Eucalyptus Oil..or how to get everyone to sleep.
Just popping in here on this busy weekend to give you this helpful information. I thought about it the other night when the copper penny headed boy was having a residual asthma cough and I kept thinking…my readers need to know about this! And now as I was putting the baby down for a nap and she began coughing and I was rubbing in the oil again…I thought..”I have to tell them”.
I know as February comes to a close everyone is getting over having been sick. As we have properly passed around every grocery cart germ February had to offer.. we are left with a nagging cough. So simple you may doubt me but I have had awesome results… all you do is rub 4-6 drops of Essential Oil Eucalyptus on the soles of their feet. (I am sure there is a very spiritual post in there… and you are more then welcome to write it).
I never liked the messy chest rub…seemed so harsh and…well, a giant mess. I doubted that rubbing the oil onto the feet would do anything but in a house of coughing fits…one waking up the other and all of them waking me up…I gave it a shot. It worked like gangbusters!
~The hacking husband…quiet.
~The asthma-y dry coughing copper penny headed boy…sleeping soundly.
~The sniffly coughing toddler….stopped waking herself up and slept through the night.
I mean come on that is a wide age range and a range of different coughs… worked for everyone. Plus they all wear socks to sleep in..and still use their heavy winter blankets…I don’t know exactly why it works…and I am no doctor so maybe you should ask someone … but all I know is it has changed our nights around here!
I had to share…before I run out to buy more Essential Oil Eucalyptus.
*for the love of everything..please use a carrier oil… I stated that I am “just ” a mother of 8 kids… and I am no doctor…However since then… in the comments many people who claim to be professionals (to which I cannot vouch as I am also not a private investigator- but don’t tell my kids) very passionately want people to use carrier oils…so you know: Carrier oils people!*
Updated to add: So this is the exact Aura Cacia Essential Oil Eucalyptus one I get and am still using years later. I have used other Eucalyptus oils from other fancy well known brands and none have worked as consistently as this Aura Cacia brand!!!!!
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A Seed Inspired 
I have used Vicks vapor rub too, seems to help.
yes…they would use that on me as a kid and I thought it was a big mess…so I always avoided it with my seven kids…
or are you saying you have used the vicks on their feet?
T
Yes. A Vick’s ingredient is eucalyptus oil. Rub on bottoms of feet, pull on socks and sleep the night away. If both work equally well, then go with the less expensive remedy.
I am a firm believer in using Vick’s Vapor Rub on the bottom of my 2 daughter’s feet. I use a baby wipe to get a small amount and rub a layer on their feet! Works like a charm!
we were told by our asthmatic sons pediatrician that Vicks is not good for some people with asthma, something with the menthol that aggravates the lining of the lungs and makes them cough even more, At least that held true with our son and my sister who became asthmatic late in life (40) so I live by that rule I think I would be afraid to even try this to be honest, Maybe with just a person without asthma
I am not a doctor…
all I can tell you is what has worked in this house…with these people.
I do not represent the company…don’t get anything in return…and am only passing along my experience.
our son is very asthmatic and it works great on him. but you are right you never know with asthmatics…anything can trip them up.
T
I was told the same thing about my asthmatic son and vicks. We do use eucalyptus and lavender. Works like a charm! This coming from the mother whose baby didn’t sleep through the night until 4 weeks ago! YAY! 18 months and just barely sleeping through the night. Dang asthma cough
If you put it on the soles of the feet it is not inhaled, so it would be fine with an asthmatic child. ( Only when placed on soles of the feet )
Also, I think the author is advocating eucalyptus oil, not menthol. They are two different things. Vicks contains eucalyptus and methol (as well as a lot of nasty petroleum, but that’s another topic!).
I’m asthmatic and use eucalyptus just fine, my doctor actually had me putting it in my humidifier. Again I think its vicks that is the issue because of the menthol. I know that I have a really strong reaction to anything with menthol in it (my mom smokes menthol cigarettes and they can/do set off an attack).
Vicks Baby Vapor Rub doesn’t contain Menthol, just lavender and eucalyptus. 🙂
Oh, and Rosemary!
Eucalyptus is not Menthol. Two shouldn’t be confused.
@ aseedinspired – Love the idea. We just got some of that oil from Singapore and I was pondering trying it when someone has a restless sleep or gets sick. I normally use Lavender oil or Chamomile (on feet as well, same method) and it works quite well too!
And the vicks also heals cracked and dry heals and feet…..used it for coughing and it worked for a week and then I realized that my feet were so soft and healed. Now I use it once or twice a week just for my feet!!!
Thanks for the information.Do you use the euclayptus straight or do you mix it with oil,as I thought I read somewhere not to use it on the skin straight..
Thanks for your help.
Jocelan
I wondered the same thi about putting it on the skin…so I cut it with baby lotion for the baby… That night she still coughed….so the next time I put it on her feet straight… She didn’t cough that night so I haven’t diluted it ever since.
I never diluted it with the husband or the other kids.
It seems to absorb really quick.
T
I am a certified Aromatherapist and you should NEVER put what we call a “neat” application of Eucalyptus (straight from the bottle) onto a toddler’s or anyone’s feet! It is a wonderful remedy and the foot is the second best place for absorpsion due to the larger pores. However, it needs to be diluted or it can leave a rash or even make a small child sick. People make the assumption because it is natural it cannot be harmful which is untrue. Many oils are very strong and can affect skin conditions and even your liver. I would recommend the Vicks baby rub as it has the proper ratio of essential oils with lavender and rosemary which are also helpful, but if you only have Eucalyptus oil dilute it with a carrier oil, olive, almond or even a little A&D ointment. Three to four drops per Tbps oil for a toddler and five to six for a small child. Lavender is the only safe “neat” application for children. It works wonders on bug bites! 🙂 Please don’t take this reply as critical. I only mean for it to be informative. You’re obviously a very good mother but having three of my own I thought I’d pass the info along 🙂
Artsymama, thanks for the aditional information. is very helpful
I accidentally put a few drops of Eucalyptus on my feet before I realized you were supposed to dilute it? Will it be ok or do I need to see a doctor or something?!
well you being a grown up.. I am sure you could wash it off if it gave you such distress. however we put the brand we use, on directly.
I am not a doctor and if you are very worried you could easily call your doctor.
T
I know artsymama said it already and I know aseedinspired said she isnt a doctor but it is really important not to put essential oils on neat, especially on children. It’s the same as if you gave a child an adult dose of a prescription medication. Essential oils are highly concentrated, you can cause allergic reactions to the extent of anaphylactic shock. There is a company that sells essential oils near me that is a great company and very honest wholesome business practices, this is what they have to say about use of essential oils http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/newsletter/essential_oils_handle_with_care.php
This link says gone
My neighbors told me about putting it on the feet. I’m also not sure as to why it works but it does. The baby version of chest rub is eucalyptus with aloe, rosemary and lavender.. that’s what I used. I like your idea of using just the eucalyptus oil though as I don’t like using petroleum based products.
They say it works because the pores in your feet absorb the oil faster than if you put it on your chest.
I dabble in essential oils and the bottom of your feet are one of the most porous parts of your body. I completely agree about not using petroleum based products after learning more about essential oils. Petroleum literally coats the nerves — not a good thing.
I use Vicks on my toddler’s feet and it works like a charm. I use the baby Vicks and I like it better, not quite as potent as Vicks. (I just get the Target brand.) My pediatrician was the one who told me about it. I may try the oil though, I hate the mess too!
been using VIcs for the past 3 nights on my sweet little G. Frown. Id read recently to put it on the feet. I wish there was somewhere I could get the oil tomorrow but it will have to wait for Monday. Thank you so much for sharing. We are trying to get well over here. The three sickest of us went to the Dr this week. Been praying over Little G…….Blessings.
