Which Essential Oils Are Safe For Kids?
Believe me, I’ve heard this question a hundred times before and I’m finally clearing it up for you. Yes, essential oils are safe for children but not all are. It is very important to know which ones are okay and which ones are not. It doesn’t always mean that when something is natural, it is immediately safe for children. Some essential oils are even too harsh for adults, which is why there is always a need to be careful when it comes to dealing with potent ingredients such as pure essential oils.
Are Essential Oils Safe For Children?
As a parent, knowing what can be used for my kid is a top priority. As much as I love the scent of peppermint, I know that my toddler can’t use it the way that I can. To get things started, here is a list of all the essential oils you can use with your kids.
List of Essential Oils Safe for Kids:
- Amyris
- Balsam Fir
- Bergamot
- Black Pepper
- Blood Orange
- Cedarwood (Atlas)
- Cedarwood (Himalayan)
- Citronella
- Copaiba Balsam
- Coriander
- Fir Needle
- Geranium
- Ginger
- Grapefruit
- Helichrysum
- Juniper Berry
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Lemon Eucalyptus
- Mandarin
- Neroli
- Orange
- Palmarosa
- Patchouli
- Pine
- Sandalwood
- Spearmint
- Tangerine
- Tea Tree
- Vetiver
General Safety Guidelines
Each oil comes with different guidelines. For a child’s use, diluting should be at it lowest. If you are planning to diffuse oils in your child’s room, do so for a short amount of time. They will still be effective, as long as proper instructions are being followed.
I cannot stress enough how it is important to know about the proper dilution of essential oils for children – especially for those younger than 10 years old. Their bodies are still developing and they may not react as well as adults do. One of the ways we use oils with children is making a roll-on by diluting them in a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil or sweet almond oil in 0.5%-1.0% dilution rate. Use the roll-on on the bottom of the feet. The oils still enter the bloodstream however the skin won’t get irritated easily as it is tougher than other parts. You can see our simply dilution table here.
Adding essential oils to your child’s bath is also a good way to use them. Just be sure to dilute it to a tablespoon of a carrier oil before mixing it in the bath. You can also diffuse the oils in their rooms but take make sure it doesn’t stay on for more than 30 minutes.
Why Avoiding Menthol Oils is Important
As mentioned earlier, minty essential oils shouldn’t be used around children. Oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary consist of 1,8-cineole which slows down their breathing. Wintergreen, on the other hand, should be avoided until the child is 12 years old. It has methyl salicylate and is said to cause ADHD and development of Reye’s Syndrome.
Here at Simply Earth, we have a great line of oils that are safe for the entire family. We make sure that each oil is gentle yet still effective. If you have any questions about which essential oils you can use for your young ones, do not hesitate to send a message our way!
Memory Enhancement for your Child’s Exams
Essential oils can be helpful for your child to achieve success in different aspects of their life. There is a psychology behind the reason why certain smells trigger our memory. This is why aromatherapy can be very useful. Memory enhancement can be specifically targeted with different aromas and scents. Research has proven that when a specific aroma is diffused while studying, the same aroma can trigger the memory once trying to remember.
Although each oil has a unique and different aroma, some essential oils actually benefit the memory while others promote focus and concentration, like lemon, peppermint, and rosemary. It is also important to remember that every different topic that is studied should be assigned a different aroma. The best way to optimize the oil’s memory-enhancing uses is to diffuse it ONLY when the child is studying! Air out the room once they stop, and diffuse again! To use this before the child’s exam, mixing it with a carrier oil and placing a few drops on his or her handkerchief to bring inside the room can be the best way. Here’s a great recipe that was specifically blended for children concentration, memory enhancement, and studying!
Study Buddy Diffuser Blend
- 6 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
- 3 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
- 3 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil
- 2 drops Cypress Essential Oil
Use this blend in a room diffuser, car diffuser, or a few drops on a tissue or cotton ball. Remember, don’t use this blend with children younger than 12 years old.
Handling School Stress
We’ve all experienced stress, but nothing can really compare to stress in school. Yes, this may seem tiny in the midst of adult stress, but for children, stress in school is just as bad. Good grades, exams, pleasing the teachers, and peer and social pressures can all be the reason for the overwhelming stress for a child. Stress, in turn, can be very detrimental for one’s health. Countless essential oils have benefits for one’s mental health, and the best way to make use of these benefits is to diffuse or to take a warm bath. Warm baths are relaxing on their one, but with essential oils, they can be even better.
Specific bath oils that are children friendly and that target school stress are those such as Chamomile, Bergamot, Marjoram, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Clary Sage, Mandarin, Sandalwood and Petit Grain. Each oil can be used by placing two drops in your bath.
Exam stress can also be targeted with a bath recipe such as the one that follows. It is best to not let them know that these recipes are for the nerves because the this will give them a hint that there is something to be nervous or worried about. This blend is specifically for those aged under 16.
Blend 5 drops of Lavender, 3 drops of Chamomile Roman, 3 drops of Geranium and 5 drops of Mandarin together, Dilute two drops in a ½ teaspoon of sweet almond to use in each bath.
The best way to relax and regain energy for stress in school is always good to sleep. Stress before sleeping is never the best, so to relax before catching those zzz’s, rub this essential oil blend on your child’s back before bed.
Sweet Dreams Roller Blend
- 2 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
- 1 one drop Chamomile Essential Oil
- 2 tsp Carrier Oil
Children often encounter small artificial wounds. Playground scraps and bruises are common and are nothing to be worried about, especially because children are highly resilient and are tougher than we usually credit them for. These cuts and scrapes, however, should still be taken care of. Lavender, Tea Tree, Chamomile, Lemon, and Palmarosa are very good essential oils for situations like these. Mostly because of their anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties and because they fight infection. These essential oils can also promote a sense of calmness. Bruises can be taken care of with Geranium, Lavender, and Palmarosa.
What Oils Will You Try?
There a lot of essential oils for children out there! What will you try first? Let us know in the comments below or connect with us on social media @fromsimplyearth!
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