1,8-cineole / Cineole / Eucalyptol / Cajeputol

1,8-cineole, also called eucalyptol, is an oxide found in basil, bay, cajeput, cardamom, eucalyptus, niaouli, rosemary, sage, camphor, laurel, mugwort, and spike lavender.  It smells fresh and minty.
Oxides contribute to an oil’s aroma, and have strong therapeutic actions, but can be neurotoxic, liver toxic, and a respiratory irritant in excess.

Links to Plants Containing 1,8-Cineole

Agrimony

Ajowan

Aloe

Angelica

Anise

Apple Cider Vinegar

Ashwagandha

Astragalus

Balm Mint Bush

Balsam Fir

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.

SAFETY

• Essential oils high in 1,8-cineole are not for use with young children.  From:  Day, L. M., Ozanne–Smith, J., Parsons, B. J., Dobbin, M., & Tibballs, J. (1997). Eucalyptus oil poisoning among young children: mechanisms of access and the potential for prevention. Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 21(3), 297-302.
• The 1,8-cineole constituent can cause breathing issues and CNS issues used close to the noses / excessively in young children (Tisserand & Young, 2014).
• Do not use oil with epilepsy, hypertension, liver conditions, and gastric inflammation.
• Toxic induced seizures from the following plants were reported:  eucalyptus, fennel, hyssop, pennyroyal, rosemary, sage, savin, tansy, thuja, turpentine, and wormwood.  Ketone constituents including camphor, pinocamphone, thujone, cineole, pulegone, sabinylacetate, and fenchone were mentioned. From:  Burkhard, P. R., Burkhardt, K., Haenggeli, C. A., & Landis, T. (1999). Plant-induced seizures: reappearance of an old problem. Journal of neurology, 246(8), 667-670.

GENERAL

• Eucalyptol, as found in rosemary, demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-nociceptive activities in this review of research.  From:  de Oliveira, J. R., Camargo, S. E. A., & de Oliveira, L. D. (2019). Rosmarinus officinalis L.(rosemary) as therapeutic and prophylactic agent. Journal of Biomedical Science, 26(1), 5.

ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTIFUNGAL / ANTIVIRAL

• Thyme and rosemary were bacteriostatic against Listeria monocytogenes, found in raw and processed foods.   Active constituents were thymol and p-cymene in thyme, a-pinene, camphor, eucalyptol in rosemary.  From:  Giarratana, F., Muscolino, D., Ragonese, C., Beninati, C., Sciarrone, D., Ziino, G., … & Panebianco, A. (2016). Antimicrobial activity of combined thyme and rosemary essential oils against Listeria monocytogens in Italian mortadella packaged in modified atmosphere: Thyme & Rosemary EOs vs L. monocytogenes. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 1-8.
• Eucalyptus radiata was tested against Streptococci and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The major constituents have seasonal variance, impacting antibacterial strength, and include: 1,8-cineole, α-terpineol and limonene.  From:  Mahumane, G. D., van Vuuren, S. F., Kamatou, G., Sandasi, M., & Viljoen, A. M. (2016). Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus radiata leaf essential oil, sampled over a year. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 1-14.
• Eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, and mint showed varying degrees of repellency against the bloodsucking bug Rhodnius prolixus Stahl.  The knockdown time of nymphs in minutes by constituents was 117.2 (eucalyptol), 408.7 (linalool), 474.0 (menthone), and 484.2 (limonene). While the repellent effect was quite lesser than that of deet, eucalyptol was 3.5 times less toxic.  From:  Sfara, V., Zerba, E. N., & Alzogaray, R. A. (2009). Fumigant insecticidal activity and repellent effect of five essential oils and seven monoterpenes on first-instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus. Journal of medical entomology, 46(3), 511-515.
• Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) essential oil showed activity against eight important postharvest deteriorating fungi with the following constituents being significant: 1,8-cineole, linalool, camphor, α-terpineol, methyl chavicol, and eugenol.  From:  Barcelos, R. C., Jham, G. N., Dhingra, O. D., Mendonca, F. A., & Valente, V. M. (2013). Identification and Quantification of the Major Fungitoxic Components of the Brazilian Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Essential Oil. Journal of Food Research, 2(5), 124.
• Ocimum basilicum’s camphor and 1,8-cineole showed the lowest cytotoxicities and the best antiviral activities in the virucidal assay.  From:  Kubiça, T. F., Alves, S. H., Weiblen, R., & Lovato, L. T. (2014). In vitro inhibition of the bovine viral diarrhoea virus by the essential oil of Ocimum basilicum (basil) and monoterpenes. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 45(1), 209-214.
• Salmonella was less an issue when a blend of carvacrol, thymol, eucalyptol, and lemon when added to drinking water of poultry farm animals.  From:  Alali, W. Q., Hofacre, C. L., Mathis, G. F., & Faltys, G. (2013). Effect of essential oil compound on shedding and colonization of Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg in broilers. Poultry science, 92(3), 836-841.
• Cajeput oil and its isolated constituents of linalool, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, and 1,8-cineole demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients’ clinical material.  From:  Cuong, N. D., Xuyen, T. T., Motl, O., Stránský, K., Presslova, J., Jedlickova, Z., & Serý, V. (1994). Antibacterial properties of Vietnamese cajuput oil. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 6(1), 63-67.
• Salvia fructicosa essential oil and its isolated components thujone and 1,8-cineole exhibited antimicrobial activity against eight bacterial strains, and the oil showed antiviral and cytotoxic capabilities.  From:  Sivropoulou, A., Nikolaou, C., Papanikolaou, E., Kokkini, S., Lanaras, T., & Arsenakis, M. (1997). Antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antiviral activities of Salvia fructicosa essential oil. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 45(8), 3197-3201.
• Origanum minutiflorum (oregano), Laurus nobilis (bay), Lavandula stoechas (lavender) and Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) were effective against  the following foodborne pathogens: Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus. Constituents included carvacrol, 1,8-cineole, fenchone, and trans-anethole.  From:  Dadalioglu, I., & Evrendilek, G. A. (2004). Chemical compositions and antibacterial effects of essential oils of Turkish oregano (Origanum minutiflorum), bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas L.), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) on common foodborne pathogens. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 52(26), 8255-8260.
• Multiple eucalyptus species tested were antimicrobial against a range of microorganisms.  From:  Aldoghaim, F., Flematti, G., & Hammer, K. (2018). Antimicrobial Activity of Several Cineole-Rich Western Australian Eucalyptus Essential Oils. Microorganisms, 6(4), 122.
• Citrus aurantium (bergamot), C. limon (lemon), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile), Mentha piperita (peppermint), M. spicata (spearmint), Ocimum basilicum (basil), Origanum vulgare(oregano), Thymus vulgaris (thyme), and Salvia officinalis (sage) along with their constituents were tested against human pathogenic bacteria.  The highest and broadest activity was shown by O. vulgare oil and carvacrol had the highest antibacterial activity among the tested constituents.  Other significant constituents included: camphor, 1,8-cineole, linalool, linalyl acetate, limonene, menthol, a-pinene, b-pinene, and thymol.  From:  Soković, M., Glamočlija, J., Marin, P. D., Brkić, D., & van Griensven, L. J. (2010). Antibacterial effects of the essential oils of commonly consumed medicinal herbs using an in vitro model. Molecules, 15(11), 7532-7546.
• E. globulus and to some extent, its constituent 1,8-cineole showed effectiveness against the storage fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.  From:  Vilela, G. R., de Almeida, G. S., D’Arce, M. A. B. R., Moraes, M. H. D., Brito, J. O., da Silva, M. F. D. G., … & da Gloria, E. M. (2009). Activity of essential oil and its major compound, 1, 8-cineole, from Eucalyptus globulus Labill., against the storage fungi Aspergillus flavus Link and Aspergillus parasiticus Speare. Journal of Stored Products Research, 45(2), 108-111.
• The aromadendrene along with the 1,8-cineole constituents in eucalyptus demonstrated antibacterial activity against multiple pathogens.  From:  Mulyaningsih, S., Sporer, F., Zimmermann, S., Reichling, J., & Wink, M. (2010). Synergistic properties of the terpenoids aromadendrene and 1, 8-cineole from the essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus against antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Phytomedicine, 17(13), 1061-1066.
• Carrageenan, cineole, curcumin, and eugenol offered significant protection against herpes type 2 in mice.  From:  Bourne, K. Z., Bourne, N., Reising, S. F., & Stanberry, L. R. (1999). Plant products as topical microbicide candidates: assessment of in vitro and in vivo activity against herpes simplex virus type 2. Antiviral Research, 42(3), 219-226.
• Rosemary essential oil and its constituents demonstrated antibacterial and antioxidant activities.  Myrcene was the constituent associated with antioxidant activity and alpha pinene was a strong antibacterial.  1,8-cineole was effective against the E. coli bacteria.  From:  Ojeda-Sana, A. M., van Baren, C. M., Elechosa, M. A., Juárez, M. A., & Moreno, S. (2013). New insights into antibacterial and antioxidant activities of rosemary essential oils and their main components. Food Control, 31(1), 189-195.
• Rosemary, and sage essential oil and the component eucalyptol were active against yeast strains.  From:  Steinmetz, M. D., Moulin‐Traffort, J., & Regli, P. (1988). Transmission and Scanning Electronmicroscopy Study of the Action of Sage and Rosemary Essential Oils and Eucalyptol on Candida albicans/Transmissions‐und rasterelektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen zur Wirkung von Salbeiöl, Rosmarinöl und Eucalyptol auf Candida albicans. Mycoses, 31(1), 40-51.
• Tea tree oil and its components, 1,8-cineole, terpinen-4-ol, and α-terpineol demonstrated activity against Staphylococcus aureus.  From: Carson, C. F., Mee, B. J., & Riley, T. V. (2002). Mechanism of action of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil on Staphylococcus aureus determined by time-kill, lysis, leakage, and salt tolerance assays and electron microscopy. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, 46(6), 1914-1920.
• A mouth rinse containing thymol with eucalyptol and benzoic acid (Listerine) showed oral antifungal activity, especially against Candida albicans.  From:  Abirami, C. P., & Venugopal, P. V. (2005). Antifungal activity of three mouth rinses–in vitro study. Indian journal of pathology & microbiology, 48(1), 43-44.
• Cineole, citral, geraniol, linalool and menthol were tested against a variety of bacteria and fungi, showing a range of antimicrobial activity.  From:  Pattnaik, S., Subramanyam, V. R., Bapaji, M., & Kole, C. R. (1996). Antibacterial and antifungal activity of aromatic constituents of essential oils. Microbios, 89(358), 39-46.
• Both 1,8-cineole and α-pinene constituents isolated from Vitex agnus-castus showed very high antimicrobial potency in vitro.  From:  Stojković, D., Soković, M., Glamočlija, J., Džamić, A., Ćirić, A., Ristić, M., & Grubišić, D. (2011). Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Vitex agnus-castus L. fruits and leaves essential oils. Food Chemistry, 128(4), 1017-1022.

