Table 4.
Clinical recommendations for the use of essential oils in the management of COVID-19 symptoms of the upper airways (Tisserand and Young, 2013; Valussi, 2013).
| Essential oils with a high eucalyptol content recommended for the management of COVID-19 symptoms of the upper airways | ||
|---|---|---|
| Essential Oil | Active Compound | Content |
| Eucalyptus plenissima | Eucalyptol | 85−95% |
| Eucalyptus polybractea | Eucalyptol | 89−92% |
| Eucalyptus globulus | Eucalyptol | 65−84% |
| Eucalyptus camaldulensis | Eucalyptol | 85−85% |
| Eucalyptus smithii | Eucalyptol | ∼78 % |
| Eucalyptus maidenii | Eucalyptol | ∼77 % |
| Eucalyptus radiata | Eucalyptol | 60−64% |
| Essential oils with a lower eucalyptol content recommended for the management of COVID-19 symptoms of the upper airways | ||
|---|---|---|
| Essential Oil | Active Compound | Content |
| Melaleuca cajeputi | Eucalyptol | 41−71% |
| Melaleuca quinquenervia (niaouli) CT cineole | Eucalyptol | 55−65% |
| Cinnamomum camphora CT cineole | Eucalyptol | 57−64% |
| Essential oils *NOT* recommended for the management of COVID-19 symptoms of the upper airways due to their menthol content | ||
|---|---|---|
| Essential Oil | Active Compound | Content |
| Mentha x piperita | Menthol | 19−54% |
| Mentha arvensis | Menthol | 29−35% |
| Essential oils *NOT* recommended for the management of COVID-19 symptoms of the upper airways due their frequent association with allergic reactions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Essential Oil | Active Compound | Content |
| Laurus nobilis | Eucalyptol | 38−43% |
| Other essential oils recommended for the management of COVID-19 symptoms of the upper airways with a lower eucalyptol content but effective on some concurrent symptoms | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Oil | Active Compound | Content | Effective on concurrent symptoms |
| Rosmarinus officinalis CT cineole | Eucalyptol | 39−58% | Dyspepsia/nausea/vomiting |
| Elettaria cardamomum | Eucalyptol | 26−45% | Dyspepsia/nausea/vomiting |
| Salvia tridentata | Eucalyptol | ∼59 % | Dyspepsia/nausea/vomiting |
| Myrtus communis | Eucalyptol | 19−37% | Dyspepsia/nausea/vomiting |
| Lavandula intermedia | Eucalyptol | ∼10 % | Anxiety/headache |
| Other essential oils recommended for the management of COVID-19 symptoms of the upper airways with active compounds other than eucalyptol | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Oil | Active Compound | Content | Effective on concurrent symptoms |
| Melissa officinalis* | Citral + Geraniol | 25−70% | Anxiety/sore throat |
| Cymbopogon spp.* | Citral + Geraniol | 72−92% | Anxiety/sore throat |
| Syzygium aromaticum** | Eugenol | ∼80 % | Sore throat |
*
Contraindicated in hypothyroidism.
**
Especially effective if used for gargling as a mouthwash (diluted in an alcoholic solution).