Essential oils are natural oils of plants, their flowers, bark, leaves, fruits or roots. They have scent or flavor of the original plant and are commonly used in perfume, flavorings and traditional medicine.
Using essential oils for children must be performed very careful. Not all the essential oils are appropriate for children. Some of them are even dangerous to use (if a child is ill with with some specific disease).
And using the essential oils correctly you will support your child's health and well-being, oils won’t conflict with any medicine, and will be very therapeutic and nurturing to both your child and you, the caregiver.
Remember, essential oils are always used externally, in your child's bath, body lotions, oils, creams, gels, compresses, foot baths, or in a oil warmer. Do not use essential oils internally.
The effects of aromatherapy on your child’s organism:
1) Assisting in healing from minor illnesses and accidents,
2) Supporting your child's overall sense of well-being, and
3) Assisting your child in getting quality rest.
When using essential oils with your child, be sure you use a reputable supplier of therapeutic-grade essential oils, organic or wildcrafted varieties and avoid synthetic copies of oils commonly used in perfumery. They are not appropriate, and may even be harmful to your child's health. Keep oils in dark amber or cobalt glass containers, in a dark and cool location, away from the child's access.
Essential oils should not be used neat (undiluted) on children's skin. If your child has very sensitive skin, it is important to test a small area before using a new single oil or blend. Keep essential oils away form the eyes.
Citrus oils - orange, bergamot, lemon, tangerine, mandarin, and lime – should not be used if child’s skin will be exposed to sunlight for the next 12 hours. These oils are considered 'phototoxic', and can react from the sun's rays. You may use them in a bath, as they will be washed off the skin when the bath is done.
Essential oils are not to be taken internally. If you swallowed by accident – drink milk and consult a doctor. When your child is taking medications, reduce the amount of essential oil by half the amount recommended for their age group.
Carrier oils for children
Sweet Almond oil is regarded as the safest and best carrier oil for babies and children.
Apricot kernel oil is extremely appropriate for children over 6.
Jojoba oil has a soothing effect on the skin and is good for hair. It’s possible to add it at about 10% concentration for any blend.
Calming essential oils:
Lavender (recommended for sleep - one to four drops can be placed under the pillow), Mandarin, Roman Chamomile, Ho Wood (an ecologically friendly replacement for Rosewood), Tangerine, Petitgrain, Vanilla, and Neroli.
A few drops per quart of water in a mister sprayed throughout a room or added humidifier resevoir will do.
Anti-anxiety blend:
5 drops bergamot, 1 drop lavender and 3 drops geranium - dilute to 10 drops per ½ pint of water for a room spray or use in a humidifier, or dilute to the appropriate level for your child's age if using topically.
Alertness:
lemon, bergamot, grapefruit or pine. Try these oils either singly or in a blend, making pleasantly for your senses.
They are also found wonderful antiseptics. Essential oils can also be used in a candle lamp or warmer - with the oil gently evaporated from the surface of a small bowl of water by the heat of a candle. An electric nebulizing diffuser is generally not recommended for use with children, as the concentration of oils in the air can be too high.
Soothing for minor wounds is a 1:1 mix of Lavender and Tea Tree oil.
The lavender is soothing, anti-inflammatory and has regenerative function, whereas the tea tree is a strong antiseptic used for many generations by native Australians. Add this blend to the water used for cleaning wounds, and apply a few drops to the gauze of a bandage. Do not use it directly to the skin not to irritate. On the bandage, however, it will be soothing and accelerate the healing process.
Aromatherapy can be very pleasant and rewarding remedy for both you and your child. The essential oils mentioned in this article are recognized as safe for most individuals. If you have any specific illness, please consult an appropriate practitioner concerning your usage of essential oils.
|
