Perillyl alcohol
Scientific names: Perillyl alcohol
Alternate names: Acide Dihydropérillique, Acide Périllique, Alcohol Perílico, Alcool Périllique, Dihydroperillic Acid, Monoterpene Perillyl Alcohol, Monoterpène, Perillic Acid, Périllique, Perillyl, Perilyl, Perrillyl, POH
Actions: Anti-cancer, Anti-cancer mechanisms, Anti-microbial, Cardiovascular
Background
Perillyl alcohol is a chemical found in certain plants such as lavender and citrus fruits.
People use perillyl alcohol for conditions such as various cancers, for skin damage caused by long-term sun exposure, and as a mosquito repellent, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
People use perillyl alcohol for conditions such as various cancers, for skin damage caused by long-term sun exposure, and as a mosquito repellent, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Perillyl alcohol is POSSIBLY SAFE when used under medical supervision. But don't take perillyl alcohol on your own. Taking perillyl alcohol can cause several serious side effects including stomach upset, reflux, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, and headache. Higher doses are more likely to cause more side effects. Many people who take perillyl alcohol have to stop because they can't tolerate the side effects, even at usual doses.
There have been reports of pancreatitis, increased bilirubin (which is a measure of liver function), increased white blood cell count, and low potassium levels in people taking high doses of perillyl alcohol.
When applied to the skin: Perillyl alcohol is POSSIBLY SAFE.
When given as a nasal spray: Perillyl alcohol is POSSIBLY SAFE. It might cause a runny nose and nose irritation.
There have been reports of pancreatitis, increased bilirubin (which is a measure of liver function), increased white blood cell count, and low potassium levels in people taking high doses of perillyl alcohol.
When applied to the skin: Perillyl alcohol is POSSIBLY SAFE.
When given as a nasal spray: Perillyl alcohol is POSSIBLY SAFE. It might cause a runny nose and nose irritation.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if perillyl alcohol is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using perillyl alcohol for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of perillyl alcohol depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for perillyl alcohol. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Perillyl Alcohol interacts with any medicines. Before taking Perillyl Alcohol, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
There isn't enough information to know how perillyl alcohol might work against cancer. Test tube research and research in animals suggest that perillyl alcohol might prevent cancer cells from growing. But there is not enough information to know if perillyl alcohol has this effect in people.
Perillyl alcohol seems to repel mosquitoes. There isn't enough information to know how perillyl alcohol might do this.
Perillyl alcohol seems to repel mosquitoes. There isn't enough information to know how perillyl alcohol might do this.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 30/04/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 19/12/2021 05:40:56. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
