eucalyptus

Complementary/Alternative Medicine: This monograph describes a natural or herbal product that is not subject to FDA guidelines for medicines. Patients and clinicians are advised to read package labels carefully to ensure safe and efficacious use.

REMS

Topical Rheumatic complaints, nasal congestion, mouthwash, antiseptic, dentifrice
PO: Asthma; expectorant and cough suppressant; antiseptic

Action ⬆ ⬇

The volatile oil, eucalyptol, stimulates secretion of saliva, promoting antitussive effects. It is a mild antispasmodic and antibacterial. It is a counterirritant, providing topical analgesia.

Therapeutic effects:

Relief of cough.

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: Unknown.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown.

Half-Life: Unknown.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO, Topical	unknown	unknown	unknown

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

Inflammation of the GI tract and bile ducts; serious liver diseases; hypotension; kidney inflammation; do not apply to face, especially the nose, of babies and young children;
Hypersensitivity.

Use Cautiously in:

Pregnancy and lactation (do not use in greater amounts than found in food); children (↑ susceptibility to toxic effects of oil);
Ingestion of as little as 2–3 mL of essential oil may be toxic; greater amounts may be fatal. Alcohol-containing products should be used cautiously in patients with known intolerance or liver disease;
Diabetes (leaf may have hypoglycemic activity).

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

Endo: hypoglycemia

GI: diarrhea, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting

Neuro: cyanosis, delirium, drowsiness, SEIZURES (OVERDOSE)

Resp: PULMONARY EDEMA (OVERDOSE), dyspnea

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Natural-Drug Products:

May induce liver enzymes and ↓ efficacy of hepatically metabolized drugs; May interfere with blood glucose control and antidiabetic drugs.
Alcohol-containing preparations may interact with disulfiram and metronidazole.

Natural-Natural Products:

↑toxicity when used with other pyrrolizidine alkaloid-containing herbs, including: alkanna, borage, Crotolaria spp, gravel root, Heliotropium spp, hemp agrimony, Henecio spp, hound’s tongue, petasites, colt’s foot, and Senecio species plants: dusty miller, alpine ragwort, groundsel, golden ragwort, and tansy ragwort.

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

PO (Adults ): Asthma: 200 mg of eucalyptol constituent of eucalyptus oil tid; Oil: 300–600 mg eucalyptus oil per day and 0.05 mL–0.2 mL per dose; leaf: steep 2 g of leaf in 150 mL boiling water and strain. One cup of tea can be taken QD-TID; tincture (hydroalcoholic): 3–9 g/day.
(Adults and Children ): Avoid use of undiluted essential oil. Essential oil diluted in vegetable oil is preferred (5–20%). Apply as needed to affected area. Do not apply to face, especially the nose, of babies and young children.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Bulk leaf: ^OTC
tincture: ^OTC
essential oil: ^OTC
diluted essential oil (5–20%): ^OTC

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

Assess frequency and nature of cough and consistency and color of sputum. Unless contraindicated encourage fluid intake of 1500– 2000 mL per day to decrease viscosity of secretions and facilitate expectoration.
Monitor blood sugar in diabetics.

Implementation ⬆ ⬇

Dilute the oral and topical formulations before use.
Do not apply the topical formulation on the face, especially the nose, in infants and young children.

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Warn patients with chronic respiratory conditions or other medical co-morbidities not to take this herbal supplement without the advice of their health care provider.
Caution diabetics that use of this herbal supplement may interfere with glycemic control.
Inform patients that some formulations contain alcohol.
Instruct patients that if diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or epigastric pain develops to stop this herbal supplement and report this to their health care provider.
Advise patient to consult health care professional if cough is unresponsive cough or persistent cold symptoms occur.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes ⬆ ⬇

Decrease in intensity and frequency of cough.

US Brand Names ⬆

Blue gum, Eucalyptus folium, Eucalyptus fructicetroum, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus polybractea, Eucalyptus smithii, gum tree, red gum, stringy bark tree, Tasmanium blue gum

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Classifications ⬇

Indications ⬆ ⬇