Boy Drank Mom's Essential Oil—Then His Brain and Organs Started to Fail

Wintergreen plant.Photo byWikipedia commons.

In today’s world, essential oils are widely used for their therapeutic benefits. They offer natural alternatives for pain relief, stress reduction, and even healing.

But as one mother painfully learned, these seemingly harmless products can quickly turn toxic—especially in the hands of children. This is the story of a three-year-old boy, referred to as BB, whose accidental ingestion of wintergreen essential oil nearly cost him his life in 2001. This real-life incident offers valuable lessons on household safety, especially with the growing popularity of essential oils today.

A Mother’s Innocent Mistake

It began innocently enough. Megan, BB's mother, had been using essential oils to manage her own pain. Having developed arthritis after the birth of her child, Megan sought a natural remedy to relieve her discomfort.

Among her collection was wintergreen oil, a potent extract often used for its anti-inflammatory properties. What Megan didn’t fully grasp was just how dangerous this oil could be if ingested.

Wintergreen oil contains methyl salicylate, a concentrated compound related to aspirin. When used topically, it can relieve pain and inflammation by penetrating the skin. But ingesting wintergreen oil is an entirely different matter. Just one teaspoon of wintergreen oil is equivalent to 22 adult aspirin tablets—a dose that can be fatal to a child.

Despite knowing the risks, Megan, in her effort to manage her arthritis, had replaced the childproof caps on her essential oil bottles with easier-to-open caps. She rationalized that as long as the oils were kept out of BB’s reach, everything would be fine. But one fateful day, her precautionary measures fell short.

The Accident Unfolds

On that day, Megan was making her arthritis ointment at a coffee table while on the phone with her boss. Distracted by the call, she left the oils out on the table.

Unbeknownst to her, BB, just a curious toddler, found the bottles and began drinking from them. Megan returned to find the bottles knocked over and a mess she didn’t remember making. She didn’t realize the gravity of the situation.

Over the next few hours, BB began to feel lethargic. His breathing became fast and labored. Megan, still unaware of what had happened, watched as her son vomited, eventually collapsing face-down on the floor.

She frantically called 9-1-1 as BB was rushed to the emergency room, where doctors worked tirelessly to figure out what was wrong.

The Science Behind the Toxicity

At the hospital, BB presented with tachypnea (rapid breathing) and acidosis, an imbalance in the body's pH due to excess acid in the blood. A blood test revealed that BB had dangerously low bicarbonate levels, a key indicator that his body was overwhelmed with acid.

Doctors quickly deduced that BB’s acidosis stemmed from something he had ingested. The low bicarbonate in his blood meant his body was accumulating acid faster than it could be neutralized. As the doctors investigated further, they realized that BB’s condition was worsening—his acidemia (high levels of acid in the blood) was beginning to affect his brain.

The key culprit was methyl salicylate, the active ingredient in wintergreen oil. Once ingested, this compound is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it disrupts cellular processes. Salicylate toxicity interferes with the body’s ability to generate ATP, the energy currency of cells. Without sufficient ATP, cells can no longer maintain proper fluid balance, leading to swelling.

In BB’s case, this swelling was most evident in his brain, where the inability to regulate fluid caused his brain to expand within his skull.

As BB’s condition worsened, his organs began to shut down. His brain, starved of energy and overwhelmed by acid, could no longer function properly. His lungs, unable to maintain their fluid balance, filled with liquid. BB’s heart also began to malfunction, as salicylate toxicity wreaked havoc on his body’s delicate systems.

A Race Against Time

With BB unconscious and in critical condition, doctors quickly connected the dots. Megan, panicking as her son’s condition worsened, remembered the oils she had left out. She informed the medical team that BB might have ingested wintergreen oil. Armed with this information, doctors moved swiftly to treat the salicylate toxicity.

The first step was to administer bicarbonate to counteract the acidosis. By pushing base into BB’s blood, they could neutralize the acid and prevent further damage. Additionally, doctors began to force bicarbonate into BB’s urine to help his kidneys eliminate the salicylate from his body.

Fortunately, these interventions worked. After several tense days in the hospital, BB began to recover. His brain swelling subsided, and his organs slowly resumed normal function. Megan, reflecting on the near-fatal incident, vowed never to underestimate the potential danger of everyday household items again.

A Lesson in Safety

BB’s story is a sobering reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk in even the most benign-seeming products. Essential oils, while natural, are highly concentrated and can be toxic when ingested. Wintergreen oil, in particular, contains lethal amounts of methyl salicylate, a compound that can cause aspirin toxicity when consumed.

The symptoms of salicylate poisoning include rapid breathing, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and, in severe cases, organ failure. Children are especially vulnerable due to their smaller size and lower tolerance for toxic substances.

BB’s near-death experience highlights the importance of household safety, particularly when it comes to substances like essential oils. Megan’s decision to replace the childproof caps, while understandable given her condition, nearly cost her son his life. Even with precautions, accidents can happen—especially when small children are involved.

As the use of essential oils continues to rise in popularity, it’s crucial for consumers to be aware of the potential dangers these products pose. Always store oils out of reach of children, and never assume that “natural” means “safe.” In cases of accidental ingestion, immediate medical attention is vital. Early intervention can mean the difference between life and death.