Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is used for respiratory symptoms and topical relief. Evidence depends on preparation and route.
Overview
What is eucalyptus?
Eucalyptus is a tree found in Australia and South East Asia. Its leaves and oil are used to treat many conditions including influenza, bronchitis and asthma, but there is limited evidence supporting these uses.
Dosage
The typical dosing information of eucalyptus is unknown.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
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Database Snapshot
Most eucalyptus research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Bronchitis accounts for 2 of 12 studies (17%).
- Lice accounts for 2 of 12 studies (17%).
- Oral health accounts for 2 of 12 studies (17%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Bronchitis, Lice, Oral health.
Safety
Eucalyptus is likely safe when used orally at amounts commonly found in foods. Eucalyptus is Generally Recognized As Safe and used as a food flavoring in the United States.
Dose windows
Long-term
Eucalyptus oil is possibly unsafe when used topically. Long-term exposure to eucalyptus oil is neurotoxic. PubMed
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources12 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Asthma
1 reference1.SupplementDEX Database: Asthma — Anti-inflammatory activity of 1.8-cineol (eucalyptol) in bronchial asthma: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial2003
In 32 asthma patients over 12 weeks, 600 mg/day 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) allowed 36% greater oral prednisolone reduction versus 7% with placebo (P = 0.006), with 12/16 vs 4/16 achieving steroid dose reduction.
SupplementDEX Database · Bronchitis
2 references2.SupplementDEX Database: Bronchitis — Efficacy and tolerability of myrtol standardized in acute bronchitis. A multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group clinical trial vs. cefuroxime and ambroxol2000
In 676 adults with acute bronchitis over 2 weeks, myrtol standardized (1,200 mg/day) achieved 92.9% responder rate at week 1 versus 77.3% placebo (p < 0.001), comparable to cefuroxime and ambroxol.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Bronchitis — Efficacy and tolerability of myrtol standardized in long-term treatment of chronic bronchitis. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Study Group Investigators1999
In 246 chronic bronchitis patients over 6 months, myrtol standardized (900 mg/day) significantly reduced exacerbation rate, antibiotic need, and cough-related health impairment versus placebo.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — Concomitant therapy with Cineole (Eucalyptole) reduces exacerbations in COPD: a placebo-controlled double-blind trial2009
In 242 COPD patients (40–80 years) over 6 months, adjunct 600 mg/day cineole significantly reduced exacerbation frequency, dyspnea, and improved lung function and quality of life versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Cough
1 reference5.SupplementDEX Database: Cough — Efficacy and Safety of Eucalyptus for Relieving Cough: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials2022
A meta-analysis of 6 RCTs (1,857 participants) found eucalyptus products more effective than placebo for cough symptom improvement (RR 1.45) and reduced cough frequency, with only mild gastrointestinal adverse events.
SupplementDEX Database · Fever
1 reference6.SupplementDEX Database: Fever — Effectiveness of aroma-Tea Tree Oil and Eucalyptus oil in alleviating COVID-19 vaccine discomfort side effects2023
In 170 adults after COVID-19 vaccination, aromatherapy with tea tree and eucalyptus oils significantly reduced swelling, injection-site pain, lumps, fever, and muscle aches versus no aromatherapy at 24–48 hours post-vaccination.
SupplementDEX Database · Headache
1 reference7.SupplementDEX Database: Headache — Effect of peppermint and eucalyptus oil preparations on neurophysiological and experimental algesimetric headache parameters1994
In 32 healthy adults in a crossover trial, peppermint plus eucalyptus with ethanol improved cognitive performance and relaxation; peppermint plus ethanol reduced headache pain sensitivity, with little effect from eucalyptus alone.
SupplementDEX Database · Lice
2 references8.SupplementDEX Database: Lice — The efficacy of Australian essential oils for the treatment of head lice infestation in children: A randomised controlled trial2017
In children with head lice, Australian eucalyptus plus Leptospermum oil applied three times cured 83% versus 36% with pyrethrin-piperonyl mousse; a single application achieved 100% pediculicidal activity in a follow-up trial.
9.SupplementDEX Database: Lice — 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" pediculicide2011
An ex vivo trial in head-lice egg carriers compared tea tree/lavender, eucalyptus/lemon tea tree, and suffocation pediculicides after one application, ranking ovicidal efficacy across hair types using pre- and post-treatment egg collections.
SupplementDEX Database · Oral health
2 references10.SupplementDEX Database: Oral health — Effect of eucalyptus extract chewing gum on periodontal health: a double-masked, randomized trial2008
In a 12-week double-masked trial in adults with gingivitis, chewing gum with 0.6% eucalyptus extract (90 mg/day) improved plaque, gingival index, bleeding on probing, and attachment levels versus placebo gum.
11.SupplementDEX Database: Oral health — The inhibitory effect of funoran and eucalyptus extract-containing chewing gum on plaque formation1998
In 15 dental professionals over 4 days without other oral hygiene, funoran or eucalyptus chewing gum significantly reduced plaque scores (1.83 and 1.97) compared with control gum (2.57).
12.SupplementDEX Database: Rheumatoid arthritis — The effect of eucalyptus inhalation on pain and the quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis2022
In 70 rheumatoid arthritis patients over 1 month, inhaling 1 mL eucalyptus oil three times daily reduced pain severity and improved quality-of-life scores versus placebo inhalation alongside routine treatment.