Wow! I just discovered your blog, and I’ve got a kid with asthma who has a really junky cough/sickness brewing (honestly, I’m just hoping it doesn’t turn into pneumonia *sigh*). Anyway, I’m lovin’ this tip, and I’ll have to try it! I don’t think I have any eucalyptus oil in the house, but I’ll be sure to get some tomorrow! Thanks.
you can also add lavender. Will help emmensly! Did with my 18 month old who had pneumonia from asthma 5 times in 5 months
i would say check doterra oils there are a couple diffrent ones that work really well, it works best on the feet for any oil because they say thats where your biggest pores are it works wonders on my kidos
great…got some coughing here…I love natural remedies…thanks…
Unsure if when I reply to comments on my blog, they make it to the intended person or sit there, and I wanted to make sure to connect.
LOVED your comment. Your “adjective” hilarious and I will be using that. Very acurate from a physical and quite possibly spiritual standpoint.
Accept, pray and worship…a terrific perscription. Not cheesy at all!!
Your reply blessed me to the core, straight from Jesus. Now I don’t have a cough but I think I’m going to go get some Eucalyptus oil…because it just sounds like a good thing to keep around.
Bless you
Found you through Pinterest, and so happy I did, as we are also a coughing family right now. Trying this tonight.
Wonder if it would help croup – my littlest one is coming down with that now :-(. Thanks for the tip!
My fifth out of seven kids was the croupy one…
If a hot steamy shower room doesn’t work
Then a late night walk out in the night air will.
It generally one of the two…
Sorry i didnt know about the oil back then…verbally croup kids grow out of it by three.
T
PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL! As a pharmacist, I feel I have a duty to warn. I know of a child taken to the emergency department of a children’s hospital with eucalyptus oil toxicity. The child accidently grabbed the bottle while the parents were using it. Please use extreme caution when using this near a child. It may seem harmless because it is a natural product, but accidental exposure of even small amount can be very dangerous.
thanks for the warning..although since I started using it on my seven kids I have talked to three doctors and none of them seemed to bat an eyelash about it…although none of them told me to not drink it…I took it for granted that people would know that Eucalyptus oil is not a beverage…
So thanks for warning people…and if they miss your comment…let me reiterate:
Eucalyptus oil is not a beverage.
🙂
T
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/700.html
Please read this!! Eucalyptus OIL is UNSAFE for children and pregnant/breast feeding moms orally OR when applied to the skin.
As a nurse I thought it was important to share this.
I do believe that children’s Vics would be perfectly safe for the feet in small amounts.
Thanks for the help.
I did check with a few doctors before (err..or maybe after) and I am not a doctor and make no claims to be… and no one had any issue with it.
As far as Vicks goes…some folks really hate the idea of smearing their kids with a petroleum product.
As I stated before…I want to reiterate that Eucalyptus oil is not a beverage.
I believe in mothers and I really appreciate your link and care for others….Thank you…and I see you have taken the time to comment twice on this issue, you clearly feel very strongly about this subject…but as you can see I have approved both of your comments on this subject…so rest in the fact that if they need to read it…you have supplied it….twice.
T
I am glad to see that there is an opportunity for us to be informed on the options and information available. I think it is important for everyone to be informed. However I was disapointed in reading the article that it go to great lengths to say that it is UNSAFE however points out after that statment that it has yet to be properly researched to determin the actuall safe levels or hazards. I will continue to research both sides for more information but thank both of you for your help!
Was that really the link you meant to post? I’m a nurse as well, I like a good well-rounded balance of knowledge of both mainstream and homeopathic remedies. But this article could not support their few claims of eucalyptus being “unsafe” with ANY supporting evidence. It didn’t prove anything. The only valid conclusions it came to was that it wasn’t studied enough to make any conclusions! What a misleading and embarrassing post!
It is actually not true. Any oil is safe when it is properly diluted. The ratio for infants and children under 2 – 1 drop per 1 tablespoon (can increase to 2-3 drops, but only if there was no negative reaction). It won’t harm pregnant women either if used properly. I am also into aromatherapy and I’ve studied and read numerous documents supporting the use of essential oils in pregnancy and infancy. One just has to be cautious and do his/her research well , as well as inquire when buying essential oils whether they have been already diluted or not and whether they are pure or synthetic.
Very interesting! You know, it’s the cought that keeps everyone feeling badly. It keeps you from sleeping and just feeling normal. I will have to try this! Thanks for sharing!
I second the person who recommended doterra oils. They are really superb quality and guaranteed absolutely pure (no fillers, additives, or residual pesticides). And the oils work on the bottoms of your feet because that’s where the pores are largest on your body, so the essential oils get into your bloodstream quickest that way. So happy to hear when people start using natural healing alternatives instead of petroleum based products filled with parabens!
The same trick works with vicks rubbed on the feet.
Sometimes I rub lavender essential oil on the bottoms of my feet to help me sleep. It does seem to help. You wouldn’t think rubbing something on the bottoms of feet would work, but it does seem to. I guess the body absorbs it. I know essential oils are very potent. I’ve been experimenting a little with them myself.
Found you randomly on Pinterest! My family actually owns a eucalyptus oil company. It’s great for all kinds of things. I rub it all over my older kids for anything from headache/body ache to congestion. I also add a few drops of lavender to the eucalyptus oil and rub on the soles of my teething, fussy 7 month old. Great stuff. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
oh wow… what company and where do you grow it?
Thanks for the great tip!
T
http://www.sydneyseucalyptus.com/ The eucalyptus is grown in Australia but mix in the US with aloe vera, grape seed oil, jojoba oil and vitamin E. It has a nice silky feeling that absorbs quickly. I’ve also avoided Vicks due to the mess but this can be sprayed on a child’s chest, given a few minutes to absorb and pjs put on. But I still like rubbing it on feet most.
wow sounds like a great idea.
Thank you so much for sharing it here!
T
Where can I purchase a good oil that is not super expensive?
I get my essential oils from http://www.iHerb.com They have very good prices on a lot of things!
Thanks for the tip! My kids and hubby are still getting over colds, and my hubby has a nagging cough…wonder if I can convince him to put Eucalyptus oil on his feet? 🙂 Found you from 5 of mine blog!
oh great!
since it sort of gets a free foot rub at the same time..it’s not too hard to coax them to try it
🙂
T
As another commenter warned – be aware that Vicks is full of parabens and all sorts of things you would never want in your kid’s system. Whereas… essential oils are not. So they are a little pricier, yes, but a little goes a long way and you don’t have to worry about hormone disruption, increased cancer risk, and so on!
Just found you randomly through Pinterest. My 9 year old daughter and I both are getting over a nasty cold and have terrible coughs. Can’t wait to try this tonight. I was coughing so bad last night that I ended up going and sleeping downstairs on the couch at 1am because I didn’t want to wake my husband. Hopefully tonight I won’t have to worry about it. Thanks for the info. Can’t wait to try it!
Hey it’s worth a try right?
Good luck.
T
Eucalyptus oil is great! You can rub it on their chest also to really open up their air-ways. The reason for the feet is because we have the largest skin pores on the bottom of our feet so it reaches the blood stream the quickest that way. Great oils to add are lemon to reduce mucas and Frankinsence to boost immunity. Also like others said Vicks and other rub ons do have Eucalyptus in them but also lots of other unneccesary chemicals, why add those when you can just use the oils that have so many health benefits! I found you through pinterest by the way!
thanks for the info…I love all the natural helpful hints.
We live pretty healthy and reading all of this is very cool.
T
I’ve always found it interesting that if a person stands in crushed garlic, in short order their breath will smell of garlic. It seems to penetrate the skin and is able go travel via the bloodstream to the lungs. I imagine that’s the same for anything, including eucalyptus oil. Inhaling it can trigger coughing if the throat is irritated, but this technique bypasses the throat altogether.
smart thinking.
T
This is all very fascinating to me and I am wondering why anybody would stand in crushed garlic!
🙂
I don’t know about standing in crushed garlic, but I do know that garlic is a natural mosquito repellant so maybe if you rubbed it on your feet before you put your socks on it wouls help
We use essential oils a lot at our house. Our latest to help with colds is Olbas oil. Will have to try this. Thanks.
I have some… somewhere. Will need to try! Thanks for the tip.
