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Eucalyptus

What is eucalyptus?

Eucalyptus is a tree whose dried leaves and oil are used to make medicine. Although eucalyptus is used for many medicinal purposes, there is not yet enough scientific data to evaluate its effectiveness for any of these uses.

Eucalyptus leaves are used for infections, fevers, stomach upsets and as a cough suppressant. The leaves are also used to treat respiratory infections, whooping cough, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatic joint pain, acne, wounds, poorly healing ulcers, bacterial dysentery, bark lichen, liver and gallbladder problems, loss of appetite and cancer.

Eucalyptus oil should not be taken undiluted or applied to the skin. It must be diluted before use for safety reasons. The diluted oil is taken orally for pain and swelling of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, coughs, bronchitis, pain and inflammation of the sinuses, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and inflammation of the respiratory tract. It is also used as an expectorant for coughs, as an antiseptic, as an antipyretic and as a liquid in inhalers. Other uses include the treatment of wounds, burns, ulcers and cancer.

Diluted eucalyptus oil is applied to the skin for pain and swelling of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, joint pain, genital herpes and nasal congestion. It is also used as an insect repellent. In dentistry, eucalyptus oil is used in products that are used as sealants and solvents for root canal fillings. Dried eucalyptus leaves are used as a flavoring agent in foodstuffs. In cosmetics, eucalyptus oil is used as an odorant in perfumes and cosmetics. It is also used as a mud rinse, antiseptic, liniment and ointment, as well as an ingredient in toothpaste, cough drops and lozenges.

How effective is eucalyptus?

Scientific research suggests that eucalyptol, a chemical found in eucalyptus oil, is able to break down mucus. Some asthma patients can reduce the dosage of their steroidal medication if they take eucalyptus oil. However, this should only be done after consultation with the treating doctor. There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of eucalyptus in reducing upper respiratory tract swelling and treating nasal congestion, wounds, burns, ulcers, acne, bleeding gums, bladder disease, diabetes, fever, influenza, liver and gallbladder problems, loss of appetite, arthritis pain and other conditions. Further scientific research is required in this area.

How does eucalyptus work?

Eucalyptus leaves contain chemicals that may help control blood sugar. They also contain chemicals that may have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity. Eucalyptus oil contains chemicals that may help fight pain and inflammation. It may also block chemicals that trigger asthma.

Are there any safety concerns?

Eucalyptus leaves are safe and harmless when consumed in the small amounts found in food. There is not enough information to say whether supplements containing large amounts of eucalyptus leaves are safe and harmless. Eucalyptus oil is not considered safe when taken undiluted or applied to the skin. Ingestion of 3.5 ml of undiluted eucalyptus oil can be fatal. Signs of eucalyptus poisoning may include stomach pain and burning, dizziness, muscle weakness, small pupils, a feeling of suffocation and others. Eucalyptus oil can also cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Eucalyptol, a chemical extracted from eucalyptus oil and used as a medicine, appears to be safe when taken orally for up to 12 weeks.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Eucalyptus appears to be safe for pregnant and lactating women when used in food-grade amounts. However, since not enough is known about the safety of eucalyptus oil in pregnant and breastfeeding women, eucalyptus oil should not be consumed during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Children: Eucalyptus oil is not safe for children. It should not be taken orally by children or applied to the skin in children. Not much is known about the safety of eucalyptus leaf use in children, so it is best to avoid quantities higher than normal dietary amounts.

Diabetes: Recent research suggests that eucalyptus may lower blood sugar. There are concerns that using eucalyptus in conjunction with diabetes medications may lower blood sugar levels too much, so blood sugar levels should be carefully controlled in diabetics.

Surgeries: Because eucalyptus can affect blood sugar levels, there are concerns that it could make blood sugar control more difficult during and after surgery. For this reason, the use of eucalyptus should be discontinued two weeks before upcoming operations.

Interactions with medication

Care should be taken when combining eucalyptus with the following medications:

Medications that are broken down via the liver (cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates, cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates, cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates, cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) Some medications are broken down via the liver. Eucalyptus oil may reduce the rate at which the liver breaks down certain drugs. Taking eucalyptus oil with some drugs that are broken down by the liver may increase the effects and side effects of these drugs. If you are taking medications that are broken down by the liver, you should consult your doctor before using eucalyptus oil.

Diabetes medication

An extract of eucalyptus leaves can lower blood sugar. Diabetes medication is also used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking eucalyptus leaf extract in combination with diabetes medication could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood glucose levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Are there any interactions with medicinal herbs or supplements?

Medicinal herbs that contain hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids

Eucalyptus may increase the toxicity of medicinal herbs containing hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids can damage the liver. Plants that contain hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids include alcanna, comfrey, borage, butterbur, coltsfoot, comfrey, forget-me-not, water thistle and field hare's ear, as well as plants of the Senecio species such as woodruff, ragwort, ragwort and tansy.

Are there any interactions with food?

There are no known interactions with food.

Dosage recommendations

The appropriate dosage of eucalyptus products depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for different eucalyptus products. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

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