APPLICATION OF EUCALYPTUS OIL AROMATHERAPY TO TREAT BREATHING DISORDERS IN TODDLERS WITH BRONCHOPNEUMONIA

Abstract

Ronchopneumonia is a lower respiratory tract infection that often causes breathing disorders in toddlers. This study aims to describe the application of eucalyptus oil aromatherapy in improving breathing patterns in toddlers with bronchopneumonia at Sidikalang Regional Hospital in 2025. The research design used was a descriptive case study with two children aged 4 and 5 years who met the inclusion criteria. The intervention was carried out for seven consecutive days by administering eucalyptus oil aromatherapy through indirect inhalation and application to the chest and back for 15–20 minutes, twice a day. Data were collected through observation and structured interviews and then analyzed descriptively. The results of the study showed an improvement in breathing patterns in both subjects, namely for the first sub (1) a decrease in breathing frequency from 48 to 30 times per minute Regular breathing, regular breathing rhythm, the use of accessory muscles is not visible and the sound of fine rhonchi breath, the subject appears more relaxed while in the second subject (2) a decrease in breathing frequency from 42 to 29 times per minute Regular breathing, regular breathing rhythm, the use of accessory muscles is not visible and the sound of fine rhonchi breath, the subject appears more relaxed. These findings indicate that eucalyptus oil aromatherapy can be used as a non-pharmacological complementary intervention to help reduce breathing pattern disorders in toddlers with bronchopneumonia. Further research with a larger sample size is needed to strengthen the results and their application in pediatric nursing practice.