Menthol and Eucalyptus inhalation

BackgroundThe need to reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics for the treatment of pediatric acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) calls for therapeutic alternatives. The use of herbal medicines (phytopharmaceuticals) to treat ARTIs has increased worldwide. However, the evidence of phytopharmaceutical treatment, especially for children with ARTIs, has not yet been comprehensively presented.ObjectiveTo identify evidence on the efficacy and tolerability of phytopharmaceuticals in children suffering from ARTIs.MethodsWe searched the literature using two databases (PubMed and Cochrane Library) in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to identify records of clinical studies investigating the administration of phytopharmaceuticals in children with upper ARTIs (AURTIs) and/or lower ARTIs (ALRTIs).ResultsA total of 45 reports met the eligibility criteria and were included in our review. Of these, only nine reported double-blind, placebo-controlled trials investigating the efficacy and tolerability of phytopharmaceuticals in pediatric ARTIs. Overall, the included reports covered phytopharmaceuticals with the following single active ingredients: various purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.) preparations, ivy (Hedera helix L.) leaf dry extract, African geranium (Pelargonium sidoides L.) root extract (EPs 7630), and pineapple fruit and stem extract preparation. In addition, various reports were included for fixed combination phytopharmaceutical products: eucalyptus oil combinations, five-herb fixed combination extract [BNO 1012 syrup], seven-herb fixed preparation [BNO 1030 solution], thyme herb and ivy leaf extracts, purple coneflower and sage leaf spray, thyme and primrose root extracts, and a preparation containing upper plant parts and roots of purple coneflower, propolis and vitamin C. The most robust efficacy and tolerability evidence available was found for EPs 7630: six double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, eight meta-analyses, four prospective open-label studies, and two observational studies, demonstrating efficacy and good tolerability.ConclusionAmong the phytopharmaceuticals identified by our systematically conducted, comprehensive literature review, EPs 7630 is supported by sufficient evidence to be regarded as an appropriate treatment to reduce the severity and duration of AURTIs and ALRTIs in children. Regarding other phytopharmaceuticals reported in the literature for the treatment of pediatric ARTIs, further research is needed to close existing evidence gaps.

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Essential oils have emerged as popular natural alternatives to synthetic ingredients in cosmetic products, drawing attention for their therapeutic potential in treating skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. This systematic review analyzed 70 studies from the past decade across multiple databases to evaluate their effectiveness and safety in derma cosmetic applications. The research encompassed clinical trials, in vitro studies, and in vivo experiments examining various essential oils in different cosmetic formulations, including lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), peppermint (Mentha piperita), hemp (Cannabis sativa), Euphorbia characias, hierba de San Guillermo (Agrimonia eupatoria) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus). Key findings demonstrated that tea tree oil was particularly effective for acne treatment, while lavender and rosemary oils showed promising anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. Plant extracts from Ocimum gratissimum and Matricaria chamomilla also yielded positive results for skin health improvement. Various formulations such as gels, creams, and serums showed different levels of effectiveness in enhancing skin hydration, elasticity, and overall appearance. While the clinical evidence suggests significant potential for essential oils in cosmetic and dermatological applications, researchers emphasize the need for more comprehensive, longterm clinical trials to establish their efficacy and safety profiles fully.

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Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) is one of the most destructive soil-borne pathogens affecting tomato production worldwide, causing substantial yield losses and persisting in soil for extended periods. The increasing regulatory restrictions on chemical fungicides and the emergence of resistant pathogen strains have intensified the search for sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives. This systematic review synthesizes studies published between 2000 and 2025 that evaluated the antifungal efficacy of essential oils (EOs), their bioactive constituents, and EO-based nanoformulations against FOL in tomato. A total of 40 studies were included, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, encompassing in vitro, greenhouse, and limited field evaluations. Many EOs rich in phenolic compounds and oxygenated monoterpenes, such as thymol, carvacrol, eugenol, citral, and menthol, consistently inhibited FOL growth and spore germination, with reported mycelial growth inhibition ranging from 60 to 100% and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) between 0.05 and 1.5 µL ml-1. However, the use of EOs is often limited because they evaporate quickly, do not mix well with water, can harm plants, and do not persist under field conditions. Nano-delivery systems, including nanoemulsions, polymeric nanoparticles, chitosan-based carriers, and lipid-based nanostructures, have been shown to enhance the stability, bioavailability, and antifungal efficacy of EOs. This has led to improved disease management and reduced pesticide application rates. In addition, several EO-based treatments have been reported to activate plant defense responses, including the induction of defense-related genes, antioxidant enzymes, and epigenetic modifications. Overall, EO-based nanoformulations show promise as next-generation biopesticides for the sustainable management of tomato Fusarium wilt. Nevertheless, large-scale field validation, standardized formulation protocols, and regulatory assessments are required before these technologies can be widely implemented in agriculture.

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