-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Eucalyptus spp. (Eucalyptus)
Botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Eucalyptus spp.

synonyms: eucalyptus, blue gum leaves, schonmutz, blaner gommibaum, eukalyptus, gommier blen, eucalytpo, setma ag, kafur ag

part(s) used: leaves, essential oil from leaves

qualities: aromatic, pungent, bitter, cool, dry, moist

affinities:

actions: febrifuge, antimalarial, antiseptic, tonic

dosage:

» oil: 0.05 - 0.2 ml.

specific indications: cold extremities and cold perspiration; perspiration during chill; sense of coldness and weight in the intestines; chronic mucous or mucopurulent discharges; pus in the urine; pasty, bad-smelling tongue; fetid excretions; fetid sore throat; fetid catarrhal stages of the bronchopulmonary tract; chronic ague with exhaustive discharges (Felter and Scudder, p. 362)

therapy:

» external: antiseptic poultices and ointments; in sprays as throat and pulmonary antiseptics and stimulants; volatile oil, especially in subacute inflammations and chronic diseases of the bronchopulmonic tract,with fetor, relaxation, and abundant secretions

» internal: bronchopulmonary catarrhal disorders without inflammation; chronic bronchitis; bronchorrhea; bronchopneumonia; lobar pneumonia; pyelitis; catarrhal and purulent cystitis (Felter and Scudder, p. 363)

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2d

toxicity: 2; the essential oil is very toxic

» contraindicated in cases of acute inflammation, and nephritis; may produce congestion in the kidneys (Felter and Scudder, pp. 363-364)

» contraindicated in inflammatory diseases of the bile ducts and GI tract, as well as severe liver disease (McGuffin)

» handling the fresh plant may produce dermatitis (Duke, pp. 185-186)

» plant/essential oil hypersensitivity reaction: has a dermatitic potential producing erythema and papulovesicular eruptions (Fuller and McClintock, p. 363; von Oettingen, p. 361)

» Initial effects of an overdose are oropharyngeal burning, followed by gastric warming; abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, meteorism and diarrhea follow (von Oettingen, p. 361). Systemic poisoning initially results in vertigo, miosis, cold skin, pallor, dysuria and hematuria. The patient experiences giddiness, mental confusion, lethargy, ataxia, and delirium; children may have convulsions. Cyanosis and an imperceptible pulse precede circulatory collapse which may be followed by coma. Pulmonary edema and severe pneumonitis may also occur in later stages (Cain, p. 476; Ellingwood, p. 176; von Oettingen, p. 361)

» The essential oil can attenuate tendon reflexes, accelerate the rate and increase the depth of respirations. Stranguria with a dark urine, or occasionally anuria, may occur. The patient may later be amnesiac, especially following coma (von Oettingen, p. 361).

» Ingestion of as little of 4 ml. of essential oil has resulted in death due to intestinal irritation. Gastrointestinal burning, with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea are early symptoms, followed by weakness, vertigo, stupor, dyspnea, cyanosis, convulsions and death (Duke, pp. 185-186)

» contraindicated in low blood pressure due to hypotensive effect in large doses (Brinker)

» contraindicated in acute desquamative kidney inflammation due to irritation from urinary excretion of volatile oil (eucalyptol) and diuretic effect of large doses (Brinker, Felter and Lloyd)

» contraindicated in stomach inflammation, biliary inflammation,

or intestinal inflammation due to irritation of the mucosa by volatile constituents (Wichtl, DeSmet)

» contraindicated in serious liver disorders due to the hepatic metabolism of volatile constituents (Wichtl, DeSmet)

» contraindicated in oral use or inhalation of essential oil by children under age 2 due to potential toxicity (DeSmet)

constituents: volatile oil, up to about 3.5%; aldehydes, ketones and alcohols; polyphenolic acids; caffeic ferulic, gallic protocatechuic and others; flavonoids including eucalyptin, hyperoside and rutin

drug interactions:

» consumption of the leaves or inhalation of essential oil induces hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase enzyme induction, which can increase the rate of metabolism and clearance of drugs such as pentobarbital, aminopyrine, and amphetamine, thereby reducing the length of time they are effective (DeSmet, Jori et al, White et al)

» microsomal mixed-function oxidase induction can increase the toxicity of plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids such as Seneejo longilobus and Seneciojacobaea (White et al)

footnotes

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Cain, H.D. 1980. Flint's Emergency Treatment and Management, 6th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company.

De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Ellingwood, F. 1898. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pharmacognosy. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Felter, H. W., and Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.

Fuller, T.C., and McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous Plants of California. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.

Jori A, Bianchetti A, Prestini PE, Garattini S. 1970. Effect of eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) on the metabolism ofother drugs in rats and in man. Eur. J Pharmacol., 9:362-6.

von Oettingen, W.F. 1958. Poisoning: A Guide to Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.

White RD, Swick RA, Cheeke PR. 1983. Effects of microsomal enzyme induction on the toxicity of pyrrolizidine (Senecto) alkaloids. J Toxicol. Environ. Health, 12:633-40.

Wichtl M (ed.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, Boca Raton: CRC Press.