Av-at.com will get you a pure essential oil a much better price than the multi-level marketing companies. Don’t believe their hype. 🙂
(It’s also much better oil than the health-store brands… no offense intended, T!)
No offense taken.. I used what I had.
🙂
T
Thanks for sharing this very helpful tip with Look! What We Did! I am with some of the other commenters…I have heard of rubbing Vicks on the feet before, but I like the idea of an essential oil much better.
I personally would dilute it a drop or two into a tablespoon of olive oil for children. Lavender essential oil is the only one I use straight. (lavender is good if you get a small burn…stops the hurt and helps it heal quicker).
But for eucalyptus, I would mix it with olive oil. Essential oil is very potent!
O.k. I’m just curious and this is probably a dumb question but do you need to put the oil on and then put on socks or can you just put it on without socks?
We wear socks around here…and my point in saying this is: it doesn’t stop the effectiveness. But we wear socks because we live in an old house 🙂
It shouldn’t matter from all that I read.
T
Another wonderful use for eucalyptus oil is putting a few drops on a square of toilet paper. Suck it up in the vacuum and then finish vacuuming your house. Your house will smell so clean and fresh, especially this time of the year after keeping everything all buttoned up so we can stay warm. I learned of this years ago when putting the ex-hubby through college I worked for a housekeeping service and this is something we did then, and I still do now. I promise you’ll love it. Healthy wishes to you & yours!
I would love that idea!
I have been waiting for a warm day so I can air this stuffy germ box out!
This fits the bill till then.
🙂
T
Super!! I can’t wait to try it!!!
Thank you very much for sharing this with us at the Seasonal Celebration Linky. I would agree with the pharmacist’s point about toxicity and mix with a carrier oil as eucalyptus is quite potent. Delighted it’s helping your family too:-) Have a great weekend! Rebecca @ Natural Mothers Network x
I’ve never thought to put it on their skin as I thought it would burn. I always put several drops on their pillows and that helps a lot. I’ll try your way next time and see how they do. Thanks for sharing.
My mother in law always swore by Eucalyptus Oil. I try not to use decongestants, I would much rather go natural.
Thank you for linking up!
I love your photos!
Putting eucalyptus on bedding as Mary mentioned is also supposed to help kill off any dust mites. That could help suppress allergies that may trigger asthma.
I’ve always used Baby Vicks on the bottom of my little boys feet. Also I’ve been told to put it in their armpits too! Crazy as it sounds, I do get a good laugh at my little one giggling cause it tickles when I put it on him. But, it seems that the Baby Vicks works quite well for us. I know it’s messy, but I keep a burp cloth on his dresser in his room, I just grab it when I’m done and wipe my hands on it until I can get to the sink to wash up.
Eucalyptus oil and breathe oil work great together. They are great for asthma and coughs. They are my miracle workers when my kids are coughing. You can also put them in a humidifier. You can get the breathe oil and eucalyptus oil at http://www.doterra.myvoffice.com/kamey.
omg we use this all the time here
it’s fantastic
Wonderful…another use for one of the oils I just ordered!! So thrilled with all the natural health and healing information I have been gathering! Thank you so much! By the way…I love the picture of that precious little foot!!
I love essential oils! We use a mixture of peppermint, eucalyptus And clove for coughs. I always dilute it with olive oil because it is very concentrated. Oh and try lemon grass when congested too. It opens up the airways and it’s amazing!! Plus love that all of this stuff is actually drug free. Oh and peppermint is amazing for headaches. Just rub a little in your temples. Works like a charm.
Oh and I wanted to add that put 10 drops of eucalyptus in a humidifier and it works great too.
You do know that the body doesn’t absorb the eucalyptus oil, right? And if it did, and the eucalyptus oil actually made its way to the bloodstream it wouldn’t affect the lungs. The vapors are what soothe the bronchial passages of the lungs. Putting it on your feet actually increases the distance of the vapors to your mouth and nose, so I would imagine putting it on the chest might work even more effectively. My husband even puts it under his nose.
I don’t think it’s the vapors. I like T’s example because she lives in a old house (probably a bit drafty which means the vapors can’t concentrate over time), everyone wears socks (blocking vapor distribution), and thick heavy blankets (again, inhibiting vapor distribution).
I do know that clinical scientific experiments have not been done on this (at least, not that have been made public) so we can’t be sure exactly why it works until studies like that are done. But what T (and many others) did is more than scientific enough to show that it does work.
Just a bit of expansion, my wife is a Brazilian native (from a native tribe) and she told me a story of her father (single parent) giving her and her siblings baths with boiled eucalyptus leaves (obviously, cooled before giving the bath). It basically cures the common cold in about 8-hours. Pretty spectacular. However, they had access to the natural plant growing a few yards from their house, not something to many of us have. 😉
Very interesting story about bathing in the eucalyptus water, I think this comment has definitely sold me on getting the oil and using it to bathe my children when they get sick.
this is what my doctor told me also.
A friend pinned this on Pinterest, and I have 3 coughing kids, and one has had it for weeks! I am so going to get some tomorrow, where can I buy the oil???
Oh wow cool… I bought some more at Vitamin Shop…it was a different brand but it worked great.
Some grocery stores carry it if they have a decent organic/natural section.
Of course if you are lucky enough to be near a Whole Foods or Trader Joes you are probably set too.
T
Another thing to try….Wonder Spray! It is an all natural mix of different herbs, etc (including eucalyptus) that will help coughs. We use the level 2 medium version. Plus you can use for many other ailments like sunburn and lots of others! Google it! 😉
I have a lot of respect for our natural resources especially essential oils. I use them and LOVE them…..but knowing that essential oils are 70X’s more potent than herbs made me want to read up about them when I first started using them. A girl I know (in her mid 20’s) died from the use of herbs. It caused liver failure. Natural is great but deserves a lot of respect. Sometimes we think just because something is natural that it’s safe in any amount. We should learn about what we take into our body and how to use it safely. It takes 20 minutes for a couple drops of essential oil rubbed on your feet to affect EVERY CELL IN YOUR BODY. So awesome! But also the reason why we should learn and know how and when to use them safely. There is a wealth of information out there and I’ve found it useful to read and compare all the different claims and their sources.
It was fun to stumble across your blog 🙂 I too have 7 kids..they are so much fun! Life with them keeps me so busy but I wouldn’t have it any other way~
thanks for the info…as you can see we are starting to get a long list of information here,lol.
T
Please be aware that anything that is absorbed from the bottoms of the feet or the skin on any part of the body has to cycled through the bloodstream and the liver. Anyone with liver disease or not should be cautious about putting oils on the skin to be absorbed. If you rub a clove of garlic on your feet you can taste it in about five minutes in your mouth. So, use common sense about antidotes that have not been tested for toxicity in the body.
We use it for our little ones whenever they need it. I mix ours with olive oil. They love the foot massage, they are actually disappointed when they no longer need it! It only takes a few drops mixed in with the olive oil. Toxicity is not likely to happen.
Saw this on Pinterest! I love this oil but have never used it for coughing/colds. Thanks for sharing! I actually use the Peppermint oil from this brand like it’s going out of style. I dab it on my temples when I have a headache and under my nose when I’m stuffy or my allergies are acting up (so pretty much daily in the Spring). It works wonders and perks me up when I’m just tired even!!
We have always used Vicks on the chest but then a friend told me to rub it on the soles of the feet. I have a son that has allergies and asthma. She also said to wrap their socks that they will be wearing in a damp paper towel and put them in the microwave for about 20 – 30 seconds, just until they are warm, not hot. Place the warm, steamy socks on their feet after applying the vapor rub. My 11 yr old son loves it! It really helps. I’m sure it would work just as great with the eucalyptus oil. I’m going to get me some and try it with the oil.
