HERBAL MONOGRAPHS EUCALYPTUS/285EUCALYPTUS LEAF
General: The administration of the drug leads in rare cases
to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It should not be taken
internally with inflammation of the gastrointestinal area and
the biliary ducts or with severe illnesses of the liver.
Poisonings occur with the volatile oil but are not likely with
administration of the leaf drug.Pediatric Use: Infants and small children should not have
preparations containing the oil applied to their faces as this
practice can lead to glottal or bronchial spasms, asthma-like
attacks or even death by asphyxiation.OVERDOSAGE
EUCALYPTUS OIL
Overdoses can lead to life-threatening poisonings. Severe
poisonings are possible for children after a few drops;
poisonings have been known in adults with 4 to 5 ml.
Symptoms include drop in blood pressure, circulatory
disorders, collapse and asphyxiation. Because of the danger
of aspiration, vomiting should not be induced. Following the
administration of activated charcoal, therapy consists of
diazepam for spasms, atropine for colic, electrolyte replen-
ishment and sodium bicarbonate infusions for any acidosis
that may arise. Intubation and oxygen respiration may also
be necessary.DOSAGE
EUCALYPTUS OIL
Mode of Administration: Essential oil and other galenic
preparations are available for internal and external
application.Preparation: 1,8-cineole is recovered through a renewed
fractional distillation of the oil.Daily Dosage: For internal use, the average daily dose is 0.3
to 0.6 gm eucalyptus oil.Inhalation: 2 to 3 drops in boiling water, inhale the steam
(single dose: 0.2 gm corresponding to 10 drops). Oil: 3 to 6
drops added in 150 ml water, to be taken several times a day.When used externally, the concentration is 5 to 20%
essential oil,.in oil and semi-solid preparations and 5 to 10%
essential oil, in aqueous-alcoholic preparations. If the
essential oil is used, several drops may be nibbed into the
skin.Storage: Eucalyptus must be kept in appropriate, tightly
sealed containers protected from light; different consign-
ments must be stored separately.EUCALYPTUS LEAF
Mode of Administration: Eucalyptus leaf is administered as
the comminuted leaf for infusions and other galenic prepara-
tions for internal and external application. The drug may also
be administered by inhalation.
Preparations:
Eucalyptus tincture — 1:5 70% ethanol (V/V)Eucalyptus liquid extract — 60% 1:1
Eucalyptus syrup — pour 1500 ml on 100 gm cut drug and
leave to draw for 6 hours and strain. 180 gm sugar is added
to 100 ml infusion, brought to a simmer and filtered.Tea — pour boiling water over 1.5 to 2 gm of the finely cut
drug, cover and leave to draw for 5 to 10 minutes, strain.Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 4 to 6 gm of drug,
divided up every 3 to 4 hours. Single dose: 1.5 gm several
times a dayThe average dose for the tincture is 3 to 4 gm.Eucalyptus tea — 1 cup up to 3 times a day.
Eucalyptus syrup — 2 to 5 dessertspoons daily.Eucalyptus powder — daily dose 4 to 16 gm; divided over 3
to 4 hours.
Storage: Eucalyptus must be kept in appropriate, tightly-
sealed, non-synthetic containers; different consignments
must be stored separately.
LITERATURE
EUCALYPTUS OIL
Anonym, Phytotherapie:Pflanzliche Antirheumatika - was
bringen sie? In: DAZ 136(45):4012-4015. 1996.
Boland B, In: Eucalyptus leaf oils. Boland DJ. Brophy JJ,
House APN (Eds.). Inkata Press, Melbourne, XII + 252 pp.
1992.
Boland DJ, Brophy JJ, House APN, Eucalyptus leave oils. In:
Inkata Press Melbourne. 1991.
Boukef K et al., (1976) Plant Med Phytother 10:24, 30:119.
Burrow A, Eccles R, Jones AS, (1983) The effects of camphor,
eucalyptus and menthol vapor on nasal resistance to airflow and
nasal sensation. Acta Otolaryng (Stockholm) 96:157-161.
Fox N, (1977) Effect of Camphor, Eucalyptol and Menthol on
the vascular state of the mucos membrane. Arch Otolaryngol 6:
112-122.
Gobel H, Schmidt G, (1995a) Effekt von Pfefferminz- und
Eukalyptusolpraparationen in experimentellen
Kopfschmerzmodellen. Z Phytother 16:23-33.
Gobel H, Schmidt G, Dworschak M, Stolze H. Heuss D, (1995)
Essential plant oils and headache mechanisms. Phytomedicine 2:
93-102.
Gobel H, Schmidt G, Dworschak M, Stolze H, Heuss D, (1995)
Essential plant oils and headache mechanisms. Phytomedicine 2:
93-103.