Essential oils for children

Essential oils are one of the favorite natural health remedies. However, many parents receive warnings about their use with children. So we focus on the following question: Are there healthy and safe ways to use essential oils in children?

Can we use essential oils to treat children?

Resulting from an extraction or distillation process, essential oils are highly concentrated therapeutic plant essences. Due to the high concentration of therapeutic molecules, essential oils are generally prohibited in young children. They must also be kept out of their reach, in a cupboard located high up. It is wise to avoid the use of essential oils in children under three years of age or to follow the recommendations of a certified aromatherapist for use before this age.

What essential oils should be used on children?

Since essential oils must be used with great caution in young children, it can seem confusing to choose the most appropriate oils. Christine Gratton, aromatherapist and scientific aromatherapy practitioner, recommends the following essential oils for little ones:  

True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Very safe, this essential oil is generally well tolerated by children. Calming and sedative, its floral and captivating scent confers properties that relieve excitement and agitation. Many parents spray a mist of real lavender on their children's pillows to promote better sleep.  

Mandarin (Citrus reticulata): Citrus essential oils are considered gentle and safe in developing little beings. Calming and relaxing, mandarin essential oil moderates the central nervous system, which promotes better management of emotions, energy and concentration. In addition, it facilitates sleep. This is why it is often used in conjunction with true lavender essential oil. However, be careful with sun exposure, tangerine essential oil makes the skin more photosensitive.

Aspic lavender (Lavandula spica) : No child is safe from injuries and injuries. This is why it is highly recommended to always have a bottle of aspic lavender essential oil on hand. Healing and analgesic, this essential oil relieves cuts, scrapes, burns and insect bites in no time. It also calms the nephew system, which helps children remain calm in the event of an injury.

Radiated eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata) : Radiated eucalyptus essential oil is used to soothe secretions, decongest the respiratory tract, stimulate the immune system and fight viruses and bacteria. When diffused, eucalyptus essential oil purifies the air thanks to its bactericidal properties. This is an excellent way to disinfect a sick child's room during periods of flu or cold and to prevent the spread of viruses.

Ho Wood : Coming from the distillation of the wood of the camphor tree (camphor tree), Ho wood essential oil gives off a strong odor of camphor which makes it an effective remedy for viruses, bacteria and fungal infections. As this oil has good skin tolerance, it can be used to massage the chest effectively and gently in the case of colds or other respiratory conditions.

How to administer essential oils to young children

Two main methods are recommended for administering essential oils to children: diffusion and topical application (on the skin).

In broadcast

The diffusion of essential oils is done with the help of a diffuser. In addition to spreading good smells, this method purifies the air, destroys surrounding microbes and distributes negative ions throughout the room. To diffuse essential oils safely in the presence of children, you must follow the following precautions:

Avoid spreading essential oils to children aged 0 to 3 months.

For children aged two and under, broadcast time must be limited to 5 minutes per day in the same room. The baby should never be in a room where a broadcasting session is taking place and the door must be open to allow ventilation of the premises.

For those aged two and over, the broadcast time can be up to 10 minutes per day in the same room. The premises can remain closed for maximum efficiency, as long as the toddler is not there at the time of the broadcast.

In direct application

To use essential oils directly on the skin, they must first be tested on a small area. The inside of the wrist is generally recommended. Simply place a drop of essential oil directly on the skin and wait 15 minutes. If the skin does not develop redness or itching, the use of this essential oil is considered safe for topical application. However, care must be taken to dilute the essential oil in a base oil such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil or coconut oil. In general, the ratio of 5 drops of essential oil per tablespoon of base oil is recommended. Please note that certain essential oils are photosensitizing and can therefore increase the risk of sunburn. This is particularly the case for citrus essential oils which should not be applied to the skin 12 hours before exposure to the sun.

Remember that essential oils are highly concentrated essences and should therefore be used with caution, especially on children. If in doubt, do not hesitate to contact a manufacturer or a qualified aromatherapist. The team of advisors La Boite à Grains is also available to help you make appropriate essential oil choices for your family.

Good health!

About the author

Naturopaths from La Boite à Grains

Team of qualified and certified naturopaths (ND) in Gatineau in Outaouais.

Original article written by Véronique Cousineau, Naturopath

Contributor: Christine Gratton, aromatherapist

Sources

Christine Gratton, aromatherapist and scientific aromatherapy practitioner.

Care of my child, Céline Arsenault. Editions Le Dauphin Blanc. 2003.