Aromatherapy for Children

Aromatherapy Massage for Children

Using aromatherapy for children is not the same with adults. You have to be extra careful when deciding what essences to use and how to apply them to children. Aromatherapy essences are distilled from flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, wood and seed. Each combination of essensces can have numerous effects for the consumer. Because of the danger it can cause to children, some essential oils are not to be applied, especially for children with epilepsy.
However, if used correctly aromatherapy for children is very much possible. It can even be a great benefit and does not conflict with a child's medically prescribed drugs when used. Essential oils can be a wonderful way of supporting your child's health, happiness and well-being. Essential oils can be very therapeutic and nurturing to both your child and you, the caregiver.

Aromatherapy Essence Oil

Before deciding what kinds of essential oils to use with your childe, always do a little research. You can ask advice from other people that has an experience, or a qualified practitioner. Essential oils are used externally (on the outside of the body) in your child’s bath, body lotions, oils, creams, gels, compresses, foot baths, or in a oil warmer.

The effects of aromatherapy will generally fall into one of three main categories:
 1) Assisting in healing from minor illnesses and accidents,
 2) Supporting your child’s overall sense of well-being, and
 3) Assisting your child in getting quality rest.

When using essential oils with your child, it is imperative that you find a reputable supplier of therapeutic-grade essential oils, using organic or wildcrafted varieties when possible. Synthetic copies of oils commonly used in perfumery are not appropriate, and may even be harmful to your child’s health. To maintain efficacy, essential oils should be kept in dark amber or cobalt glass containers, in a dark and cool location, away from the child’s access. Wooden storage boxes from craft or 'Pier One' type stores can make a nice container for the bottles.

Aromatherapy Treatment

There are two methods that you can use apply aromatherapy for children.  The first is a method called INHALATION, where you apply the aromatherapy through a diffuser, nebulizer, or adding to a humidifier reservoir, and the other one is TOPICAL APPLICATION where you dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil and applying topically. Adding essential oils to a bath is actually a combination of the two methods, though it will probably be covered under topical application.

For topical application, essential oils are diluted in varying strengths depending on the use and age of your child. The concentration can vary from one drop of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil, to a couple of drops per teaspoon of carrier added to a drawn bath, to an equal ratio of carrier and essential oil applied directly to your child’s feet (as in the case of gentle Lavender). In other words, there is a huge variation in dilution levels depending on the circumstances.

Aromatherapy can also be used as antiseptic for children. Just simply pour minor mixture of lavender and tea tree oil on the bandage where the child is hurt, and that will do the trick.
There are many other applications where you can apply aromatherapy for children, the key is to find a good practitioner and good resource for your needs.