More and more adults are enhancing the quality of their lives with the use of therapeutic grade essential oils and aromatherapy. But many people don’t realize that essential oils are really beneficial for children as well. As a mom I can’t tell you the number of times I reached for my essential oil kit in a day for keeping my kids healthy and happy. They are incredibly versatile and effective. I’m sure that one of the questions you’ve had is how and when to use essential oils with your children.As I said, I regularly used essential oils with my children…and they loved them! It was fun to see my children starting to understand which oils might be good in various situations and asking for them as needed. They learned to be cognizant of their own health while actively looking for natural ways to support well-being.
Therapeutic grade essential oils that have been certified pure are considered safe and effective for babies and children. Remember these simple rules:
* DILUTE! 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. A good ratio to start with is 1-2 drops of oil with 2 TBSP of fractionated coconut oil
* GO SLOW! Introduce one essential oil at a time.
* OBSERVE: Watch for allergic reactions.
* CAUTION: Do not use oils on babies less than 3 months old, AND Essential oils should not be used internally on children.
* SUPERVISE: Oils FOR kids, not BY kids. The labels on Young Living 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.
* RESEARCH: Young Living has a lot of information about safe usage of essential oils on their websites. When in doubt call Customer Service and ask a question! And don’t be afraid to chat about oil usage with your family doctor or paediatrician—medical professionals like having a holistic picture of their patients’ health situation, and they have access to other medical literature that can help guide your decisions.
DIFFUSE: This is an excellent way to enjoy the benefits of essential oils 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 house full of kids.
I loved having my kids wake up to a fresh scent in the diffuser. Part of my routine was diffusing some oils in the kitchen so when they came down to breakfast their mood was enhanced or they just had that pleasant comfort in knowing this is something Mom does. I often thought about how the oils will later on down the road trigger different memories for my children. Do you do this with your children? Or are there certain oils that trigger memories for you. I only like to diffuse Christmas Spirit at Christmas time because I want my kids to associate that smell with Christmas.
Whether you take just your little ones to school or you share a carpool with all the neighbourhood parents, car time is a great opportunity to pump up the kids for the day. Give a quick pep talk before they head out of the car or use your USB Diffuser or Orb™ Diffuser to infuse the trip with an essential oil such as:
* PUT ON YOUR BRAVE FACE
2 drops Grapefruit
3 drops Stress Away
2 drops Basil
* SMARTY PANTS
4 drops Peppermint
2 drops Rosemary
4 drops Orange
HAPPY MOMMY
2 drops Bergamot
2 drops Clary Sage
3 drops Grapefruit
2 drops Ylang Ylang
AT SCHOOL
Inattention and hyperactivity that interferes with learning, daily functioning, and relationships are at an all time hight. More and more children are receiving behaviour therapy and being prescribed medication for treatment.
The sense of smell is the only one of the five senses directly linked to the limbic lobe of the brain, the emotional control centre. Anxiety, depression, fear, anger, and joy all emanate from this region. The limbic lobe can also directly activate the hypothalamus, which acts as our hormonal control centre and releases hormones that can affect many functions of the body, including growth hormones, sex hormones, thyroid hormones, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin. The hypothalamus also controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, sleep, and circadian cycles.
Kids taking powerful drugs may suffer from side effects ranging from sleep problems and loss of appetite to seizures and increased heart rate, which is why alternative treatment options are a safe alternative to explore. Research has shown that essential oils can be beneficial for helping children to focus and concentrate.
TRY THESE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR FOCUS & CONCENTRATION:
* CEDARWOOD has a high concentration of sesquiterpenes (they make up 50 percent of its constituents), which improve oxygenation of brain cells.
* VETIVER is known to calm and balance the nervous system while stimulating the circulatory system.
* ROSEMARY has also shown promise for increasing cognitive performance
LAVENDER, on the other hand, is most known for its sedative properties. Some children with learning challenges have trouble sleeping, and lavender essential oil has been found to improve sleep
PEPPERMINT is useful for improved alertness
YLANG YLANG is known for its relaxing properties
FRANKINCENSE valued for inducing feelings of mental peace and calm
BERGAMOT may help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety
EUCALYPTUS may relieve mental exhaustion and stimulate blood flow to the brain
LEMON is valued for improving mood and preventing emotional outbursts
Some parents find it easiest to pre-mix 10 ml rollerballs with 20-40 drops essential oil and top up with carrier oil. This way children can roll on the oils whenever they feel they need them.
KID'S FOCUS ROLLER BALL
50 drops Lavender
35 drops Valor
30 drops Stress Away™
15 drops Patchouli
15 drops Vetiver
AGITATION/FRUSTATION: If your child is agitated and easily frustrated, try a calming oil such as Lavender, Roman Chamomile, or Peace & Calming™. Also a grounding oil such as Vetiver or Frankincense could be helpful.
MOTIVATION: If your child needs some motivation, a citrus oil could help, such as Orange or Citrus Fresh™. Also, the smell of Peppermint can be uplifting and motivating. Some people mix citrus and peppermint oils.
CALMING & RELAXING: Peace & Calming™ is made with Tangerine, Ylang Ylang, Blue Tansy, Orange and Patchouli, and smells great when diffused. It can also be applied to the bottom of feet with V-6 or other carrier oil.
* Tranquil™ Roll-On: is made with Lavender, Cedarwood and Roman Chamomile in a convenient roll-on that kids can take to school. Its comforting aromas is perfect for the first day of school too. Apply to the wrists or back of the neck as needed.
* Stress Away™ contains copaiba, lime, vanilla, cedarwood, lavender and ocotea. It comes in a handy roll on to easily apply to the bottoms of your feet, neck, wrists, wherever!!
