Eucalyptus oil: Is it safe?
The bottom line
Eucalyptus oil’s medical uses include treatment of respiratory and skin conditions and for pain. It is usually inhaled or applied to the skin in a diluted form. Pure eucalyptus oil can cause irritation and burning of the mouth, digestive tract, skin, and eyes. Eucalyptus oil should never be swallowed, and even a small dose can cause seizures, coma, and death.
Prevention Tips
Store eucalyptus containing medications, hair products, dental products, cleaners, and insect repellants up, away, and out of sight of children.
Read product labels and use as instructed.
Use only the recommended dose and concentration.
Use the appropriate method for administering eucalyptus oil depending on what you are using it for.
Keep children away from liquid in vaporizer units.
Buy products with child-resistant closures if available.
Never swallow eucalyptus oil.
This Really Happened
Case 1. A 6-year-old boy swallowed 2 teaspoonfuls of eucalyptus oil by accident. Within 10 minutes, he experienced a tonic-clonic seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, followed by 8 more episodes of tonic-clonic seizures. He was treated with anti-seizure medications. His condition improved within 20 hours, and he was able to be discharged to home (from Kumar et al., 2019).
Case 2. A 6-year-old girl developed a generalized rash and itching. Her parents applied bandages soaked with a home remedy (apple cider vinegar, olive oil, alcohol, and eucalyptus oil) on a large area of her body and put plastic wrap over the bandages. This was reapplied every 2–4 hours over a 2-day period. She then developed slurred speech and an unsteady gait, followed by drowsiness and coma. At a doctor’s office, the bandages were removed, and her skin was washed. She was transferred to a hospital where she was drowsy, vomiting, and unable to walk. Her blood pressure was low, and her muscle tone was weak. Her symptoms improved over 6 hours, and 24 hours later she was discharged from the hospital (from Darben et al., 1998).
What are the uses of eucalyptus oil?
Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil obtained from the Eucalyptus globus tree and contains up to 70% eucalyptol (also known as cineole). It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain relief), decongestant, antibacterial, and antiseptic (germicidal) properties. Its many medical uses include acting as a treatment for colds, cough, asthma, sinus congestion and seasonal allergies, muscle pain and sprains, joint pain and arthritis, skin conditions (such as wounds, cuts, burns, insect bites, and acne), headache, stress release, and improved energy and focus. It is used in the hair to stimulate hair growth and as a treatment for dandruff and head lice. It is used in dental products to help treat gingivitis and reduce plaque. Eucalyptus oil is also used as a household cleaner and as a natural insect repellent.
When used for respiratory conditions, eucalyptus oil is usually inhaled directly, by steam inhalation, or by a diffuser. It can also be sprayed into the nose as a decongestant. It can be applied to the skin as a spray or rub, in a warm or cold compress (soaked into small towels or washcloths and applied to the affected areas), or on a cotton swab or cotton ball. For most applications, it is mixed with other oils, including other essential oils (such as peppermint oil) and carrier oils such as jojoba, almond, olive, or moringa oil.
Can you put eucalyptus oil on your skin or eye?
You can put eucalyptus oil on your skin but not in your eyes. Eucalyptus oil vapors can irritate the eye. If eucalyptus oil is splashed into an eye, it can cause pain, redness, and possibly corneal injury. For most skin applications, a specified number of drops of eucalyptus oil are combined with other oils or sometimes in compresses with water. Undiluted eucalyptus oil can be irritating to the skin.
What are the side effects of inhaling eucalyptus oil?
Eucalyptus oil is most commonly inhaled, although in a diluted form. Whether it is undiluted or not thoroughly diluted, it can irritate the respiratory tract, resulting in nose and throat irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Is eucalyptus oil safe during pregnancy?
It is not recommended to use eucalyptus oil during pregnancy or when breast- or chest-feeding.
Can eucalyptus oil be used in children?
Children under 2 years of age should not be given eucalyptus oil.
Can I drink eucalyptus oil with hot water?
No, eucalyptus oil should never be swallowed. A teaspoonful or less of undiluted eucalyptus oil can be fatal.
What to do if you swallow eucalyptus oil.
Swallowing eucalyptus oil is not safe. Depending on the dose, symptoms of swallowing eucalyptus oil include nausea and vomiting, stomachache, difficulty walking, muscle weakness, dizziness, slurred speech, and drowsiness. More serious effects include low blood pressure, high heart rate, lung injury, seizures, and coma.
Symptoms usually occur quickly (within 30 minutes) but can sometimes be delayed for up to 4 hours. If you swallow undiluted eucalyptus oil, seek immediate medical attention. If the oil has been heavily diluted, you might not be at risk for toxicity.
If someone swallows eucalyptus oil, gets eucalyptus oil in the eyes, or if you have a question about using eucalyptus oil safely, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
