Selective: Home Remedies Can Increase Oxygen Levels

Misbar discovered that the Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi shared a very similar claim on Facebook about using home remedies to increase oxygen levels amid rising COVID-19 cases, according to the DeccanHerald.com. The social media posts suggest camphor, cloves, and eucalyptus oil can increase oxygen levels if inhaled throughout the day. 

Camphor is a colorless or white colored crystalline powder with a strong mothball-like odor. Camphor oil is the oil extracted from the wood of the camphor tree Cinnamomum Camphora. Camphor oil has been tested for anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is used for its aromatic properties, as an insect repellant, in embalming fluids, and various topical skin preparations. Camphor is sometimes added in small percentages to medicines rubbed on the skin (like Vicks VapoRub). However, unchecked camphor exposure can irritate the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, according to the National Library of Medicine. High concentrations may cause extreme destruction of the tissue of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract, eyes, and skin. The toxicity of camphor used in too high of concentrations or ingested is well documented. 

Cloves and their essential oil are derived from clove trees (Syzygium aromaticum). For centuries, cloves have been widely used as a spice and have also been known to have medicinal properties. Extracts made from cloves have been shown to reduce lung inflammation in mice and experiments using human cells outside of the body in a lab. 

Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil derived from the oval-shaped leaves of eucalyptus trees, originally native to Australia. There has been some research investigating eucalyptus and the respiratory system. In a study of 35 hospitalized participants who were intubated, researchers put a small amount (5%) of eucalyptus in a saline solution for the patients to inhale every eight hours. The eucalyptus did show antibacterial properties compared to the control group. However, this was a very small study and was conducted in a controlled environment. While only documented rarely, eucalyptus has been known to cause seizures in children who ingest eucalyptus oil.

While some research supports the idea that camphor, cloves, and eucalyptus do have medicinal properties, there is not enough evidence to show that any of these compounds could add oxygen to someone with COVID-19. However, each of these ingredients may provide comfort to someone who is sick as long as they are used as directed (like in a formulated medication) and are kept out of the reach of children.