Eucalyptus Oil

Common Name(s)

eucalyptus essential oil, eucalyptol, eucalyptus oil, fever tree, blue gum, gum tree, red gum, stringy bark tree

Scientific Name(s)

Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus fructicetorum, Eucalyptus smithii, Eucalyptus polybractea

General Information

Eucalyptus trees belong to the Myrtaceae family. There are many species of eucalyptus tree. Eucalyptus is native to Australia and is the main food and water source for koala bears.

How is this product usually used?

Dried eucalyptus leaves and eucalyptus oil are used in small quantities in food as flavouring agents. Eucalyptus oil is often added to scent soaps or perfumes. The dried leaves and tree oils are mainly used in combination with other ingredients to make a variety of products, such as lotions and creams, teas, tinctures, and lozenges. Eucalyptus is also used to make mouthwash, antiseptics, and toothpaste.

Talk to your health care provider before consuming eucalyptus oil. Doses vary according to the intended use.

Your health care provider may have recommended using this product in other ways. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What is this product used for?

Eucalyptus oil is used for treating many conditions such as bronchitis, the common cold, gingivitis, and arthritis.

To date, research results on the use of eucalyptus oil alone are not conclusive to prove any health claims associated with the herb.

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What else should I be aware of?

Eucalyptus oil in topical and inhalation products is generally well tolerated by adults. Side effects can include local redness, burning, and irritation. Some people can develop an allergic skin reaction to eucalyptus-oil-containing creams and lotions. There is also a risk of experiencing more severe side effects from eucalyptus oil products that are taken by mouth. Do not take eucalyptus oil by mouth unless directed by your physician.

Serious side effects that could be caused by eucalyptus oil poisoning include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, very weak muscles, diarrhea, confusion, seizures, and difficulty waking up. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate medication attention. Never take undiluted eucalyptus oil by mouth. In the event that a child accidentally ingests a product containing eucalyptus oil, contact a poison control center or doctor immediately.

If you are allergic to eucalyptus oil, eugenol, eucalyptol, or any other member of the Myrtaceae tree family, do not use products that contain eucalyptus oil.

If you have heart disease, acute intermittent porphyria, kidney disease, serious liver disease, or inflammation of the stomach or gallbladder, do not take eucalyptus oil by mouth.

Eucalyptus-oil-containing products, including lotions and creams, should not be applied to the face or nose of infants or children.

If you have asthma or any other pre-existing lung disease, avoid using inhalation products that contain eucalyptus oil, as it may cause sudden breathing problems.

If you have a history of seizures, avoid using eucalyptus-oil-containing lotions and creams or inhalation products.

If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels when taking oral products containing eucalyptus. Eucalyptus can interfere with blood sugar control and can increase the risk of blood sugar levels becoming too low.

If you will be getting elective surgery, stop using eucalyptus products least 2 weeks before the procedure.

People who are pregnant or breast-feeding and young children and infants should not use any form of eucalyptus.

Health Canada has issued a warning concerning the use of products containing eucalyptus oil. To read the full Health Canada warning, visit Health Canada's website at www.hc-sc.gc.ca.

Eucalyptus may interact with the following:

• amphetamines
• diabetes medications (e.g., insulin, metformin, glyburide)
• medications metabolized by liver enzyme cytochrome P450 1A2 (e.g., acetaminophen, olanzapine, propranolol)
• medications metabolized by liver enzyme cytochrome P450 2C19 (e.g., citalopram, clopidogrel, dexlansoprazole)
• medications metabolized by liver enzyme cytochrome P450 2C9 (e.g., celecoxib, meloxicam, warfarin)
• medications metabolized by liver enzyme cytochrome P450 3A4 (e.g., clarithromycin, cyclosporine, diltiazem)
• pentobarbital

Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.

Source(s)

1. MedlinePlus. Eucalyptus. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/700.html.
2. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Eucalyptus oil.
3. Health Canada. Safe use of health products containing camphor and/or eucalyptus oils. Available at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/life-vie/camphor-camphre-eng.php.