As a parent who wants to take a natural holistic approach with your children’s health, it is important to be informed, educated and aware. Are you wondering, is eucalyptus oil safe for babies? Here are some answers.
Is Eucalyptus Oil Safe for Babies?
When your baby is congested, you can feel helpless. Babies don’t know how to blow their noses. For this simple reason, a cold in babies can take up to 10 days to clear, while in adults colds generally clear in 3 – 5 days.
Even feeding can get complicated when your baby has a cold. Unable to breathe through the nose while suckling your baby stop feeding altogether and begin losing weight.
What’s a parent to do? It’s easy to reach out to your essential oils and rub some decongesting eucalyptus oil onto your baby’s chest in the hopes of clearing their air ways.
But before you do so – you need to know the problems with using eucalyptus oil on babies, so that you can use it in a safe manner.
Where to Get Eucalyptus Oil
Please ensure to get 100% pure high quality and organic eucalyptus oil. You can purchase it from here.
What’s the Problem with Eucalyptus Oil?
Eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus globulus) has an unmistakable sharp, camphorous, herbal and minty aroma.
It is one of the most versatile oils that you can own, right along with lavender, tea tree and lemon.
Eucalyptus is a superstar in the essential oils world because it has a wide range of benefits including:
- Anti-bacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, antimicrobial and disinfectant properties
- Natural insect repelling properties
- Good for bug bites
- Gets rid of lice naturally
- Powerful cleaning aid
- Pain killer
- Helps in respiratory ailments such as bronchitis, colds, flu and others
But when it comes to babies and children, eucalyptus oil has to be used with utmost caution.
This is because babies are more sensitive than us, their skin is more permeable and easily absorbs more than 60% of the oil applied on it, they have lower body masses than adults and their detox and elimination organs are not fully developed.
The Dangers of Eucalyptus Oil for Babies
The culprit in eucalyptus oil is actually a compound called eucalyptol, better known as 1,8 -cineol . This component can make up anywhere between 30% – 90% of the oil, depending on where it is harvested from.
According to the highly acclaimed book, “Essential Oils Safety,” by Tisserand and Young, here are the things you need to know about 1,8-cineol:
- “Do not apply to or near the face of infants or children under ten (10) years of age.” – Page 273
- “Elevated oral doses are toxic and children are susceptible to cineol toxicity” – Page 526
- “Instillation of 1,8 cineole into the nose of children up to four years of age results in non-fatal but serious toxicity, and may interfere with respiration.” – Page 526
This means eucalyptus oil should not be applied on the face or near the face (such as ears, neck, upper chest). Secondly, never give your baby any amount of eucalyptus oil for oral consumption. Finally, do not administer eucalyptus oil into your baby’s nose via drops, inhaler or others.
How to Correctly Use Eucalyptus Oil for Babies
» Diffusion is the Key – Diffusion is the safest way to enjoy the benefits of eucalyptus oil, without having to apply it topically at all.
Diffuse only 1 -2 drops of essential oil in a high quality diffuser for not more than 30 minutes a day, in a well-aerated room with your congested baby.
Note If your baby shows any signs of discomfort such as eye irritation or crying, stop diffusing the oil and try again after some time. If your baby still shows signs of irritation the second time, then stop the diffusion.
Alternatives to Eucalyptus Oil for Babies
In order for your baby to fight congestive ailments like colds, the main thing that is required is a strong immune system. Giving your baby breast milk is one of the best ways to build your baby’s immune system. Other natural remedies that can be used include:
» Hot water compress – To loosen up thick mucus blocking your baby’s nose, throat and chest, dip a small cotton cloth in hot water and squeeze out the excess. Apply this hot cloth over your baby’s nose for a few seconds. Repeat a few more times. Also apply the hot cloth on your baby’s throat and chest. Of course, make sure it is not too hot, just mildly hot enough for your baby’s sensitive skin.
» Nasal syringe – To help your baby clear their airways, use a nasal aspirator to draw out the mucus. This will help them feel much, much better and happier! This is best done after using the hot water compress method detailed above.
» Ginger tea – Ginger is a great anti-viral and anti-bacterial herb that has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Make a cup of ginger tea by steeping 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger in boiling water for 10 minutes. Allow to cool and feed your baby 1 – 2 teaspoons of this tea up to 3 times a day.
I hope it’s clear that oils such as eucalyptus oil should be completely avoided with babies under 2 – for oral and topical application. Diffusion is safe. For more information on essential oils and babies, please read: Which Essential Oils are Safe for Babies?