*Lavender can be diffused for a calming and peaceful scent. Add to nighttime baths or apply to bottoms of feet, pillow, etc.
AFTER SCHOOL/HOMEWORK
The final school bell may have rung, but you and your kids know there’s still more to pack in before bedtime! Whether they’re at music lessons or study sessions, help kids maximize their time with help from essential oils. Diffuse essential oils while they practice their instruments, do homework, or work on their art projects.
BRANIAC
2 drops Hinoki
2 drops Sacred Frankincense
1 drops Hong Kuai
2 drops Cedarwood
CALM CONCENTRATON
2 drops Frankincense
2 drops Lavender
QUIET READING TIME
Make quiet reading time a pleasure for your children with Gentle Baby™ or these two great diffuser blends:
SERENE STUDENTS
2 drops Ylang Ylang
3 drops Orange
2 drops Cedarwood
CHILLED OUT KIDDOS
3 drops Geranium
2 drops Bergamot
3 drops Lavender
Dr. Mom is always on call! Be prepared for whatever comes your way with Young Living essential oils!
BATH TIME
Make the transition to bedtime gentle and sweet by drawing an essential oil infused bath for the kiddos.
SLEEPY TIME BATH
1 drops Ylang-Ylang
2 drops Lavender
Dilute in 1 cup of epsom salts and add to bath.
DIY KIDS' BUBBLE BATH
½ cup Young Living KidScents® Bath Gel
¾ cup water
¼ cup vegetable glycerin
¼ teaspoon sea salt
12-ounce or larger container (glass or plastic)
Pour all ingredients into a container. Close lid tightly and shake well to thoroughly blend.
Add one half of the container to warm bath water. Each batch makes enough for two baths. Use within two weeks.
HAIR DETANGLER
Don’t waste time struggling through a mess of hair—whether it’s yours or your child’s. Simplify your hair care strategy with this detangler!
½ cup Young Living Lavender Conditioner
1⅛ cup warm distilled water
3 drops Cedarwood
3 drops Frankincense
Combine in a spray bottle and spritz a couple times into dry or damp hair and comb through to tame any mane.
BEDTIMEAfter a long day, bed is the only place you want to be—but sometimes the kids feel differently. Help signal that it’s bedtime with a nightly routine that gently transitions into quiet, peaceful rest. Diffuse essential oils in the bedroom to create a relaxing environment. A gentle foot or back rub with essential oils is also a great reward for getting to bed on time!
SWEET DREAMS DIFFUSER BLEND
3 drops Cedarwood
3 drops Lavender
1 drop Vetiver
LOVING MASSAGE BLEND
3 drops Lavender
5 drops Ylang-Ylang
2 drops Patchouli
Dilute in 150 ml sweet almond oil.
MONSTER SPRAYS
Sometimes real fears of imaginary foes keep little ones awake well past dark. Whether it’s monsters in the closet or little monsters not wanting to go to bed, reach for these DIY essential oil Monster Sprays. Featuring a fresh lineup of essential oils in a convenient bottle, these monster repellent sprays freshen the room and make bedtime a breath of fresh air!
What you need:
Glass spray bottle
6 tablespoons (3 ounces) water
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) witch hazel
Essential oil monster blend of your choice
CLOSET MONSTER SKEDADDLE
◊ 3 drops Bergamot
◊ 3 drops Lemongrass
◊ 3 drops Grapefruit
UNDER THE BED BRUTE BEGONE
◊ 4 drops Cedarwood
◊ 3 drops Lavender
◊ 2 drops Vetiver
VAMPIRES VAMOOSE
5 drops Stress Away™
4 drops Ylang Ylang
BEDROOM BLISSKids love having their very own playful diffuser which they can fill with their very favourite essential oil blends.
FLORAL GROW
This fragrant, rich scent will create a cheery atmosphere in any little (or big) kid’s room.
6 drops Royal Hawaiian™ Sandalwood
4 drops Ylang Ylang
2 drops Idaho Balsam Fir
2 drops Frankincense
WOODSY BREEZE
Freshen up any bedroom with this grounding, relaxing, and woodsy aroma.
10 drops Blue Cypress
3 drops Idaho Blue Spruce
2 drops Ravintsara
SEASONAL THREATSDuring the winter months, I like to diffuse a blend of essential oils called THIEVES™. It protects against environmental threats and it cleans the air with a a spicy and sweet aroma. You can also dilute and rub onto the soles of the feet, or chest. It makes an amazing addition to dish soap and spray bottles for house cleaning too.
* Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and the Young Living blend R.C ™are all useful in maintaining feelings of clear airways and easy breathing. Diffuse or inhale the respiration blend directly from the palms or rub on chest when environmental threats are high.
PERFECT ATTENDANCE Diffuser Blend
3 drops Thieves™
2 drops Lemon
2 drops Oregano
An extraordinary value that offers a comprehensive introduction to the power of KidScents essential oils, the Little Oilers Premium Starter Kit is the perfect option for families of small children.
Enjoy peace of mind knowing each KidScents essential oil is created with little ones in mind and has been pre-diluted for topical use.
This incredible starter kit is exclusively available to Young Living members; become a member today to get yours!
The Little Oilers Premium Starter Kit includes:
* Feather the Owl Ultrasonic Diffuser
*Little Oilers KidScents Oil Collection (GeneYus 5 ml, KidCare 5 ml, DreamEase 5 ml, Refresh 5 ml, T-Gize 5 ml)
* 2 AromaGlide Roller Fitment
169.75 plus tax and shipping
