This review examines efficacy data of lemon eucalyptus oil in repelling mosquitoes, suggesting it may serve as a natural alternative to DEET.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) and its principal active derivative, p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), are widely used plant-derived mosquito repellents marketed as natural alternatives to synthetic repellents such as DEET and picaridin. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the botany and chemistry of lemon eucalyptus, mechanisms of action, laboratory and field efficacy data, formulation approaches, safety and regulatory considerations, and gaps for future research. Overall, PMD-containing products offer protection comparable to low-to-moderate concentrations of DEET in many studies and are an evidence-backed option for adult use; however, limitations include shorter duration in some settings, potential for skin sensitization, and restricted recommendations for young children. The review highlights areas where standardized clinical and field studies are still needed to support wider use and optimized formulations
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Vidhate et al. (2025) studied this question.
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