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Friday, April 16, 2010

Introduction to Using Essential Oils on Children

Essential oils are safe for children as long as you follow the safety recommendations. It is recommended to  perform a skin patch test when you use the oil for the first time on the skin. Essential oils are very potent, and there are many oils that is best to avoid on children.

There are many ways to incorporate essential oils into a child’s life, and they respond very positively to aromatherapy. Methods include aromatic baths, lotions, and inhalation.

Many children also enjoy hand or foot massage. A drop or two of an essential oil on a pillow case is a great way to use essential oils when the child is congested, or has a hard time falling asleep. I used to put essential oils on a cotton ball and tuck it in under my daughter’s pillow.  She was suffering from a persistent cough when we lived in Wales, UK, and I used oils beneficial for the respiratory system.  Aromatherapy diffusers are also a way you can utilize aromatherapy inhalation safely for children.

Bedtime secrets
It can be a challenge many times to get a child to go to sleep, but I noticed that a relaxing calm bath can make wonders at bed time. Before the bath time you can try to give your child a cup of diluted chamomile tea. Lavender and mandarin are well liked by children,  and they can be used in a hand or foot massage before bedtime.

Aromatic Massage Oil for Children
2 tablespoons warm vegetable oil
5-10 drop s of Lavender or mandarin.
Mix the essential oils in the warm vegetable oil. You can make this ahead and keep it in a
dark or amber glass bottle. The essential oil blends should be kept in dark bottles. Massage
the feet, working towards the heart.

Favorite Bath Blend
Lavender 2 drops
Mandarin 2 drops.
Add this to vegetable oil and add to the bath water and swish. Amount of base oil depends
on the child’s age. Please refer to dilution chart You can of course switch mandarin for
another oil, or use only lavender.

Other relaxing oils for bedtime are bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, frankincense,
geranium, marjoram, rose, ylang ylang. Make sure the oils are suitable for your child and read the safety post first.

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