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Eucalyptus is a tree. Its leaves and oil have been consumed, chewed, and applied to the skin for many conditions.
Eucalyptus contains many different chemicals. These chemicals might have various effects in the body. Also, some research suggests that eucalyptus may have activity against bacteria and fungi.
People use eucalyptus for many conditions including asthma, bronchitis, flu (influenza), and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Acne. Login for details
- Asthma. A small clinical study suggests that taking the eucalyptol constituent of eucalyptus orally might have a steroid-sparing effect in some patients with asthma.
Login for details - Bronchitis. Oral eucalyptol has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Burns. Login for details
- Cancer. Login for details
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A small clinical study suggests that the eucalyptol constituent of eucalyptus might reduce acute exacerbations in patients with stable COPD.
Login for details - Cough. Login for details
- Dental plaque. Using chewing gum containing eucalyptus extract might reduce dental plaque.
Login for details - Diabetes. Login for details
- Genital herpes. Login for details
- Gingivitis. Using chewing gum containing eucalyptus extract might improve gingivitis.
Login for details - Gonorrhea. Login for details
- Halitosis. Using chewing gum containing eucalyptus extract might improve halitosis.
Login for details - Headache. Topical eucalyptus has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Influenza. Login for details
- Lice. Topical eucalyptus oil has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Onychomycosis. Login for details
- Oral mucositis. Login for details
- Osteoarthritis. Login for details
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Login for details
- Rhinosinusitis. Login for details
- Tinea corporis. Login for details
- Tuberculosis. Login for details
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). It is unclear if eucalyptus is beneficial for the prevention of VAP.
Login for details - Wound healing. Login for details
When taken by mouth: People often consume eucalyptus as a flavoring in small amounts in foods. It's possibly safe to take eucalyptol, a chemical that is found in eucalyptus oil, daily for up to 12 weeks.
But it is unsafe to take pure eucalyptus oil by mouth. Taking only 3.5 mL (less than one teaspoon) of the pure oil can be fatal. Eucalyptus oil can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Eucalyptus poisoning can cause stomach pain, dizziness, muscle weakness, feelings of suffocation, drowsiness, seizures, and coma.
When applied to the skin: It's possibly unsafe to use pure eucalyptus oil. It can cause serious problems with the nervous system. There isn't enough reliable information to know if diluted eucalyptus oil is safe.
When inhaled: There isn't enough reliable information to know if eucalyptus oil is safe when inhaled as aromatherapy.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: People often consume eucalyptus as a flavoring in small amounts in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if eucalyptus oil is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding.Children: People often consume eucalyptus as a flavoring in small amounts in foods. But it is likely unsafe for children to take eucalyptus oil by mouth, apply it to the skin, or inhale it. There are reports of seizures and other nervous system side effects in infants and children who were exposed to eucalyptus oil.
Cross-allergenicity: Some people who are allergic to other essential oils might also be allergic to eucalyptus oil.
Surgery: Since eucalyptus might affect blood sugar levels, there is concern that it might make blood sugar control difficult during and after surgery. Stop using eucalyptus at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
Eucalyptus oil might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking eucalyptus oil along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking eucalyptus oil, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), haloperidol (Haldol), ondansetron (Zofran), propranolol (Inderal), theophylline (Theo-Dur, others), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, others), and others.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
Eucalyptus oil might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking eucalyptus oil along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking eucalyptus oil, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and pantoprazole (Protonix); diazepam (Valium); carisoprodol (Soma); nelfinavir (Viracept); and others.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
Eucalyptus oil might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking eucalyptus oil along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking eucalyptus oil, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), ibuprofen (Motrin), meloxicam (Mobic), and piroxicam (Feldene); celecoxib (Celebrex); amitriptyline (Elavil); warfarin (Coumadin); glipizide (Glucotrol); losartan (Cozaar); and others.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
Eucalyptus oil might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking eucalyptus oil along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking eucalyptus oil, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Eucalyptus leaf extract might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking eucalyptus leaf extract along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Eucalyptus might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs that contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs): Some supplements contains PAs, dangerous chemicals that can harm the liver. Taking eucalyptus along with supplements that contain PAs might increase the chance of developing serious side effects, including liver damage and cancer. Examples of supplements containing PAs include alkanna, butterbur, coltsfoot, comfrey, and groundsel.
There are no known interactions with foods.
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of eucalyptus might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
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