Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Essential Oil-Related Brain Disorders: An Unexplored Under-recognized Conundrum

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Neuro-Systemic Applications in Learning

Abstract

Essential oils are obtained from a plant or its parts by various extraction and concentration techniques. The word essential is a misnomer and denotes “essence or concentrate” of the plant or its parts and not essential for human beings. These essential oils are omnipresent especially in various balms, ointments, cosmetic products, toothpaste, and over-the-counter medications including those of complementary and alternative systems. Essential oils from certain plants have brain stimulatory properties especially those of camphor and eucalyptus. These pro-convulsant essential oils may induce or provoke neuropsychiatric disorders like seizure, epilepsy, migraine, cluster headache, and anxiety disorders and may also be addictive. As most physicians are unaware of the side effects of these essential oils, they are unable to recognize and connect these neuropsychiatric disorders with essential oils. In this chapter, we will be exploring the probable scientific relationships between these brain stimulatory essential oils and neuropsychiatric disorders.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Agarwal, A., & Malhotra, H. S. (2008). Camphor ingestion: An unusual cause of seizure. The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 56, 123–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arena, J. M. (1979). Poisoning: Toxicology, symptoms, treatments (4th ed.). Springfield: CC. Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bahr, T. A., Rodriguez, D., Beaumont, C., et al. (2019). The effects of various essential oils on epilepsy and acute seizure: A systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019, 6216745.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bastos, V. P., Gomes, A. S., Lima, F. J., et al. (2011). Inhaled 1,8-cineole reduces inflammatory parameters in airways of Ovalbumin-challenged Guinea Pigs. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 108(1), 34–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bozorg, A. M., & Benbadis, S. R. (2009). Essential oils as a cause of breakthrough seizure after temporal lobectomy. Seizure, 18(8), 604–605.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burkhard, P. R., Burkhardt, K., Haenggeli, C. A., & Landis, T. (1999). Plant-induced seizures: Reappearance of an old problem. Journal of Neurology, 246(8), 667–670.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camphor. (2016). Meyler’s side effects of drugs, 44.https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-444-53717-1.00441-8

  • Chen, W., Vermaak, I., & Viljoen, A. (2013). Camphor--a fumigant during the Black Death and a coveted fragrant wood in ancient Egypt and Babylon--a review. Molecules, 18(5), 5434–5454.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Culic, M., Kekovic, G., Grbic, G., et al. (2009). Wavelet and fractal analysis of rat brain activity in seizures evoked by camphor essential oil and 1,8-cineole. General Physiology and Biophysics, 28, 33–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, L. M., Ozanne-Smith, J., Parsons, B. J., et al. (1997). Eucalyptus oil poisoning among young children: Mechanism of access and the potential for prevention. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 21, 297–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dubovsky, S. L. (1995). Electroconvulsive therapy. In H. I. Kaplan & B. J. Sadock (Eds.), Comprehensive textbook of psychiatry, ed 6 (p. 2129). Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enaibe, B., Eweka, A., & Adjene, J. (2008). Toxicological effects of camphor administration on the histology of the kidney of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The Internet Journal of Toxicology, 5. https://doi.org/10.5580/29a.