Where do you buy the oils
Hi All,
Just an FYI, Vick’s is a petroleum product, not good for anyone, hindsight, if we knew then what we know now. You need to be sure that any EO is CPTG – certified pure therapeutic grade Essential Oil. Every one and their cousin are getting into this business. It is good to use but do need to be careful. Just because someone says “use this” you always need to test first and do research. Safety first, we need think of the little ones. For anyone interested a good book “The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy – by: Kurt Schnaubelt Ph.D” (do not be fooled by the name) can teach you a lot about these oils and the price is reasonable from Amazon. There are other books, coast more, some way more. This one has what you need to know. If oils are not of therapeutic grade, again you do not know what is going into your body and this could do harm. With little ones it is always good to use a carrier oil (any one for that fact) it is not always a good idea to put oils on the skin “neat” as they are very strong. I do a lot of reading on this subject and am learning all the time. Good oiling to all, we are on the right track…….. Dee
Does it work as well without wearing socks once it’s applied? My baby girl hates things on her feet as do I. Just wondered if they’re a key component to how well it works.
yes for sure..the only reason I mentioned the sock thing was because A.) it was february when I wrote that and B.) to point out how it isn’t about breathing it in.
Good luck.
T
Thanks so much
I know you can’t put vicks on and go outside. Can I rub the eucalyptus oil on my 2 year old’s feet and take him out? Or does he need to stay in while it’s on?
I am no expert…
but it is worth a try…perhaps just wait until the oils soak in? that is my guess.
T
I have never tried the oil but I have used Vicks before. When I told my doctor she laughed and asked why I put it on the feet because there was no way for it to help my child being on the soles of her feet. I don’t know I told her, I saw it somewhere. She said the only way it could help is to put on the chest and neck so they could breathe it in?? But I say if it works,,,,
Ha! Just proof that doctors don’t know everything, even if they are trained to act like they do. The vapors have nothing to do with it and eucalyptus oil is not part of their training as doctors (source: MD and nurses in the family). She, like most doctors, decided that since it wasn’t part of her training at school or in her certifications, it must not be true. As if we already knew everything there was to know about the body and the earth. I’d switch doctors because there are some who have studied beyond the classroom and know better.
She’s just going off of what she heard other doctors say or what her instructors at school said. It’s nothing better than heresy and it’s anecdotal. Ask her for some science behind “NO WAY for it to help my child being on the soles of her feet.” For that matter, some science behind that the ONLY way it’s going to help is through vapors and chest and neck applications. Just because that’s what she’s familiar with doesn’t mean it’s the only possible way.
I agree. Change doctors! If a doctor is not open to new ideas, then they are not a good doctor! Especially if they won’t listen! I have been “over” doctors for a long time. Our pediatric group almost killed my son because they would not listen to me about his symptoms for months. By the time I got my family practitioner to refer him to a specialist, he was put immediately in the hospital! He will never be “well” and my hope is that he does not end up with esophageal cancer!
Ok, a few things about eucalyptus essential oil. There are 3 varieties of oil. eucalyptus globulus, eucalyptus radiata, and eucalyptus smithii. DO NOT USE globulus directly on skin and never on children under the age of 12. You should always dilute eucalyptus as there are numerous side effects to direct contact. Any child under the age of 6months, just put a few drops in a bowl of boiling water and place under the crib
Vicks uses synthetic versions of the chemical compounds in eucalyptus and peppermint. I always recommend smithii for small children, radiata as a second option. Dilute with olive oil or vegetable glycerin. (can be 50/50 if severe congestion)
Feet and wrists are the quickest way for the oil to be absorbed into the body.
Globulus has been known to cause seizures in children with prolonged exposure or those with hypersensitivities.
Lavender is one of the very few that can be directly applied to skin. ALWAYS check with an essential oil company website, or aromatherapist before using essential oils.
I will be reblogging this if you don’t mind!
I worry about parents of younger children that have asthma, especially allergy induced asthma, using this oil. If your child has been allergy tested and cleared of Eucalyptus allergy, then fine use this product. If your child has not been tested and cleared, you can do more damage and send them to the ER. Just my thoughts. Please have your child allergy tested before using any potentially allergy trigger product, trees, flowers and grasses especially. Thank you for hearing me out.
I have read many warnings and cautions about using essentials oils especially eucalyptus on children under 2 years of age. Also cpthe reason oils come in such small bottles is because there potency needs to be respected. One drop is often enough and goes a very long ways. I use eucalyptus almost every other day for myself with lavender for many ailements of my own, it helps me with my PTSD and panic attacks amount many other things like cleaning, washing clothing, and more. Anyway when it comes to my children I am much more cautious. I do use it in my home made soaps, lotions and shampoos, conditioners however we use them twice per week. Before I decided to educate myself I caught my evaporator on fire by dumping it full of eucalyptus oil before I went to bed. I thought the more th wetter. I was so wrong, we woke up and could barely breathe. I was so dumb, I nada three month old baby with a horrible cold, -10 degrees outside and I was desperate. I had no idea what a mess I was about to create. Please educate, this s great stuff and changes lives for the better but read up. The comment above, your body doesn’t absorb these oils, (or eucalyptus) I have a hard time relating to from what I have learned. If it can cause kidney and failure, I don’t see if it’s in the blood stream how it’s not being absorbed? Anyone care to help explain?
I thought about what I posted nearly all night… First an foremost my Dr is nearly always recommends a homeopathic natural remedy before she says to fill the prescription. She is awesome like that. She also told me this when my son was 3 days old, prob the best advice I ever have received and iced used the most “Only Mothers will truly know what is best for their children, follow your instincts, if they are strong they are most likely right on. No one else will know” I have done many things against reccommandendations because it was best for my son such as almond milk, rice milk in small doses for upset stomach, probiotics, essential oils, and more I don’t need to mention. Just saying your instincts usually are what’s best for your child and loved ones. We just need to learn how string they are. Thanks for having this post. I love it.
I called our local natureopath who also happens to be who treats myself and my family she said eucalyptus is absorbed by the body. If eucalyptus wasn’t absorbed into the body there would be no need to be worried or cautious when applying or inhaling it. In my opinion I think the information shared above by a fellow commenter is mis informed. I am not here to prove anyone right or wrong, I am here so someones innocent child doesn’t get hurt. I do believe it is absorbed. I simply don’t want people to be misinformed and someone’s child to be hospitalized because they were misinformed. Please take no offense. I just found that to be particular interesting if it was fact and if was not fax it wanted to know.
Mom put a drop of eucalyptus oil and a drop of lavendar oil on a handkerchief and pinned it to my pillow at night (and my dress during the day) when I was sick as a child. I am 63 now, and still using the same methods.
I HAVE A 5 YR OLD GRANDSON THAT HAS ASTHMA BUT DOESNT WANT TO GO TO BED WHEN HE HAS TO WOULD THIS HELP TO MAYBE GET HIM TO RELAX AND GO TO SLEEP ON HIS OWN EVEN IF HIS ASTHMA IS NOT ACTING UP MY DAUGHTER FIGHTS WITH HIM EVERY NIGHT SAYING HE IS NOT SLEEPY BUT WE KNOW HE IS HE FIGHTS HIS SLEEP ALL THE TIME BUT ONCE HE IS ASLEEP HE STAYS ASLEEP TILL MORNING PLEASE HELP A GRANDMOTHER AND MOM TO GET SO SLEEP CONCERNED MEMERE
Christine, the eucalyptus might help with the coughing, but I’d include lavender and roman chamomile to help with relaxation and sleeping. My kids love the combo of lavender and chamomile and request it as if it’s a treat to get to have the scent at bedtime. I dilute it and rub it on their chests, or drop a drop of each (undiluted) on their pillows where their faces won’t touch it. Good luck!
My 4yr old has asthma and he gets coughing fits to the point of vomiting and vicks does not help recently when he has started coughing i put drops on his pillow at night and he sleeps through and the coughing is reduced the next day. I would say this would be the safest method.
Eucalyptus oil should never be put directly on the skin. I can’t believe you are just randomly throwing this out there with no warnings at all, especially for infants. Laboratory tests have shown that people with asthma or other allergies may be more likely to have a reaction to eucalyptus and may even CAUSE allergic reactions and exacerbate asthma. Please TAKE THIS DOWN or at least state the warnings clearly in the beginning!
