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Aromatherapy for Children

Children also respond very rapidly to the effects of essential oils. Their innate powers of self-healing enable them to throw off toxins very quickly because their bodies are not impaired by years of bad diet, lack of exercise, negative thoughts, pollution and stress.

Essential oils should never be given internally to young children. You should not try to treat serious illnesses or indeed any illnesses which have not been diagnosed by a qualified medical practitioner. Suitable dilutions for children are:

Small children (1-5 years): 1-2 drops per 10 ml carrier oil in a massage; 2 drops in the bath (add to a teaspoon of carrier oil).
Juniors (5-12 years): 2-3 drops per 10 ml carrier oil in a massage; 3-4 drops in the bath (add to a teaspoon of carrier oil).
Adolescents (12 years +): 3 drops per 10 ml carrier oil in a massage; 4-5 drops in the bath.

Allergies (e.g. eczema)

Food allergies are very common in children and are responsible for many hyperactivity and behavioural problems. Children may be sensitive to additives and preservatives, as well as dairy foods, sugar and wheat.

Roman chamomile, lavender or yarrow can be added to the bath-water in the appropriate dilution. These oils may also be added to a pure organic skin cream or moisturising lotion and applied several times daily, depending upon the severity of the condition to ease discomfort, inflammation and itching. Essential oils such as geranium, melissa, neroli, rose and sandalwood will help if the allergy is stress-related, and should be added to the daily bath.

If possible the food(s) or other offending substances causing the reaction(s) should be isolated and eliminated.

Asthma

Asthma attacks are very frightening for young children and their parents. They can be related to allergies to food and environmental factors such as house-dust. Stress will increase the severity and frequency of the attacks.

Aromatherapy treatment is aimed at reducing the anxiety and improving the function of the lungs. Essential oils useful for asthma include cypress, frankincense, lavender, marjoram, melissa, neroli, Roman chamomile and rose. A blend of any of these oils can be massaged into the upper back and chest.
Alternatively, put one drop of essential oil on a handkerchief or tissue and inhale deeply.

Asthma formulae

Child (1-5 years)

1 drop lavender
1 drop Roman chamomile

1 drop Roman chamomile
1 drop neroli

Note: Dilute it in 10 ml of carrier oil

Child (5-12 years)

1 drop frankincense
1 drop lavender
1 drop marjoram

1 drop cypress
1 drop frankincense
1 drop Roman chamomile

Note: Dilute it in 10 ml of carrier oil

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

This fungal infection found in between the toes is often picked up by children at swimming pools and in changing rooms. The skin becomes damp, flaky, itchy, spongy and white.

Useful essential oils include cypress, lavender, lemon, tagetes and tea tree. The child should be encouraged to have at least two footbaths daily, to which you have added one, or a combination, of the oils suggested above. One drop of lavender, one drop of tagetes and one drop of tea tree is an excellent combination. These essential oils may also be added to two teaspoons of carrier oil dabbed in between the toes.

The skin should be kept as dry as possible between the toes and only cotton or wool socks should be worn (not nylon or synthetic fibres).

Bruises

Immediately after a bump essential oils may be applied on an ice-cold compress. Add one drop of lavender and one drop of Roman chamomile to a small bowl of cold water. Use a flannel to soak up the solution, wring it out and apply to the affected area.

Burns

Hold the affected area under running cold water then apply a cold compress to which you have added two drops of pure essential oil of lavender. Other useful oils for burns include Roman chamomile and yarrow.

Colds and coughs

The anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties of essential oils are extremely effective when treating coughs and colds.

If the child has a fever then lavender, Roman chamomile and tea tree are beneficial. Place one drop of each into a small bowl of lukewarm water and sponge down the body and head until the fever subsides. Alternatively, make a cold compress to which you have added these oils, and place it on the back of the neck or forehead or wrap it around the feet.

For coughs massage the chest, throat and upper back using a blend containing the appropriate number of drops of essential oils chosen from cajeput, cypress, eucalyptus, frankincense, lavender, myrtle, Roman chamomile, rosemary or tea tree. These oils will help to fight the infection, expel the mucus, relieve bronchial spasm and induce relaxation.

Coughs and colds formulae

Child (1-5 years)

1 drop lavender
1 drop tea tree

1 drop lavender
1 drop myrtle

Note: Dilute it in 10 ml of carrier oil

Child (5-12 years)

1 drop frankincense
1 drop myrtle
1 drop Roman chamomile

1 drop cajeput
1 drop lavender
1 drop tea tree

Note: Dilute it in 10 ml of carrier oil

Cuts and grazes

It is very important to clean the area thoroughly to prevent any infection. Useful essential oils include lavender, lemon and tea tree. Bathe the wound with warm water to which you have added one drop of lavender plus one drop of tea tree. This will calm the child and will not sting as much as a proprietary antiseptic. If a dressing is needed, one drop of neat lavender on a sticking plaster will accelerate the healing process.

Digestive problems

Constipation in children can be caused by poor eating habits or even by stress. Encourage your children to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in preference to 'junk food' and to drink plenty of water and fruit juices to reduce dehydration of the stools. Straining should be avoided; do not put your children under pressure to 'perform' on the toilet.

Useful essential oils to treat constipation include geranium, mandarin, marjoram, Roman chamomile, rosemary and spearmint. The best method of application is to massage the abdomen daily, working in a clockwise direction.

Constipation formulae

Child (1-5 years)

1 drop mandarin
1 drop Roman chamomile

Child (5-12 years)

1 drop mandarin
1 drop marjoram
1 drop spearmint

Note: Dilute it in 10 ml of carrier oil

Diarrhoea may be caused by an infection, an allergy to food, certain drugs or by stress. It is vital to replace lost fluid to prevent dehydration. Avoid food but drink as much liquid as possible. If the diarrhoea persists then consult a medically qualified practitioner.

Useful essential oils for diarrhoea include geranium, ginger, lavender, neroli, Roman chamomile and sandalwood. A massage blend may be gently rubbed into the abdomen and compresses may be applied to help to alleviate pain.

Diarrhoea formulae

Child (1-5 years)

1 drop lavender
1 drop neroli

Child (5-12 years)

1 drop ginger
1 drop neroli
1 drop Roman chamomile

Note: Dilute it in 10 ml of carrier oil

Earache

Blend one drop of either lavender or Roman chamomile with a teaspoon of olive oil. Soak a piece of cotton wool in this mixture and place it in the ear. If pain is severe, rub any swollen glands, using the appropriate number of drops of lavender and Roman chamomile. If the earache is recurrent, visit an osteopath who specialises in children.

Other Infectious diseases

Chicken-pox

Add lavender and Roman chamomile to the bath. Add either Roman chamomile and lavender or Roman chamomile and tea tree to moisturising lotion and massage.

Measles

Use Roman chamomile and lavender in oil or moisturising lotion and massage gently.

Mumps

Blend the appropriate number of drops into a massage oil using either lavender, lemon or tea tree.

Rubella (German measles)

Blend the appropriate number of drops into a massage oil using lavender, Roman chamomile or tea tree.

Whooping cough

Blend the appropriate number of drops for the child's age into a massage oil and rub the chest and add one drop to the child's pillow using either cypress, lavender, rosemary or tea tree.

Aromatherapy for Children

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