I have found a new favorite way to reduce fevers! Well, I actually can’t take credit for it. I’ve had a few readers tell me on my facebook page that there was an essential oil that reduces fevers that they use on their own children. If you ladies are reading this – thank you! I don’t remember your name, but Thank You, Thank You!
And no, my favorite fever reducer isn’t Tylenol. Are you surprised? 😉 Be sure to read my post, Why Tylenol Is The Last Thing I Would Use For Fevers if you don’t know that answer. 🙂
So which oil did I use? Peppermint!
I’ve been a huge fan of peppermint oil for years because of its effectiveness in relieving nausea, but now my love increases due to its effectiveness for fevers.
Now don’t get me wrong, I still believe there are 2 Ways A Fever Is Good For Your Child, and I do like to let a fever do its work. I don’t pull out all of my fever reducers at the first sign of a fever. Remember that fevers are your friend, and God’s way of helping the immune system kill the invading microbes that are causing the illness. Always work with a fever and not against it!
But those fevers can soar high and cause the patient to be miserable, so sometimes it’s a great idea to reduce them.
How To Use Peppermint Essential Oil To Reduce Fevers
- Place a teaspoon of a carrier oil like olive, almond, coconut, etc. in a bowl
- Add 2 drops of peppermint essential oil and mix.
- Apply the oil on the bottoms of the feet and back of the neck.
- In 30 minutes to an hour, the fever should be reduced by a degree or two. Notice that I didn’t say that the oil would break the fever. Our goal isn’t to break a fever, but to reduce it to a more comfortable level if needed. This works for me every time.
Repeat as needed if the fever rises too high again.
It really is that simple!
Here’s to skipping the Tylenol and using something much safer!
Buy peppermint essential oil here.
For babies, add 1 drop of lavender essential oil to 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil and apply the same as the directions for peppermint oil.
[yumprint-recipe id=’32’]A word of caution: Do not use peppermint oil internally or near the face for under the age of six.Updated caution: Since writing this post, I have had several people tell me that using peppermint oil on children is not safe. I consulted my essential oil guide book before using the oil on my child and the only caution it had was for internal use for under age 6. I did not know that anyone had concerns for external use until I wrote this post. 🙂 There seems to be different opinions concerning this matter. Some say that it’s not safe for children externally at all, others say that externally is fine as long as it’s not near the face, and others (like my guide book) says the only caution is internal use. From my personal experience, there have not been any adverse reactions at all, and I always dilute the oil and keep it away from the face of those under 6. I found this oil to be much safer for my children’s fevers than what I feel to be the dangers of Tylenol. Each parent must do their own research to do what they feel is best. I’ve had another reader say they use lemon oil for fevers and it works well for them. I may just try lemon oil if we encounter a high fever again. 🙂
Buy lemon essential oil here.
Update: I tried using lemon essential oil the last time my daughter had a fever and it didn’t work for us! That doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. It may depend on the age of the child, but my daughter had a pretty high fever and the peppermint oil is what worked.
I’ve used lemon essential oil with a carrier oil on the spine of my kiddo. I’ve had her fever reduce in less than 20 minutes. It’s crazy how fast the essential oils can work.
That’s awesome, Dani!
Can you share the proportions? My daughter is 2 years old. Thanks
I would use lavender oil on that age. 2-3 drops per tablespoon of a carrier oil like olive oil. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Thank you Jill! Both my little ones started with the runny nose and fevers slowly elevating right before Christmas. I used Peppermint oil mixed with Coconut oil and put on the back of their neck and feet and after two applications it reduced down and fever was non existent! So Amazing and so excited for this new find! I also read about peppermint oil and carrier oil is good for chest congestion and I used the rest to put on their chest and back when they were sounding a little like they may be coming down with bronchitis and after using it for one day no cough anymore! Thanks so much!