Hey thanks for chiming in. I get your concern. Perhaps you didn’t have time to read all the comments but we have tons of warnings and tons of experts who have chimed in on the issue. I appreciate you enthusiastic concern and heavy on the capital letter words…. but I state very clearly that I am not a doctor and have not expertise on the issue. As far as “causing” allergic reactions, pretty much anything and everything you come in contact with everyday can do that….so you are right….but anything can do that.
Top of the morning to ya.
T
My mother worked in a flower shop, just handling the fresh plant and getting the oil on her hands was dangerious for her. She did not know at first what was causing it. Her face broke out, her eyes swelled shut and the skin on her hands began peeling off. It took a long time to get the oil out of her hands for them to stop peeling. So be very careful with this oil. Use very little if you use it. If the skin starts to peel off their feet they can be having a reaction to the oil.
yep… if I touch a cat I have the same reaction… and I know hundreds of people who are good with cats. Everyone should be aware of the allergies and sensitivies they have to things
tread lightly.
T
Please be careful. Eucalyptus oil can be toxic in children. A little goes a long, long way.
Thanks so much for sharing this. I am the asthma-y cougher & I have been using vicks on my chest & nostrils which does work but rubs off through out night. I will have to try this!
is the oil 100%…if so I thought that it could burn the skin…did you mix it with any other oils
like I said in the article.. at first I did…for the reason you mentioned
then I stopped.
T
our health club has a eucalyptus steam room,they say its to help you feel less muscle fatigue after a work out. i love it you feel rejuvinated after being in there,thanks for the oil advice i can’t wait to try it.
So do you think using eucalyptus lotion from bath and body works would accomplish the same thing?
no Pam because it’s not a pure oil.
HAHA T, LOVED the cat comparison. Seems common sense is not so common anymore. Do a test , ONE drop people. During the day, when you can watch and listen. No reaction? Good, do a little bit at night. Reaction? Stop. People sure will use the Vick’s and not question smearing petroleum mixed with eucalyptus all over their kids chest, back and nose. Anyway, I just happen to have a bottle of eucalypyus oil, and my old husband is trying this tonight. We have not slept in the same bed in two years because he coughs so much at night. Sooo……ummmm….yeah…just wanted to say THANKS. Hope it works on him. I kinda miss him.
I can’t believe a Dr., never mind several, is fine with undiluted essential oil, especially eucalyptus, being rubbed directly on childrens skin. In fact I don’t believe it. This is very irresponsible.
Well rest assured I am sure some doctors have… They are a lovely non agreeable bunch (doctors)….. That is why they call it medical “practice”… Anyway I am surely not a doctor as I have stayed a few times but I have run it by 2 doctors and they didn’t see a problem at all. So I guess it is just one of those thing , right.
T
My son is 16 months old and has had an ongoing cough for 6 weeks now so we tried the eucalyptus oil straight to his feet with socks tonight, but after researching and reading I am a little nervous 😦 I know you should not drink it or put it anywhere close to their mouth but the feet have to be ok right???
Worried 1st time Momma
he’ll be fine. I did it to my 1 year old (in fact he is 18 months now and I still occasionally do it) without any problems at all.
If I can: The above comment should probably say, “He’ll most likely be fine.” It looks like a number of people have done this very thing with no reaction. Some people are apparently allergic to eucalyptus, so keep an eye on your son. 🙂
I have used vicks on my childrens feet since they were babies, my oldest is now 30 and we do the same for all of my 18 grand kids. much cheaper remedy than buyng cough medicine all the time that only works for a few hours.
another remedy I have used too for toddlers 2 and up is a equal mixture of lemon and honey warmed up for 15 seconds on the microwave. seems to tame the cough and can be used as often as needed.and for adukts you can make this mixture and add it to sleey time tea or any tea you prefer, I usually use 2 table spoons of equal mixture and works great for me and im asmatic.
Txs for this hint rubbing under the feet, I bought for the humidifier and NEVER did again the smell way too strong. Hope it helps this little angel of mine coughs all the time dr keeps telling all ok, but its bugging with her sleeptime.
I have a lot of experience in aromatherapy. Eucalyptus is a great oil to use during cold and flu season. As with nearly all essential oils, they are extremely concentrated oils and should not be used on the skin without dilution. I use them in a oil warming lamp as a “sick room” sleep aid. It works every time! I also use it on the soles of feet (mixed with a carrier oil). You can’t beat Mother Nature and her plant extracts of essential oils are very beneficial. You can also use a humidifier with a eucalyptus additive that is marketed for humidifiers. and, yes, you can also add mint or lavender to eucalyptus for a slightly different scent and healing properties.
I read some of the earlier comments about putting it on bedding to help with the coughing. How might you go about that?? Without it getting messy and having to use a lot of course. I also tried this for the first time tonight. My daughter has been sick borderline croup and has not slept in two nights due to coughing, yet now she is sleeping peacefully and hopefully through the night. So glad I found you on pinterest!
Please tell me how this worked for your daughter??
I just tried this tonight on my 14 month old baby girl. After I did it I started reading the comments and immediately started freaking out. I called a friend that is in nursing school, she did a little research and said she was certain she would be fine. I then called a nurse friend… (she questions EVERYTHING she does, and is a worry-wart like myself) so she insisted I call the after hours clinic. In the mean time I wiped her foot with a wipe and put her to bed. She was sleeping great… breathing fine. The after hours nurse called back and had not heard of anything bad happening with the eucalyptus oil but told me she was more than likely okay since I had not put much on there (dab on my finger, straight to her foot… then of course in panic I wiped some off after about 15 minutes… if there was really anything actually left, who knows?) Anyway… Ive checked on her SEVERAL times and she is sleeping peacefully and not coughing. She has had a horrible cough for about 2.5 weeks and of course being 14 months old there isn’t any cough or congestion meds to give her. In panic still… because I kept reading good things and bad things about the oil, I decided to get some alcohol and try to get more off, although this was like an hour later. I couldn’t find any alcohol, so I used some germX, probably not good… I DON’T KNOW!! BUT, she still seems fine. I plan to check on her throughout the night. I decided I would go ahead and try it on my feet as well… I’ve had a cough for about 2 weeks… ear infection… everthing. I am okay, although I’m 26, not 14 months. I’m still kinda panicing about it, but I hope and Pray everything will be fine. I will definitely post tomorrow and let everyone know! 🙂
— Panicing mom of a coughing 14 month old… and a 5 year old who just doesn’t want to go to sleep (If this works, he may be getting it too lol!)
I am really sorry I only saw this today… (I have been sick myself) anyway… they baby in the picture was just a few months older than your daughter… and I have never had a problem. Even in the worst of situations I would imagine there is no reason to panic with the dab you put on her… but I am not a doctor and since that seems to be the gauge everyone uses to judge safe or not, I really don’t know if I can be any more help than I have already stated in the above post. I am sorry.
T
I just typed it last night. So it is no big deal! I appreciate the post! She did FINE last night. We did end up putting her in our bed because she was coughing so much that she kept waking up. I plan to try it again tonight, but I am going to mix it with lavendar baby lotion, 1 because she LOVES lotion, and 2 I’d rather try it like you did with mixing it first before going at it with out anything else, since last night I pretty much took it off. I will reply again tomorrow with how it goes!! Thanks again for your post, I’ve been reading some more of yours and I have enjoyed it so much!! Thanks!! 🙂
oh good… another thing many aromatherapy experts have chimed in with just using any pure oil…olive or coconut…something without additives. I say that only because many baby lotions have parabens, petroleum or laural sulphates in them.
for what it is worth we are still having great luck with the eucalyptus oil.
🙂
OH and thanks for the compliment about my writing…that really touches my heart. Thank you.
T
WOW! This post is almost a year old and still getting comments! Good job. 😉
I also love how graciously you respond to even the most troublesome comment-ers. I hope I can get my hands on some eucalyptus oil for myself. In the meantime, do you have any idea if peppermint would work in a similar way (tho I would certainly start off adding it to some oil)?
