Botanical Index No. 387

Eucalyptus

eucalyptus globulus

Medicinal Actions

Analysis pending research update.

Primary Conditions Treated

Acne Anorexia Arthrosis Asthma Bacteria Boil Bronchosis Burn Cancer Catarrh Cholecystosis Cold Congestion Cough Cramp Croup Cystosis Dermatosis Diabetes Diphtheria Dysentery Dyspepsia Enterosis Fever Flu Fungus Gas Gastrosis Gingivosis Headache Hepatosis Hoarseness Hyperglycemia Infection Inflammation Insomnia Laryngosis Leprosy Malaria Measles Miasma Myalgia Mycosis Nervousness Neuralgia Otosis Pain Pertussis Pharyngosis Phthisis Pulmonosis Respirosis Rheumatism Rhinosis Ringworm Scarlet Fever Sinusosis Sore Sore Throat Spasm Stomatosis Syncope Tuberculosis Tumor Vaginosis Virus Water Retention Worm Wound

General Dosage

1–2 tsp chopped leaf/cup water; 4–6 g leaf/day; 4–16 g leaf/day; 300–600 mg EO; 1–2 drops EO/cup water; 0.05–0.2 ml EO; 0.05–0.2 ml eucalyptol; 2–4 g fluid extract; single dose 2 g; 3–9 g tincture; 3–4 g tincture/day; steep 8–10 g dry leaf/liter water or 30–40 g fresh leaf, inhale the steam.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2d. Contraindicated in inflammatory diseases of the bile duct, GI tract, and liver. Do not use near nostrils of infants. CAN cautions that the oil can cause nausea and vomiting, and should not be taken internally during pregnancy or lactation. “Undiluted eucalyptus oil is toxic and should not be taken internally unless suitably diluted. A dose of 3.5 ml has proved fatal.” Symptoms of poisoning include abdominal pain, bronchospasm, convulsions, cyanosis, delirium, dizziness, epigastric burning, myosis, muscular weakness, respiratory problems, spontaneous vomiting, tachypnea with severe respiratory depression, and a feeling of suffocation. May interfere with hypoglycemic therapy. Eucalyptus oil causes induction of the foreign-substance degrading enzyme system in the liver. This may weaken and/or shorten the activity of other medicinal agents; may cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. CNS effects include diminution or loss of reflexes and depression of consciousness, possibly progressing to coma. Fatalities have been reported in adults ingesting as little as 4–5 ml eucalyptus oil; 30 ml will usually cause death.

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