INSECTICIDAL / PESTICIDAL / REPELLENT

• The insecticidal activities of essential oil extracts against the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus Forskål were determined. Extracts of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) were the most toxic, followed by Ferula hermonis Boiss (in the carrot family), Citrus sinensis (orange), Pinus pinea (pine), Laurus nobilis (bay), and Eucalyptus spp.  Terpineol and 1,8-cineole components were the most effective in preventing Culex pipiens molestus bites.   From:  Traboulsi, A. F., El‐Haj, S., Tueni, M., Taoubi, K., Nader, N. A., & Mrad, A. (2005). Repellency and toxicity of aromatic plant extracts against the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus (Diptera: Culicidae). Pest management science, 61(6), 597-604.
• Both 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol from tea tree oil were shown to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, which may be the reason for their insecticidal activity.   From:  Mills, C., Cleary, B. V., Walsh, J. J., & Gilmer, J. F. (2004). Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by tea tree oil. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 56(3), 375-379.
• Eucalyptus and 1,8-cineole had potent toxicity against the rice weevil.  From:  Lee, B. H., Choi, W. S., Lee, S. E., & Park, B. S. (2001). Fumigant toxicity of essential oils and their constituent compounds towards the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.). Crop Protection, 20(4), 317-320.
• Three types of eucalyptus showed fumigant activity against lice, with 1,8-cineole being an active constituent.  From:  Toloza, A. C., Lucia, A., Zerba, E., Masuh, H., & Picollo, M. I. (2008). Interspecific hybridization of Eucalyptus as a potential tool to improve the bioactivity of essential oils against permethrin-resistant head lice from Argentina. Bioresource technology, 99(15), 7341-7347.
• Australian plants demonstrated varying degrees of insect (mosquito) repellency and included: eucalyptus, tea tree, cajuput, manuka, balm mint bush, fragonia, myrtle, cypress, and niaouli. From: Webb, C. E. (2014). Insect repellents derived from Australian plants and implications for public health messages. Insect repellents handbook, 213.

