Eucalyptus Essential Oil

ome research suggests that eucalyptus essential oil may be helpful for treating a cough, clearing mucus from the chest, and making breathing easier in people with respiratory conditions. Eucalyptus oil may also help protect against MRSA, freshen your breath, and ease joint pain.27 Sept 2024Eucalyptus 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. 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. 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.