More and more parents are using essential oils as a means to improve the way their children feel. This can be anything from helping them sleep to settling an upset stomach to relief when teething… the list goes on. Keep reading to learn more about using aromatherapy for kids.
Purchase oils that are 100 percent natural. While they may be a bit more expensive, they are also highly concentrated. This means you use less for each application. Sometimes, depending on the “recipe” used, all that’s necessary is a single drop.
Carrier Oils
In many recipes, you’ll need to mix whatever essential oils you’re using with a kid-safe carrier oil. These carrier oils include:
- apricot kernel oil
- almond oil
- jojoba oil
Never apply undiluted essential oil to your child’s skin and never allow your child to directly ingest it. As a general rule, for topical applications, use one tablespoon of carrier oil for every drop of essential oil.
The best method for inhaling essential oils is either by putting a couple drops on a clean cloth and breathing in the scent or adding them to a nebulizer.
See also: What are therapeutic grade essential oils?
Using an Aroma Lamp
For very young children, one great way to utilize essential oils is to burn them in an aroma lamp/diffuser. Filling the nursery with the pleasant scent of chamomile and lavender goes a long way in helping your baby (or any child) to sleep.
In addition, burning oils such as lemon or frankincense actually kills germs in the air This is especially helpful during cold and flu season.
Lavender Oil
Speaking of lavender oil, it’s one of the most kid-friendly essential oils available today. It aids in reducing both colic and diarrhea. Lavender oil is also great for alleviating pain from minor burns and bee stings. Last but not least, this oil is known to boost immunity.
Other Suitable Oils
There is a wide variety of other essential oils suitable for use with children. Some of them include:
- tea tree oil
- eucalyptus oil
- rose otto oil
- sandalwood oil
- citrus oil (orange, lemon, grapefruit, etc.)
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to aromatherapy for kids. Once you start using essential oils in your home, you’ll probably wonder how you ever managed without them. As long as they are used correctly, these oils are a safe and affordable way to care for their children with a little help from Mother Nature.
That would be a great idea. I have not thought of using aromatherapy on children. They would love it, I would love it. That is a really good idea.
These are great tips! I think it’s awesome to be able to use these oils for your kids. Thanks for stating their uses!
Great tips! This week we are going to buy diffuser and these essential oils for kids will be nice to use.
I love this aroma essential oils. Very refreshing and relaxing.. The smell is so good. My kids will love this too.
I’m new to essential oils, but I do use eucalyptus oil when my daughter has caught a cold. It helps a lot with her breathing. Certainly, have to learn more about essential oils.
I recently go into using aromatherapy in my own life. It is amazing how diffusing oils can really help your mood, etc. I’m sure it works great for kids as well.
I really need to get on board with essential oils for my home and my health. Thanks for the ideas