For adults, eucalyptus oil is generally safe when applied to the skin. DO NOT put eucalyptus oil, salve, or chest rub on the face or nose of a child under 2. People with asthma, seizures, liver disease, kidney disease, or low blood pressure should not use eucalyptus without first talking to their doctors.
As little as 2mL (less than half a teaspoon) of eucalyptus oil can cause significant poisoning in an infant. Symptoms of toxicity include: drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing, coma (after large ingestion) seizures.
The side effects of inhaling eucalyptus oil can be asthma attacks and fever. It is absorbed rapidly and may show neurotoxicity effects. If you swallow even as little as half a teaspoon, you may experience dizziness, suffocation, delirium, rapid heartbeat and burning in the throat and mouth.
Other Possible Interactions -- Eucalyptus may increase how quickly the body eliminates some medications, including pentobarbital, a barbiturate used as an anesthetic, and amphetamine, a stimulant used for narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Five milliliters or more can lead to nervous system shutdown and even coma. Symptoms show up between 30 minutes to 4 hours after exposure. A small number of people have had epileptic-like seizures within a few minutes of inhaling eucalyptus oil.
Using Eucalyptus Oil For Congestion
Then, gently breathe in the vapors from the mixture for about 5-10 minutes in order to allow these vapors to remove the congestion in your nasal passage. This method of using eucalyptus oil for steam inhalation is very effective in treating cold and congestion.
[3] The toxic symptoms are rapid in onset, which include a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, abdominal pain, and spontaneous vomiting. [1,2] The initial central nervous system (CNS) effects are giddiness, ataxia, and disorientation followed by loss of consciousness occurring in 10–15 min.
From lavender, rose to eucalyptus, essential oils are known for their aroma and various health and wellness benefits. Lowering blood pressure can be one of them. A recent study conducted confirms that something as simple as an essential oil can help lower high blood pressure.
If you're one who suffers from excessive phlegm production when you get prone to sleep, eucalyptus oil provides the dual benefit of relaxing you and relieving your congestion so that you can get the good night's sleep that you need.
For direct inhalation, apply between one to six drops (0.05ml – 0.3ml) of undiluted essential oil to a handkerchief/tissue and inhale occasionally. You can do so up to three times per day.
Conclusions: The outcome of this study reported that the essential oil of Eucalyptus and Corymbia species, mainly eucalyptol can be utilized as a potential inhibitor against COVID-19 and also it can be used in its treatment. Hence, further analysis was required to explore its potential application in medicine.
Breathing in the strong particles of essential oils, including eucalyptus oil can cause irregular heartbeat and shortness of breath. It is believed to relieve symptoms of asthma and bronchitis but should inhaling too much also has its own side effects. You should not put more than a few drops in your diffuser.
Eucalyptus oil contains tannins, which are compounds that boast astringent properties. While it shouldn't be applied to the skin on its own, in cosmetics, it can help clean the skin and hair and reduce excess oiliness.
For inhalation, put around 12 drops of eucalyptus oil in 150 ml of boiling water, cover the container and your face with a fresh towel, and take steam three times a day. Make it a daily ritual in winters to completely clear your nasal passage.
Hazard Statement(s):
H226 Flammable liquid and vapour. H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. H315 Causes skin irritation. H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
It would also make sense for people with high blood pressure to avoid stimulating essential oils, such as rosemary and citrus (lemon and grapefruit) oils. Sage (unlike clary sage) would not be a good choice for someone with high blood pressure, as it contains thujone, which is known to increase blood pressure.
Toxicologist Ron Kirschner, MD, also warns of their danger. "Ingesting essential oils like camphor, eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil or pine oil has been associated with changes in mental states and seizures. Ingesting lavender oil can cause severe allergic reactions and pennyroyal oil can give you toxic liver damage."
This increase could be explained by the heightened arousal promoted by eucalyptus aromatics, which would then increase the body's sympathetic response, one of which being heart rate.
Breathing in essential oils can cause a severe lung infection known as pneumonitis in some people. In general, however, essential oils are safe when used externally (not ingested) in low concentrations. ' Ideally, you should use your diffuser in a well-ventilated area for no more than 15 minutes an hour.
Eucalyptus Promotes Relaxation
Eucalyptol, an ingredient in eucalyptus oil, relaxes muscles—and it has been found to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, too, says Mewshaw. "Inhaling eucalyptus oil for just 20 minutes may lower blood pressure," she explains.
Eucalyptus inhalation is recommended for colds, flu and sniffles. Add 1 to 2 drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl and pour over 1 litre of boiling water. Cover your head with a hand towel and inhale the steam for approx. 5 minutes.
It is not advisable to directly and intensively inhale essential oils for longer than 15-20 minutes, such as with steam inhalation. However, this does not apply to ambient inhalation from essential oils vaporized into the air.