ANTI-PARASITE

• Citrus sinensis and Melaleuca quinquenervia showed varying anthelmintic activity against gastrointestinal nematodes with 1,8-cineole and limonene being active constituents.  Amounts needed to by anti-parasitic may not have been safe for the host; more research is necessary.   From:  Gaínza, Y. A., Domingues, L. F., Perez, O. P., Rabelo, M. D., López, E. R., & de Souza Chagas, A. C. (2015). Anthelmintic activity in vitro of Citrus sinensis and Melaleuca quinquenervia essential oil from Cuba on Haemonchus contortus. Industrial Crops and Products, 76, 647-652.

ANTI-CANCER

• Limonene and cineole constituents found in cardamom demonstrate promising effects against carcinogenesis and deserve further study.  From:  Acharya, A., Das, I., Singh, S., & Saha, T. (2010). Chemopreventive properties of indole-3-carbinol, diindolylmethane and other constituents of cardamom against carcinogenesis. Recent patents on food, nutrition & agriculture, 2(2), 166-177.
• Cardamom and its 1,8-cineole constituent showed anti-tumor activity.  From:  Bhattacharjee, B., & Chatterjee, J. (2013). Identification of proapoptopic, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-invasive and anti-angiogenic targets of essential oils in cardamom by dual reverse virtual screening and binding pose analysis. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 14(6), 3735-3742.

ANTIOXIDANT

• Laurel nobilis essential oil showed antioxidant activity via radical scavenging and laurel essential oil as well as the 1, 8-cineole inhibited the α-glucosidase.  From:  ŞAHİN BAŞAK, S., & Candan, F. (2013). Effect of Laurus nobilis L. essential oil and its main components on α-glucosidase and reactive oxygen species scavenging activity. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 12(2), 367-379.
• Mint species demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity with the most powerful scavenging compounds being menthone and isomenthone in the essential oils of M. longifolia and M. piperita and 1,8-cineole in the oil of M. aquatica.  From:  Mimica-Dukić, N., Božin, B., Soković, M., Mihajlović, B., & Matavulj, M. (2003). Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of three Mentha species essential oils. Planta medica, 69(05), 413-419.

TRANSDERMAL DRUG ABSORPTION

• Cardamom enhanced transdermal drug delivery by altering the barrier property of stratum corneum; the three components in cardamom oil of α-pinene, β-pinene, and α-terpineol, had a synergistic effect with 1,8-cineole and d-limonene to enhance the permeation of the drug indomethacin.  From: Huang, Y. B., Fang, J. Y., Hung, C. H., WU, P. C., & TSAI, Y. H. (1999). Cyclic monoterpene extract from cardamom oil as a skin permeation enhancer for indomethacin: in vitro and in vivo studies. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 22(6), 642-646.  L