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I was so amazed as well the first time I used peppermint oil for fevers. So glad it worked well for you, and great to know that about the cough! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Just bought pepper mint oil for my little fire baby who’s on day 3 of hoof and mouth: keeps popping fevers of 105 :/ already been to the emergency room. Is the dilution about safe for a 14 month old? 1 drop to 1 tablespoon? I know peppermint can cause respiratory distress and that’s the last thing I need 🙂
One of my girls had that illness- it was so bad!! My book only gives warnings for internal use under age 6, but other EO users are very adamant about not using it externally under age 6 as well. I used it on my 4 year old with no problems, but only on the feet and back of the neck- so no where near the face. I’ve had one person say that lemon oil reduces fevers as well, so you could try that since it’s more mild. Wishing quick healing for your little one!
If you plan on using it I would make sure that you dilute it more than that, since your baby is so young. I would do 1 drop to 2 tablespoons. Peppermint oil is very strong and can irritate the skin as well as cause poor breathing for kiddos under 6.
Thanks. I am going to try this today.
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I wish you success and hope all are better soon!
My girl is on day four of high fevers with confirmed flu. I just put peppermint on her feet. How long do I wait to see if it works before trying again?
I believe it always goes down within an hour for me. I always put it on the back of the neck as well as the feet. I hope she’s all better soon!
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Thank you. She was at 104. It dropped to 103. But she is so uncomfortable. Poor thing.
I hate to see them suffer too! That persistent fever will do a great job of killing the virus, but I always reapply the oil again later if they are still uncomfortable.
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i think it’s very important to note that peppermint oil is considered UNSAFE for use with children. before using (or giving out advice on the use of) essential oils onchildren, it would bea good idea to consult with an actual aromatherapist. again, peppermint is considered, by aromatherapists, to be an UNSAFE essential oil to use with children present, let alone actually applying it to children topically.
Hi, Christine! Thanks for the comment! I do realize that some give cautions for using peppermint under under the age of 6 externally, others say it’s fine as long as you don’t apply it to the face, and others say that the only danger for children is internal use. I consulted my essential oil handbook, which only has cautions for internal use for children. I only use it on the feet and back of the neck for children and have never had any adverse reactions at all. I agree that each parent must research for themselves and do what they feel is best. I personally found that using this oil diluted was a much safer route for my child than what I feel are the dangers of Tylenol. I will add this caution to my post. Thanks!
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Thank you for the warning, i really appreciate it. My daughter is 6 1/2 and i only used one drop mixed with about two tablespooons of carrier oil. I am very cautious when it comes to oils and my child (and she knows as well how strong and potent they are so she stays away from them). On a related note, what book do you all recommend that is good for knowing what oils to use for things, how much to use, etc.? i would love to get a recommendation. Thank you.
Tara, I refer most often to Modern Essentials by DoTERRA, but I have heard really good things about The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook and hope to get one soon —> http://tinyurl.com/hoozwao
Thanks for the question!
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Thank you so much!
Peppermint oil is not safe for kids and can cause respiratory issues. Internal use of oils for anyone (not just kids) is not recommended unless you’re working with an aromatherapist. Of course the DoTerra book won’t tell you that because all they want to do is keep selling oils. Reps for MLM companies are not trained in safety at all. I’d highly suggest doing your own research on this.
Thanks for sharing your opinion, Amber!
You’re so gracious, Jill! I find the Modern Essentials books to be excellent and incredibly thorough. I stopped sharing what works for my family with others because of comments like these. I just can’t take it as well as you do! Also, if I do share, I always make sure they know it’s their choice and their risk and responsibility, not mine for sharing what we do. Phew. It’s tough. I could never be a doctor for this very reason. I enjoyed your article, thank you!
Thank you for your kind words, Laura! I appreciate you. ☺️
I didn’t know it was unsafe for children. I’ve used it on mine- I put in on their spine when they have a fever and it goes down quickly and usually doesn’t come back.
My 4-year old has a stubborn fever right now and in trying to use perment oil on her – but forgot about the feet, thank you for this article 🙂
You are welcome, Jackie! Peppermint does work amazingly! I hope your daughter is much better soon!
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For those saying that peppermint is unsafe for children ……at what age do you consider it to be safe?
I’ve been hearing over the age of 6, but some people say younger ages are fine as long as you keep it away from the face.
