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Aromas for Babies and Toddlers
Smell is the most advanced, out of the five senses, present in babies at the time of birth. Unlike eye-sight, hearing or touch that requires some time, the sense of smell is developed, right at the time when infants are in the womb. Surprised? Studies have shown that right from the time when babies are in the womb, they smell the amniotic fluid, which is apparently rich with smells. It is said that infants during the first week, primarily differentiate between two things and people, using their sense of smell. They pick up on the new odours and associate these smells to certain things or people. Babies use their sense of smell mostly to stay close to their mother.
This is why aromatherapy has a great power when it comes to curing your child’s minor ailments or just as a relaxing and soothing method. Be very careful with the use of essential oils on babies and small children though. Follow our tips below and stop using the essential oils immediately, should any allergic reactions occur!
Which oils to use based on your child’s age:
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Do not use essential oils for babies under 2-months old
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From 2-3 months age lavender, dill, chamomile, and yarrow essential oil are safe to use.
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From 4-6 months age, use coriander, mandarin and neroli essential oils along with the listed above.
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From 6-12 months, tea tree, aniseed, grapefruit and calendula essential oils can be used.
Avoid using wintergreen or eucalyptus oils for babies and children under 2 years old.
How to blend
The dilution for babies and children recommendation is under 1%, using almond oil (or other organic virgin cold pressed vegetable oil) as a base.
There are 20 drops to every 1 ml
This means that if you would like to make a 0.5% dilution, you need to blend 10 drops of essential oil into 100ml vegetable oil.
How to use essential oils massage
Aromatherapy massage has been found to be the most effective way of using the essential oils. For the purposes of massage the oils are blended in base oil. Massage of the hands and feet is an excellent way to keep in good health. All the reflex or zone points for the body are stimulated by this method. This helps balance the body’s energy flow.
Bathing
Bathing is the next most effective way of using the oils. Diffuse up to 2mls of a blend into running warm water. Blend must be one - three drops of tea tree, lavender or roman chamomile in a base vegetable oil. This method is good for sensitive or dry skin, and it is excellent for a better sleep.
Room fragrancers
Room fragrancers are very effective for all ages. There are several ways of using essential oils to produce a wonderful fragrant atmosphere in a room, the essential oils burners are the most frequent and easy-to-use ones. Essential oil burners are obtainable from many health food shops and from some suppliers of the oils. A small reservoir at the top of the burner is filled with water. This is heated by the flame from a nightlight placed inside the burner. Up to 5 drops of neat essential oil may be sprinkled on the water. This gradually evaporates, filling the room with the fragrant aroma. For example lavender produces a relaxing atmosphere which can help with insomnia. Rosewood is soothing for tired grumpy children who don’t want to go to bed.
During illness the use of a room fragrancer can help to protect the health of the rest of the family. The “aroma” inhibits infection by airborne bacteria such as cold and flu viruses. This has been put to good test in several hospitals and clinics. This method can also ease breathing in many chest conditions, and help asthmatics reduce their need for inhalants.
Never use neat essential oils directly onto the skin, never use essential oils internally and always use 100% organic essential and carrier oils.
Aromas
Pure fragrances are used for healing. Aromas are commonly used in the forms of incense flower essences, and essential oils. Other methods of aromatherapy include pure scented candles, soaps, and sachets. Aromas are most effective when pure (i.e., not diluted with chemical substances). They are used externally, and unless mixed with diluting or base oil, some oils burn the skin.
Some great essential oils to try
Basil: cleanses mind, phlegm, colon, purifies air, reduces fever and viruses, increases devotion and intuition
Ginger: colds, flu, headache, lung congestion, joint and muscle pain, improves pulse and appetite, enhances joy and creativity
Iris: cleanses the blood, lymphatic, liver, heals infections, helps remove jealousy, envy, anger, and hate
Lavender: calms emotions and nerves (good for hyperactive children)
Lily: calms heart, nerves, and emotions (irritability, anxiety, insomnia), dry cough, tonic for stomach and lungs, increases faith, devotion, and virtue
Rose: eye tonic (as rose water), increases love, compassion, devotion, acts as female reproductive tonic, uro-genital tract, fevers, cough
Sandalwood: heart and lung tonic, cleanses kidneys, reduces fever, irritability, and anxiety; promotes meditation
Don’t forget essential oils must be mixed in base oils before application to the skin.
Essential oils properties
Antibacterial oils: sandalwood, jasmine, iris, tea tree immune system, removes thirst and delirium
Congestion oils: sage, basil,
Digestive stimulants oils: cardamom, cloves, fennel, ginger
Immune functions (strengthens immune system) oils: rose, lotus
Infections (parasites repel insects/insect bites, cleanses the skin) oils: cedar
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