Terpenes are aromatic compounds you can find in every plant, including marijuana. They give your favorite cannabis strains their distinctive scents and tastes. Perhaps even more importantly, terpenes play a role in providing therapeutic effects to help optimize your health. The same goes for this terpene, but the question is, what is Eucalyptol?
This terpene is also called cineole, or more technically correct; it is called 1,8 cineole by the scientists who observe its promising health benefits.
Eucalyptol is one of the major constituents that comes from the eucalyptus tree. It is a terpene with a chemical composition of essential oils identified in various plants, including rosemary and sage.
According to recent research, this powerful menthol terpene, when combined with cannabinoids, helps support your overall health.
Main Keypoints:
- Eucalyptol, also called cineol, is a terpene found in eucalyptus trees, rosemary, tea trees, bay leaves, sage, and cannabis plants.
- The aroma is similar to methol and offers a vibrant fresh scent that is minty and has a cooling taste.
- Preliminary research observed that Eucalyptol might have several medicinal benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and respiratory and brain health support.
What is Eucalyptol?
As you may have guessed, and as the name of this terpene implies, Eucalyptol is found in eucalyptus trees in significant amounts and other live plants.
Also known as cineol, this terpene is extracted as a colorless liquid. It is widely used in the production of lotions and fragrances, and if you have an essential oil at home, it’s properly also in that. Eucalyptol is frequently an ingredient in many products you have in your home. As a flavoring agent, it produces a minty freshness used in toothpaste, mouthwash, and cough suppressant.
You will also find Eucalyptol as an ingredient in natural bug and insect-repellent formulas.
But it doesn’t stop there. Eucalyptol is a powerhouse terpene with positive therapeutic potential for your health and wellness. [1]. It’s also a naturally produced cyclic ether and monoterpenoid.
Where is Eucalyptol Found in Nature?
Although Eucalyptol primarily comes from eucalyptus trees, it is found in many places throughout nature. It is naturally produced from different plants, including rosemary, sweet basil, sage, and tea trees. It is also found in cannabis, although it is not as abundant as other terpenes.
What is the Prominent Aroma of Eucalyptol?
Eucalyptus trees have a unique cooling, methol type of scent, and so does Eucalyptol. Eucalyptol’s camphor-like aroma is often described as minty and similar to menthol.
What Are The Benefits Of Eucalyptol?
Eucalyptol plays a vital role in providing a wide range of therapeutic effects. Modern research is now beginning to observe the numerous medicinal benefits of this terpene and others.
What is Eucalyptol Used For?
The list of potential Eucaluptol uses is diverse and may support your health in specific areas. Below you can find some of the most promising opportunities for this terpene for your well-being.
- As an antioxidant, Eucalyptol helps maintain cell health and reduce oxidative stress. [2],[3]
- This terpene appears to support healthy respiratory function and has the ability to open airways. [4]. It may also help with nasal congestion and asthma and reduce airway mucous. [5]
- A study aimed at showing the anti-inflammatory effects found that it may reduce inflammation and joint discomfort[6]
- One of the more exciting preliminary investigations involving Eucalptol reveals that in a control group, it helped improve mild cognitive function, brain health, memory, and learning. [7],[8]
- Eucalyptus is the favorite food of Koala Bears, an animal that sleeps up to 20 hours a day. [9] It should really come as no surprise this terpene can boost relaxation.
- The antibacterial effects may offer a natural alternative for fighting infections. [10]. There are several Published studies have shown that this terpene may exhibit powerful antibacterial effects[11]
- Eucalyptol possesses anti-proliferative characteristics. In other words, the control group in a current study suggested that it may be part of future treatment options to help inhibit carcinogenic cell growth. [12]
In addition to these therapeutic advantages, Eucalyptol may be used to relieve sinus infections when combined with other terpenes.
Is It Safe To Use?
Eucalyptol itself is safe and free of toxic side effects as long as it is used correctly. However, if taken in large doses or in extreme excess, stomach pain, dizziness, muscle weakness, or drowsiness may occur.
These situations, however, are exceedingly rare and only occur if Eucalyptol is taken consistently in large amounts.
Using it as directed, you will likely get all of the benefits without any of the risks of this terpene.
Is Eucalyptol Legal?
In general, Eucalyptol and all terpenes are legal on their own. However, when terpenes come from marijuana, they may be illegal in certain areas under federal law and regulations.