Hey thanks for the scknowledgemnts… You are so encouraging…how can I not respond! :). Peppermint does something different entirely…so it won’t work the same way.
We buy the eucalyptus oil at the grocery store… But have also gotten it at the vitamin shoppe and amazon.
Hope that helps!
T
try a natural food store, thats where I found mne at LIVE EACH DAY TO IT’S FULLEST … TAKE TIME TO LIVE,LOVE & LAUGH … AND TO TELL YOUR LOVED ONE’S HOW MUCH YOU REALLY LOVE THEM & NEED THEM.BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TOMORROW HOLDS IN STORE FOR YOU.
________________________________
We have used the Vick’s Chest Rub on the sole of our’s, our kids & Grandies feet for many years, Didn’t know why or really how it works but it does…. We also use it on the soles of our feet every time we fly… n we see to travel so much better with less hang-over feeling afterwards… ❤
I am a mom of 3 teens, 2 have asthma. We have always used Vicks and it has helped them sleep at night. My husband and I swore that it was one of the best things for our guys but yet when we spoke to our doctor recently she tells us it’s a myth about Vicks helping but to be honest I have seen the years of bad asthmatic coughs and how it was frustrating for the kids so Vicks always seemed to calm the cough so they slept better so I still think it really helps and still believe in using it .
Though I never realized about the soles of the feet we just always rubbed it on the chest so thank you for that tip. Even though my kids are older they still ask for the Vicks when they get that annoying cough! Thanks again for great information.
well there ya go… a perfect example of why they call it medical practice… they can’t know everything… and to write off a seasoned mother and tell her it is a myth… (shrug)
thank you for chiming in within your real knowledge.
🙂
T
Good morning T!
I too am not a doctor or a certified naturalist, I am just a Mom who has used essential oils for myself, my husband and my son (who is now 6) with great results. I would like to share something I feel is important to know about Eucalyptus. There are many different kinds of Eucalyptus in different strengths (yes in odour as well). There are 4 kinds available from Young Living (essential oil company) if you can believe it! But Eucalyptus Radiata – is reccomended for children because it is relatively gentle and nonirritating with the same effects as regular strength Eucalyptus. So as a suggestion when Mom’s and Dad’s order online, or go to the Natural stores where oils are sold have them ask for cold pressed 100% essential oils (steaming and cooking kills the good). Also to read the labels of the bottle you are buying as most companies will blend the oil with Olive oil which cuts down on the effectiveness of the oil. I am writing this to help only, not to suggest where or what to buy. I find that being informed helps parents to make not only better choices but to also be comfortable with the choice when it is made. Thanks for the great blend, we will be using it this winter in place of Vicks.
I wonder what I am doing wrong..as soon as I read this I ran and bought some eucalyptus oil as my niece has been coughing for about a week now and even prescribed cough syrup wont make it stop. Applied as directed in the pin and she still continues to cough. Is there a secret that Im missing?
I am not sure… we are still have great results. It normally kicks in within 5minutes.
Perhaps not enough?
T
it could be that she is having an allergic reaction to a food she is eating and that is how her body is responding. happened with my son. Just a though.
Cough and phlem always go hand in hand. Most of the time it goes away after taking some vitamin-c and in some cases, antibiotics.-
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Does this work for just falling asleep too?
I’ve actually been okay as far as sickness goes this year, but I can’t fall asleep for the life of me . . . and this sounds divine.
no I don’t believe eucalyptus is for sleep… perhaps lavender?
I have no idea.
T
Can u put it in their bathwater, vaporizer and on the soles of their feet or is that overkill? I want him to get the relief in his chest from breathing it in but also trying to stop the cough by putting it on his feet. Any idea if that’s too much? Thx!
Well having gone through two out of three children being diagnosed with asthma at an early age ( kind of a given as both myself and their Dad are asthmatics ) – the third and youngest of the brood has too been diagnosed with asthma following this horrendous cough (mainly at night ) which doesn’t want to go away. I wish I had known about this 16 years ago when when my eldest was a baby – he suffered terribly. I will be trying this tomorrow night with the youngest … I’ll give anything natural a go ….. tester patch first in daytime and nightime direct to feet if all is well… Thank you so much for your tips and advice. I can’t believe there are so many people quick to say use vicks instead of essential oil …… it has petroleum in it …. surely given the choice u should pick the more natural product automatically or is that just me being a little dumb ??? I understand essential oils are potent and you need to be careful blah blah blah but when u would rather smother your child in petroleum than massaging a few small drops of NATURAL essential oils into your little ones feet, I believe surely something must be slightly a miss. Thank you again and I will undoubtedly be back after the trial to profess your greatness lol xx
I wish I had seen your recommendation much earlier! My 8 mth old son was coughing badly in his sleep due to flu. I tried your method of rubbing eucalyptus oil on his sole & amazingly, he slept through. It pains me so to hear him cough so badly and not having a well-rested sleep. It warms my heart to watch him sleep so soundly now and the breathing seems to be better too.
Thank you so much!
I’ve actually made my own vapo-rub mixture by melting coconut oil and adding in eucalyptus and lavender essential oils. I let it return to room temperature, which is usually back to a hardened state, and then use it on the soles of my kids feet. The coconut oil absorbs into the skin really well and seems to work really nicely as a carrier oil for the essential oils without diluting the potency.
I would LOVE to know the ratio of coconut oil to essential oil in your mixture.
Hi WillowK – do you have a “recipe” for this mixture? Also, I’m sure you keep it in a closed container – any idea how long it maintains it’s potency?
I actually just kind of eyeballed it. I melted about half a cup of it and poured it into an baby food jar since it’s what I had that was glass and not a huge mason jar. Then, I added drops of each oil until it reached a smell level I liked. Then, I stirred it up and let it cool back down. I imagine keeping it in the fridge would keep it solid and would probably feel pretty nice when you have a fever. I made my current batch about 4 months ago and it’s still going strong with no sign of it going bad.
Wow this sounds like a great idea!
T
Thanks so much! Going to make some up (even going to give some to my grown-up kids (even though I know they will probably just roll their eyes at me)! Happy New Year!
I also mix eucalyptus oil with coconut oil. If you want a version of “petroleum free vicks” you can also add lavender and rosemary oils. I melt the coconut oil, (usually 4 oz at a time) add a few drops of each, then put it in an empty jar or make it into lotion bars with a silicone pan. I agree to make sure your child isn’t allergic, but you have to do that with pretty much everything including food. if you don’t want to apply to the skin, you can melt the mixture in a scent warmer as someone mentioned. You can mix a few drops of eucalyptus oil into a cup of epsom salts for a vapor bath, if your skin is not sensitive.
I found a delightful recipe on Pinterest for homemade “Vicks” that includes beeswax. I prefer the consistency to just straight coconut oil (recipe called for olive oil but I used coconut) though the affect was the same. She also has a shower soother recipe using the same essential oils that is simply DIVINE! I rub the “Vicks” on my chest just because I like the tingle. I also love to stick my nose in the bottle and breathe it in because I like the feeling in my nose, chest & sinuses however you are right, putting it on the feet is better for actual results. Here is the link for the homemade “Vicks” using oil / beeswax. http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2012/12/homemade-vicks-vapor-rub/
And T, wow, you have put up with a lot on here! It was fun to read your replies and I shared your irritation at some of them! You handled yourself better than I would have in this situation! 🙂
oh my goodness thank you. My readers are the best. However I have had a visitor or two which have crossed the line…. soley on this post.
I am all for free speech , however they were so aggressive and if I permit their comment they would have free reign to tear into other commenters… and well…that isn’t happening, not on my watch, lol. Both of the commenters which I am referring to went on and on about the toxicity of drinking eucalyptus oil…which really said to me they were just not catching on. I can’t say this enough (it seems) “Eucalyptus oil is NOT a beverage” lol
thanks for the link and info… sounds interesting.
T
I’ve used vicks on the feet too, with socks. I assume it is the same idea. Works every single time. So simple, I often forget it myself until I’ve gone in for cold water, cough syrup, and nose blows first…then remember the vicks. Try it. Or the euc. oil – I’ll be trying that next!
