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Lemon eucalyptus

Lemoneucalyptus is a tree whose oil extracted from the leaves is applied to the skin as a medicine and as an insect repellent. Lemon eucalyptus oil is used to prevent mosquito bites and deer tick bites and to treat muscle spasms, nail fungus, osteoarthritis and other joint pains. It is also used as an ingredient in egg soaps and to clear congested airways.

How does lemon eucalyptus work?

Lemoneucalyptus oil contains a chemical that repels mosquitoes and kills fungi.

How effective is lemon eucalyptus?

Lemon eucalyptusoil is likely to be effective when applied to the skin to repel mosquitoes. Lemon eucalyptus oil is an ingredient in some mosquito repellents. It appears to be about as effective as other mosquito repellents including some products that contain DEET®. However, the protection provided by lemon eucalyptus oil does not appear to last as long as DEET®. Lemon eucalyptus oil may be effective when applied to the skin to prevent deer tick bites. Applying a specific 30% lemon eucalyptus oil extract (citriodiol) three times daily significantly reduces the number of deer tick attachments in people living in areas infested with deer ticks. This specific extract is used in some commercial products. There is not enough scientific data to make a statement regarding the effectiveness of lemon eucalyptus oil in the treatment of nail fungus. New research suggests that lemon eucalyptus oil in combination with camphor and menthol may be useful in the treatment of nail fungus when applied directly to the affected area. Applying chest rub products such as Wick Vaporub, which contain lemon eucalyptus oil, to affected toenails daily until the nail has grown out seems to clear up nail fungal infections in some people. There is also insufficient scientific data on the effectiveness of lemon eucalyptus oil for joint pain and arthritis. More scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of lemon eucalyptus oil in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Lemoneucalyptus oil is safe and harmless for most adults when applied to the skin as a mosquito repellent. Some people experience skin reactions to the oil.

Lemoneucalyptus oil is not safe and harmless when taken orally. Some chest rubs such as Wick Vaporub contain oil of lemon eucalyptus. These products can cause seizures and death if ingested.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the use of lemon eucalyptus during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid lemon eucalyptus.

Interactions

There is currently no information on interactions between lemon eucalyptus and medications or supplements.

Dosage

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

Applied to the skin:

  • To prevent mosquito bites: a 30%, 40%, or 75% lemon eucalyptus oil solution. However, the higher concentration does not appear to be more effective than the lower dosage. Commercially available products contain 10% to 30% lemon eucalyptus oil. The recommended dosage of these products recommends applying the oil to the skin no more than twice a day. Wash your hands well after applying the oil. Avoid contact of the oil with the lips or mouth.
  • To prevent deer tick bites: A specific 30% lemon eucalyptus oil product (Citriodiol) has been applied to the skin up to three times daily in deer tick infested areas.

References

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  2. Barnard DR, Bernier UR, Posey KH, Xue RD. Repellency of IR3535, KBR3023, para-menthane-3,8-diol, and deet to black salt marsh mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Everglades National Park. J Med Entomol 2002;39:895-9.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Telebriefing Transcript CDC Adopts New Repellent Guidelines for Upcoming Mosquito Season. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/transcripts/t050428.htm.(Accessed April 28, 2005).
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  6. Gardulf A, Wohlfart I, Gustafson R. A prospective cross-over field trial shows protection of lemon eucalyptus extract against tick bites. J Med Entomol 2004;41:1064-7.
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  8. Govere J, Durrheim DN, Baker L, et al. Efficacy of three insect repellents against the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis. Med Vet Entomol 2000;14:441-4.
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  12. Ramezani H, Singh HP, Batish DR, Kohli RK. Antifungal activity of the volatile oil of Eucalyptus citriodora. Fitoterapia 2002;73:261-2.
  13. Ramsewak RS, Nair MG, Stommel M, Selanders L. In vitro antagonistic activity of monoterpenes and their mixtures against 'toe nail fungus' pathogens. Phytother Res 2003;17:376-9.
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