Essential Oils, Guide to Oils
Essential Oils ……. Safe for Children?
Oct
If you’re a parent who is also a keen essential oil user, then you might have probably wondered, “Is essential oil safe for my children”? “Can they benefit from the amazing natural power of essential oils”?
The short answer is yes, essential oils are safe for children. Not only are essential oils safe to use, but they can be extremely effective for many common complaints and ailments amongst little ones. However, there are some safety concerns to take into account before using essential oils on your kids.
Read our helpful guide to learn about using essential oils safely on children.
Learn more about oil safety and storageTop safety tips
Here are our top safety tips for using essential oils on children.
Apply under supervision.
You should only allow your children to use essential oils whilst under your supervision. Also remember to store the essential oils somewhere that the kids can’t access them.
Use smaller quantity
You should use a much smaller amount than you would use on yourself. Since children are physically smaller and have more sensitive skin they do not need as much oil to experience the benefits. Besides too much oil can be harmful for them.
It is best to dilute popular essential oils before using them on children. Recommended dilution is 1 drop of oil per 2 tablespoons of carrier oil like almond oil for babies, 2 for toddlers, 4 for young children, and 6 for teens.
Carry out a sensitivity test before use.
Add 1 drop of essential oil to 10 drops of carrier oil and apply to a small patch of skin on your child’s foot. Reactions typically occur within 5-10 minutes of application. However, you should monitor the area for redness or irritation over the next few hours.
Take care with essential oils that can cause sensitivity to sunlight.
Certain essential oils, especially citrus oils like lemon and sweet orange can be sensitive to sunlight. With these essential oils, it is best to avoid sunlight and UV rays for 12 hours after application. So consider how much time your child will spend outside before applying.
Use only high-quality essential oils.
You should make sure to use the best essential oils that are of high quality for your children. dōTERRA’s essential oils go through several rounds of rigorous testing to ensure that they are pure, free from contamination, and safe for use. However, not all companies do this.
Beware of essential oil supplements.
Many essential oils are also available as supplements and some of these may not be suitable for children. So always read the label before using it on children. That said, some supplements are safe, or even designed for children to use.
Remember, if you are concerned about applying essential oils to your child’s skin, you can always diffuse oils instead for a safe alternative. Also, it is best to consult a medical professional before using essential oils on your children, especially if they have health concerns.
Learn more about Certified Pure Tested Grade® oils
Top essential oil uses for children
Now that you know how to use essential oils safely on children, let’s explore some of the most beneficial oils that can provide natural remedies to your little ones.
Cedarwood oil
If your child has a bad dream, apply diluted Cedarwood oil to the bottom of their feet to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calmness and peace.
Basil oil.
Diffuse Basil essential oil whilst your children are doing their homework to promote focus and mental clarity.
Cary sage
Add one drop of Clary Sage to your child’s pillow before bedtime to improve sleep quality. Alternatively, you can also place a cotton ball dipped in clary sage oil under the pillow.
Ginger oil
Diffuse Ginger oil during long car rides to soothe travel sickness.
Grapefruit oil
Add one drop of Grapefruit oil to facial skin care products if your teenager suffers from blemishes and skin irritation.
Lemon oil
Add one drop of Lemon oil to a glass of water for a tasty, fresh beverage that provides a healthier alternative to sugary soft drinks.
Tea tree oil
Apply diluted Tea Tree oil to the skin to soothe occasional irritations.
Our favourite children’s oil blends
One way to ensure that the essential oils you use on your children are safe is to stick with dōTERRA’s kids range. These blends have been created to target a variety of common concerns amongst children and contain only essential oils that are safe for use on little ones.
In addition, they are pre-diluted for safety and come in 10ml bottles with roll-on tops to make application easy. As mentioned earlier, dōTERRA’s thorough testing process ensures that the essential oils are pure, so you can rest assured that the blends you are applying to your children are of the highest quality.
Essential oil use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Essential oils during pregnancy can be soothing and help support the health of both mother and baby. They can assist with morning sickness, occasional heartburn, muscle aches and pains, that is common among pregnant women.
Just as there are precautions that should be taken before using essential oils on children, pregnant people should also follow specific guidelines if they wish to use essential oils during pregnancy.
As with any oil use, you should consult your doctor before using essential oils during your pregnancy, even those you have used previously. It is also very important to only use pure, high-quality oils when you are pregnant so that you can be sure that they are free of contaminants and toxins. Always check the label on your essential oils as there may be specific advice regarding use during pregnancy.
Some women find that they have increased sensitivity to some essential oils when they are pregnant. This is different for every woman and every oil. Therefore, you may consider adjusting the dosage and dilution or carrying out a patch test even for oils that you have used before.
Always remember not to ingest essential oils as they can be harmful for you and the baby.
Your body will continue to change after having your baby, so it is recommended that you continue to exercise caution when using essential oils. This is especially true if you are nursing. Always consult with your doctor before using any essential oils while you are breastfeeding, just as you would with any other products.
Essential oils can benefit the whole family, old and young. There is no reason for your child to miss out on these benefits or avoid using oils until much later on in life. That said, safety should be the top priority and should be kept at the forefront of your mind at all times.
Follow our top tips to ensure the safe and effective use of oils with your children. Remember to always read the information on the bottle, and if in doubt, consult your doctor.
Essential oils can provide countless benefits for the whole family, old and young. There is no reason for your child to miss out on these benefits, or to avoid using oils until much later on in life. That said, safety should be the top priority and should be kept at the forefront of your mind at all times. Follow our top tips to ensure the safe and effective use of oils with your children. Remember to always read the information on the bottle, and if in doubt consult your doctor.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only, it is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Earthsun Essentials takes no responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
