Everyone always chooses eucalyptus and peppermint when they have a cold and are congested, but for good reason. They both work! Read on to see why they work so well, who shouldn’t use them and some great alternatives.
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Here’s what makes them work so well. Eucalyptus, (Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus radiata, Eucalyptus smithii, etc.) contains 1,8-cineole, a constituent & aromatic compound of the eucalyptus plant. 1,8-cineole is the compound that helps clear up your airways making it easier to breath. Peppermint, (Mentha piperit), contains the constituent menthol, which stimulates the cold receptors in your lungs, thus helping them feel clear and you less congested.
So here is the kicker, neither of these essential oils are safe for kids. Eucalyptus essential oil is not meant for children under the age of 10 years and peppermint essential oil is not safe for kid under six years of age. The very constituent that makes it easier to breath, 1,8-cineole in eucalyptus can cause slowed respiration or cause breathing problems in children under the age of 6 years. As for peppermint, the menthol can stimulate cold receptors in a child’s lungs causing slow breathing.
So what do you use? You’re in luck, I have a list of totally child safe essential oil recipes for congestion and coughs. They work for adults too, so if you don’t want to take any risks with your children getting a hold of eucalyptus or peppermint, you can try out the recipes I’ve provided below.
Child safe essential oils recipes for congestion (for adults too)
The following recipes are made with a personal inhaler for essential oils (available on Amazon). They work amazing and don’t take anytime at all to create. Inhalation is the fastest and probably the best way to get relief from congestion or stuffed up nose. I’ll give you two ways to do this, plus some great tips for helping small children use the methods below.
This recipe is heavy on the Siberian Fir Needle, which is a great alternative to eucalyptus and peppermint.
You will need:
- A personal inhaler
- 7 drops Siberian Fir Needle Essential Oil
- 5 drops Rosalina Essential Oil
- 3 drops Sweet (or wild) Orange Essential Oil
To make your personal inhaler, first disassemble the inhaler. Add the drops of essential oils to a glass or metal bowl and roll the cotton wick in the oils to absorb the essential oils onto the wick. Alternately you can place the wick in the bowl or if you are careful on a paper towel and drop the essential oils onto the wick. Reassemble the inhaler.
To Use:
Simply take 1-3 inhales through the nostril. Place the inhaler at the opening (or slightly in) of your nose and inhale 1-3 times. Do this as often as needed to get relief.
This next recipe is one of my favorites due to the spearmint in it.
You will need:
- Personal inhaler
- 7 drops Spearmint Essential Oil
- 5 drops Juniper Berry Essential Oil
- 3 drops Black Pepper Essential Oil
To make your personal inhaler, first disassemble the inhaler. Add the drops of essential oils to a glass or metal bowl and roll the cotton wick in the oils to absorb the essential oils onto the wick. Alternately you can place the wick in the bowl or if you are careful on a paper towel and drop the essential oils onto the wick. Reassemble the inhaler.
To Use:
Simply take 1-3 inhales through the nostril. Place the inhaler at the opening (or slightly in) of your nose and inhale 1-3 times. Do this as often as needed to get relief.
Steam Inhalation
Another great and quick way to get relief is to use steam inhalation. This gets the essential oils into your respiratory system quickly and efficiently.
You will need:
- Steaming bowl of hot water
- Towel
- 1 drop Siberian Fir Needle Essential Oil
- 1 drop Lemon essential oil
To Use:
Sit at a table with the bowl in front of you. Drop one drop each of Siberian Fir Needle and Lemon essential oil into the bowl. Place the towel over your head to trap the steam underneath the towel and breath in the steam. Keep your eyes closed as the vapors from the essential oils may be to strong for your eyes. Breathe deeply and take your time. Do this for five minutes or until the water cools. You can repeat this several times a day until relief is accomplished. If adverse reactions occur (headache, nausea, etc.) discontinue use.
Essential Oils for Coughs
Having a persistent dry cough can be tough, especially for little ones. Relief may be accomplished if you try one or more of the following recipes.
For a Dry Cough You Will Need:
Recipe #1 for a dry cough
- Personal inhaler
- 7 drops Cedarwood (Atlas) Essential Oil
- 5 drops Sweet (or wild) Orange Essential Oil
- 3 drops Lavender (Bulgarian) Essential Oil
To make your personal inhaler, first disassemble the inhaler. Add the drops of essential oils to a glass or metal bowl and roll the cotton wick in the oils to absorb the essential oils onto the wick. Alternately you can place the wick in the bowl or if you are careful on a paper towel and drop the essential oils onto the wick. Reassemble the inhaler.
To Use:
Simply take 1-3 inhales through the nostril. Place the inhaler at the opening (or slightly in) of your nose and inhale 1-3 times. Do this as often as needed to get relief. See below for tips on using personal inhalers with kids.
Recipe #2 for a dry coughYou will need:
- Personal Inhaler
- 7 drops Black Pepper Essential Oil
- 5 drops Mandarin Essential Oil
- 3 drop Helichrysum Essential Oil
To make your personal inhaler, first disassemble the inhaler. Add the drops of essential oils to a glass or metal bowl and roll the cotton wick in the oils to absorb the essential oils onto the wick. Alternately you can place the wick in the bowl or if you are careful on a paper towel and drop the essential oils onto the wick. Reassemble the inhaler.
To Use:
Simply take 1-3 inhales through the nostril. Place the inhaler at the opening (or slightly in) of your nose and inhale 1-3 times. Do this as often as needed to get relief.
Essential Oils for a Wet Cough
Having an unproductive wet cough is no fun. Try this recipe for some relief.
You will need:
- Personal inhaler
- 7 drops Rosalina Essential Oil
- 5 drops Siberian Fir Needle Essential Oil
- 3 drops Frankincense Essential Oil
To make your personal inhaler, first disassemble the inhaler. Add the drops of essential oils to a glass or metal bowl and roll the cotton wick in the oils to absorb the essential oils onto the wick. Alternately you can place the wick in the bowl or if you are careful on a paper towel and drop the essential oils onto the wick. Reassemble the inhaler.
To Use:
Simply take 1-3 inhales through the nostril. Place the inhaler at the opening (or slightly in) of your nose and inhale 1-3 times. Do this as often as needed to get relief.
Tips for using these recipes with kids under six years old
Tips for using these recipes with kids under six years old:
Little kids (6 years and under) may be too sensitive for the strong aromas from the personal inhalers or from steam inhalation.
To get some relief when using the personal inhalers, try waving the personal inhaler back and forth in front of their nose while they breathe deep. Do not insert the inhaler into their noses.
For steam inhalation, skip the towel, and have them sit near the bowl of hot water (do not leave them unattended, as you don’t want to risk spilt water and burns).
Safety Considerations
- The essential oils in this recipe are safe for all ages (please see tips for using a personal inhaler with kids under 6 years old)
- The essential oils in this recipe are safe for pregnancy, but in general essential oils are not intended to be used in the first trimester
- The essential oils in this recipe are safe for the breastfeeding mom, but in general essential oils are not intended to be inhaled by babies under 6 months old
NOT INTENDED FOR
- babies under 6 months old
- the first trimester of pregnancy
- use with pets
Wrapping it Up
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Do you need some of the essential oils in these congestions and cough recipes? Click the Plant Therapy logo below and shop for all your essential oil needs. I use Plant Therapy and love their high quality, 100% pure essential oils. Plus they have the GC/MS reports right on the essential oil product listings. This is an affiliated link.
This information is intended to educate and inform. Please do not replace this information with the advice and guidance from a doctor. This information is not intended to treat, prevent, diagnose or cure any disease. Please consult your health care professional if you have any questions.