IMPROVED RESPIRATION

• A combination of pinene, limonene, and cineole improved mucociliary clearance in those with COPD.  From:  Dorow, P., Weiss, T. H., Felix, R., & Schmutzler, H. (1987). [Effect of a secretolytic and a combination of pinene, limonene and cineole on mucociliary clearance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. Arzneimittel-Forschung, 37(12), 1378-1381.
• In this double blind, placebo controlled, multi-center, placebo controlled study with 242 patients, 200 mg of cineole three times a day reduced airway inflammation in COPD.  From:  Worth, H., Schacher, C., & Dethlefsen, U. (2009). Concomitant therapy with Cineole (Eucalyptole) reduces exacerbations in COPD: a placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Respiratory research, 10(1), 69.
• In a randomized double blind placebo controlled study of 152 patients, 100 mg of cineole three times a day reduced symptoms of accute sinusitis.  From:  Kehrl, W., Sonnemann, U., & Dethlefsen, U. (2004). Therapy for Acute Nonpurulent Rhinosinusitis With Cineole: Results of a Double‐Blind, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial. The Laryngoscope, 114(4), 738-742.
• In a randomized double blind study of 42 patients with nasal congestion, a nasal spray with Capsicum annum and eucalyptol taken over two weeks reduced symptoms.  From:  Bernstein, J. A., Davis, B. P., Picard, J. K., Cooper, J. P., Zheng, S., & Levin, L. S. (2011). A randomized, double-blind, parallel trial comparing capsaicin nasal spray with placebo in subjects with a significant component of nonallergic rhinitis. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 107(2), 171-178.
• Inhaled 1,8-cineole reduced inflammation in airways of guinea pigs. From:  Bastos, V. P., Gomes, A. S., Lima, F. J., Brito, T. S., Soares, P. M., Pinho, J. P., … & Magalhães, P. J. (2011). Inhaled 1, 8‐Cineole Reduces Inflammatory Parameters in Airways of Ovalbumin‐Challenged Guinea Pigs. Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology, 108(1), 34-39.
• 1,8-cineole was shown to improve symptoms of bronchial asthma.  From:  Juergens, U. R., Stöber, M., Schmidt-Schilling, L., Kleuver, T., & Vetter, H. (1998). Antiinflammatory effects of euclyptol (1.8-cineole) in bronchial asthma: inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism in human blood monocytes ex vivo. European journal of medical research, 3(9), 407-412.
• 1,8-cineol controlled airway mucus hypersecretion by cytokine inhibition, and may be a useful treatment to reduce symptoms of asthma, sinusitis and COPD.  From:  Juergens, U. R., Engelen, T., Racké, K., Stöber, M., Gillissen, A., & Vetter, H. (2004). Inhibitory activity of 1, 8-cineol (eucalyptol) on cytokine production in cultured human lymphocytes and monocytes. Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 17(5), 281-287.
• Cineole demonstrated good expectorant activity in patients in an emergency room.  Li, G. A. O. (1989). The expectorant effect of cineole compositus in 386 patients with respiratory diseases. 新药与临床, 6, 015
• In this placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial 246 patients with chronic bronchitis, long use (one month) of myrtol (contains alpha pinene, cineole, and d-limonene) over one month was tolerable and effective.   From:  Meister, R., Wittig, T., Beuscher, N., & de Mey, C. (1999). Efficacy and tolerability of Myrtol standardized in long-term treatment of chronic bronchitis. Arzneimittelforschung, 49(04), 351-358.
• In this 2 week treatment of 676 patients with chronic bronchitis, myrtol (contains alpha pinene, cineole, and d-limonene) was safe and effective.  From:  Matthys, H., de Mey, C., Carls, C., Ryś, A., Geib, A., & Wittig, T. (2000). Efficacy and tolerability of myrtol standardized in acute bronchitis. Arzneimittelforschung, 50(08), 700-711.

BONE DENSITY

• Essential oils of sage, rosemary, thyme, juniper, pine, turpentine, and eucalyptus and their constituents of thujone, eucalyptol, camphor, borneol, thymol, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, bornylacetate, and menthol inhibited bone resorption.  From:  Mühlbauer, R. C., Lozano, A., Palacio, S., Reinli, A., & Felix, R. (2003). Common herbs, essential oils, and monoterpenes potently modulate bone metabolism. Bone, 32(4), 372-380.

PRESERVATIVE

• Essential oils of cilantro, coriander, cinnamon, oregano, rosemary, sage, clove, thyme, lemongrass, turmeric, mint, basil, and constituents of linalool, cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol, thymol, terpinene, cymene, alpha/beta pinene, bornyl acetate, camphor, 1,8-cineole, alpha terpeneol, geraniol, perrilaldehyde, and eugenol have demonstrated food preserving potential.  From:  Burt, S. (2004). Essential oils: their antibacterial properties and potential applications in foods—a review. International journal of food microbiology, 94(3), 223-253.

NEUROPROTECTIVE

• In a review of essential oils from the Myrtaceae family, those containing higher amount of 1,8-cineole demonstrated the highest activity to inhibit the AchE.  Alzheimer’s disease is related to a loss of neuron function and neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh).  From:  Petrachaianan, T., Chaiyasirisuwan, S., Athikomkulchai, S., & Sareedenchai, V. (2019). Screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity in essential oil from Myrtaceae. TJPS, 43(1), 63-68. 

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

• 1,8-cineole may be effective  as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent.  From:  Santos, F. A., & Rao, V. S. N. (2000). Antiinflammatory and antinociceptive effects of 1, 8-cineole a terpenoid oxide present in many plant essential oils. Phytotherapy research, 14(4), 240-244.
• This article discussed the effect of 1,8- cineole on mast cells related to rat paw inflammation.  From:  Santos, F. A., & Rao, V. S. (1997). Mast cell involvement in the rat paw oedema response to 1, 8-cineole, the main constituent of eucalyptus and rosemary oils. European journal of pharmacology, 331(2), 253-258.

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski

Last Updated: 11/22/19