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Anyone who has children knows that kids are an absolute blessing. However, some kids suffer from hyperactivity and mood swings – conditions that can turn a happy home into a daily grind. If you take your child to the doctor to ask for advice, they may prescribe them mainstream medications to “calm them down.”
There is a better way, though – essential oils.
Essential Oils for Babies and Toddlers
Never use essential oils on babies younger than three months of age. There are only four essential oils that are deemed to be safe for babies and toddlers:
- Lavender essential oil ─ a sleep aid; anti-anxiety; calming; soothes rashes
- Roman chamomile essential oil ─ soothes the nerves; good for soothing rashes
- Neroli essential oil ─ a sleep aid; calms
- Rose otto essential oil ─ calming; moisturizing
After an infant has reached the three-month point, it is safe to use only one drop of essential oil diluted in four teaspoons of a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, as a massage blend. Be sure to perform a patch test first, as described below. You also can use a room diffuser containing one drop of your chosen essential oil, dropped in purified water.
Essential Oils for 2- to 10-Year-Olds
For a massage blend, it is safe to use up to four drops of essential oils. Never use more than four drops of essential oil per four teaspoons of carrier oil for a blend. Use your judgment here, as it might be better to only use two drops for a two-year-old and up to four drops for a 10-year-old. Also, be sure to perform a patch test, as described below.
For aromatherapy, use up to four drops in a room diffuser, dropped into purified water. Remember that heavily scented oils tend not to appeal to children. Here is a list of good essential oils to use for children ages two to 10:
- Roman chamomile essential oil ─ soothes the nerves; soothes rashes and skin irritations
- Lavender essential oil ─ a sleep aid; anti-anxiety; calming; soothes rashes and insect bites
- Lemon-scented eucalyptus essential oil ─ relieves coughs, congestion and colds
- Lemon essential oil ─ uplifting; can unblock a clogged nose
- Sweet orange essential oil ─ uplifting; calms emotional stress
- Spearmint essential oil ─ relieves tummy aches and indigestion
- Neroli essential oil ─ a sleep aid; calms fretfulness
- Rose otto essential oil ─ soothing, soothes skin irritations
Safety First: Perform a Skin Patch Test
Perform a patch test on a small area of your child’s skin before applying an essential oil massage blend to a larger area of the body. This way, you will know if the oils are safe to use on your child.
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To do this, apply a small amount of the blend on the inside of your child’s arm. Cover the area with a bandage and leave it overnight. Remove the bandage in the morning, and if the skin looks healthy, your child should not have an adverse effect to using the particular oil blend.
Safety in the Sun
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It is important to realize that some essential oils are phototoxic. This is primarily true with the citrus based oils, such as sweet orange and lemon essential oils. Don’t use these oils on your children in massage blends if they will be heading outdoors, as they can lead to a sunburn.
If you are not sure about the safety precautions of each oil you use, be sure to do some research before using them on your children and even yourself.
Ways to Use Essential Oils for Hyper or Moody Children, Ages 2 -10
1. Massage blends
Proportion the drops of oils to your child’s age, 2-4 drops for children two to 10 years old. Do a patch test first.
Blend One: Calming Blend
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
- 4 tsp carrier oil, such as coconut oil
Blend Two: Restore the Mood
- 1 drop lemon essential oil
- 1 drop sweet orange essential oil
- 1 drop Roman chamomile essential oil
- 4 tsp carrier oil, such as coconut oil
2. Diffuser blends
You can discover different diffuser scents by combining various essential oils. Here are a couple of recipes to get you started:
Blend One: Calming/Sleep Blend:
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 drops neroli essential oil
- Drop into a diffuser full of purified water
Blend Two: Mood Buster Blend:
- 1 drop lemon essential oil
- 1 drop sweet orange essential oil
- 1 drop spearmint or peppermint essential oil
- 1 drop rose otto essential oil
- Drop into a diffuser full of purified water
3. Room and linin sprays
Many parents have found it helpful to blend a calming spray which can be misted on sheets, blankets and curtains, or just be sprayed into the air. When using an essential oil linen spray, the scent will last the entire night, promoting a good night’s sleep.
Lavender Linin Spray for calmness or sleep:
- 2 tbsp witch hazel
- 8-10 drops lavender essential oil
- 6 tbsp purified water
- Small spray bottle
- Shake well before each use
Sweet Orange Linin Spray for Bettering the Mood:
- 2 tbsp witch hazel
- 5 drops sweet orange essential oil
- 3 drops spearmint or peppermint essential oil
- 2 drops lemon essential oil
- 6 tbsp purified water
- Small spray bottle
- Shake well before each use
- If you don’t like the minty aroma, leave out the mint oils
Final Thoughts
One of the best things about essential oils is their ease of use and accessibility. You can go out today, buy some oils, and begin using them right away. But buy your oils from a reputable source, ensuring they are 100 percent pure. Also, try different variations of these oils to find the perfect scents for your children.
*This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or cure any particular health condition. Please first consult with a qualified health professional.
Have you ever used essential oils for your children? Share your tips in the section below: