Essential Oil Use with Children

I bet you have heard of the powerful ways in which essential oils can support a healthy lifestyle. Perhaps you’re a little nervous to use oils on your kids and maybe you’re not sure if they’re entirely safe for the younger set. If essential oils are used with care and common sense, you can safely reap all the benefits they have to offer.

Tips: If you are nervous about using essential oils on your kids

Essential Oils are not Novel
While it may seem like essential oils are just the latest and greatest thing, they’ve actually been used by humans for millennia. Essential oils contain constituents that will be recognized by our body systems and handled appropriately. Rest assured that if you use essential oils on your children, you’re not inventing the wheel.

Kids are not tiny Adults
Remember that oils are potent, and you only need a very small amount to achieve efficacy, especially when it comes to children. A little bit goes a very long way. Adjust amounts accordingly.

Dilute
Kids’ skin is different from adult skin; it’s thinner and generally more sensitive. Even though most oils tend to be non-irritating on the skin (especially on the bottom of the feet, where the skin is thickest), it’s a great idea to dilute essential oil in a good carrier oil (coconut, jojoba, or sesame oil) before applying to children. You’ll still get the same benefits of the essential oil—you’re just adding extra moisture and pampering delicate child skin.

Diffuse
Aromatherapy is an excellent way to enjoy the benefits of essential oil without the worry of skin reactions. Inhaled oils have long been studied for their ability to enhance feelings of relaxation, encouragement, excitement, focus, and well-being. Additionally, diffused oils may support a healthier indoor environment. That’s always a bonus when you’ve got a houseful of kids.

Oils FOR kids, not BY kids
The labels on essential oil bottles remind us to keep them out of reach of children. Kids won’t understand the potency of the essential oils—they only know that these lovely liquids smell divine, and may go overboard in using them. Adults, not children, should always be doing the oil applications, and judiciously at that.

Some favorite essential oils in our house and how they can be used with children.

Protective Blend
The Protective Blend is very kid-friendly. There is also a toothpaste made from the blend. Kids enjoy the taste and I love that it’s not full of chemicals that I can’t pronounce. The protective blend cleaner concentrate makes the bathroom fresh and I don’t have to worry about toxic residue. I also diffuse Protective Blend like crazy during the winter months.

Grounding and Calming Blend
These blends have done wonders for our family. A nice massage with these oils (diluted and applied to soles of feet) will help everyone feel relaxed and grounded. We often turn to these blends when the stresses of life have everyone worked up. Great for kids when they don't want to go to bed.

Citrus Oils
We diffuse oils every day and the citrus oils are a kids’ favorite. They are so uplifting and energizing—perfect for the dreary winter days when no one feels like rolling out of bed. It’s a natural way to chase off the post-holiday blues. Our favorites are Wild Orange, Lemon, and Grapefruit. We even apply the oils to the palms of our hands and cup them to our noses for an easy “scent tent.” (Just be sure to avoid sun exposure after applying citrus oils topically!)

Please leave comments with your kids favorite oils or if you are new to essential oils, feel free to ask questions.