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Aromatherapy for Children: Safely Enhancing Well-Being
In recent years, the popularity of aromatherapy, the practice of using fragrant essential oils for health and well-being, has surged. While it can be incredibly helpful, especially in calming tense children, it’s crucial to approach aromatherapy with caution, particularly when it involves the well-being of our little ones. This blog post delves into the safe and effective use of aromatherapy for children, drawing insights from Lisa Squires, RN, BSN, CCRN-K, HNB-BC, a clinical nurse with the Integrative Health Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The Benefits of Aromatherapy for Children
Navigating the realm of aromatherapy can be a transformative and gentle journey for both children and adults. When approached with care, essential oils have shown to offer a host of benefits for children, fostering a sense of calmness, improving sleep quality, and alleviating discomfort and pain. However, the increasing popularity of essential oils has brought about a rise in incidents of poisoning, skin injuries, and other health problems stemming from incautious practices.
Discover the healing touch of aromatherapy as it gently cradles the well-being of your little ones. Beyond the delightful scents, aromatherapy has been proven to instill tranquility, promote restful sleep, and minimize feelings of nausea and discomfort in children. Our commitment to safety ensures that each aromatic experience contributes not only to delightful moments but also to the health and happiness of your children.
In the face of the growing popularity of essential oils, our dedication to your family’s well-being remains unwavering. Aromatherapy, when practiced responsibly, goes beyond trends, offering fragrant allure and a myriad of health benefits. From creating a serene atmosphere to aiding in quality sleep, the medicinal marvels of aromatherapy are unparalleled. However, incidents ranging from poisoning to skin injuries serve as a cautionary tale. Choose our approach to aromatherapy, where every inhalation is a step towards a healthier, more harmonious life for your children.
Safe Practices for Aromatherapy with Children
Age Consideration
Limit the use of aromatherapy to children over the age of 3. Insufficient clinical research supports its use with younger children, and the risks of negative reactions are high.
Selecting Essential Oils
Choose essential oils that have been studied and found to be safe and effective for children over 3, such as lavender, peppermint, sweet orange, mandarin, and ginger.
Reliable Sources
Purchase essential oils from reliable sources that sell pure oils, not synthetic fragrances. Ensure the label includes information on the plant, part used, country of origin, and extraction method. Plant Therapy is a reputable source.
Secure Storage
Keep essential oils in a secure place, out of reach of young children. For quality oils, consider checking Edens Garden and Rocky Mountain Oils.
OUR TOP ESSENTIAL OIL PICKS
Sweet Slumber
Sweet Slumber Essential Oil Blend helps calm, soothe, and relax restless kids. This blend can be diffused just before bedtime or diluted to 2-3% in your favorite carrier oil and applied to the back and/or chest before bedtime.
Sniffle Stopper
Sniffle Stopper essential oil is a natural, organic blend of Fir Needle, Rosalina, Spruce Hemlock, Cypress, Spearmint, and Cedarwood Virginian. KidSafe Sniffle Stopper can help your child breathe easier, ease congestion, and provide sinus and allergy relief.
Calming The Child
Calming the Child essential oil is a blend of Mandarin Orange, Tangerine, Lavender, Roman Chamomile. It’s a safe way to relax your child by calming the mind and bringing on a sense of tranquility. Great at bedtime to get a peaceful night’s sleep.
Aromatherapy Practices to Avoid
While aromatherapy can be beneficial, certain practices can be harmful if not executed correctly. Lisa Squires advises against:
- Swallowing aromatherapy oils, even in diluted form.
- Applying pure oils directly to the skin.
- Using water-based diffusers for extended periods, as it can irritate the lungs, eyes, and skin.
- Employing heat to diffuse oil fragrances, as essential oils are flammable.
- Substituting aromatherapy for conventional medicine; it should complement, not replace, professional medical care.
Aromatherapy Practices to Use with Care
Aromatherapy Bath
Mix essential oils with milk or baking soda before adding them to a bath to prevent skin and eye irritation.
Aromatherapy Massage
Dilute essential oils with unscented lotion or vegetable-based oil for a calming massage.
Aromatherapy Spray
Create a spray by mixing essential oils with witch hazel for a relaxing pillow spray or "monster spray" for kids afraid of the dark. Plant Therapy KidSafe The Essentials Blend Set is a popular choice.
Essential Oil Diffuser
Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the diffuser's water reservoir, then turn it on to enjoy the aromatic mist and experience the therapeutic benefits of the oil.
Essential Oil Diffuser and LED Nightlight
Elevate your lifestyle with our 600ml essential oil diffuser, designed for maximum convenience with a large water tank capacity that minimizes the need for frequent refills. Enjoy the ease of effortless water addition and cleaning, thanks to its spacious water inlet. Perfect for bedrooms, study rooms, and offices, our diffuser offers expansive coverage, while the waterless auto-off feature ensures safety by preventing damage to the machine and circuits. Embrace a harmonious atmosphere in your home or office effortlessly with our essential oil diffuser.
Article research source: https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/aromatherapy-children-whats-safe-and-whats-not
TLDR SECTION
- 😌 Aromatherapy, using essential oils, has gained popularity for enhancing well-being, especially in calming tense children.
- 🌿 Benefits for children include fostering calmness, improving sleep, and alleviating discomfort, but caution is needed due to incidents of poisoning and skin injuries.
- 🛡️ Safe practices involve limiting aromatherapy to children over 3, choosing studied oils like lavender and peppermint, buying from reliable sources, and secure storage.
- 🚫 Practices to avoid include swallowing oils, applying pure oils to the skin, using water-based diffusers for long periods, employing heat, and substituting aromatherapy for professional medical care.
- 🛁 Aromatherapy practices to use with care include adding oils to baths with milk or baking soda, diluting oils for massages, creating sprays with witch hazel, and using essential oil diffusers for therapeutic benefits.
- 🌟 Aromatherapy, when used responsibly, can be a beneficial addition to a family’s stress-management toolkit.