WillowK, that is a great idea for anyone who is worried about rubbing the oils directly on the soles of their feet and also a really great idea for babies/children. I will be making my own “vicks” rub from now on! Also wanted to let the readers know that the oils are absorbed into the body, just like lotion is absorbed…anything you put on your skin will eventually be absorbed into your body. Also for everyone worried about the allergies….a person can not have an allergic reaction upon first contact to ANY substance. The allergic reaction will only happen upon 2nd, 3rd….etc exposures so just use common sense when using any remedy/medication. I highly doubt you would question what is in a RX medication you are cramming down your 2 year olds throat, but you are worried about liver toxicity or allergic reactions to eucalyptus oil…I don’t think the lady who posted this info intended for you to apply the oil to your childrens feet every night for 3 years, but rather 1 or 2 nights when they have a cough. As a nurse, I see first hand many trained medical professionals who interpret or convey incorrect information to patients on a weekly basis…a doctor does not have special powers to remember every single thing they have learned, nor do all doctors have the capasity to critically think through a reasonable question and give a rational, scientific answer as to why something works they way it works. Honestly, I wish I had known about the eucalyptus oil on the feet trick when my daughter was younger! Thank you for the wonderful post!!
Tried it on my toddler & yes it worked great for coughing but really irritated his feet. Oh well.
If I ever have a question about a natural remedy, my medical doctors are the last people I consult. They know nothing about natural remedies. Listen to those who work with natural remedies. No essential oil, except lavender, should be applied directly to the body. If you are putting this directly on the soles of your children’s feet you could be doing great damage to their liver, etc. Take better care and use an oil carrier before applying. Note about pets, cats espeically, are very sensitive to the smell of essential oils. So be careful to not expose them to these strong smells for long periods of time. Also, never put tea tree oil directly on any pet or buy any animal products that contain TTO. You could be poisoining your pet.
This is definitely worth a try! I love simple, natural remedies. They make so much sense! I’d like to share this information on my blog, too. Do you mind? http://pleasehelpmerhonda.com
thank you for asking… yes go ahead and share it.. I only ask you link back…
Thanks again for asking,
T
Thanks, T! Posting the article today at http://pleasehelpmerhonda.com
Wow! Replying to all these comments is a full time job lol! And pretty sure you shouldn’t have to emphasize that this stuff isn’t ment to be drank? Have some common sense people! Lol but I guess you have to be clear, thanks for taking the time to post this. I have a coughy kid at home so I will definitely give this a try… On her feet! Not bathe her in it !!
Goodness! After reading all the comments I’m surprised that I survived my childhood! Mother’s standard cure for a cold was a teaspoon of sugar with eucalyptus oil poured on which all 6 of us children got dosed up on. I’m not advocating it at all but none of us suffered any ill effects – lucky maybe?
I wonder if you could put some into a humidifier? Or maybe a candle warmer? Do you think that would have the same effect?
i have wondered the same thing about the humidifier…
I do put it in a candle warmer and in a pot of water which sits on our wood stove.
T
Epsom salt is known for its detox benefits…I like to make bath salts by mixing it with kosher salt and a few drops of Eucalyptus ess oil…makes a wonderful bath and helps rid the body of toxins as well as helps with cold symptoms : ) thanks for your blog..
I cant wait to try this on my 20 month old tonight!! We have had many sleepless night lately due to coughing. We have been to the doctor and no sign of any infection, flu, cold, etc. Thank you for your post!!
Just FYI, might want to test it during the day first. My mother is allergic to eucalyptus and this would cause a lot more problems for her than it solves – I’m thinking I wouldn’t want to find that out with a child at night.
But assuming no allergies are present, this sounds like a great option!
This is a great post and I keep seeing it on Pinterest. However, what concerns me is that most people won’t read all the comments and thus not see the ones about the danger of applying an essential oil directly to one’s skin. This is especially dangerous to do with children! A child could be injured based on the advice above if the parent doesn’t read the comments or do a little more research. I ask the writer of this blog to edit this post to properly inform her readers. Because the overall idea is correct and would work great (applying Eucalyptus ess oil via a carrier oil) many parents will try it and thus someone is sure to get hurt!
Where can I buy this. What an awesome tip. Ty
I have use vicks many times before on my chest and feet and worked great for my cold. I used it this time and did not work at all. Dont know why. I am going to try the Eucalyptus oil tonight.
My daughter is 4 months is that to young for the eucliptus oil?
i am not a doctor and I don’t know your baby…so I am sorry I really can’t say.
did you ask your doctor or herbalist?
T
Im sorry I saw this and felt that I needed to comment. I am a licensed Aesthetician and have had extensive training in aromatherapy for medicinal purposes. And putting any essential oil on children needs to be taken very seriously. Especially the mentholated kinds. The only oils that should be directly put on the skin are tea tree and lavender. ALL other oils need to be deluted with a carrier oil. Children should only have 1 to 3 drops max! Aromatherapy is not something that can be taught over the Internet.
thank you for concern… there are so many comments so it could easily be overlooked that it has been stated many times….
use a carrier oil.
T
ps….love that you think tea tree oil can be put directly on… 🙂
http://innersoles.blogspot.com/2013/02/essential-oils-and-children.html
I use that same brand of eucalyptus oil as shown in the picture. I put a few drops in my bath and my kids’ baths sometimes to help with the coughing. I also use regular vicks (i dont like the baby kind, it doesnt have anything to actually help with a cough, its just “soothing”) and i put that on my kids chest and sometimes feet too.
You have to remember to use a very small amount with a baby, 4 ml to 5 ml can be a toxic dose in an small child as it is absorbed so well by the skin.
so glad i found this- hope my kids sleep tonight!
If this works on my daughter’s nagging cough, I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER.
well here’s hopeing it works out.
T
I was told my brother who is a pharamacist, he told me to be careful using the Vicks Vapor rub on the little one’s feet, when you rub it in your body absorbs the menthol and when you rub it to their feet it absorbs faster and isn’t good for them So I will deffently be talking to him about the Eucalyptus Oil. Thanks for the tip
Where can you find this? I tried cvs but no luck!
to ensure you are getting a theraputic grade essential Oil I would purchase it from an aromatherapist. I use the brand Primavera
hmm.. I just get mine at the regular grocery store.
T
we found it at Meijer!
I am thinking of making this into solid lotion bars instead of using it in oil form. I would use 1 oz coconut oil 1 oz bee’s wax anyone have thoughts on how much eucalyptus oil to use to be effective in bar form.
this worked really well actually I made lotion bars with 1 oz coconut, 1 oz beeswax and ecualyptus oil. ( I made two batches 1 with less EO for the littles and one with more for the adults) I put the mix into ice cube trays and let it harden. It apply’s so nice, and leaves the feet so soft. I think one of my sons reacted to it, but my husband and other son it helped so much!!
I tried this last night on my fiancee. I really wanted it to work so we could both get some rest but it had absolutely no effect. He didn’t put socks on afterwards so maybe that’s why? After the Eucalyptus oil didn’t’ work I tried Robitussin, that didn’t work either. I tried to skim all the comments, but didn’t find one that said it didn’t work for them. Is this wildly successful for everyone who has tried it?
After years of following the “get the drugs in me!” approach whenever I am sick, I have decided to go the natural route. I’ve just developed a horrible cough and cold(?) so was looking for some relief that wouldn’t break the bank or hurt my body. I had some colloidal silver lying around and tried that with little to no success (I also was terrified of morphing into smurfette so have up on it fairly quickly. I finally stumbled upon your blog this morning after another night of cough-cough-cough-splutter. I gargled with some salt water (everything now tastes like the ocean!) and fumbled around in the cupboard for some euc. oil. Now, I probably went a little gung-ho. I basically just tipped some into my hands and gave my feet a little rub. Probably not the greatest way to do it! I slipped some socks on and crawled back into bed and kept my fingers crossed. So far, my congestion has eased, my headache is gone and my nose is much clearer. So a big, huge THANK YOU for this blog. Hopefully I will now sleep much better tonight and stop keeping hubby up! 🙂
well that is a great story indeed.
here is to sleep filled nights and no more coughing!
