Who says that essential oil is only for adults? Children can also get the benefits from essential oil, including for relieving fever safely. The differences are only on the dosages and dilutions that are generally significantly lower for your little one, comparing to those used with adults. Dilutions for caring touch massage, for example, can start as low as 1 drop per ounce of carrier for newborns. The child’s weight and overall condition also must be considered. A child that is big for their age could use slightly higher amounts of essential oil, comparing to a child that is weak from illness.
So, what about using essential oil for relieving your kid’s fever? Here are the tips for you:
1.* Steam inhalation**
Boil some water and pour it into a stable bowl. Drop a few drops of essential oils into the water.
Essential oils: eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender.
How to use it: drape a towel over your kid’s head like a tent, and show him or her to hold their face near the water in the bowl.
Benefits: the warmth help to relieve chilliness and support the immune system fight against the fever causing illness.
2.* Direct application**
Wet a washrag with cool water and drop a drop of essential oil on it
Essential oil: lavender
How to use it: use the washrag to wipe a feverish child’s head, chest, and abdomen.
Benefits: to relieve a hot or sweaty fever that may help your kid settle down to sleep.
3.* Aromatherapy bath**
Put the essential oils in an Epsom salt base and mix well. 20 drops per cup of salt is an effective amount for your kid.
Essential oil: peppermint, lavender, sage, rosemary
How to use it: pour ¼ cup of Epsom/essential oil mixture into the bath and use it for bathing. Please make sure that the water warm enough for him or her.
Benefits: to make your kid feel comfortable and fresh and break your kid’s fever.
4.* Diluted in drinks**
Dilute the essential oil in tea or juice for your kid.
Essential oil: lemon, peppermint
How to use it: give the diluted tea or juice to your kid
Benefits: to relieve your kid’s fever.
5.* Diffused in an air diffuser**
Diffuse the essential oil in an air diffuser
Essential oil: lemon, lavender, chamomile, sage, pine, rosemary, and eucalyptus, peppermint
How to use it: try lemon, lavender, and chamomile to help your kid have a deep sleep. Try sage, pine, rosemary, and eucalyptus to encourage immune system support.
Benefits: deep sleep, good immune system, and cooling effect for fever
So, what do you think? Are you ready to try them? Don’t forget to consult with the doctor first before trying!