We all want the very best for our precious children and creating a healthy and happy environment is an important part of wellbeing. There's so much information available when it comes to what is best for our children, and it can be incredibly overwhelming and difficult to know what to trust. When it comes to essential oils and aromatherapy, we've put together a guide on how to use essential oils safely with your children. Aromatherapy can be really beneficial to your wellbeing, as it helps to enhance the mood of the whole family and creates comfort and relaxation towards the end of a busy day.
How to use essential oils for babies & children
Babies (0 to 24 months)
Essential oils are considered too strong for use on baby’s skin and can be a little overwhelming on their developing systems, however, we can still use aromatherapy in the form of tea and in a diffuser.
Bath Time
To soothe irritated skin and cranky moods, add chamomile or lavender tea to the bath. Brew a strong pot using the dried herb and strain before adding to baby’s bath water.
Tummy Troubles
If your baby is breastfeeding you can try drinking fennel, peppermint or chamomile tea which will end up in your breast milk and from there help ease a windy sore tummy.
Dry Skin
A massage using a good quality olive oil is a useful remedy for flaky skin and cradle cap.
Sweet Dreams
A diffuser in the bedroom to gently fragrance the air creates a restful and calming space. Add 5 drops to the diffuser and diffuse for up to 30 minutes around bedtime. Neroli, Chamomile, Lavender or Mandarin are soothing and relaxing choices.
Children (2 to 8 years)
Children love aromatherapy and will make it abundantly clear which oils they like the best. Use a low dilution of 1% when applying to your child’s skin. Stick to the gentler essential oils such as Lavender, Rose, Mandarin, Sandalwood, Chamomile, Spearmint, Lemon, Orange, Lemon Myrtle and Neroli.
Bubble Bath
Who doesn’t love a bubble bath? You can make your own by blending 20 drops of essential oil to 100mls of liquid castile soap. Castile soap is made using olive oil and has skin nourishing properties. Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood, Chamomile, Lavender or Mandarin essential oils are gentle on the skin and help with relaxation and ease upsets.
Massage
Many children enjoy a massage before bed. A beautiful space for parents and children to bond, massage can help calm the mind and body and if done regularly can become a signal for your child to sleep. Use a 1% dilution; 2 drops of essential oil to 10mls of carrier oil. Pick a blend from Neroli, Rose, Chamomile, Lavender or Mandarin. Older children enjoy choosing their favourite oils for you to use.
Diffuser
An energising blend starts the day with joy and zest for the whole family. Energising morning oils include Lemon, Orange, Lemon Myrtle, May Chang and Spearmint. Blending Tip: Add a few drops of a grounding oil to take the sharp aroma out of a citrus blend. Try Geranium, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood or Lavender.
To disinfect the air when family members have a cold diffuse Lime or Lemon Myrtle to prevent the bug from spreading.
We love using aromatherapy to create a safe, healthy and happy environment for our loved ones. From a happy morning to a restful evening essential oils can support us all throughout the day.
What essential oils are bad for kids?
Some essential oils have a very strong effect on the body and are not appropriate for use at a young age. Similarly, some essential oils have a very powerful effect on the mind and these emotional influences may not be suitable for younger children.
Essential oils that are not recommended for children:
| Essential Oil | Reasoning |
|
Clary Sage |
Too sedating, not appropriate emotionally |
|
Peppermint |
Too stimulating, may affect respiratory and nervous systems |
|
Cinnamon |
Too stimulating, especially for children under 6 years of age |
|
Cedarwood |
Not appropriate emotionally |
|
Basil |
Too stimulating |
|
Fennel |
Too stimulating, may affect digestive and lymphatic systems |
|
Juniper Berry |
Too stimulating to kidneys and detoxification pathways |
|
Vetiver |
Too sedating, not appropriate emotionally |
|
Buddha Wood |
Not appropriate emotionally |
|
Wintergreen |
Skin irritant, toxic in large doses |
|
Oregano |
Skin irritant, toxic in large doses |
|
Lemongrass |
Skin irritant |
|
Eucalyptus |
Much disputed but it has been shown that exposure to Eucalyptus before the age of 2 can have negative effects on the respiratory and nervous systems. |
From a happy morning to a restful evening, we love using aromatherapy to create a safe, healthy and happy environment for our loved ones. These essential oils are safe to use around children.
Author: Alissa Geddes
Aromatherapist
Alissa is a fully qualified Aromatherapist with further qualifications in Remedial Massage & Myotherapy. She qualified as an Aromatherapist in 2005 and has worked in hospitals, day spas and in clinical practice. Alissa contributes her extensive knowledge to ECO. and helps with detailed education to our ECO. community. Alissa is passionate about assisting and teaching others how to restore and maintain their health and wellbeing.