T
It is extreamly dangerous to put essential oils directly onto skin – it needs to be mixed into a carrier oil (like olive oil). It can serious burn a baby’s skin
thank you for posting this… and reading at least some of the previous 212 comments.
who knew?
T
I would like you to PLEASE add a note in your post about mixing the oil with a carrier oil. More likely than not, most people will not read the comments (like I didn’t, before I tried it and applied a total of 6 drops of oil directly to the soles of my 14 month old’s feet.) I feel idiotic and irresponsible for not researching this further before trying it, but I also feel you are maybe a touch irresponsible for not including this information. I’m just hoping my baby is not harmed by my well-intentioned stupidity.
Why on gods green earth would you EVER put 6 drops of any essential oil on anyone ever?! The problem here has little to do with this blog post and more to do with your lack of education with essential oils.
Thank you so much! We are dealing colds in april! dosen’t seem right to be sick when the weather is getting so nice. I have had eucalyptus oil in my bathroom for a bit now but didn;t really know how to use it or what to do with it. i have heard of putting vicks on there feet, (its something about the way your body absorbs it). Two night now i”ve delt with coughing keeping me up, and one little one waking up the other with his coughing, all the while trying not to wake daddy. We are deffinately trying this tonight, maybe naps too!
Hi. I just came across your post on Pinterest. I’m a hopeless addict to this site 🙂 but I am really intrigued by your use of eucalyptus oil and I will definately be trying this one out. I have a 10 yr old asthmatic boy who generally coughs his way through very many nights. Also a 7 yr old girl who doesn’t have asthma but she ALWAYS get a cough during the winter and coughs all night for several months. I am also wondering, as both my children don’t actually like wearing socks in bed, if this make applying the oil to their feet less effective. Love your blog. Very interesting! x
I am sorry that I only now saw this… sorry.
The socks were because we live in an old farm house and it was february … but we have successfully used this many many times without socks.
Welcome and I hope you enjoyed your stay and come back many times!
T
Wow I luv this. So glad I found this website….both my girls have asthma and my oldest is a competitive basketball player, so when she gets sick it last for ever and almost last forever. My grandmother had told me yrs ago of putting vicks on my daughters feet and puttinh socks on her at bed time. Then she gave me a bottle of eucalyptus oil for their baths, humidifier, and or massage for feet. But I always just but the advice aside and thought it was maybe odd or old fashioned and always went with the advice of the dr. But you wld think that by the time she was 13 and countless yrs of sleepness nights I wld have tried something different by now. Last night was by far the worst yet and I had been trying the vicks, but it stopped workin after the first fewd days. I did honey, herbal tea with honey, breathing treatments, hen then massage you suggested, followed by a icie pop….which believe it or not the er has given a great tip to help stop coughing fits for a moment anyway…then a very steamy bath with eucalyptus, followed by a humidifier with a few drops of eucalyptus, with her propped up….and finally after the bath and all of that she finally stopped coughing 11pm-430am…ugh. however she slept till noon with absolutely no cough whats so ever!! I was looking for a few hrs if relief, but this was a miracle. So tonight, massage, eucalyptus steam bath, eucalyptus humidifier and prob some rubbed on her feet with some olive oil. And pray it works again!!
Sorry a acupuncture massage I found for kids to help coughing and over all wellness at http://www.kidsloveaccupuncture.com, great calming massage and did notice that her coughing did slow down.
Does this help with asthma cough?
in our home?… yes 🙂
T
It would be great if you had a proper link to Pinterest. I would love to follow you there but I can’t find you. I do not want to join your email list, thank you
hmmm… I wonder why you had trouble finding me on Pinterest? perhaps their site was having issues…
My name on Pinterest is the same as here… Aseedinspired.
Thanks for the heads up!
🙂
T
Hey, this might be old news for you. Have you heard of using blue tansy oil and ravensara for asthma? At my yoga class she used a mix that had blue tansy and tangerine plus other essential oils. As I was researching zi read about this and thought of you.
I havent and it sounds intriguing.
T
Do you dilute this with a carrier oil, like olive oil? I thought you cannot put this directly on the skin? My 4 year old has been hacking away, but I do not want to irritate her skin either. Thanks.
I have a 4 month old with a horrible cough, is he to little to be applying eucalyptus oil?
I don’t know… you should ask your doctor.
T
Ok thank you 🙂
That is the sweetest little foot. lots of good sugar there 😉
Thanks for sharing. I can’t sleep from the wretched cough and saw this post on pinterest. Decided to try this and it worked like a charm, immediately. Thanks again.
yes! thats awesome!
T
After reading ALL the comments, I am simply shaking my head at your irresponsibility. Please add a note to this blog post about using a carrier oil. It is not enough to assume people will read the comments. Every essential oil site (I.e. The people who create and sell the oils) tell you to absolutely use a carrier oil. And actually most of them say Eucalyptus oil isn’t safe for anyone under the age of 10. It’s not enough to say you aren’t a doctor. Just put a note saying that while you haven’t experienced any reactions using it undiluted in your home, experts insist that a carrier oil should be used. It’s simple, why are you bring so stubborn?
good point Larissa… as this post is a a few years old..is it 3 years old, maybe dunno…
either way considering the high level of passion you have on this subject… how can I refuse.
I really had not thought of myself as “making peoples heads shake” or “being so stubborn”…. it never once crossed my mind… mainly because I have a dairy farm, 8 kids, a few thriving business’, a few community based organizations I run, an art studio and a few other things I keep busy in.. so believe me it wasn’t me being stubborn…it just never really seemed like a priority… Plus there are a few hundred comments on here… some of which already have stated what you just said…so yeah…
sorry for stressing you out.
please forgive me…
T
oh my gosh!!!! Thank you!!!!! After my poor babe coughed alllll night for 3 nights I had it! Not just for my poor miserable baby, but for myself (who wasn’t sleeping) and my newborn (being woken up everytime big brother coughed). I read your post at 3am desperate and tired and went to the store right away the next morning. I tried your trick and he didn’t cough ONCE! Thank you!!!!! He really needed the rest. We all did. 🙂 I am so grateful!
This is great! I love natural remedies for my little 2 yr old girl! I have seen so much controversy about using eucalyptus oil on children, i’m a little confused on if it’s safe to use or not? & I have used eucalyptus, lavender & almond oil on her congested chest recently & found it works great! Can anyone chime in on why there’s so much concern on using it on children.
Well people i would like to leave my two cents here, only two if ptetrolium is no gud lotions… Then try coconut oil, apart from it also being very good for you topically and ingestide it feels like vaporub and smells just like it i put it on my girls ok thank you so only
COCONUT OIL & EUCALYPTUS
Can you use coconut oil as a carrier oil?
THe reason to use a carrier oil is to dilute the oil. It’s said not to use eucalyptus oil full strength.
Reblogged this on charlotsite's Blog.
using eucalyptus oil for seasonal cough and allergy is an old method, my granny told me first about this. Nowadays I have learnt to diffuse it in my room and children’s rooms instead of rubbing it on their neck and back of ears.
When i get a cold, I have a lingering cough that sometimes lasts for weeks, and it’s irritating. I recently starting using eucalyptus oil, and tried it on my feet. I think I am a believer now, but I am going to continue this trial for a while before I say definitely. I use it at night, and at my desk at work as well. So far, I am impressed !! I am using it full strength.
I have had a cough for two days, tonight when I got in bed I could not stop coughing. I got on Pinterest and found this site. I ran to my stach of EOs and pulled out Eucalyptus, I added the carrier oil and mixed it up, ran back to my bed and rubbed it on the bottom of my feet. It’s been about 30 min. And I have almost compleatly stopped coughing!!! I am 52 yrs old and I’m kind of new to EOs. I would definitely give this Thumbs Up! Thank You so much for sharing. Learn something new everyday, this was mine. 😊