Your guide to eucalyptol (cineole), a cannabis terpene

Eucalyptol is a terpene, which is a type of chemical compound found in plants, including cannabis. It’s known for its minty scent and potential health benefits, such as improving breathing, easing inflammation, and more.

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What is eucalyptol?

Eucalyptol, also known as cineole, is the dominant terpene that can be found in the eucalyptus plant. It’s also in other plants, such as:

• Cannabis
• Tea tree
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Bay leaves
• Wormwood
• Mugwort

Terpenes play a role in the smell, flavor, and effects of different plants. In nature, eucalyptol attracts pollinators and repels harmful insects.

Because of its effects and powerful minty aroma, eucalyptol is a common ingredient used in:

• Medicines
• Essential oils
• Personal care products
• Household cleaning products
• Insect repellents

Eucalyptol benefits

Research shows that eucalyptol may offer some potential health benefits.

Improves breathing and sinus health

In one study, eucalyptol was found to help with symptoms of sinus infection, including headache and difficulty breathing.

Another study found that eucalyptol may help with inflamed airways in people who have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or sinus infections.

Fights infections

A cell study found that eucalyptol has antibacterial properties that may help fight certain infections, including Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (staph infections). But more studies, specifically in humans, are needed to confirm these findings.

Eases pain

One study found that people recovering from knee surgery experienced less pain after inhaling eucalyptus essential oil, which contains a high concentration of eucalyptol.

Improves diabetes symptoms

A study found that bay leaves, which are high in eucalyptol, may help lower risk factors for diabetes and heart disease and improve glucose and cholesterol levels in people who have type 2 diabetes.

Boosts brain health 

In a clinical trial, nursing home residents who had a eucalyptol diffuser in their bedrooms showed greater behavioral improvements than those in the control group.

In a rat study, eucalyptol reduced swelling and neurological damage following brain hemorrhage.

Other studies show that eucalyptol may help lower brain inflammation and other factors that can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Offers possible anticancer effects 

A mouse study found that eucalyptol may help stop the growth and spread of colon cancer cells. But more human studies are needed to confirm these results.

Relieves anxiety 

A mouse study showed that inhaling eucalyptol may help lower anxiety levels. The researchers suggest that eucalyptol may increase levels of gamma-butyric acid (GABA), a brain chemical that promotes calmness.

Promotes gut health 

A study in cells found that eucalyptol may help lower inflammation in the intestines to help ease symptoms of irritable bowel disease (IBD).

Eucalyptol terpene in cannabis

Cannabis contains over 150 terpenes, including eucalyptol. Amounts of eucalyptol in cannabis usually range from 0.01% to 0.14% depending on the strain.

Anecdotally, cannabis users report that strains high in eucalyptol may help:

• Improve energy and concentration
• Boost mood
• Ease pain and inflammation

To find strains that are high in eucalyptol, read the labels on cannabis products sold at your local dispensary. These labels usually include a breakdown of the products’ dominant terpenes.

High-eucalyptol strains

Some cannabis strains have higher amounts of eucalyptol than others:

• Headband is a powerful strain that can boost energy levels and mood.

• Girl Scout Cookies can help lower anxiety and promote sleep without causing drowsiness.

• Dutch Treat is a popular choice to help with fatigue and depression.

• Super Silver Haze might help ease mood disorders like anxiety and depression.

Consider working with a Leafwell provider to help you find a high-eucalyptol strain that best suits your needs.

Eucalyptol side effects

When used as directed, eucalyptus is generally considered safe. But applying pure eucalyptol to the skin may cause irritation. It’s often recommended to dilute eucalyptus in essential oil forms with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, to help avoid irritation.

The bottom line: Eucalyptol adds to the potential benefits of cannabis

Eucalyptol affects the smell, taste, and possible health benefits of cannabis. It adds a fresh, minty note, and may help with inflammation, pain, and more.

Having a medical cannabis card can make it easier to access high-eucalyptol strains. Contact Leafwell to begin the process of obtaining your card online.

Resources

• 11 essential oils: Their benefits and how to use them https://health.clevelandclinic.org/essential-oils-101-do-they-work-how-do-you-use-them
• 1, 8 cineole (eucalyptol) mitigates inflammation in amyloid beta toxicated PC12 cells: Relevance to Alzheimer’s disease. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11064-013-1231-9
• Antibacterial activity of the essential oils from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3609378/
• Antitumor effect of 1, 8-cineol against colon cancer. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24085263/
• Assessing the neuroprotective potential of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil in a 6-hydroxydopamine rat model of Parkinson’s disease. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667142525000132
• Bay leaves improve glucose and lipid profile of people with type 2 diabetes. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2613499/
• Effect of eucalyptus oil inhalation on pain and inflammatory responses after total knee replacement: A randomized clinical trial. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3703330/
• Eucalyptol ameliorates early brain injury after subarachnoid haemorrhage via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in a rat model. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8871613/
• Inhibitory activity of 1, 8 cineol (eucalyptol) on cytokine production in cultured human lymphocytes and monocytes. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15477123/
• Investigating the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of eucalyptol (1,8 cineole), a compound from eucalyptus, in the adult male sprague-dawley rat. https://openurl.ebsco.com/EPDB%3Agcd%3A10%3A20286058/detailv2?sid=ebsco%3Aplink%3Ascholar&id=ebsco%3Agcd%3A124667336&crl=c
• Molecular docking identifies 1, 8 cineole (eucalyptol) as a novel PPARy agonist that alleviates colon inflammation. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/7/6160
• Terpenes in Cannabis sativa — from plant genome to humans. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168945219301190
• Secondary terpenes in Cannabis sativa L.: Synthesis and synergy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9775512/
• The effect of eucalyptol on nursing home residents. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61045-8
• Therapy for acute nonpurulent rhinosinusitis with cineole: Results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15064633/

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