EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OIL; AN OFF-LABEL USE TO PROTECT THE WORLD FROM COVID-19 PANDEMIC: REVIEW-BASED HYPOTHESES

Hatem Sameir Abbass

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v5i4.440

Hatem Sameir Abbass Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University (Boys), Cairo 11371-Egypt. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, Kantara 41636-Egypt.

10.22270/ujpr.v5i4.440

Keywords:

Cineole, COVID-19, essential oil, eucalyptus oil, inhalation

Abstract

Objective: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 causes both health and economic crises and up till now no drug or vaccine has yet been approved. There is an increased demand to explore other complementary methods to protect the world. Eucalyptus essential oil; a popular off-label drug used to relieve nasal congestion via inhalation with promising effects on the upper respiratory diseases including viral infections.

Methods: In order to provide review-based hypotheses demonstrating eucalyptus essential oil beneficial role; several published studies were retrieved from different databases and websites till June 2020. The retrieved data declared the antiviral potentials against viruses of same subgenus or with same pattern and the beneficial effects on respiratory system, immunity and overall health improvement, along with declaring the application methods and safety.

Results: Off-label use of Eucalyptus essential oil by inhaling 12drops /150mL or 1.5% v/v solution boiling water may relief COVID-19 mild and moderate symptoms as pain, cough, respiratory inflammation, cytokine storm and dyspnea.

Conclusions: Experimental and clinical data proved that inhalation of eucalyptus essential oil may provide the ability to reduce COVID-19 patients symptoms and morbidity risk factors and may play a role as a preventative technique complementary to WHO guidance for beating COVID-19 virulence and transmission spread.