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

1. Place a teaspoon of a carrier oil like olive, almond, coconut, etc. in a bowl
2. Add 2 drops of peppermint essential oil and mix.
3. Apply the oil on the bottoms of the feet and back of the neck.
4. 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.

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. 

 Do you use oils for fevers?  What other ways do you reduce fevers or use essential oils for natural remedies?