Can Eucalyptus oil treat hallucinations and autism? Explained

Hyderabad: A Facebook video claims that eucalyptus oil can cure hallucinations.

The viral video talks about a boy who has hallucinations about an alien living inside his body. The hallucinations disappeared as soon as the boy started drinking herbal tea containing eucalyptus oil, the video claims.

Another boy showed no signs of autism after drinking the same herbal tea, it adds.

Does the herbal tea with eucalyptus oil help treat neurological conditions like hallucinations and autism? Let's find out.

FACT CHECK

According to Healthy WA, "Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy to bring about mental and physical wellbeing. Aromatherapy is the practice of blending different therapeutic essential oils to stimulate a desired response. Essential oils can be applied or massaged into the skin, inhaled or immersed in water."

Essential oils have been used for medical purposes for centuries. Healthy WA states that inhaling eucalyptus oil may help with nasal decongestion and disinfection.

The article further states the dangers of essential oils and says they are not safe to consume and can cause significant poisoning even if small amounts are ingested. Moreover, the use of undiluted essential oils on sensitive skin or in the nostrils can irritate or burn. Susceptible people may also develop an allergic reaction and a skin rash.

The symptoms of essential oils poisoning include:

• Drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing, coma (after large ingestion).

• Seizures.

• Persistent cough, gagging/choking, shortness of breath, wheezing.

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

• Skin irritation (skin exposure).

• Eye redness, irritation, or pain (eye exposures).

In case you ingest essential oils:

· Rinse your mouth.

· Do not induce vomiting.

· Do not give oral fluids until it is advised safe to do so by the Poisons Information Centre. This can increase of risk of vomiting and aspiration of fluid into the lungs.

"Eucalyptus is used for its soothing effects when inhaled, for example during a cold or cough. If swallowed, eucalyptus oil can cause seizures," says Poison.Org.

Lastly, it should be noted that as little as 2 ml (less than half a teaspoon) of eucalyptus oil can cause significant poisoning in an infant, according to Healthy WA.

It is evident that there is no scientific evidence to back the efficacy of eucalyptus oil for hallucination or autism.

Hence, the claim is false.