Itβs never nice to see your child feeling anxious or struggling with a fever. Conventional medications used to treat these and many ailments are prescribed with the best intentions by doctors. But the way medication works is that the benefits outweigh the potential side effects.
While many doctors no longer prescribe medication for colds and flu, there are other conditions that may require medication. But in the middle of the night, premium essential oils can be helpful in soothing and easing little ones before the doctorβs office opens.
Using essential oils for kids can help to soothe them and support a healthy immune system. As long as they are used safely and correctly, there is very little risk of side effects.
Safety First!
When it comes to babies and children under six years old, using essential oils sparingly and only when necessary is best. Children under 12 will also require essential oils to be diluted more than adults or teenagers would.
For kids aged six to 12 years, a dilution of 1% (1 drop of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil) is recommended. For toddlers up until six years old, 0.5% (1 drop to two teaspoons of carrier oil) is recommended and for babies under two years old, 0.25% dilution is recommended. (1 drop to two teaspoons of carrier oil).
Essential oils such as peppermint and eucalyptus should only be used when absolutely required (very congested chests or high fever) and oils like oregano, thyme, camphor, cinnamon, clove, and ginger are best avoided for small children.
Diffusers should also rather not be used around newborns and young babies unless recommended by a qualified practitioner.
Ways to Use Essential Oils for Kids
To Soothe Away Stress and Improve Sleep
Roman chamomile, lavender, vetiver, geranium, and frankincense are good can help to calm children and even help them to go to sleep. These oils, as well as mandarin and lemon, can also support children with ADHD. Blends like GuruNanda’s Calm Little Chick can help calm their mind, relax their little body, and lift their cranky mood. Plus, it’s safe for babies 6 months and up.
For older children, a drop or two can be put into a diffuser or a properly diluted essential oil and carrier oil mixture can be rubbed into their backs, chests or arms.
For babies 6 months and older, a great way to help them is by putting a drop of Calm Little Chick onto a breast pad or a piece of cotton wool and putting it into your nursing bra. They can then smell your particular scent as well as inhale the calming properties of the essential oil blend.
For Congestion and Fever
Congested noses and chests and fever often accompany colds and flu. If itβs a milder case, myrtle or frankincense are good options to help relieve the stuffiness. Lavender, myrrh, lemon, and Roman chamomile can be used to treat a fever.
These oils can be applied to the back and chest. For babies, only apply it to their backs.
Diffusers can also be used, or simply putting a drop into a warm bowl of water so they can inhale the steam.Watch out for scalding, and for babies, never leave them unattended with a diffuser going.
As above, eucalyptus and peppermint can be used but only used in emergencies. Donβt use peppermint essential oil too close to bedtime as it can be too stimulating.
To Stimulate Appetite
Orange and lemon essential oils can be put into a diffuser or rubbed onto tummies to stimulate their appetite. Mace essential oil also stimulates appetite and digestion.
For Bug Repellent
doTERRA TerraShield is our favorite essential oil blend for repelling ticks and mosquitoes. Blend it with fractionated coconut oil and put it in a spray bottle to quickly spray kids hair, clothes, and skin before they head out the door into the great outdoors.
For Acne
For teens, tea tree oil, lavender, geranium, frankincense, and myrrh can help to fight acne and help with scarring.
Essential oils smell great and can help to treat many different ailments. As long as they are used correctly and only when necessary, they can be used safely. First, do a patch test for sensitivity before topical application as both kids and adults can have allergic reactions to them. Good carrier oils to use are sweet almond oil, evening primrose oil, and calendula oil.
Sources used:
https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/discover/essential-oil-safety
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/healthy-living-using-the-hot-oils
https://www.theresaneoforthat.com/essential-oils-fever-relief/
http://www.essential-oil-goddess.com/improving-appetite-in-underweight-child.html
