Oregano Oil use for Babies and Toddlers

I must start with stating that Oregano Oil use for babies and toddlers is NOT recommended. All essential oils shouldn’t be given to babies directly. It is better to dilute them before applying on the babies. As oregano oil is a ‘hot’ oil, the maximum amount of oregano oil to be used for 3+ month’s babies is not more than 1 drop per ounce of any carrier oil. Also, because it is a ‘hot’ oil, it can be used for massaging the feet of babies but it can’t be used to massage the chest and back.  Always test the skin for sensitivity.

According to Parenting Health Babies, “most doctors discourage the oral dosing of oregano oil for children who are under 5 years of age or older due to adverse reactions. But some say that it can be added to the daily routine slowly as it may react with the body of the baby. So it is better to add it gradually and see whether it is suiting your baby or not”.

“For babies older than 3 months, the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) recommends a safe dilution ratio for essential oils of .5 to 1 percent, compared to a 2.5 to 10 percent dilution for adults.”

The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians also advises against using Essential Oils on infants under 3 months of age. Because neonatal skin takes 3 months to fully mature, the permeability of EOs is enhanced. Newborns are not able to deal with any adverse reactions that may occur with use as compared to adults who have stronger, matured immune systems.

Essential oils should never be used internally by children or infants. If using essential oils in a bath, extreme caution must be taken to prevent accidental ingestion. Essential oils can cause seizures in babies and children if used improperly.

Most disclosures are done not based on research but because companies producing natural remedies must add safety disclosures, just in case.

However, I have personally used oil of oregano on my 6 month old grandson when he had a cold.  I added one drop of Super Strength Oregano Oil  (Extra Strength would also be fine) heavily diluted with about 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. I just dabbed the sole of one foot with it to make sure his skin was not sensitive to it first.  After a couple of hours I rubbed the heavily diluted mixture onto the soles of his feet. I then put socks on him so that he would not rub his feet with his hands (to avoid the possibility of him putting his hand into his mouth or rubbing his eyes).  If I thought that he would pull the socks off, I would not use the oregano oil on him at all.  As he gets older and I know it doesn’t irritate his skin, I will lessen the dilution rate of the carrier oil.

Oregano Oil for Babies and Toddlers

Oregano Oil is very potent and can irritate sensitive skin, so you must be very careful using it on infants (even using it on adults). This is why I am not recommending anyone to use it on infants either internally or externally. I am just letting you know how I personally used it on my grandson.

I must stress that it would really cause a lot of pain and distress if the oil burned his skin, if he rubbed it into his eyes or got it into his mouth.

Another word of warning is to keep your bottle of Oregano Oil well out of reach of children.  If a child (or anyone) does get the oil in their eye, you would need to flush the eye out with a regular oil such as olive oil or coconut oil and then take them to the hospital or clinic.  Washing the eye out with water will just spread the oil further.

I am not a medical health professional, so I am not allowed to make any claims to the health benefits of Oregano Oil.  However, there are many websites who do list health benefits of oregano oil for babies including Parenting Health Babies. Please go to this website and have a read.

Other popular essential oils for infants:

This post is about using oregano oil for babies, toddlers and children. However, I would like to mention a really popular oil blend that is used for children with upset tummies. Digestzen is a blend of Essential oils most commonly used as a tummy tamer for children.  Rub on your child’s tummy when they have an occasional tummy ache. Apply before bedtime and it will help them sleep soundly too  Dilute 1 drop of DigestZen with fractionated coconut oil and massage onto baby’s tummy when upset.

Another essential oil blend that is very popular for use with children and infants is Easy Air.

doTERRA Easy Air – Respiratory Blend maintains feelings of clear airways and easy breathing.  It also promotes a restful nights sleep.  

Easy Air is a blend essential oils including Laurel Leaf, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Lemon, Cardamom, Ravintsara, and Cardamon essential oils.

It can be applied topically to the bottom of feet or diffused at nighttime to calm the senses and promote a restful sleep.  

Topical.  Dilute as follows: 1 drop to 15 ml (tablespoon) of doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil for infants, 1 drop to 5 ml for children and 1 drop to 2 ml for adults. The soles of the feet are a great place.

Diffuse. Add 1-2 drops of oil to a diffuser at night time to assist with respiratory support and is also great for opening the airways.

Aromatherapy is an excellent way to enjoy the benefits of essential oil without the worry of skin reactions. Inhaled oils have long been studied for their ability to enhance feelings of relaxation, encouragement, excitement, focus, and well-being. Additionally, diffused oils may support a healthier indoor environment. 

Caution. Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.

I found a really good website with great information on using essential oils on babies and toddlers. Please see here. They put together a guide with a clinical aromatherapist to ensure relevant and accurate information.