The Best Essential Oils for Fever and How to Use Them?

Because fever can be so debilitating, many people try to treat it by using natural remedies. One of the home treatments people consider for this purpose is using essential oils for fever. Adding pure essential oils to home care routine can make recovery faster.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are potent and unadulterated plant extracts. They are so called because they capture the “essence” of the plant they are extracted from. Essential oils are derived from different plant parts like the tree bark, roots, fruit, leaves or flowers. They possess a number of therapeutic properties that can help with treating various health conditions. They also enjoy a long history of extensive use in medicine, cosmetics, foods and perfumes.

How Can Essential Oils Help With Fever?

When essential oils are applied topically or are inhaled, they travel deep into the skin. This penetration allows them to enter the bloodstream and work their potency there. Some of the ways in which essential oils can help with fever management include the following:

  • Certain essential oils can cool down core body temperatures.
  • Some essential oils are anti-inflammatory and can combat inflammation during fever.
  • Essential oils also have the power to fight off infectious pathogens.
  • There are essential oils with immune boosting properties which can help you recover faster.
  • Topical application or diffusion of essential oils can help manage bodily aches and pains.
  • Certain essential oils assist in clearing respiratory airways and allow for easier breathing.
  • The detoxifying properties of essential oils assist sweat production which expels waste and toxins from the body.

The Best Essential Oils for Fever

There are a few favorite essential oils for fever reduction with very specific benefits. Among these, chamomile and lavender are known relaxants while eucalyptus and peppermint oils promote circulation. They also having cooling properties and help you recover by boosting perspiration. But here is a look at them separately, each with its own benefits:

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is a suitable essential oil for fever as it contains menthol. Menthol is often used in different medicinal treatments to help with breathing and other respiratory issues.

The menthol in peppermint oil also has cooling properties which can help bring your core temperature down. The cooling sensation can have a calming effect on the body when you have a fever. The oil is best mixed with a mild carrier oil like avocado, almond or walnut oil. Blend well with carrier oil and then massage onto the chest.

Frankincense

This is an essential oil which boasts many healing properties. It can work as an antiseptic, astringent, disinfectant, sedative and tonic among other things. Frankincense is also one of the oldest essential oils around and has been used medicinally in many different cultures. It has proven record as an immunity booster and can fight inflammation.

These features make frankincense oil suitable to deal with the pain and discomfort associated with fever.

The oil is extracted from the resin or gum of the Olibanum tree. Apart from an ideal essential oil for fever, frankincense is also a popular ingredient in many cosmetics.

To use frankincense essential oil for fever, diffuse it with some hazelnut oil or jojoba oil. Apply oil to the forehead. You can also apply the oil on the chest and the back to get maximum benefits.

Frankincense oil is generally safe to use for people of all ages.

Roman Chamomile

Another essential oil for fever reduction is roman chamomile. Its most effective feature for fever reduction is that when the oil is applied directly to the skin, it can assist in promoting sweating. It does so by opening up the pores and allowing more sweat to come out of them.

This extra perspiration helps flush out toxins and other compounds from the body. It also helps lower body temperature. In this way, sweating cools down the boys and helps provides relief from fever.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is known by many for its calming and stress busting features. It also has sedative properties that can help you feel relaxed when you have a fever.

An application of lavender essential oil can also help you manage your headaches which often come when you have a fever. You can combine an equal amount of lavender oil drops with peppermint oil drops and message the back of the neck. Along with a topical application, you can also inhale this mixture to seek relief from fever related headaches.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is a popular essential oil for fever as it is also a decongestant. Inhaling eucalyptus steam can assist in alleviating a cough and congestion, conditions that often accompany a fever.  It acts as a respiratory aide which can help combat the discomfort associated with fever and chills.

The aroma of the eucalyptus oil works as an expectorant. This means it can help loosen phlegm in the nasal passages and lungs. By breathing easier you can keep your airways clean and feel less congested and stuffed up.

Eucalyptus oil also has the potential to invigorate the body and mind. This can help with keeping you more alert and focused during your illness. Invigoration is also important as fever can often sap much of your energy and motivation.

Lemongrass

lemongrass is another excellent option among essential oils for fever. It has potent antipyretic features meaning it is anti-fever. The oil is also anti-inflammatory which makes it beneficial for improving circulation and reducing pain.

