Why VapoRubs with Menthol and Eucalyptus Are Risky for Babies—and Safer, Natural Alternatives

When your baby is sick, every decision feels urgent. Stuffy noses, fevers, and sleepless nights leave you exhausted and searching for relief. Products like Vaporub might seem like the solution—but did you know they could harm your baby?

The small print warns against using these products on children under 2 years old, and for good reason. Menthol and eucalyptus, common ingredients in VapoRub, can irritate your baby’s delicate skin, airways, and nervous system.

Let’s dive into why these ingredients are risky and explore safe, natural alternatives to help your little one breathe easier and recover comfortably.

My Experience with Products like VapoRub

Before I became a mom, I loved gifting care packages to new mothers. But after having my own baby, I realized just how important it is to know what’s truly safe and helpful for little ones.

One of my friends sent me a care package that included a chest rub with eucalyptus and menthol. At first, I was excited—it seemed thoughtful and natural. But when I opened the jar, the scent hit me like a wave—sharp, overpowering, and way too strong.

My instincts kicked in: This isn’t right for my baby. I put the lid back on and never used it. Looking back, I’m so grateful for that gut feeling. My daughter later developed asthma, and I shudder to think how such a strong product could have triggered a reaction during a cold.

Later, I heard Robert Tisserand, a leading expert on essential oil safety, confirm my concerns. He shared how menthol and eucalyptus, while soothing for adults, can irritate a baby’s airways, skin, and even their nervous system and even lead to seizures. 

Let's break this down:

The Risks of Menthol and Eucalyptus for Babies and Toddlers

Menthol and eucalyptus may feel soothing for adults, but for babies, they can be too harsh and even dangerous. Here’s why:

Irritation and Sensitivity

• • Babies’ skin is much thinner and more absorbent than ours, allowing more of these strong compounds to penetrate. This can irritate their skin, airways, and even their nervous system.

Overwhelming Their Systems

• • Repeated or excessive use of harsh oils like eucalyptus can overwhelm your baby’s developing body. While seizures are rare, sensitivity builds over time, potentially leading to lifelong issues with fragrances or allergies.

Accidental Ingestion Risks

• • Babies often touch their body and everything within their reach and then put their hands in their mouth or eyes. If menthol gets into their mouth, eyes, or nose, it can cause burning, irritation, or worse.

Respiratory Concerns

• • Instead of opening airways, menthol and eucalyptus can irritate a baby’s delicate respiratory system, making congestion worse rather than better.

💡 Aromatherapy Tip:

If you want to diffuse essential oils, stick to baby-safe options. Use a mix of 2–4 drops of lemon or lavender oil and 1–2 drops of eucalyptus or tea tree oil in a diffuser for no more than 20 minutes, up to three times daily. More isn’t better!

Yes I know it is not fun breastfeeding a sick baby with a stuffy nose. 

The Challenges of Stuffy Noses in Babies

Congestion can be especially tough on babies because they can’t blow their noses. This can make feeding difficult, disrupt sleep, and leave them fussy and uncomfortable.

Here are a few safe ways to ease congestion:

• Nasal Aspirators or Bulb Syringes: These devices gently remove mucus and can be incredibly helpful.
• Saline Sprays: Saline helps loosen mucus, making it easier to clear your baby’s nose.
• Cool-Mist Humidifiers: Keep the air moist to ease breathing and soothe irritated airways.

Safer Alternatives for Stuffy Noses and Chest Congestion

You know you come back here for some natural, safe and scientifically supported advice on how to support your wellness and your young family as well. When your baby is sick, there are many gentle options to help them feel better:

Natural Chest Rubs and Poultices for Babies and Moms

Instead of VapoRub, Tiger Balm or other harsh products try these natural chest poultices that are safe for both you and your baby:

• Potato or Carrot Poultice: Grate raw potato or carrot, spread a thin layer between two sheets of cotton cloth, and place it on the chest to help warm the chest and soothe discomfort.
• Castor Oil Compress: Spread a tablespoon of Castor oil on a piece of cotton cloth and place it on baby's chest, then cover with a warm cotton or wool cloth to keep the area warm and comfortable.
• Herbal Steam: Sit with your baby nearby (at a safe distance) while steaming chamomile, lavender, or thyme herbal tea. There is no need for using essential oils in the steam.

💡 For Moms: Try a Mustard Seed Poultice to help relieve chest congestion.

• Mix 1 part ground mustard seeds with 2–3 parts flour to reduce irritation.
• Add warm water to make a paste, spread it on a cloth, and place it on your chest (not directly on the skin).
• Leave it for 15–20 minutes, monitoring for irritation.

