complementary medicine

Trust your instinct - a beginner’s guide to using aromatherapy with children:

Essential oils are pure aromatic plant essences – they are distilled from flowers
fruit
leaves
resins
roots
seeds
and wood. The are used for their healing properties the world over – in
for example
they are only available through licensed
qualified parishioners. In the United States
we have free access to essential oils – but with this comes with some important cautions: Only some of the essential oils available are suitable for children; others are not suitable for children and some are even dangerous to children (children with epilepsy should not come in contact with stimulating essential oils).

When used correctly however
essential oils can be of great benefit
and will not conflict with your child’s medically prescribed drugs. Always research the oil of choice thoroughly before using with your infant or child – ask advice from a qualified practitioner
or see the references at the end of this article.

That said
essential oils can be a wonderful way of supporting your child's health
happiness and well-being. Essential oils can be very therapeutic and nurturing to both your child and you
the caregiver. Essential oils are used externally (on the outside of the body) in your child’s bath
body lotions
oils
creams
gels
compresses
foot baths
or in a oil warmer. The effects of aromatherapy will generally fall into one of three main categories: 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
it is imperative that you find a reputable supplier of therapeutic-grade essential oils
using organic or wildcrafted varieties when possible. Synthetic copies of oils commonly used in perfumery are not appropriate
and may even be harmful to your child’s health. To maintain efficacy
essential oils should be kept in dark amber or cobalt glass containers
in a dark and cool location
away from the child’s access. Wooden storage boxes from craft or 'Pier One' type stores can make a nice container for the bottles.

Methods of Using Essential Oils

There are two methods of using essential oils with your child – INHALATION: through a diffuser
nebulizer
or adding to a humidifier reservoir
and TOPICAL APPLICATION: diluting the essential oil in a carrier oil and applying topically. Adding essential oils to a bath combines the two methods
though we will cover it under topical application.

For topical application
essential oils are diluted in varying strengths depending on the use and age of your child. The concentration can vary from one drop of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil
to a couple of drops per teaspoon of carrier added to a drawn bath
to an equal ratio of carrier and essential oil applied directly to your child’s feet (as in the case of gentle Lavender). In other words
there is a huge variation in dilution levels depending on the circumstances. Mamas
do your research and then trust your instinct. Only you and your child baby know exactly what is right for your situation.

General dilution rate guidelines of essential oils in one ounce of carrier oil:

Age of Child and amount of Essential Oil per One Ounce Carrier Oil for Topical/Massage Application:

Newborn (Consult primary care physician before use)

1-3 drops essential oil / ounce
2-6 months
1-3 drops essential oil / ounce
6-12 months
1-4 drops essential oil / ounce
1-4 years (unless very small)
5-8 drops essential oil / ounce
6-7 years
5-10 drops essential oil / ounce
9-12 years
5-12 drops essential oil / ounce
12 years to young adult
10-15 drops essential oil / ounce

DO NOT USE AN ESSENTIAL OIL NEAT (undiluted ) on children’s skin
unless indicated to do so for a specific condition. 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. When using citrus oils - orange
bergamot
lemon
tangerine
mandarin
and lime - do not use where the skin will be exposed to sunlight for the next 12 hours. These oils are considered 'phototoxic'
and can react from the sun's rays. They may be used in a bath
however
where they will be washed off the skin when the bath is done.

Essential oils are not to be taken orally (by mouth). 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 generally regarded as the safest and best overall carrier oil for use with babies and children. Apricot kernel oil is also considered extremely safe with children over 6. Jojoba oil can be added at about 10% concentration for any blend – it has a soothing effect on the skin and is good for hair.

Topical Application - Nurturing Touch Massage Recipes

There is nothing better for any child than the loving
nurturing touch of a parent. A gentle hug
a smile
a kiss on the cheek all reassure the child and help the parent and child to bond. These everyday forms of connection are instinctual and children thrive from it.

Research shows that massage can help children’s growth both physically and emotionally. In hospitals
studies done with premature baby’s show that touch is an essential aspect of the children’s ability to thrive.

Using aromatherapeutic nurturing touch massage can be therapeutic to both the child and the parent. Using a light
conscientious tough you can massage your child’s feet
arms
hands
back
abdomen
and even legs. The massage should always be done with loving intention and the work is done in the direction that the blood flows-from ankles to leg; from wrist to shoulder
etc.

Here are a few suggested blends for this wonderful method – each is in one (1) ounce of Sweet Almond oil:

Restful Sleep – 4 drops lavender
2
drops Roman Chamomile

Happy Child – 3 drops Rose
1
drop Neroli

Calm and Relaxed – 3 drops Petitgrain
3
drops Neroli

Emotional Nurturing – 1 drop Rose
1
drop Vanilla
2
drops Lavender

For a Baby oil blend
to be used as a moisturizer OR massage oil (note: the frequent washing of a baby's skin actually makes it difficult for them to retain vitamin C; application of a quality skin oil will help them keep adequate supplies of this important nutrient).

1 ounce of organic sweet almond oil or hazelnut oil
1 drop of pure Lavender essential oil
1 drop of Vanilla essential oil

OR

1 ounce of organic sweet almond oil
2 drops of pure Lavender essential oil
1 drop of pure Chamomile (German) essential oil

The above blends can also be added to the bath. One teaspoon with the following amount of essential oils added can be added AFTER the bath is filled
per the age of the child: 3-5 years
2
drops; 6-8 years
3
drops; 8-11 years
5
drops. Perhaps the easiest way to do this would be to make a full strength blend (without carrier oil) of your choice
then dilute as needed for the application.

Inhalation of essential oils

For inhalation
one can apply one or two drops to a handkerchief and inhale
or add oils to a water misting bottle or humidifier. Calming essential oils that may be used are 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. Use these oils singly
create your own blend
or use one of the body oil blends above without the carrier oil. A few drops per quart of water in a mister sprayed throughout a room or added humidifier resevoir will do.

For an anti-anxiety blend: Try 5 drops bergamot
1
drop lavender and 3 drops geranium – dilute to 10 drops per ฝ 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. For alertness
try lemon
bergamot
grapefruit or pine
either singly or in a blend that pleases your senses (usually the best way to blend is to trust your nose!)

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.

Last but not least
essential oils are wonderful antiseptics.

Cuts and scrapes are simply a way of life for the little ones! A great blend for minor wounds is a 1:1 mix of Lavender and Tea Tree oil. The lavender is soothing
anti-inflammatory
and has regenerative 'ketones'
while the tea tree is a strong antiseptic used for many generations by native Australians. Use this blend in the water used for cleaning wounds
and apply a few drops to the gauze of a bandage – do not apply directly to the skin as it will be unnecessarily irritating. On the bandage
however
it will be soothing and accelerate the healing process.

So this is a very brief overview of using essential oils with children. There are many
many diverse applications for essential oils for almost every conceivable minor ailment seen in childhood. The key is knowledge – finding a good practitioner
or reputable resource for your needs. For further reading
books by Valerie Ann Woorwood are excellent: "Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child" and "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy"; for safety data
see "Essential Oil Safety" by Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs. The essential oils mentioned within this article are recognized as safe for most individuals – if you or your child are recognized as having a specific illness
and/or are under a doctor's regular care
please consult an appropriate practitioner before proceeding.

That said
aromatherpy can be a very fun and rewarding endevor for both you and your child. Essential oils have benefited the lives of many the world over
and have a little bit of plant magic available to everyone.