When lemongrass oil is mixed with a carrier oil and applied directly to the extremities such as the hands and feet, it can provide instant pain relief.

If your fever is causing you to have a headache, then apply the oil directly onto temples.

Lemon Essential Oil

Different from lemongrass, lemon essential oil has one of the best antiviral detoxifying properties. It has the potential to instantly rid the body of harmful compounds and toxins.

To use lemon essential oil for fever reduction, mix it with some coconut oil to dilute it. Gently massage this mixture on your neck to seek relief from fever.

essential oils for fever

How to Use Essential Oils?

Knowing how to use essential oils for fever is important or they will not be of much use. It is one thing to know which essential oil you are going to use and another on how to use it.

First off, all essential oils need to be diluted in a carrier oil, or base oil. This is crucial as essential oils are highly concentrated and should not be used on the skin directly. You can use a carrier oil like olive oil, jojoba, almond or cobnut among others.

Some oils are better suited for inhalation while others can be applied topically. Typically there are five ways to use essential oils for fever. You can benefit from using essential oils by:

  1. Diffusing a single or a combination of oils into the air.
  2. Inhaling essential oils through the nostrils. You can do this by putting the oil on a cloth or sniff it from a bottle.
  3. Getting massage therapy with essential oil blends.
  4. Soaking in an essential oil-infused bath.
  5. Applying the oil topically by rubbing it onto the skin.

Aromatic Treatment

Using this method, essential oils get absorbed by smell receptors. Some essential oils have an invigorating or uplifting effect, while others help calm you down.

To use aromatic treatment, you can diffuse the oil for fever. For this purpose, the aromatherapy diffuser that use water or cold air are ideal.

Topical Treatment

A topical treatment of essential oils lets the oil penetrate the skin. After they get absorbed in this manner, essential oils can then remain in the applied area for yielding their benefits.

You can topically apply essential oils by a light massage, an infused bath or a hot or cold compress.

What You Need To Be Careful Of When Using Essential Oils

While the health boosting benefits of essential oils cannot be questioned, people are still wary of using them. This hesitance could be because of the safety concern of using essential oils.

You should know that when you decide to use essential oils for fever or any other treatment, you need to follow certain guidelines. For example, you need to know the following things:

Essential Oils Are Highly Concentrated

This is because the oils are squeezed from a lot of plant material just to get a few drops. To get an idea of how much plant material, consider getting one single drop of peppermint oil from 28 cups of peppermint tea. Or using 5,000 pounds of undamaged rose petals to get one pound of rose essential oil! Now, that is a LOT!

As such, it becomes very important to use essential oils for fever sparingly. You should only use them when diluted with other carrier oils. If you use them undiluted, you are highly likely to suffer from mild to severe burns.

Essential Oils Can Be Toxic If Swallowed or Ingested

Another consideration when using essential oils is their toxicity. This does not mean that they do not have healthful benefits, but that they are not meant to be consumed. Essential oils are ONLY meant to be applied topically or diffused in the air.

Given their high concentrations of potent chemicals, essential oils can wreak havoc if ingested. Always keep your essential oils for fever away from the reach of children and pets. It is best to clearly label the bottles and keep them stored in a safe place.

Only Use Essential Oils for Topical Applications

Do not put essential oils in your eyes, ears or nose. This is very risky as using essential oils in this manner can cause chemical burns. The same can also generate internal organ damage.

Avoid getting essential oils for fever in your mucous membranes. If they come in contact with the mucous membranes, flush them out with a fatty liquid like a carrier oil or whole milk. Do not use water to flush out essential oils as water repels the oil and will make them cling to the membranes more.

Essential Oils Are Flammable

All essential oils are flammable to some degree and should be kept away from open flames. This can include candles, matches, stove tops and open fires.

Do a Patch Test

If it is your first time using an essential oil for fever, it becomes important to do a patch test first. You can do this by applying diluted essential oil to your inner elbow.

Cover the area with a non-medicated bandage and wait for 24-48 hours. Remove bandage and check skin for any signs of irritation.

Patch tests are highly recommended for people with sensitive skin. They are also recommended for others with allergies or those taking prescription drugs.