The power of essential oils cannot be underestimated. An all-natural medicine kit that is is safe to use on babies from 6 months old, they are an effective wellbeing & parenting tool. Here we discuss the benefits of using essential oil blends for children.
Writer: Lucy Stewart
WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are are highly-concentrated plant extracts that have been distilled into oil for medicinal purposes. They are extracted from different parts of fruits, trees, flowers, stems, leaves and roots; Subsequently each has its own unique aromatic compounds which capture the plant’s scent, flavour, or 'essence.'
A list of top oils to use for kids
When it comes to supporting children's immunity and emotions, essential oils are extremely effective. With just a handful of them, you can make up your own natural medicine cabinet. My favourites are:
- Frankincense: calms the mind, settles grizzly behaviour, improves focus & mental clarity, supports the respiratory system support and soothes skin allergies
- Lavender: promotes restful sleep, relieves teething pain, soothes sore muscles and helps heal minor cuts and grazes
- Tea Tree: antibacterial treatment for minor cuts, scraps, burns & bites, and as a natural bug repellent
- Peppermint: a digestive aid, helps relieve colic and constipation, cools fevers and a nasal decongestant
- Citrus (orange, lemon, grapefruit): mood-enhancing and helps calm overstimulated children
HOW DO ROLLER BLENDS FOR KIDS WORK?
TOPICAL APPLICATION
Because our skin is permeable, the active chemicals in essential oils are absorbed in to the bloodstream through pores and hair follicles when applied topically.
It’s best to apply them to the pulse points where the blood vessels are closest to the surface, as well key absorption points like the soles of the feet. Massage and heat can increase circulation and absorption so applying the rollers after a nice warm bath and massaging them in, can help to increase their effectiveness.
Before using essential oils with babies and kids, they must be diluted according to their age. Young skin is thinner, more delicate, and generally more sensitive and children have smaller bodies so they don’t need as much for it to work. My kid’s roller blends have already been prediluted with fractionated coconut oil, but you should always do a patch test on a small area skin first to check for any reactions.
INHALATION
Another way that essential oils enter our body is inhalation through the nose and mouth, affecting the body through several different pathways. Inhalation effects our olfactory system – our sense of smell – and has an almost immediate effect on our brain, and the limbic system, or the “emotional brain”. The limbic system is directly connected to those parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels and hormone balance. This relationship helps explain why smell often triggers emotions and why inhalation of essential oils can have some very profound physiological and psychological effects.
Simply open the roller bottle and allow your little one to breathe in the scent.
ROLLER BLENDS FOR KIDS
Keep Calm: Calming blend to tame unsettled behaviour, meltdowns and temper tantrums. Ease grumpy disposition, irritability and settle little ones who are tired and restless before their daytime naps.
Ingredients: Bergamot, Frankincense & Lavender pure essential oils diluted with fractionated coconut oil.
Super Immune: Protective blend for complete immune system support. Perfect for combating all the playground and day care germs and shortening the duration of infections.
Ingredients: Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Tea Tree & Rosemary pure essential oils diluted with fractionated coconut oil.
Tummy Tamer: Digestive blend to ease upset tummies, gas, diarrhoea, constipation, reflux, nausea and travel sickness. Can also be used to ease nausea from travel sickness.
Ingredients: Spearmint, Fennel & Lavender pure essential oils diluted with fractionated coconut oil.
Skin Soothe: A healing antibacterial blend to soothe minor skin irritations, cuts, grazes, bites, eczema, cold sores and acne. Can also be used as a hand sanitiser.
Ingredients: Tea Tree, Lavender & Frankincense pure essential oils diluted with fractionated coconut oil.
Breathe Easy: Respiratory blend to open and clear congested airways, runny noses, colds, allergies, sinusitis and ear infections or blocked Eustachian tubes.
Ingredients: Laurel, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Lemon, Cardamom, Ravintsara & Ravensara pure essential oils diluted with fractionated coconut oil.
Sweet Dreams: A relaxing blend to ground, soothe and promote a deeper more peaceful night’s sleep. Can also be used to relieve teething pain.
Ingredients: Lavender, Cedarwood, Ho Wood, Ylang Ylang, Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Vetiver, Vanilla & Sandalwood pure essential oils diluted with fractionated coconut oil.
Lucy’s custom roller blends for kids are designed to support various ailments, conditions and emotions. Lovingly blended and diluted, they’re safe to use on babies 6+ months. They are available for purchase in The Mumsie's Noosa retail cottage or via her website https://lucystewartnutrition.com.