  • Flaman, Z., Pellechia-Clark, S., Bailey, B., & McGuigan, M. (2001). Unintentional exposure of young children to camphor and eucalyptus oils. Paediatrics & Child Health, 6, 80–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gouin, S., & Patel, H. (1996). Unusual cause of seizure. Pediatric Emergency Care, 12(4), 298–300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gyoubu, K., & Miyazawa, M. (2007). In vitro metabolism of (-)-camphor using human liver microsomes and CYP2A6. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 30(2), 230–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasanzadeh, F., Kashouk, N. M., Amini, S., et al. (2016). The effect of cold application and lavender oil inhalation in cardiac surgery patients undergoing chest tube removal. EXCLI Journal, 15, 64–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hausner, E. A., & Poppenga, R. H. (2013). Hazards associated with the use of herbal and other natural products. In Small animal toxicology (3rd ed.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Juergens, U. R., Stober, M., & Vetter, H. (1998). Steroid-like inhibition of monocyte arachidonic acid metabolism and IL-1β production by 1,8-cineole. AtemwegLungenkrank, 24, 3–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Juergens, U. R., Dethlefsen, U., Steinkamp, G., et al. (2003). Anti-inflammatory activity of 1.8-cineol (eucalyptol) in bronchial asthma: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Respiratory Medicine, 97(3), 250–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Juergens, U. R., Engelen, T., Racké, K., et al. (2004). Inhibitory activity of 1, 8-cineol (eucalyptol) on cytokine production in cultured human lymphocytes and monocytes. Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 17(5), 281–287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahook, M. Y., Thomas, S. A., & Ciardella, A. P. (2007). Central serous chorioretinopathy associated with chronic dermal camphor application. The Internet Journal of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 4, 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karunakara, B. P., & Jyotirmanju, C. S. (2012). Eucalyptus oil poisoning in children. Journal of Pediatric Sciences, 4, e132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khine, H., Weiss, D., Graber, N., Hoffman, R. S., Esteban-Cruciani, N., & Avner, J. R. (2009 May). A cluster of children with seizures caused by camphor poisoning. Pediatrics, 123(5), 1269–1272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kristoffersen, E. S., & Lundqvist, C. (2014). Medication-overuse headache: Epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, 5(2), 87–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, K. J., Sonnathi, S., Anitha, C., & Santhoshkumar, M. (2015). Eucalyptus oil poisoning. Toxicology International, 22(1), 170–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesky, E. (1959). Auenbrugger’s camphor therapy and the convulsive therapy of psychoses: on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Auenbrugger’s death on 18th May 1959. WienKlinWochenschr, 71, 289–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lizarraga-Valderrama, L. R. (2020). Effects of essential oils on central nervous system: Focus on mental health. Phytotherapy Research, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6854.

  • Manoguerra, A. S., Erdman, A. R., Wax, P. M., Nelson, L. S., Caravati, E. M., Cobaugh, D. J., Chyka, P. A., Olson, K. R., Booze, L. L., Woolf, A. D., et al. (2006). Camphor Poisoning: An evidence-based practice guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clinical Toxicology, 44, 357–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martins, D. F., Emer, A. A., Batisti, A. P., et al. (2015). Inhalation of Cedrus atlantica essential oil alleviates pain behavior through activation of descending pain modulation pathways in a mouse model of postoperative pain. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 175, 30–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mathew, T., & John, S. K. (2020, January). An unsuspected and unrecognized cause of medication overuse headache in a chronic migraineur—Essential oil-related medication overuse headache: A case report. Cephalalgia Reports. https://doi.org/10.1177/2515816319897054

