Alternative Medicine Tips: 5 Essential Oils For Happy Healthy Kids

Our fast-paced lifestyles often leave little time for taking care of our children as well as we'd like. Often, we find ourselves compromising between what would be the healthiest options and what's most convenient. Fortunately, aromatherapy offers both; pure, effective natural medicines with simple, easy-to-use methods. The only time required is learning a little about a select group of essential oils, what they do and how to use them. Here's a quick review of five important oils commonly used with children and infants, and some ideas on how to use them most effectively.

We'll begin with a few tips on using oils with children and infants. There are three primary methods of using oils with little ones: Topical application through massage or applying directly to wounds or sores; Inhalation from a handkerchief, spray bottle, warm bowl of water, the bed sheets, or diffuser; and Baths, which actually combines the topical and inhalation methods. The main difference in using essential oils with children and adults is that children will simply need smaller amounts. There are a few oils that should not be used with children - peppermint, for example, is considered too powerful for the wee ones under two (spearmint is called for instead, which can be helpful with tummy trouble). Ask someone with experience if you are unsure about a particular oil.

The dosages and dilutions used for children are generally significantly lower than those used with adults. Dilutions for caring touch massage can start as low as 1 drop per ounce of carrier (hazelnut is excellent for most applications) for newborns, moving up approximately 1 drop per year, within a range of about 3 drops per ounce. For example, a massage blend for a four year old might contain anywhere from 3 to 6 drops of essential oil per ounce, depending on the oil and the child. Oils like Lavender, Roman Chamomile and Vanilla are exceptionally gentle - more could be used without worry. An oil like Rose, while wonderful for children, is fairly potent, and using a little less may be prudent. The child's weight and overall condition can also be considered; a child that is big for their age could use slightly higher amounts of essential oil, whereas a child that is week from illness could use a little less.

And now for the oils! We'll start with soothing the very little ones; comforting an infant can seem a full-time job for many parents, where support is always welcome. For this, there's one indispensable tool: pure Vanilla essential oil. Mmmm! Who doesn't like vanilla? Infants really respond to its calming, sweet scent. And it's so easy to use. A belly, back or foot rub with a blend containing 1/2 percent vanilla in any quality carrier oil (jojoba, hazelnut or other seed or nut oil of your choice) works magic for many parents. To make a 1/2 percent Vanilla blend, purchase a small amount of pure Vanilla essential oil and add 4 drops into each ounce of carrier. Use as frequently as you like, as vanilla is completely non-toxic. You can even add a few drops to your favorite cookie recipe for an exquisite flavor, far surpassing that of the commonly found vanilla extracts.

Next up is Chamomile. Roman Chamomile is premier oil calming little ones over two years of age. The oil may be used in a number of ways; aromatherapy massage, in a diffuser or room spray (with this and other oils, dilute 10 drops per cup of water in a clean spray bottle - shake well and lightly mist the air), a drop or two sprinkled on bedding, or in a bath. According to Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt in Advanced Aromatherapy, "Even in very small concentrations, whether alone or in combinations with other oils (Roman Chamomile) has a soothing effect. It's appropriate to massage a few undiluted drops into the solar plexus." It is noted as particularly suited to calming tantrums or bringing calm after nightmares.

Lavender essential oil is also highly regarded for its soothing qualities, along with a host of other healing actions. Lavender oil has been called 'a medicine chest in a bottle', as it is anti-inflammatory (good for small burns - apply directly as needed), relieves pain and supports wound healing. Clinical studies have proven Lavender oil's effectiveness for improving sleep. For children, blend 2 to 1 with Roman Chamomile. Apply one drop of this blend to the pillow at nap or night time. Lavender works well in a bath, too. Additionally, Lavender can be mixed in equal parts with Tea Tree oil to add a soothing quality to Tea Tree's antiseptic action. Really, every parent should have a bottle of Lavender on hand (be sure to seek out true Lavender, the Lavendula angustifolia variety).

When sour moods are in need of a lift, citrus oils supply the aromas of choice. Tangerine and Sweet Orange are especially liked, and Mandarin has a certain calming effect not found in any other oil. Citrus oils are often cold-pressed from the peels of the fruit; these can be mildly irritating to the skin. Stick to using these in room sprays or diffusers. Steam distilled citrus oils, often made from the leaves or flowers of the citrus trees (like Neroli, Petitgrain, or Mandarin Petitgrain - an especially nice oil for young ones) can safely be used in topical applications like massages and baths. All these oils are known as antidepressants, and might just lift your mood as well as your child's (not to terrible of a side effect!)

Tea Tree essential oil is highly regarded as a natural antiseptic for cuts and scrapes. Once a wound is washed, it may be covered with a Band-Aid which has a drop of Tea Tree placed on the gauze. Tea Tree may be a bit strong to apply directly to the injury, though when mixed with equal parts of Lavender, Tea Tree will prevent infection while the Lavender will relieve pain and actually speed wound healing. A few drops of the Tea Tree/Lavender mixture can be added to a warm cup of water to use as a cleansing wash. An effective, home made antiseptic spray can also be made: use 2 ounces water, 1/2 half ounce rubbing alcohol, 8 drops Lavender, 12 drops Tea Tree and 8 drops Roman Chamomile. Shake vigorously and store, shaking again before each use. Tea Tree is considered a 'universal antiseptic', with a great many more uses in first aid and around the home.

This is just a quick overview on caring for children with essential oils. Once you get started, you're likely to find these and other oils are a safe, effective means to naturally support your child's health and happiness. As your knowledge and experience grows, you'll find there are aromatherapy remedies for many common childhood ailments. In much of the rest of the world, essential oils are considered potent medicines, deserving a place in everyone's medicine chest. There are many great books on aromatherapy, with loads of information and recipes to get you started. Just remember, when using essential oils with children start slowly, and with small amounts; their response to certain oils and concentrations will likely tell you about the oil's effectiveness. When used with care and respect, essential oils can become a much appreciated part of your natural health and wellness lifestyle.
The author has made available reports on specific anti-microbials such as tea tree essential oil and other therapeutic aromatics.

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