attractive to males of various species of orchid bees, which apparently gather the chemical to synthesize pheromones; it is commonly used as bait to attract and collect these bees for study. It also attracts female cucumber beetles. Eugenol and isoeugenol, which both are floral volatile scent compounds, are catalyzed by a single type of enzyme in the genus Gymnadenia and the gene encoding for this enzyme is the first functionally characterized gene in these species. Eugenol is an ingredient in some insecticides. Clove oil is common as an anesthetic for use on aquarium fish as well as on wild fish when sampled for research and management purposes. Where readily available, it presents a humane method to euthanize sick and diseased fish either by direct overdose or to induce sleep before an overdose of eugenol. Other Eugenol is an ingredient in some fungicides and weed control products used in agricultural practices in the European Union. It is used in hundreds of household products, such as pesticides, pet care, laundry, cleaning, and paper or vehicle products. Toxicity Taken orally in high doses for chronic periods, eugenol may cause liver toxicity. An overdose is possible, causing a wide range of symptoms from blood in the urine, to convulsions, diarrhea, nausea, unconsciousness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, or acute kidney injury. N-acetylcysteine may be used to treat people with eugenol or clove oil overdose. As an allergenic Eugenol is subject to restrictions on its use in perfumery as some people may become sensitised to it, however, the degree to which eugenol can cause an allergic reaction in humans is disputed. Eugenol is a component of balsam of Peru, to which some people are allergic. When eugenol is used in dental preparations such as surgical pastes, dental packing, and dental cement, it may cause contact stomatitis and allergic cheilitis. The allergy can be discovered via a patch test. Natural occurrence Eugenol naturally occurs in numerous plants, including the following: Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) Wormwood Cinnamon Cinnamomum tamala Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) Ocimum gratissimum (African basil) Ocimum tenuiflorum (syn. Ocimum sanctum, tulsi or holy basil) Japanese star anise Lemon balm Dill Pimenta dioica (Allspice) Vanilla Bay laurel Celery Ginger Wood avens See also Zinc oxide eugenol Pseudoisoeugenol Isoeugenol Acetyleugenol Ferulic acid References Phenylpropenes Flavors Perfume ingredients Phenols Allyl compounds O-methylated natural phenols O-methylated phenylpropanoids