Natural Support for Family Coughs & Colds: Using Essential Oils for Your Family
Children can experience as many as eight colds a year while their immune systems are still developing, especially when they’re mixing with lots of other children in nurseries and schools. As they grow, their immunity strengthens, and the number of colds naturally decreases. Using essential oils can be a gentle, supportive way to ease symptoms, and may even help prevent a few of those colds from taking hold!
Important Safety Note: It’s important to use the correct dilution for children, and at Tisserand we don’t advise using essential oils on children under the age of three.
5 Best Essential Oils for Cough & Cold Season
There are five essential oils I would recommend helping you through the cough and cold season:
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) – decongestant, immune stimulant
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – sedative, soothing, anti-microbial
Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) – anti-microbial
Cedarwood Himalayan (Cedrus deodara) – expectorant, soothing
Lemon (Citrus limonum ) – immune stimulant
How to Use an Essential Oil Diffuser for Child Cold Symptoms
Using a diffuser is a great way to get your essential oils into the air and can help to relieve cough and cold symptoms. I love to place my diffuser in the hallway so everyone can get the benefit!
If you’re using a diffuser in your child’s bedroom, follow the drop guidelines below and switch it on about half an hour before bedtime, keeping the door closed. When it’s time for your child to go to sleep, simply turn off the diffuser as you switch off the lights.
Diffuser Drop Guidelines (By Age)
At the first sign of a cold, add the following essential oil blends to your diffuser. This combination of essential oils can clear stuffy noses, help with sleep and boost immunity.
Ages 3-5: Use 4 drops in total
- 2 drops of Lemon
- 1 drop of Eucalyptus
- 1 drop of Tea Tree OR 1 drop of Lavender
Ages 6-11: Use 6 drops in total
- 2 drops of Lemon
- 2 drops of Eucalyptus
- 2 drops of Tea Tree OR 2 drops of Lavender
Ages 12+: Use 8 drops in total
- 3 drops of Lemon
- 3 drops of Eucalyptus
- 2 drops of Tea Tree OR 2 drops of Lavender
Soothing Essential Oil Chest Rubs for Coughs
To ease coughing, a chest rub is a great way to soothe coughs and also help with sleep.
Before bedtime, gently massage over your child’s chest and upper back.
Temperature Warning: If your child has a temperature with their cough, then it’s best to avoid massage. Instead, you can use the diffuser guidelines above.
Chest Rub Dilution Guidelines (By Age)
Add the specified drops to 20ml of blending oil before topical application:
Ages 3-5:
- 2 drops of Lavender
- 2 drops of Cedarwood Himalayan
Ages 6-11:
- 4 drops of Lavender
- 4 drops of Cedarwood Himalayan
Ages 12+:
- 5 drops of Lavender
- 4 drops of Cedarwood Himalayan
- 1 drop of Eucalyptus
Keeping just a handful of essential oils at home can offer support for many common childhood ailments. Explore our other family health blogs for guidance on sleep, stress, allergies and more.
Professional Advice
Essential oils should never be used as a substitute for prescribed medication or professional medical advice. If you’re concerned about your child’s health, please consult your primary healthcare provider.
About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as an Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
For more information on Jo Kellett, check out her website or Instagram.
