eucalyptus essential oil (EO) contains 60 to 90% eucalyptol (1,8-cineole), and eucalyptol has been shown to have 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 appear 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 the 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 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 uptake and metabolism by muscles.
Safe dosage
Adults 12 years and older: 200 mg - 1000 mg
For oral use, single dose: 100-200 mg, 2 to 5 times per daynnFor topical use, a few drops on the chest or back, 2 to 3 times per day.nnSingle dose for semi-solid dosage forms (10% eucalyptus oil): apply a thin layer to the chest and back, 2 to 3 times per day.nn
Children aged 4 to 12 years:
For topical use only.nn
Interactions
Médicaments
Aminopyrine: moderate interaction
In human studies, inhalation of 1,8-cineole increased the plasma disappearance of aminopyrine.
Amphetamines: low interaction
Animal studies suggest that inhalation of eucalyptol may reduce amphetamine levels in the blood.
Antidiabetic drugs: low 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 studies suggest that inhalation of eucalyptol 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 additive effects when used with antidiabetic medications. Seek medical advice before any use.nn
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. nnSome compounds, such as 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), limonene, and beta-caryophyllene, are present in almost all essential oils and may explain the observation that many patients show cross-reactivity to more than one essential oil.nn
Children aged 2 to 4 years: avoid
Use in children between 2.5 and 4 years has not been established due to a lack of data.nn
Breastfeeding: avoid
Not enough data; avoid as a precaution.nn
Contraindications
Infant up to 30 months: contraindicated
Contraindicated for children under 30 months because preparations containing 1,8-cineole, like other essential oils, may induce laryngospasm.nn
Pregnancy: contraindicated
Eucalyptus oil is not indicated for pregnant women.nn
