Omnia SanaCommon names in 22 European languages →
The complete database record: 2 documented constituents, 6 pharmacological actions, 8 traditional / indicated uses, with 17 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Large, fast-growing evergreen tree with distinctive two-stage leaves: rounded, silvery-blue juvenile leaves borne in opposite pairs, giving way to narrow, sickle-shaped, aromatic, dark green mature leaves as the tree ages. Small, cream-white, fluffy flowers with numerous stamens are borne singly or in small clusters, followed by a woody, cup-shaped seed capsule ('gum nut').[12]
Habitat & Distribution
Native to south-eastern Australia and Tasmania; widely planted worldwide in warm-temperate and Mediterranean climates for timber, essential oil production and as an ornamental/windbreak tree.
Harvesting
Mature leaves are picked or pruned year-round and used fresh, dried, or steam-distilled for essential oil, which is the main commercial and medicinal form.
Key Constituents
Leaf essential oil dominated by 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol, typically 70%+), the principal compound responsible for the plant's antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and expectorant/decongestant activity.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from immunomodulator action
inferred from antifungal action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antimicrobial action
Traditional Use & History
Eucalyptus leaf has a long Australian Aboriginal and, after global spread, worldwide tradition as a respiratory remedy - inhaled as steam or applied as chest rubs for colds, coughs, bronchitis and catarrh - and as a topical antiseptic and rubefacient for minor wounds and muscular aches.[12]
Preparations
A few drops of essential oil, or fresh/dried leaf, added to hot water and the vapour inhaled for respiratory congestion; the classic and best-established use.
Diluted essential oil in a carrier oil or standardised ointment applied to the chest and back for coughs and colds.
Comminuted dried leaf infused in 150 ml boiling water, 1.5-3 g up to four times daily (daily dose 4.5-12 g) for oral use per the EU herbal monograph. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph on eucalyptus LEAF gives, for inhalation, 3 g of the comminuted leaf in boiling water up to 3 times daily (daily dose 3-9 g), and for oral use 1.5-3 g in 150 mL as an infusion up to 4 times daily (daily dose 4.5-12 g), in adolescents, adults and elderly. Use is CONTRAINDICATED in children under 30 months, and not recommended under 12 years. The essential oil is a separate herbal substance with its own monograph and its own posology - it is never taken internally or applied undiluted to skin on the strength of these leaf figures. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Eucalyptus globulus essential oil is highly concentrated and rich in the monoterpene 1,8-cineole; it should never be applied undiluted to the skin or ingested outside of standardized pharmaceutical preparations. Improper use can cause irritation, nausea, dizziness, or neurological symptoms, and inhalation at high concentrations may provoke respiratory distress, particularly in infants, young children, or individuals with asthma or other airway sensitivities. For this reason, essential oil use is generally discouraged in children and during pregnancy unless under professional guidance. Preparations such as leaf-infused oils or external applications using whole plant material are considerably milder, but they should still be used with care and an understanding that different preparation methods carry different levels of risk.
Duke (2002) provides clinical evidence (score 2) for eucalyptus as an expectorant and topical hyperemic (rubefacient), consistent with Commission E approval. Clinical evidence also supports its use in asthma, bronchitis, and catarrh. The essential oil (primarily 1,8-cineole) is the active constituent. Therapeutic use as steam inhalation is well-established. Internal use of the essential oil at high doses is contraindicated due to toxicity; even small amounts (3.5 ml) can be fatal in children. Contraindicated for inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or bile ducts (Duke, 2002).
