I've had a couple of requests for balms and essential oil blends that are safe for children so I thought it would be a good project to tackle.
Is Aromatherapy safe for children?
Aromatherapy for children can be perfectly safe and may be a good assist to traditional medicine in cases of illness or annoying coughs and colds that linger.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when making natural products for children is the essential oils you use. Not all essential oils are suitable for kids, particularly toddlers and babies.
Stick to very mild essential oils such as lavender, geranium and chamomile. You can also use eucalyptus in small amounts, clary sage, citrus oils such as orange, lemon or lime (keeping in mind that these can cause photosensitivity so don't send your kids straight out into the sun), dill, juniper berry, vanilla and spearmint. Cinnamon leaf (not bark) is also nice but use sparingly to prevent irritation as it is a warming oil.
A Guide to Essential Oils for Kids
Here is a guide to essential oils that are safe to use on children.0-2 years
Stick to very small amounts of essential oils, about 0.5% of a formula, for children 2 years and younger - so 2 drops in every 4 tablespoons of carrier/body wash/balm. Diffusing the essential oils is perfectly safe too. It is not recommended to use essential oils on babies of 3 months or younger; rather use gentle hydrosols.
- Catnip - supports relaxation and restful sleep. It is also ideal to use in a child and pet friendly bug spray.
- Chamomile - has a lovely scent and is gentle, soothing and calming. A must-have for kid-friendly DIY products!
- Cinnamon leaf (NB not bark) - lovely warming, spicy scent to diffuse during the holidays. May have a warming effect when applied topically.
- Citrus oil such as orange, mandarin and naartjie are fun scents for kids and help lift moods and calm emotions.
- Clary sage - a gentle oil that can help to calm and induce sleep.
- Geranium - useful for various skin conditions, geranium is gentle enough even for small children.
- Juniper berry - calming and supports respiratory function.
- Lavender - calming, soothes bites, irritations, cuts and sunburn. Another must-have.
- Lemon and lime - immune supporters and mood balancers. Lemon is an adaptogen essential oil.
- Spearmint - a scent children will recognise from minty toothpaste, spearmint is also helpful for digestion and bronchial conditions.
- Vanilla - a lovely sweet scent that kids will enjoy.
3-6 years
Children of 3 - 6 years can have up to 1% essential oils in a formula (so 4 drops per 4 tablespoons).
All essential oils above plus:
- Jasmine absolute - calming.
- Ylang ylang - calming and relaxing.
- Lemongrass - good for use in natural insect repellents and air fresheners. An adaptogen essential oil.
- Peppermint - max usage 0.5% otherwise use spearmint. Relaxes passages, anti-inflammatory and helps fight viruses.
- Eucalyptus - for respiratory issues and to help open up the chest for easier breathing.
6-10 years
Children of 6 to 10 years can handle 1.5% essential oils in a formula (6 drops per 4 tablespoons).
All essential oils above plus:
- Rosemary - helpful for memory, improved cognitive function and relief of headaches. Also for colds and flu relief.
10+ years
Children above 10 should be capable of handling any essential oil and as much as an adult, but do still be careful and always spot-test and dilute essential oils.
Kid-Friendly Essential Oil Blends
Whether you want to diffuse oils or apply directly, here are some wonderful essential oil blends for various purposes. Add the essential oils according to the usage instructions appropriate for the age of your children, and blend with a simple carrier oil such as sweet almond, grapeseed, macadamia (not for those with nut allergies), safflower, or any oil of your choice. Add everything to a bottle and shake to combine. Warm in your hands then massage into chest, back or the affected area, add to a cream base or balm, or add directly to your diffuser or humidifier.
- Cold & Flu Relief:
1 drop each of rosemary, peppermint/spearmint, cinnamon leaf, lemon and lavender.
- Congestion Relief:
Juniper berry, eucalyptus, peppermint/spearmint and lavender, 1 drop each.
- Calm & Sleep:
Roman chamomile, lavender, 1 drop ylang ylang, 1 drop clary sage.
- Mood Uplifter:
Any citrus oil such as orange, mandarin or naartjie, chamomile and vanilla.
- Antibacterial:
Lavender, rosemary and you can add in a drop of two of tea tree.
Balms for Children
Balms are simply oils and butter blends combined with essential oils. They are a nice consistency to rub into skin and tend to soak in a bit quicker than massage oils. They are 100% free of any nasties, preservatives and artificial ingredients and are suitable for everyone from babies to adults as well as those with very sensitive skin.
Perfect for soothing and calming inflamed skin, razor or nappy rash, or just as a good moisturiser, this four-ingredient chamomile balm can be made normally but I really like it whipped for a fluffier texture!
Whipped Chamomile Creamy Balm
Ingredients:- 2 T avocado butter
- 1 T shea butter
- 1-2 tsp arrowroot powder
- Few drops of chamomile essential oil
Method:
- Melt the avo and shea butters together.
- Allow them to cool.
- Add in the chamomile and a teaspoon of arrowroot powder.
- Start whipping (I whip this by hand with a fork but it is quite hard work so you may want to use a blender or milk frother).
- Add in more arrowroot as you go and continue whipping as the oils cool down until you get a nice thick fluffy texture.
With a deliciously fun choc-orange scent that kids will love, this simple balm is ideal for moisturising young skins that have taken some sun or winter frost.
