What does it help with?

Colds & coughs

For a long time, grown-ups have breathed eucalyptus steam to help a cough from a cold.

🔵 Grandma's wisdom
Aches & swelling

Eucalyptus rubs are an old way to soothe sore muscles.

🔵 Grandma's wisdom

What do the colored dots mean?

🟢 Scientists are sure Strong evidence (several good human trials)
🟡 Scientists think so Some evidence (small human studies)
🟠 Still being studied Early evidence (lab or animal studies only)
🔵 Grandma's wisdom Traditional use (not scientifically confirmed)

Careful if…

For kids Pills, powders & oils: ask a grown-up first

Eucalyptus is not a food. Kids can enjoy smelling the leaves on the tree. Oils and rubs are only used on children by a grown-up, and never on babies.

Babies & young kids

⛔ Avoid

Eucalyptus oil is not for babies and toddlers. Near their face, it can make it hard for them to breathe.
Essential oils (never swallow)

⛔ Avoid

Never drink eucalyptus oil. It is poisonous if you swallow it. Grown-ups keep it locked away.
Pregnancy

⚠️ Ask a doctor first

Mums expecting a baby should not use eucalyptus oil medicines.
Breastfeeding

⚠️ Ask a doctor first

Mums who breastfeed should not use eucalyptus oil medicines.
Allergies

👀 Be careful

Eucalyptus oil can cause an itchy rash or, rarely, a bad allergy When your body thinks something harmless is an enemy and overreacts, with itching, sneezing or swelling..

If you have too much…

Eucalyptus oil taken by mouth can upset the tummy.

Natural does not always mean safe. Always ask a grown-up before trying something new, and a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement. Try the safety check →

What is it?

Eucalyptus is a tall tree from Australia. Its leaves are full of a strong-smelling oil.

Koalas eat eucalyptus leaves all day long. In Morocco, lots of eucalyptus trees were planted for wood and shade. Grown-ups use the oil in steam or chest rubs when they have a cold.

How people use it

Traditional uses

🔵 Grandma's wisdom — not proven by science

Leaves are boiled in water for a steam to breathe in during colds.

On skin & body

The oil goes into chest rubs, steam inhalations and bath products.

Home & garden

The wood is used for building poles, paper and firewood.
Dried branches add a fresh smell to rooms.

Fun facts

Koalas eat almost nothing but eucalyptus leaves.
Some eucalyptus trees are among the tallest trees in the world.
The rainbow eucalyptus has bark striped in green, orange and purple!

Grow it yourself

Easy
Lots of sun
A little water
Needs a garden

In spring, sprinkle tiny eucalyptus seeds on top of damp soil.
Keep the pot warm and bright until they sprout.
Plant the young tree in the ground, far from houses and pipes.
Water it while it is young. Later, it needs little water.

💡 Eucalyptus trees grow very big and very fast, so plant them with care.

Quiz time!

Answer 3 questions. Get 2 right to win this plant’s badge for your garden!

Which animal eats eucalyptus leaves all day?
Where did eucalyptus trees first grow?
What should happen to eucalyptus oil at home?

Your plant card

Print it, cut it out and collect them all!

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus globulus

Superpowers: Colds & coughs Aches & swelling
Careful: Babies & young kids, Essential oils (never swallow)
Growing: ⭐

🤩 Koalas eat almost nothing but eucalyptus leaves.

For grown-ups: science, amounts & safety

Tap to open

General information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using any herbal supplement — especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for children, before surgery, or if you take medicines. Medical disclaimer

What the research says

Use	Evidence	Details
Colds & coughs	🔵 Traditional use (not scientifically confirmed)	The EU herbal committee recognises eucalyptus oil — taken by mouth, inhaled as steam, rubbed on the chest or added to a bath — for relief of cough associated with a cold, as a traditional use. See a doctor if breathlessness, fever or coloured phlegm appear, or if the cough lasts more than a week^[1].
Aches & swelling	🔵 Traditional use (not scientifically confirmed)	Eucalyptus oil applied to the skin is also a traditional remedy for relief of localised muscle pain in adults and children from 3 years; it should not be applied to broken or irritated skin^[1].

Who should be careful & interactions

⛔ Avoid Babies & young kids: Eucalyptus oil products must not be used in children under 2 years, because oils containing 1,8-cineole can trigger laryngospasm (a sudden closing of the airway), nor in children with a history of seizures. Use between 2 and 3 years is not recommended, and oral use under 12 years has not been established^[1].
⛔ Avoid Essential oils (never swallow): Taking more than the recommended amount can cause stomach pain, vomiting, breathing problems, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and seizures^[1]. In one Australian state, eucalyptus oil was a leading cause of poisoning hospitalisations in children under five, most of whom reached it through home vaporisers placed at ground level^[2]. Keep oils and vaporisers out of children's reach.
⚠️ Ask a doctor first Pregnancy: Safety during pregnancy has not been established, so use is not recommended^[1].
⚠️ Ask a doctor first Breastfeeding: Safety during breastfeeding has not been established, so use is not recommended^[1].
👀 Be careful Allergies: Allergic reactions, including severe systemic reactions, and contact eczema have been reported. Do not use if hypersensitive to eucalyptus oil or 1,8-cineole^[1].

Possible side effects

Mild Oral use may cause heartburn, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea^[1].

Names & identifiers

Scientific name: Eucalyptus globulus
Also called: Blue gum, Tasmanian blue gum
Wikidata: Q159528

Sources

Eucalypti aetheroleum – herbal medicinal product (eucalyptus oil) European Medicines Agency, HMPC · Official monograph
Eucalyptus oil poisoning among young children: mechanisms of access and the potential for prevention Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health · 1997 · Study · PubMed

✅ Reviewed by sm_owner on September 26, 2026.

Last updated September 26, 2026. How we write and check our pages

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