As a result, cannabis-derived terpenes operate in a legal gray area. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, including hemp-derived CBD and terpenes. And some states have legalized cannabis and its terpenes. You will always want to check to understand the regulations in your state to assure you are using a legal substance.
How Does Eucalyptol Play a Role in the Cannabis Plant?
Not only do terpenes like Eucalyptol give cannabis products their distinctive aroma, but they also possess the ability to enhance the health effects of cannabinoids.
Although it has medicinal benefits on its own, it also plays a role by contributing to the entourage effect.
The entourage effect is a term that describes how cannabis components, such as CBD, THC, and terpenes, work together in synergy. Early research has observed that terpenes work side by side with cannabinoids to boost their beneficial health effects. [13]
The sum of all the parts, such as cannabis combined with terpenes, produces more significant health advantages than each individual substance alone. This process is the entourage effect. Eucalyptol is not as abundant as some other terpenes, like humulene.
Final Thoughts
Eucalyptol is a natural, aromatic terpene found in live plants, including the cannabis plant. Its minty and cool distinct aroma is similar to methol.
At BioWellnessX, we recognize that although Eucalyptol is not found in high concentrations in cannabis, it is a terpene that may offer therapeutic benefits with medical applications.
Visit our website to learn more about how our wide range of quality products can support your physical and mental health.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
By reading this legal information, you agree to release the author of any liability related to or arising from your use of this data. This post contains no legal advice. The legal status surrounding Delta 8 THC, Delta 9 THC & Delta 10 THC is new and constantly changing. We continuously work hard to do our best to give you the most updated information. We recommend that you always check your current state or federal law before purchasing any industrial hemp-derived products (CBD, THC). The data in this post is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or give any medical advice. In any event, do your due diligence and always consult your health care practitioner’s advice, especially if you are in doubt or are currently taking any prescription medications. Safer than sorry is always a great idea when consuming new products.
References:
- A systematic and comprehensive review on current understanding of the pharmacological actions, molecular mechanisms, and clinical implications of the genus Eucalyptus
- Major selected monoterpenes α-pinene and 1,8-cineole found in Salvia lavandulifolia (Spanish sage) essential oil as regulators of cellular redox balance
- Antioxidative effects of curcumin, β-myrcene and 1,8-cineole against 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced oxidative stress in rats liver
- Anti-inflammatory properties of the monoterpene 1.8-cineole: current evidence for co-medication in inflammatory airway diseases
- Anti-inflammatory activity of 1.8-cineol (eucalyptol) in bronchial asthma: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial
- Effect of Eucalyptus Oil Inhalation on Pain and Inflammatory Responses after Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Clinical Trial
- The Effect of Eucalyptol on Nursing Home Residents
- 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) mitigates inflammation in amyloid Beta toxicated PC12 cells: relevance to Alzheimer’s disease
- Essential oil variation in the populations of Artemisia spicigera from northwest of Iran: Chemical composition and antibacterial activity
- Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil Terpenes against Pathogenic and Spoilage-Forming Bacteria and Cell Structure-Activity Relationships Evaluated by SEM Microscopy
- Antitumor effect of 1, 8-cineole against colon cancer
- Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Eucalyptol (also referred to as 1,8-cineole) is the main component of eucalyptus oil. It has been used in traditional medicine to support health for hundreds of years. In other words, Eucalyptol comes from eucalyptus oil and is the dominant component of the essential oil in the eucalyptus tree.
Preliminary research and clinical trials suggest Eucalyptol may have several medicinal benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and support for respiratory and brain health. In cannabis products work side by side with cannabinoids to boost their beneficial health effects.
Certain species of the eucalyptus trees have stimulant effects, and if taken in significant quantities, cineole can increase mental and physical energy. However, most strains of the Eucaplyptol terpene help boost relaxation.
Published studies have shown that this terpene may exhibit powerful antibacterial effects. The antibacterial effects of Eucalyptol may offer a natural alternative for fighting infections.
Eucalyptol is safe and free of side effects as long as it is used correctly. However, stomach pain, dizziness, muscle weakness, or drowsiness may occur if taken in extreme excess. These situations, however, are exceedingly rare and only occur if Eucalyptol is taken in large and consistent amounts.
Eucalyptol is a terpene. Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds that all living plants, including cannabis, produce. Terpenes are responsible for the unique smells and tastes in plants.
Eucalyptol is found in significant amounts in eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptol comes from other natural sources, including rosemary, sweet basil, sage, and the tea tree. It is also found in cannabis, although it is not as abundant as other terpenes.