Harvest Readiness
[13]
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Čmiková, N., Galovičová, L., Schwarzová, M., Vukic, M.D. et al (2023) 'Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Eucalyptus globulus Essential Oil', Plants (Basel), 12(5), pp. 1076. doi:10.3390/plants12051076 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051076 - Elangovan, S. and Mudgil, P (2023) 'Antibacterial Properties of Eucalyptus globulus Essential Oil against MRSA: A Systematic Review', Antibiotics (Basel), 12(3), pp. 474. doi:10.3390/antibiotics12030474 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12030474 - Zonfrillo, M., Andreola, F., Krasnowska, E.K., Sferrazza, G. et al (2022) 'Essential Oil from Eucalyptus globulus (Labill.) Activates Complement Receptor-Mediated Phagocytosis and Stimulates Podosome Formation in Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages', Molecules, 27(11), pp. 3488. doi:10.3390/molecules27113488 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27113488 - Arooj, B., Asghar, S., Saleem, M., Khalid, S.H., Asif, M., Chohan, T., Khan, I.U., Zubair, H.M. and Yaseen, H.S (2023) 'Anti-inflammatory mechanisms of eucalyptol rich Eucalyptus globulus essential oil alone and in combination with flurbiprofen', Inflammopharmacology, 31(4), pp. 1849-1862. doi:10.1007/s10787-023-01237-6 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-023-01237-6 - Assaggaf, H.M., Naceiri Mrabti, H., Rajab, B.S., Attar, A.A., Hamed, M., Sheikh, R.A., Omari, N.E., Menyiy, N.E., Belmehdi, O., Mahmud, S., Alshahrani, M.M., Park, M.N., Kim, B., Zengin, G. and Bouyahya, A (2022) 'Singular and Combined Effects of Essential Oil and Honey of Eucalyptus globulus on Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Dermatoprotective, and Antimicrobial Properties: In Vitro and In Vivo Findings', Molecules, 27(16), pp. 5121. doi:10.3390/molecules27165121 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27165121 - Mulyaningsih, S., Sporer, F., Zimmermann, S., Reichling, J. and Wink, M (2010) 'Synergistic properties of the terpenoids aromadendrene and 1,8-cineole from the essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus against antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant pathogens', Phytomedicine, 17(13), pp. 1061-1066. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2010.06.018 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2010.06.018 - Luis, A., Neiva, D., Pereira, H., Gominho, J., Domingues, F. and Duarte, A.P (2014) 'Stumps of Eucalyptus globulus as a source of antioxidant and antimicrobial polyphenols', Molecules, 19(10), pp. 16428-16446. doi:10.3390/molecules191016428 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules191016428 - Merghni, A., Noumi, E., Hadded, O., Dridi, N., Panwar, H., Ceylan, O., Mastouri, M. and Snoussi, M (2018) 'Assessment of the antibiofilm and antiquorum sensing activities of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil and its main component 1,8-cineole against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains', Microbial Pathogenesis, 118, pp. 74-80. doi:10.1016/j.micpath.2018.03.006 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2018.03.006 - Mousa, A.A., Elweza, A.E., Elbaz, H.T., Tahoun, E.A.E., Shoghy, K.M., Elsayed, I. and Hassan, E.B (2019) 'Eucalyptus Globulus protects against diclofenac sodium induced hepatorenal and testicular toxicity in male rats', Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 10(6), pp. 521-528. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2019.11.002 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2019.11.002 - Mota, V.S., Turrini, R.N.T. and Poveda, V.B (2015) 'Antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus globulus oil, xylitol and papain: a pilot study', Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP, 49(2), pp. 216-220. doi:10.1590/S0080-623420150000200005 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-623420150000200005 - Nguyen, H.T.T., Miyamoto, A., Nguyen, H.T., Pham, H.T., Hoang, H.T., Tong, N.T.M., Truong, L.T.N. and Nguyen, H.T.T (2023) 'Antibacterial effects of essential oils from Cinnamomum cassia bark and Eucalyptus globulus leaves - the involvements of major constituents', PLoS One, 18(7), pp. e0288787. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0288787 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288787 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Plants For A Future 'Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanian Blue Gum)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Eucalyptus+globulus Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Eucalyptus+globulus - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2013) 'Community herbal monograph on Eucalyptus globulus Labill., folium'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-eucalyptus-globulus-labill-folium_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-eucalyptus-globulus-labill-folium_en.pdf - Sadlon, A.E. and Lamson, D.W (2010) 'Immune-modifying and antimicrobial effects of Eucalyptus oil and simple inhalation devices', 15(1), pp. 33--47. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Immune-modifying%20and%20antimicrobial%20effects%20of%20Eucalyptus%20oil%20and%20simple%20inhalation%20devices - World Health Organization (2002) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=WHO%20Monographs%20on%20Selected%20Medicinal%20Plants - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
Selected studies & references
All 15 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.