Benefits of mentholated Eucalyptus essential oil

Originally from the Austral lands, eucalyptus will give birth to many species , some of which, very interesting, will be exploited in the medicinal field . The term Eucalyptus comes from the Greek “ eu ” and “ kaluptos ” which mean respectively “ well ” and “ covered” , probably in reference to its stamens perfectly closed by a operculum.

A little history

Discovered in the 18th century in Tasmania, it has however been used by the natives since the dawn of time to cleanse and protect the organism , hence its vernacular name of “fever tree”. This tree was indeed famous in the treatment of lung diseases and the red gum that exudes from the trunk was used among other things against diarrhea.

The ancients also burned the eucalyptus leaves in order to disinfect the premises and prevent epidemics . They also treated wounds by covering them with fresh leaves. Pieces of wood are also placed in containers to disinfect the drinking water.

The chemotype of mentholated eucalyptus is also piperitone, giving the latter a flavor as well as an aroma of peppermint.

The essential oil, meanwhile, was produced from 1860, it was then used in England to disinfect surgical instruments.

What are the pharmacological properties of mentholated Eucalyptus essential oil ?

Antimicrobial properties:

Mentholated eucalyptus essential oil is anti-infectious against Gram positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus ) as well as Gram negative ( Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) often responsible for nosocomial diseases. It also reduces the resistance of strains of Enterobacteriaceae to nitrofurantoin and in fact increases the bactericidal activity of nitrofurantoin.

Insecticidal property:

Mentholated eucalyptus repels mosquitoes and also has an acaricidal action ( Tetranychus urticae , a pest of crops).

Anti-inflammatory property:

This eucalyptus is anti catarrhal and cortison-like by stimulation of the pituitary-adrenal cortex, which makes it an interesting oil in prolonged inflammatory states.

Other properties:

Strongly mucolytic
Lipolytic on cellulite
Antioxidant

Does mentholated Eucalyptus essential oil require precautions for use?

Contraindicated in pregnant or breastfeeding women
No prolonged use
Allergic-type sensitization possible
Avoid in combination with cortisone , risk of drug interaction
Do not use over a prolonged period, at the risk of resting the pituitary-adrenal axis and suffering from acute adrenal insufficiency when stopping the intake of essential oil
Avoid applying the essential oil in the evening (or before any rest period)
Not recommended for people with osteoporosis , due to the inherent risk of decalcification
Pure dermocaustic, dilution required
Do not diffuse, inhale, or put in the bath
Do not swallow !
No internal use
Cutaneous use only recommended
Caution in people with autoimmune diseases, epilepsy , asthma, the elderly or with Parkinson’s , as well as people with neurosensitivity
Risk of neurotoxicity which can thus induce epileptic seizures at high doses
Reserved for adults
Drug interactions with essential oils containing sesquiterpenes at more than 10%
Forbidden to animals

Medical bibliographic sources and clinical trials :

Hyun Sik Roh, Byung Ho Lee, Chung Gyoo Park, Acaricidal and repellent effects of myrtacean essential oils and their major constituents against Tetranychus urticae (Tetranychidae), Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, 2013
Gilles Martin, Zhao Jian, An Min, Agboola Samson. (2010). Chemical composition and antimicrobial properties of essential oils of three Australian Eucalyptus species. Food Chemistry, 2009