Eucalyptus is a traditional herbal medicine proven to help respiratory health, and is antibiotic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and shown to provide mental clarity.
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| Flowering Eucalyptus |
Eucalyptus is renowned for its medicinal properties and has been used in traditional medicines for various purposes. This article provides an overview of its health benefits, appearance, habitat, primary compounds, historical uses, and relevant scientific research.
What is Eucalyptus?
Eucalyptus is scientifically known as Eucalyptus globulus. Eucalyptus trees are tall, evergreen trees with long, narrow leaves that are often blue-green in color. They produce clusters of pink and white flowers and woody fruit capsules.
Eucalyptus trees are native to Australia but are cultivated in many countries with warm climates, including the Mediterranean region, South America, and parts of Asia.
Primary Compounds in Eucalyptus
The primary bioactive compounds found in eucalyptus include:
• Cineoles such as eucalyptol
• Terpenes such as alpha-pinene, beta-pinene
• Flavonoids
• Tannins
• Phenolic acids
Traditional Use of Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus has been used in traditional medicines around the world, particularly by Indigenous Australian cultures, for various purposes. Some traditional uses include:
• Treating respiratory ailments such as coughs, colds, and bronchitis
• Relieving muscular aches and pains
• Soothing skin irritations and insect bites
• Promoting wound healing
• Freshening breath and promoting oral health
Health Benefits of Eucalyptus
Respiratory Health
Eucalyptus is commonly used to relieve respiratory symptoms such as coughs, congestion, and sinusitis. It's essential oil contains compounds like cineole, which have mucolytic and expectorant properties, helping to clear airways.
We discussed the evidence showing that eucalyptus helps prevent the spread of tuberculosis in a previous article.
Antimicrobial Activity
Eucalyptus has antimicrobial properties due to the presence of compounds like cineole and terpenes. It may help fight infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Anti-inflammatory Effects
Some research suggests that eucalyptus exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, which can be beneficial for conditions involving inflammation such as arthritis and skin irritations.
Mental Clarity and Relaxation
Inhalation of eucalyptus oil vapor is believed to promote mental clarity, alertness, and relaxation, making it popular in aromatherapy.
Scientific Research on Eucalyptus
A 2009 study from Germany’s University Erlangen-Nürnberg tested 242 patients with stable COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) for 6 months during the winter. They were given 200 milligrams of a cineole eucalyptus oil extract or a placebo. Thos given the extract showed significant improvements in lung function and health status compared to the placebo.
In a 2003 study from Germany’s Bonn University Hospital, researchers tested 32 patients with severe asthma. The patients were either given a cineol extract of eucalyptus oil or a placebo in capsules for 12 weeks. Twelve of the 16 given the extract were able to decrease their oral steroids treatment. This compared with only four of the 16 in the placebo group. The researchers concluded:
“This is the first evidence suggesting an anti-inflammatory activity of the monoterpene 1.8-cineol in asthma and a new rational for its use as mucolytic agent in upper and lower airway diseases.”
In a 2000 study, 50 patients with athlete’s feet-type fungi were given an ointment that contained, with other herbs, eucalyptus. After two weeks, 60 percent of the patients recovered completely, and 40 percent had improved significantly.
A 2008 study of 64 patients with gingivitis had half chew gum with eucalyptus extract and the other half chew a placebo gum. After 12 weeks, those given the eucalyptus gum showed significant improvements in their gum health and all the gingival index tests, including probing depth and clinical attachment level.
Another dental study found chewing a gum with eucalyptus extract (.4%) significantly reduced bad breath (malodor) among the 32 patients. This was compared to a 32-patient placebo group.
A 2022 study from Japan’s Graduate School of Medicine at Osaka University tested 19 patients with atopic dermatitis. Those given a moisturizer containing eucalyptus extract showed significant improvement of skin barrier function and increased ceramide levels compared to the group receiving a moisturizer without the eucalyptus.
Another Japanese university study also found that eucalyptus increased ceramide levels in the skin and also improved skin function in the stratum corneum.
A 2020 study in an ICU teaching hospital tested 100 patients who were hospitalized and undergoing mechanical ventilation. In half the patients, the researchers added a 5 percent eucalyptus solution with 10cc of distilled water as an inhaler, three times a day. The other half received typical treatment.
The researchers found the eucalyptus group had significantly fewer cases of late pneumonia. They also had fewer cases of lung infections with Klebsiella, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus.
Scientific References
Worth H, Schacher C, Dethlefsen U. Concomitant therapy with Cineole (Eucalyptole) reduces exacerbations in COPD: a placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Respir Res. 2009 Jul 22;10(1):69. doi: 10.1186/1465-9921-10-69.
Juergens UR, Dethlefsen U, Steinkamp G, Gillissen A, Repges R, Vetter H. Anti-inflammatory activity of 1.8-cineol (eucalyptol) in bronchial asthma: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Respir Med. 2003 Mar;97(3):250-6. doi: 10.1053/rmed.2003.1432.
Shahi SK, Shukla AC, Bajaj AK, Banerjee U, Rimek D, Midgely G, Dikshit A. Broad spectrum herbal therapy against superficial fungal infections. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol. 2000 Jan-Feb;13(1):60-4. doi: 10.1159/000029909.
Nagata H, Inagaki Y, Tanaka M, Ojima M, Kataoka K, Kuboniwa M, Nishida N, Shimizu K, Osawa K, Shizukuishi S. Effect of eucalyptus extract chewing gum on periodontal health: a double-masked, randomized trial. J Periodontol. 2008 Aug;79(8):1378-85. doi: 10.1902/jop.2008.070622.
Shindo S, Murota H, Seki T, Mori K, Kaizu K, Nishizaka T, Takagi Y, Katayama I. Effects of a moisturizer containing pseudo-ceramide and a eucalyptus extract on sweating function in adult atopic dermatitis: a double-blind, randomized, controlled left-right comparison clinical trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 Oct;21(10):4503-4509. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14923.
anaka M, Toe M, Nagata H, Ojima M, Kuboniwa M, Shimizu K, Osawa K, Shizukuishi S. Effect of eucalyptus-extract chewing gum on oral malodor: a double-masked, randomized trial. J Periodontol. 2010 Nov;81(11):1564-71. doi: 10.1902/jop.2010.100249.
Ishikawa J, Shimotoyodome Y, Chen S, Ohkubo K, Takagi Y, Fujimura T, Kitahara T, Takema Y. Eucalyptus increases ceramide levels in keratinocytes and improves stratum corneum function. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2012 Feb;34(1):17-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2494.2011.00675.x.
Ishikawa J, Shimotoyodome Y, Chen S, Ohkubo K, Takagi Y, Fujimura T, Kitahara T, Takema Y. Eucalyptus increases ceramide levels in keratinocytes and improves stratum corneum function. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2012 Feb;34(1):17-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2494.2011.00675.x.
Ali Karimpour H, Hematpour B, Mohammadi S, Aminisaman J, Mirzaei M, Morteza Karimian S, Mumtaz F, Kaviannejad R. Effect of Nebulized Eucalyptus for Preventing Ventilator-associated Pneumonia in Patients Under Mechanical Ventilation: A Randomized Double Blind Clinical Trial. Altern Ther Health Med. 2020 Aug;26(S2):126-130.