  • Mathew, T., Kamath, V., Kumar, S., et al. (2017). Eucalyptus oil inhalation induced seizure: A novel under recognized preventable cause of acute symptomatic seizure. Epilepsia Open, 2, 350–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mathew, T., Kamath, V., Jadav, R., et al. (2018a). Essential oil-induced (EOIS) and provoked seizures (EOPS): A multicentric prospective observational study from South India. In Proceedings of the 12th Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy congress. Bali: American Epilepsy Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathew, T., Kamath, V., Jadav, R., et al. (2018b). Essential Oil-Induced (EOIS) and Provoked Seizures (EOPS): A Multicentric Prospective Observational Study From South India. 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) at New Orleans, United States of America in 2018. Poster 1.435.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathew, T., John, S. K., Kamath, V., et al. (2020). Essential oil–related status epilepticus: A small case series study. JACEP Open, 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meng, I., Dodick, D., Ossipov, M., et al. (2011). Pathophysiology of medication overuse headache: Insights and hypotheses from preclinical studies. Cephalalgia, 31, 851–860.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michiels, E. A., & Mazor, S. S. (2010). Toddler with seizures due to ingesting camphor at an Indian celebration. Pediatric Emergency Care, 26(8), 574–575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olapour, A., Behaeen, K., Akhondzadeh, R., et al. (2013). The effect of inhalation of aromatherapy blend containing lavender essential oil on cesarean postoperative pain. Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, 3(1), 203–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, T., Seo, H., Kang, B., & Kim, K. (2001). Noncompetitive inhibition by camphor of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Biochemical Pharmacology, 61, 787–793.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patel, S., & Wiggins, J. (1980). Eucalyptus oil poisoning. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 55, 405–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patra, C., Sarkar, S., Dasgupta, M. K., & Das, A. (2015). Camphor poisoning: An unusual cause of seizure in children. Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences, 10(1), 78–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearce, J. M. S. (2008). Leopold Auenbrugger: camphor-induced epilepsy – remedy for manic psychosis. European Neurology, 59, 105–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahnama-Moghadam, S., Hillis, L. D., & Lange, R. A. (2015). Heart and toxins (pp. 75–132). Elsevier Inc.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Rampini, S. D., Schneemann, M., Rentsch, K., et al. (2002). Camphor intoxication after Cao Gio (coin rubbing). JAMA, 288, 45–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riggs, J., Hamilton, R., Homel, S., & McCabe, J. (1965). Camphorated oil intoxication in pregnancy; Report of a case. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 25, 255–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rivera, H. L., & Barrueto, F. (2014). Encyclopedia of toxicology (3rd ed., pp. 627–629).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruha, A. M., Graeme, K. A., & Field, A. (2003). Late seizure following ingestion of Vicks VapoRub. Academic Emergency Medicine, 10, 691.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sahana, K. S., & Rajiv, D. (2012). Camphor poisoning. Indian Pediatrics, 49, 841–842.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos, F. A., & Rao, V. S. (2000). Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of 1,8-cineole a terpenoid oxide present in many plant essential oils. Phytotherapy Research, 14, 240–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos, F. A., Silva, R. M., Campos, A. R., et al. (2004). 1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol), a monoterpene oxide attenuates the colonic damage in rats on acute TNBS-colitis. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 42(4), 579–584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, A. G., & Margolis, G. (1954). Camphor poisoning; anatomical and pharmacologic study; report of a fatal case; experimental investigation of protective action of barbiturate. The American Journal of Pathology, 30(5), 857–869.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinmetz, M. D., Vial, M., & Millet, Y. (1987). Actions of essential oils of rosemary and certain of its constituents (eucalyptol and camphor) on the cerebral cortex of the rat in vitro. Journal de Toxicologie Clinique et Experimentale, 7, 259–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strader, D. B., & Seeff, L. B. (2012). Hepatotoxicity of herbal preparations. In Zakim and Boyer’s hepatology (6th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders‐Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thng, S. Y., & Tan, H. H. (2012, May 25–June 1). Status Epilepticus from large ingestion of eucalyptus oil. Abstracts of the 2012 International Congress of the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tibballs, J. (1995). Clinical effects and management of eucalyptus oil ingestion in infants and young children. Medical journal of Australia, 163, 177–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential oil profiles. In Essential oil safety (2nd ed., pp. 187–482). Churchill Livingstone: St. Louis.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Vatanparast, J., & Andalib-Lari, F. (2017 May). Camphor elicits epileptiform discharges in snail neurons: The role of ion channels modulation. Neurotoxicology, 60, 299–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waldman, N. (2011). Seizure caused by dermal application of over-the-counter eucalyptus oil head lice preparation. Clinical Toxicology (Phila), 49, 750–751.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whytt, R. (1767). Observations on the nature, causes and cure of those disorders which are commonly called nervous, hypochondriac, or hysteric to which are prefixed some remarks on the sympathy of the nerves. In T. Becket & P. du Hondt (Eds.), The works of Thomas Whytt, ed 3. London: Becket and du Hondt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeraatpisheh, Z., & Vatanparast, J. (2015). Eucalyptol induces hyperexcitability and epileptiform activity in snail neurons by inhibiting potassium channels. European Journal of Pharmacology, 764, 70–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuccarini, P. (2009). Camphor: Risks and benefits of a widely used natural product. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 13, 69–74.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, St. John’s Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

    Thomas Mathew

Authors
  1. Thomas Mathew
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas Mathew .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Education Beyond Curriculum, Christ University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

    Kennedy Andrew Thomas

  2. Department of Mathematics, Christ University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

    Joseph Varghese Kureethara

  3. Rajnagar Mahavidyalaya, Birbhum, West Bengal, India

    Siddhartha Bhattacharyya

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Mathew, T. (2021). Essential Oil-Related Brain Disorders: An Unexplored Under-recognized Conundrum. In: Thomas, K.A., Kureethara, J.V., Bhattacharyya, S. (eds) Neuro-Systemic Applications in Learning. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-72400-9_12

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation