Eucalyptus Oil Side Effects

What is eucalyptus? It's a plant that abundantly grows in the regions of Australia. There are more than 500 types of eucalyptus oil that exists on our planet. Eucalyptus oil that has immense medicinal value is a byproduct of the eucalyptus tree. It is obtained from the process of steam distillation of leaves. From skin care products to cough medicines, today eucalyptus oil has become an indispensable part of wide range of health care products. Scientific evidence has proved its ability to heal wounds and relieve disorders of the respiratory system such as cold and nasal congestion.

Eucalyptus Oil Side Effects

Although health benefits abound, what could happen when used inappropriately. The answer is its side effects. A sensitive skin might not even tolerate proper use of eucalyptus oil. The side effects may vary from one person to another, depending upon the individual health, some of which are given below:

Skin rash
Though, eucalyptus oil has been helpful for the treatment of skin disorders like acne and eczema, there have been reports of irritation and swelling, followed by painful burning sensation upon application on the skin. Also, those who have applied it on the skin to stimulate blood circulation have developed rashes. Excess topical use of eucalyptus oil, often gives rise to formation of blisters on the skin. In some cases children suffered from skin rash, when it was taken orally in the form of cough syrups, mouth washes and toothpaste.

Bothersome

Whenever using eucalyptus oil for oral use, one should have a clear idea about its dosage. So, whether it is a cough syrup or a mouth wash containing eucalyptus oil, one should know how much to use, so as to avoid any toxicity and subsequent adverse reactions. So when taken internally, the side effects associated with usage of eucalyptus oil products are given below:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting

When taken in large doses, the person is predisposed to severe side effects. So, overdose of products containing eucalyptus oil as an active ingredient, can lead to following health issues:

• Seizures
• Internal Bleeding
• Heart problems
• Coma

Due to medical properties, eucalyptus oil is found in a variety of drugs, helpful to treat infections. Also a mouth wash is only used for the purpose of gurgling and not for swallowing. Ingesting too much of eucalyptus oil products, be it medicine or mouthwash, unknowingly can lead to:

• Difficulty in Breathing
• Trouble walking, resulting from muscle weakness
• Slurred Speech
• Drowsiness
• Low blood pressure

As aforementioned, overdose of eucalyptus oil can interfere with the normal functioning of the heart and cause abnormal heart rhythms such as rapid or loss of heartbeat. Continuing the habit of taking eucalyptus oil products in high doses, can lead to heart attack and multiple organ failure.

Caution

Eucalyptus oil derived from the leaves of eucalyptus tree is in concentrated form, so one should not even think of ingesting it directly. It is recommended that pregnant women or those wanting to become pregnant should stay away from all types of eucalyptus oil products. Those suffering from heart, asthma, hypertension or diabetes problems should refrain from accessing eucalyptus oil products. Children or infants should not be given any eucalyptus oil product as they are at increased risk of getting side effects. Also, adults need to contact a qualified health care provider before using this oil. Topical application of eucalyptus oil in the form of ointments for skin infection will also require medical advice.

Taking the oil in the prescribed amounts can help to considerably minimize the occurrence of these health problems. Using it wisely, in a proper manner holds the key to reap benefits of eucalyptus oil.