Lemon eucalyptus (Corymbia citriodora) is a tree. Oil from its leaves are used as medicine.
Lemon eucalyptus contains chemicals that repel mosquitoes and kill fungus.
People use lemon eucalyptus oil to repel mosquitos. It is also used for joint pain, osteoarthritis, to repel ticks, and for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse lemon eucalyptus with similarly named eucalyptus, lemon, lemon balm, lemon verbena, or lemongrass. These are not the same.
Is It Effective?
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
- Preventing mosquito bites. Applying lemon eucalyptus oil to the skin is about as effective as other mosquito repellents, including some products that contain DEET.
There is interest in using lemon eucalyptus for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Is it Safe?
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lemon eucalyptus is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: Lemon eucalyptus oil is likely safe when used short-term. It's generally well-tolerated, but some people might have a mild skin reaction to the oil.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lemon eucalyptus is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
It is not known if Lemon Eucalyptus interacts with any medicines. Before taking Lemon Eucalyptus, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
Lemon eucalyptus oil has most often been used by adults in concentrations of 30% to 75% applied to the skin. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
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