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I wish this was working for us. I have a rollerball of diluted peppermint and her fever is still 103.6
Oh I’m so sorry your daughter is sick! It normally takes 30-60 minutes for the fever to lower, and it typically doesn’t break the fever but lowers it to a more comfortable level. Sometimes the fever may climb again soon after it’s lowered, which is a sign that the body really needs the fever in order to fight the infection. I use the peppermint oil again later if my patient is uncomfortable.
Thanks Jill! My 4yo had a stomach virus yesterday and today she has been trying to run a fever. When it began creeping up I applied the doTERRA Peppermint touch roller to back of her neck and bottoms of feet. Within an hour she had cooled to the touch. I love the Touch Blends-they’re perfect for using oils on littles.
It is so convenient to have them already diluted for use! Thanks for sharing!
Hi, may know how frequent can we apply the essential oil to children who got high fever? Thanks
I’ve done it every few hours if needed.
I just wanted to add that while obviously internal use and topical use not properly diluted whould be unsafe, when properly diluted it is safe topically. If u look at the ingredients in any over the counter natural baby vapor rub, you find it, often along with eucalyptus, pine, wintergreen, and Cedar leaf essential oils. Pepper mint essentialoil is the the prim ingredient in any vapor rub, and has been approved by the fda to be safe. The adult rubs which are stronger are approved for ages 2 and up. Vicks brand rubs stick to a camphor,menthol, and eucalyptus blend, but very simular. They have been used longer than I’ve been alive without Ill affects. If in doubt, check with your child’s doctor, or use over the counter mixed rub instead. A favorite brand of mine is Maty’s petroleum free all natural vapor rub, sold at my local drug store. Also, if in doubt, you can give peppermint tea to drink, which is approved also by fda and by my pediatrician. I have used fresh mint leaves, honey, and water for tea, and store bought mint teas for my daughter, and they soothe well. Never use essential oil for the tea. You can also soak a wash cloth in peppermint tea and apply on the head for comfort. As for useing pepper mint essential oil on Ur child, it is only a concern if it’s to weakly diluted or over used, as to much of any good thing is bad. Note, in the case of Young children, start very weak topical mix and small area if ur unsure of possible allergic reaction. The use of pepper mint for fever goes WAY back, and is generally considered quite safe if you do so properly.
I’ve not thought of a rag soaked in peppermint tea- though apple cider vinegar works well that way. Thanks so much for the idea!
These cautions often stem from misuse of the oils. If people use the oils properly and do the right research they are safe to use.
Sadly, information is often taken from poor sources and spread like wild fire.
Most concerns arise from use of oils unduted or not diluted enough.
Less is more. Always consult a certified aromatherapist for questions.
I used frankincense oil with coconut oil as carrier within 15 minutes fever reduced. Along with prayers.
Hi Jill, I know you write regarding essential oils but I also wanted to include a handy use of another fever reducer. It was vital to my 12 and 14 year old when they came down with 104 fever and nothing was bringing it down. I even tried medicine but it kept going up… egg white scrambled in a bowl, soak up with one sheet of paper towel, wring out, place one folded on bottom of each foot, cover with sock, allow to dry. It worked almost instantly. I watched on the thermometer as it decreased!!! The kiddos didn’t mind it either, which surprised me! Ugh! Sticky egg white. In emergencies, God works a miracle through egg whites. The fever did not disappear completely, however it stopped it from rising and brought it down to a safer level.
I have never heard of this, Jen! Thank you so much for sharing! I hope it can help many others. 🙂
Spearmint works great on children.
Thanks for sharing!
Hey! I tried the diluted peppermint oil on my 6 yr old kiddo last Night after researching how to bring a fever down naturally. I ran across your article. She had 103.4 fever. I rubbed it on her spine,feet,back of neck. I waited an hour then rechecked temp and amazingly it was 101.5! Thanks for the blog!
I’m glad to hear that, Robin!
Wow! Thank you for sharing this helpful and useful information especially nowadays the rate of fever here in our place is increasing. Great job!