Treating Childhood Fevers with Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Lemon, lavender, eucalyptus, thyme, pine, peppermint, rosemary and sage are a few of the essential oils that are beneficial for feverish children. Here are some tips for using these concentrated oils with your children. See other ideas on managing fevers naturally.

Essential Oil Steam Inhalation - Sometimes a child suffering from a fever has chills as well and can benefit from the gentle warmth of a steam inhalation. Boil some water and pour it into a stable bowl your child won't be able to tip over. Drop a few drops of essential oils into the water so the aroma will disperse with the steam. Eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender are usually very pleasant to a child. Drape a towel over the child's head like a tent and show them how to hold their face near the water. The easy warmth can help relieve chilliness and the soothing essential oils can help support the immune system's fight against the fever-causing illness.

Essential Oil Direct Application - Lavender is especially gentle on the skin and has a very cooling effect. In fact, it was used in France as an emergency treatment for heatstroke! Wet a washrag with cool water and drop a drop of lavender essential oil on it and use it to wipe a feverish child's head, chest and abdomen to relieve a hot or sweaty fever providing a cooling relief that may help a restless child settle down to sleep.

Aromatherapy Bath - Bathing is a favorite home remedy for fevers already and using essential oils can increase the therapeutic effects. Put the essential oils you want to use in an Epsom salt base and mix well. I find 20 drops per cup of salt an effective amount for children. Pour ¼ Cup of the Epsom/essential oil mixture into the bath when filling the tub and the salt will dissolve, dispersing the healing oils into the water. Remember when relieving a feverish infant or child if your child shivers you need to make the water warmer. Sometimes the water may even seem too warm to you but can help break the child's fever. Peppermint, lavender, sage or rosemary are some favorite essential oils for relieving fevers in a bath.

Essential Oils Diluted in Tea or Juice - Many parents find adding a drop of lemon or peppermint essential oil to a nourishing tea can help relieve a child's misery from fever. Only the highest quality essential oils should ever be used internally and there is only one brand I can personally recommend for such use or would ever use with my family.

Essential Oils Diffused in an Air Diffuser - Essential oils diffused into the air by a room diffuser can help raise a child's spirits, relax and calm a restless child, support and strengthen the immune system and relieve anxiety in the child (and parents). Try lemon, lavender and chamomile to encourage deep sleep in a child struggling to rest. Try sage, pine, rosemary and eucalyptus for a feverish child's room to encourage immune system support. Peppermint is another essential oil many children recognize the scent of and enjoy and peppermint has a cooling effect that can benefit a fever. Lavender and eucalyptus essential oils also have cooling effects and combine well with peppermint.

Sources:

Natural Family Living: The Mothering Magazine Guide to Parenting by Peggy O'Mara with Jane McConnell

Aromatherapy Scent and Psyche: Using Essential Oils for Physical and Emotional Well-Being by Peter and Kate Damian

Essential Oils Desk Reference by Essential Science Publishing