
Written by Editorial Team
Essential oils are very popular today and widely used for their medicinal properties. One such essential oil is eucalyptus oil. This 100% natural product is used chiefly as a decongestant for respiratory problems. Many parents use eucalyptus oil for babies as a home remedy. But Is Eucalyptus oil for babies safe? This article will shed some light on many of your doubts regarding this.
Babies are prone to colds and fever. As a mother, you probably prefer using home remedies to overloading your baby with medicines. You might be tempted to use the old tried and tested eucalyptus oil for baby’s sniffles and snuffles too. However, did you know that eucalyptus oil for babies is not recommended? Medical experts recommend avoiding the use of eucalyptus oil until your child is at least ten years old. Intrigued? Read on.
Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil that you get from the eucalyptus tree. It is used in certain medications and as a perfume. This oil has some industrial uses too.
Eucalyptus oil is a sweet colorless liquid and has a strong woody smell. More than 700 species of eucalyptus trees are grown around the world. Of these, only 500 odd species are used for the production of this essential oil. Eucalyptus oil for babies is safe or not.
Eucalyptus oil is obtained from the leaves and branches of the eucalyptus tree. The extracted oil is then diluted before and then sold as an essential oil for medicinal purposes.
Eucalyptus oil is the superstar of all essential oils and is known for its great benefits. Some of the benefits include:
With so many benefits, eucalyptus oil is widely used as a home remedy to provide relief from various problems. It is the go-to medicine for any respiratory-related issues such as cold and wheezing, where a few drops of eucalyptus oil are poured into the water before taking a steam.
Eucalyptus oil generally contains over a hundred different compounds. This number varies depending on various factors, such as the distillation process and the number of times distillation is performed.
All these components help eucalyptus oil have healing properties.
There are multiple reasons why you can’t use eucalyptus oil for babies:
Please note the following points before using eucalyptus oil for babies
Till your baby is at least two years old, you must avoid all essential oils. Instead, you can use one or more of the following methods to relieve your baby from congestion:
Use a nasal aspirator to clear any mucus from your baby’s nose and clear the airways so that they can breathe easily and happily.
Do you observe that thick mucus blocking your baby’s nose, throat, and chest, and making them uncomfortable? Dip a small cotton cloth in hot water and squeeze out excess water. Apply this hot water compress on their nose, throat, and chest. This method provides your baby with some relief from congestion. Your baby’s skin is very sensitive. Always use a warm compress, not hot ones.
Following are a few things to remember while using eucalyptus oil in babies:
Remember: This oil is not safe for a little one. Hence, you should refrain from using this oil for your babies and toddlers too.
The Bottom Line
Eucalyptus oil has many medicinal and therapeutic properties which can help heal adults from many ailments. Still, it is not a suitable home remedy for your babies. Babies tend to develop side effects when inhaled, applied topically, or ingested, and it is always a good practice to exercise caution.
We hope that you got some helpful information about eucalyptus oil in this article. If you have anything more to add to it, please do share it with us in the comments section below.
No, it is not safe. It contains cineole. This can cause respiratory and nervous issues in babies.
We would not recommend it. Even when diluted, it is stronger than almond or coconut oil. Do consult your doctor before you use it.
No, don’t. It is not safe. Don’t even use it in a humidifier.
No, it is not recommended. It is not safe for them. Wait till they are 2 years or older.
No, you cannot give eucalyptus oil to your baby for cough. Inhaling or ingesting this oil can be dangerous for your baby. If your baby is coughing continuously, you should visit a pediatrician to get your baby checked. The doctor will recommend medications and safe remedies to cure the cough.
Eucalyptus oil may help your baby with runny nose but it is considered unsafe for babies by pediatricians and health care experts. Close contact with this oil can cause harmful effects. Talk to your pediatrician before trying eucalyptus oil for your baby.
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