Eucalyptus oil is a common essential oil that has many benefits. Many people like to put it in a diffuser to refresh their homes and relieve some conditions.
As humidifiers are similar to diffusers to some extent, a lot of people are curious about if they can put eucalyptus oil in a humidifier.
Putting eucalyptus oil in a humidifier is not recommended, especially for long-term use. It will damage the machine, clog the filter, and present health hazards to your pets and children. But occasionally adding a few drops of it to a humidifier should be fine.
I will explain the benefits of eucalyptus oil, the dangers of adding it to a humidifier, or how to add it if you insist on doing it. You can have an overview of “eucalyptus oil in humidifiers” by reading this article.
What is Eucalyptus oil?
Eucalyptus oil is the essential oil extracted from the leaves of the Eucalyptus tree and has been used for decades.
You can find eucalyptus oil in skincare products and medication because it has an array of benefits for us.
People like to use it for relieving nasal congestion, asthma, and other respiratory problems. It is also a common component for treating arthritis and skin ulcers.
You can find eucalyptus oil in many American households. They use it with a diffuser to make them feel more comfortable in the cold and dry winter months.
However, eucalyptus oil is possible to trigger allergic reactions, such as abdominal pain, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, and so on.
Can you add eucalyptus oil to a humidifier?
As I said in the beginning, adding eucalyptus oil to a humidifier is not a good idea. But you still can if you don’t intend to use it for a long time.
Humidifiers are designed to increase the humidity level in the room or whole house, meaning that it only needs to work with water.
Therefore, all the materials and parts in the machine may not be able to resist to corrosion of other added components.
Just like putting other types of essential oils in a humidifier, eucalyptus oil may damage the surface material of your humidifier, clog the wick of an evaporative model, or a diaphragm of an ultrasonic humidifier.
If you put eucalyptus oil in a warm mist humidifier, the heat may change the oil, damaging the active ingredients.
Besides, using eucalyptus oil can leave more impurities in the water tank, increasing your frequency of cleaning it.
Is it safe to use eucalyptus oil in a humidifier?
While I have mentioned a few disadvantages of using eucalyptus oil in a humidifier, you may still want to have a try.
Unlike alcohol which is easy to catch fire, using eucalyptus oils with a humidifier is generally safe as long as you only use a small amount of it, let’s say a few drops.
The oil will disperse into the air with the mist. The active components will start to work on you when you inhale it.
One thing worth mentioning is that some people are allergic to eucalyptus oil. If this is the case, you should avoid putting it in a humidifier.
Is eucalyptus oil in humidifiers safe for dogs and cats?
No. Eucalyptus oil in humidifiers is not safe for dogs. We are different from our furry friends. The amount that is safe for us could be overwhelming to them.
Dogs and cats are much more sensitive to scent than us. Inhaling eucalyptus oil droplets will cause adverse respiratory effects.
You can check with your vet before using any essential oil.
Can I use eucalyptus oil in a humidifier for a baby?
Many people like to enjoy aromatherapy at home, but you should be careful if you have a baby.
Using eucalyptus oil in a humidifier for a baby is not recommended because their bodies are more fragile than adults and many underdeveloped systems.
Most eucalyptus oil is rich in 1,8-cineole, which will affect the central nervous system and breathing in children. It may even cause vomiting, seizures, and coma.
So you should keep eucalyptus oil away from your baby. Ingestion and inhaling are both dangerous to them.
How to put eucalyptus oil in a humidifier?
Some humidifiers come with an extra oil tray or medicine cup, which is on top of it. This is the best way to add eucalyptus oil as it would not damage the machine. Use a dropper to add a few drops of eucalyptus to it, and it will evaporate with the device.
If your humidifier doesn’t have such an attachment, you can put a few drops in a small cotton swab and then put the swab into the water tank. The scent will be discharged into the air with the mist.
If these two methods are not applicable, you can add some drops into the water tank.
For those who use the second and third methods, you should clean the machine thoroughly after each use to reduce the device’s clogs or any other hazards.
Can you put eucalyptus leaves in a humidifier?
No, you can’t put eucalyptus leaves in a humidifier.
Even though eucalyptus oil is extracted from the eucalyptus leaves, you can’t use the raw material directly.
The leaves will quickly clog the machine, causing overheating and other faults. Don’t try to add any solid material to a humidifier.
Conclusion
Eucalyptus oil is beneficial for us, and we like to use it in aromatherapy. However, putting eucalyptus oil in a humidifier could be problematic.
If you want to do it often, the best option is to purchase a unit with an oil tray. Otherwise, it may clog the machine and shorten the lifespan. Note that you should clean the machine thoroughly after each use.
Don’t use it when you have a baby or pets in the same space. It may cause a lot of adverse effects or even life-threatening infections. Other adults are also allergic to it. So you should check with vets and doctors if you are not sure about it.
