Essential Oils for Fever can be a great natural alternative when you aren’t feeling your best. Here is what you need to know about how to use essential oils for fever and cold as well as the best essential oil for fever.
What is a Fever?
A fever is an increase in body temperature that is usually caused by the body’s attempt to fight infection or an injury. Normal body temperature is 98.6F, and 99.5F is typically considered having a fever.
You should always treat a fever in an infant as serious. From a few months to a few years old it is generally recommended that you not treat a fever under 100.2F unless there is severe discomfort.
In adults, it is ok to let a fever run its course as long as it is under 101 degrees F. A fever is the body’s natural reaction to fend of germs.
Note: If a fever lasts more than 24 hours or reaches 103 degrees seek medical attention. Make sure you call the doctor if a fever in an infant between 3 and 6 months reaches 101. (The only oil I would recommend for a child under 6 months is one drop of very well diluted lavender oil.) Do not use peppermint essential oil in children under six years of age or eucalyptus essential oil in children under ten years of age.
Please note: The information provided below is a compilation of suggestions made by those that have used essential oils and has NOT been scientifically verified with clinical tests nor reviewed by medical experts. It is anecdotal information and should be treated as such. For serious medical concerns, please seek professional medical attention.
Essential Oils for Fever
The most effective essential oils for fever are:
- Eucalyptus
- Lemon
- Peppermint – my pick for the best essential oil for fever
- Basil
- Black Pepper
- Clove
- Frankincense
- Lavender
- Lime
- Tea Tree
- Rosemary
The Quality of The Essential Oils You Use Matters!
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Read my full Plant Therapy Review for why they are my go-to company.
Suggested Ways to Use Essential Oils to Treat A Fever
Essential Oils for Fever in Adults and Older Children (Over 10)
Ingredients
- 2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
- 2 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- 1 teaspoon carrier oil
Directions
Mix peppermint, eucalyptus and carrier oil in a small dish.
Apply to the forehead, back of the neck, tips of ears and bottoms of feet. Reapply every 15 minutes until the fever goes down.
Eucalyptus should not be used in children under 10. Peppermint should not be used in children under 6.
Essential Oils for Fever in Babies and Small Children
Ingredients
- 3 drops lavender
- 3 drops lemon
- 1-ounce carrier oil
Directions
Combine lavender, lemon and carrier oil in a small dish.
Apply to the spine and bottom of the feet.
SAFTEY NOTE:
On babies and small children, it is important that they not touch areas where oils are applied and then rub their eyes. Always dilute to a ratio of 6 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil for babies and children.
How Do You Get a Fever to Break Using Essential Oils for Fever?
- Compress – A tepid compress with Peppermint and eucalyptus may be used for adults and children over ten. Omit eucalyptus in children between the ages of six and ten.
- Sponge Bath – Try to bring the fever down by sponging the body with cool water. Add eucalyptus, peppermint, chamomile or lavender to a basin of cool water and sponge the body.
- Induce Sweating – Basil may be diluted and used on the feet and spine to induce sweating. (Your body heat will dry your sweat which can be effective at bringing down a fever.)
- Control Infection – To control infection, apply 1 drop each of cinnamon, lemon, eucalyptus, clove and tea tree diluted in a tablespoon of carrier oil to the bottom of the feet 4 times daily.
- Prevent Spreading – Spray the room with thyme linalol and tea tree to help keep germs from spreading.
If you have ever used essential oils to reduce fever, I would love to know your favorite essential oil for fever. Leave a comment below!
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Thank you, this was very helpful this night, my daughter’s fever dropped almost immediately…
I am so glad to hear she is doing better. My best to you and your daughter.
Recommendations for my almost-5-year old daughter?
So I landed on your blog looking for peppermint oil as a fever reducer but You say its not reccomended fir kids under sux years of age, my sons fevwr goes upto 104.5 and gets febrile seizures please tell me if I can use peppermint oil on him to reduce his fever hes 3.5 years old, please do rwply me its a request
No, I wouldn’t use peppermint oil for a 3 1/2 year old. If his fever is that high I would take him to the doctor.
Thank u so much. I used your mentioned peppermint oil remedyfor my husband. He was having 39 deg celcius fever. Applied oil on feet n neck. Fever went down. He cud atleast sleep that night n me too. This oil works wonders. Thank u once again.
So glad it help for him! I hope he is on the mend.
For me, lavender oil is unique, it is the most resourceful amongst essential oils!
Ye, I love lavender too! Lavender helps with sleep, head and neck tension, stomach issues or motion sickness, is calming, supports skin health and more.
I love your site! You answered the question then continued to offer more that I didn’t know I needed!! Peppermint and lavender was what I was suffusing. I had surgery and the fever is normal but my oils are always handy! Thanks for the helpful information. I was on the right track!! God Bless!
Feel better soon! So glad you are enjoying the website.
Hi. The information here confirms what I’ve known, and it also mentions to not use certain oils on children under 10, etc with no explanation as to reasonings of such claim. If possible, please elaborate the reasons not to use those oils on toddlers up to 10 years old? Thank you
You have to be VERY careful using oils on small children! Their skin is much more delicate than ours and even when you dilute it you can burn them. I burned my daughter using DigestZen (It has peppermint which is a “hot” oil) very well diluted when she was a toddler. That was when I got more serious about essential oil safety. Eucalyptus is a fabulous oil, but it has been linked to breathing issues in children under 10. Although many young children could probably be exposed to it with no issues, it isn’t worth the risk given that there are other oils that can accomplish the same thing.