This will soothe your cough and your chest exhausted from coughing fits while warming you up. Remove and clean all residues well before nursing.

VapoRub is fine if you are not with your baby for a few hours and will not be holding them close to your chest. But you will want to wash it of with soap before reaching for your baby. 

These options are simple and had been used for centuries by moms around the world. My mother used duck fat on a piece of paper, then placed it on our chest. This helped keep the chest warm and it was very soothing for cough. 

Natural Protocol for Fever

1. Lukewarm Baths 

A lukewarm bath is a great way to bring down a fever and soothe your baby.

• Add a small amount of Epsom salts for gentle relaxation and hydration.
• For even more soothing benefits, my Calendula and Chamomile Botanical Soak combines calming botanicals with mineral salts to help ease congestion and relax their little body while protecting their skin from getting too dry. 

2. Gentle Massage 

After a bath, a light massage can help relax your baby and promote better sleep.

• Use a safe, baby-friendly butter like my Baby Butter in Pink to hydrate their skin and soothe muscle tension.
• For Newborns: My First Touch Formula is essential oil-free and perfect for protecting delicate skin without overwhelming their systems.

3. Keep your Baby warm

You want to keep your little darling warm throughout this procedure. Their tiny bodies utilize a lot of energy to maintain a healthy body temperature, getting chilled will only make it harder for their bodies to cope with the illness. 

4. Nurse on demand

Your baby will be extra thirsty and hungry when struggling with fever. And babies are not able to drink water, they absolutely need the nutrients from milk. This keeps them from getting dehydrated and prevent the illness from escalating. 

5. Take care of your own wellness

Your baby relies of you. You need to stay strong and ready. If your baby is down with an infection, it really is only a matter of time before you come down with it as well.

Ask for support from your partner and family or friends before you are exhausted. They can pick up supplies for you, deliver meals. support you by cleaning your home or holding your sweet baby when you need to take a shower or even better a salt bath to help replenish your magnesium levels.

Take your fish oil and vitamin D as well as plenty of Zinc and vitamin C rich fruits. Step up your nutrition with nutrient rich foods and support your body for the extra demand on milk production that is coming with recipes I share in this blog post focusing on your milk production boosting and common flavours to avoid.  

To learn more about this protocol and how it works, follow this link to read my recent blog post: How to comfort a feverish baby-natural remedies that work

Natural Cough Remedy

For cough for yourself or children over 1 year of age, you can try onion cough syrup that is easily made at home.

You will need:

• one onion
• honey
• glass jar

Directions:

chop up an onion into small pieces, place it in a glass jar, top it with honey. You need enough honey to cover all of the onion. 

Leave this mixture on your counter top overnight and in the morning strain all the onion pieces out of the honey. The juices rich in sulphur from the onion will release into the honey turning it into a simple and effective cough syrup. 

Take a teaspoon every couple of hours.

Why Natural Care Matters

Using natural, gentle remedies helps your baby recover comfortably without overwhelming their sensitive systems. Safety is key, especially with aromatherapy, because their developing bodies absorb more and react differently than ours. Always remember that less is more when it comes to using essential oils with little ones.

I shared a couple of my Royal Heir Butter formulas with a Naturopath AI out of curiosity. Here is what it said about them in relationship to flu and cold support for babies and toddlers:

This formula is an excellent, well-rounded option for babies over 3 months. Its thoughtful combination of nourishing and therapeutic ingredients ensures safety, efficacy, and comfort.

and

Your formula is well-balanced, gentle, and luxurious, making it suitable for babies over 3 months. It works effectively as a moisturizer, soothing balm, or chest rub, offering both skin-nourishing and aromatherapeutic benefits.

Final Thoughts for Moms

When your baby is sick, the best remedies are often the simplest and gentlest. Avoiding harsh products with menthol and eucalyptus is one small change that can make a big difference.

Your love, attention, and care are what your baby needs most. These natural remedies are here to support you both through challenging moments.

If you have questions about essential oil safety or natural remedies, feel free to reach out. As a certified aromatherapist, I’m here to help.

Aromatherapy is a fantastic tool and an effective complementary medicine when done thoughtfully and with the right knowledge. It is the overuse and wrong use of essential oils that leads to health problems and sensitization. If you have any questions about essential oil safety, please ask. You have a qualified certified aromatherapist at your finger tips here with nursing experience who is also a mother to a child with asthma. 

If you’d like to try my Calendula and Chamomile Botanical Soak or Baby Butter in Pink, they’re available in my shop—thoughtfully crafted to help you and your little one through challenging moments. Simply click on the above titles for direct link. 

Let me know if you have questions or want to share your experience. I’d love to hear from you!

Henrieta, former nurse, mom and a certified clinical aromatherapist