Aromatherapy and children
Children are more receptive to natural forms of healing and treatments as they have no great expectations or prejudices with what is involved. Their own self healing mechanisms have been not been impaired by years of stress, faulty diets, environmental pollution etc. Regular use of Essential Oils in the home, in baths, inhalations, vaporizers and compresses can be a wonderful method of preventative medicine to help children avoid colds and other infectious diseases.
When it comes to using Aromatherapy on Children, I am very cautious with the amount and frequency of use. Essential oils are highly concentrated and potent substances which can be harmful if used incorrectly. However they can be used safely and effectively if certain precautions are observed.
Safety Guidelines for Children and Aromatherapy are as follows
Dilute oils for massage to 1-1.5%. For Adults the dilution is 3%
For a bath, dilute the oils, no more than 4 drops, in either milk or a vegetable oil and add to the water prior to the child entering the bath.
Inhalations of oils in a bowl of hot water are great for coughs, colds and sinus problems but again only use 1-2 drops and limit the time of inhalation to begin with such as a few seconds and allow them to become accustomed to the steam and oil combination. If a child is suffering from Asthma, do not use this method of inhalation. Instead use a vaporizer. NEVER LEAVE THE CHILD UNATTENDED WITH HOT WATER
There are many types of oil vaporizers and diffusers on the market so follow their usage guidelines and add as much oil that suits your need/mood.
Sprays are great to make up and carry around with you - they can be used a an air fragrance or hand sanitizer. Spray bottles and atomizers can be purchased at most natural health food stores or on line. Add @20 drops to 100mls of water, shake and spray!! I have several that I use for antiseptic purposes and mood enhancers. I have an antiseptic blend in my car which I grab when kids start to cough and sneeze!!
I would not recommend using Essential oils directly on Babies under the age of 4 weeks. Use the oils in vaporizers in the nursery, and maybe a drop diluted in the nighttime bath to help with calming, soothing and as a preventative way of keeping airborne infections and bacteria at bay.
Essential Oils and their uses on Children
Lavender and Chamomile (Roman or German) are the most valuable oils for children. They are both, calming, soothing and sedating and are valuable for children who may be a little run down, not sleeping, over excited or have had episodes of tears and tantrums. Combine these oils in the 1-1.5% dilution and add to a nice warm bath or give your child a gentle massage. If your child is not used to the contact of massage, try a gentle massage on the feet. You can access all parts of the body by massaging the feet and is a less intrusive method of nurturing touch.
These oils are also great for a tired and exhausted mum who is in need of rest and a good night's sleep!!
Mandarin is a very safe gentle oil for children and is known in France as "The Children's Remedy". It is great for children's tummy upsets including colic and hiccoughs, A 1% dilution of Mandarin in a carrier oil massaged gently on the tummy in a clockwise direction. Again, a great oil for mum to use too and not just for tummy upsets but as a good skin treatment because of its known capabilities of preventing stretch marks when used from the 4th month of pregnancy. The aroma of this oil is very uplifting and great to rectify a solemn mood. Another good oil to use on children with tummy upsets is Spearmint oil - a safer, more gentle alternative to Peppermint.
Eucalyptus (there are many varieties), Tea Tree, and Thyme are powerful anti viral and antiseptic oils and are valuable first aid oils for Colds, Flu and other infectious diseases. They can be vaporized throughout the home in either a diffuser or in a spray. They can also be dropped onto a Kleenex and inhaled as and when needed. As long as the dilution guidelines are followed, these oils can be added to a carrier oil or cream and massaged over the neck and chest on a twice daily basis.
For those annoying coughs, Benzoin and Frankincense are soothing to the respiratory tract and are very warming comforting oils, useful in the convalescence stage of illness. Benzoin is a rich sticky oil but has a wonderful vanilla like aroma that remind my children of vanilla Ice Cream!!!
Frankincense is a wonderful oil for Mum to use when relaxation is needed or when states of anxiety arise. Frankincense has a calming effect on the lungs and enables deep breathing which is why it is still used today for meditation in western and eastern religious practices. A valuable oil for Asthma sufferers. Frankincense also has powerful rejuvenating properties for the skin so when included into a daily skincare routine, it can help restore tone and slow down the appearance of wrinkles, which is why the Egyptians valued its properties for embalming.
For skin complaints and those minor cuts and grazes that affect almost every child that loves to play, Lavender and Tea Tree can be blended into an un perfumed cream to promote the healing of the abrasion and be an antiseptic. This is a cream I always make up and I have small pots in my car, home first aid kit and in my handbag for those minor incidents. Excellent also for insect bites and stings!!!
Insects and flying bugs can be a real nuisance and so can the thought of applying all those chemical based insect repellants. Essential oils of Geranium, Lemon, Citronella and Cedarwood are brilliant blended together and placed in a cream, oil or a spray and applied as and when required for the whole family.
Mothers experience a wide range of ailments and emotional disturbances from the moment of pregnancy right through to their children entering adulthood. Aromatherapy can be used in a variety of ways to support, balance and energize us through each of the trials and tribulations of motherhood.
Geranium is a favorite oil of mine to balance and support hormonal changes. It is an adrenal cortex stimulant. The hormones secreted by this gland are regulators, inluding the male and female sex hormones so Geranium is highly useful for premenstrual tension and menopausal issues. Its diuretic effect can help with fluid retention which can also be experienced at certain times of the month. Because of its balancing effect it is useful in skincare as it will regulate the production of sebum.
For menstrual cramps, a warm compress over the lower abdomen or back with any antispasmodic oil such as Marjoram, Lavender Chamomile and Clary Sage can bring immediate relief
In the realms of reproduction and sexuality Rose oil is the first choice of many Aromatherapists as it has been used since antiquity for its aphrodisiac properties. A valuable oil for women who wish to regain their sexuality following childbirth or women lacking sexual desire due to the overwhelming pressures of motherhood. Again, valuable oil for regulating the menstrual cycle and is an excellent antidepressant and detoxifier. A wonderful oil for rejuvenating tired and stressed skin so again, perfect for adding to a face cream.
Peppermint oil is a fantastic analgesic and is so valuable in treating headaches. Applying a small amount to the temples (diluted in an oil first as Peppermint can be sensitive to the skin) can dispel any type of head pain. Lavender is also very popular in treating headaches and maybe a better option for those with sensitive skins.
Cephalic oils (clear the mind and stimulate mental activity) are great oils to use when concentration and focus are required. Oils such as Rosemary, Basil, Peppermint, Grapefruit and Thyme have this affect. I blend the first three for my teenage boys to use whilst studying at home and in school.
For the exhausted mum who is overtired, a little depressed, lethargic and suffers with achy joints and muscle because of extreme tension and anxiety, Ravensara aromatica is a wonderful oil to use in the bath or massage. It is both mentally and physically uplifting and valuable as an antiviral and immunostimulant oil.
Important note
Never attempt to treat a serious illness without consulting a medically qualified practitioner first.
Never use Essential oils neat on the skin
NEVER GIVE ESSENTIAL OILS BY MOUTH
To view an Article By Laurie Chance Smith on "Scents of Childhood" from Mothering Magazine, click here.