Monoethanolamine is a first generation monoethanolamine with antihistaminic property. Ethanolamine competes with free histamine for binding at the histamine (H)-1 receptor thereby acting as an inverse agonist that combines with and stabilizes the inactive form of the H1-receptor thereby shifting the equilibrium toward the inactive state. This leads to a reduction of the negative symptoms brought on by H1-receptor binding.

Used as a chemical reagent, pesticide, pharmaceutical, solvent, dye intermediate, rubber accelerator, corrosion inhibitor and surfactant, etc. It is also used as an acid gas absorbent, emulsifier, plasticizer, rubber vulcanizing agent, printing and dyeing brightener, fabric mothproofing agent, etc.It can also be used as a plasticizer, vulcanizing agent, accelerator and foaming agent for synthetic resins and rubbers, as well as an intermediate for pesticides, pharmaceuticals and dyes. It is also a raw material for emulsifiers in synthetic detergents and cosmetics.In the textile industry, it is used as a printing and dyeing brightener, antistatic agent, mothproofing agent and cleaning agent. It can also be used as a carbon dioxide absorbent, ink additive and petroleum additive.