SAFE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR KIDS & HOW TO USE THEM

The therapeutic properties of Essential Oils are known to support overall well-being by calming nervous energy, uplifting the mood, and promoting concentration. However, the potent and highly volatile nature of Essential Oils can easily be misused and can have a detrimental effect on the skin and other bodily functions. For children and babies, who are more vulnerable to sensitivities and allergies, the safety of Essential Oils has been heavily debated. While Essential Oils can be soothing in times of distress for adults, they may have the opposite effect on children and babies because their vital organs are not yet fully developed. For children over the age of 7, Essential Oils such as Lavender, Chamomile, Frankincense, Cedarwood, and Sandalwood are considered "light" and gentle enough to soothe distressed children and improve their mood. Meanwhile, citrus oils such as Tea Tree Lemon and Sweet Orange should only be used aromatically and are not recommended for topical application. Continue reading to learn more about the safety of certain Essential Oils and how to best use them around your family.

ARE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFE FOR BABIES?

Despite having natural plant origins, Essential Oils are not always entirely safe for use on sensitive baby skin, and each Essential Oil that is considered to be relatively “safe” should also be used with extreme caution. Many reports caution parents against using Essential Oils on babies younger than 3 months, while others suggest avoiding their use on all babies younger than 6 months old, as topical products penetrate more easily into the skin of infants of this age. This is because their skin is sensitive and their immune function, respiratory function, central nervous system, and chemosensory systems are still developing at this stage, thus Essential Oils could potentially have harmful effects on their growth. If used improperly, potential side effects include seizures, unconsciousness, and other consequences listed further down in this article. Essential Oils should not be used around pre-mature babies until at least 3 months after their originally projected due date. Some reports strongly suggest avoiding the use of Essential Oils on children younger than 6 years of age, and for parents who would still like to use Essential Oils on young children, it is said that Hydrosols are a far superior choice, especially for children under two years of age.

NDA strongly suggests avoiding the use of Essential Oils on all children under the age of 7.

Because each Essential Oil exhibits diverse properties – even two oils from the same botanical, such as a “Leaf Oil” versus a “Bark Oil” can have vastly different effects on the skin and the senses – it is imperative to conduct thorough research on their benefits and side effects, especially when using them in skincare for children. Not all Essential Oils will carry the same safeness as those that are widely used and those that are believed to be safe for use on or around children, and the oils that are categorized as safe should still be handled with stringent safety measures.

It is of utmost importance to consult with a medical practitioner before using Essential Oils during pregnancy or on or near babies. In addition to this consultation, it is highly recommended to receive supplementary advice from a certified Aromatherapist. The combined expertise will help parents make well-educated decisions for the wellness of their children as well as for the rest of the family. It is also important to choose the safest variety of any given Essential Oil, as some varieties exhibit stronger properties that may be harmful compared to other, relatively milder varieties. This is where it would be highly beneficial to know the Latin botanical name of the markedly “safe” variety.

When Essential Oils are introduced to the child’s environment, the area in which it is used should be an open area with easy access to fresh air. Essential Oils should be introduced one at a time in low doses in order to make it easy to spot the culprit in case of a potential allergic reaction. The correct variety of each Essential Oil should be used, as a variety could be safe for inhalation but unsafe for topical application, or vice versa. Any potential reactions are often experienced within the first 30 minutes of application, whether diffused or applied to the skin, but it is recommended to wait 24 hours before using the skin-tested oil in the preferred manner.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR KIDS

The Essential Oils that are considered to be gentle or “light” and which are thus most commonly-used for children are the oils in the following chart, due to the belief that they are more comfortably endured by vulnerable body systems:

Despite the generalizations that are made about the relative safeness of many Essential Oils mentioned in this article, it is important to keep in mind that every individual’s biological makeup is unique and products will interact differently from person to person; accordingly, the physical response will depend on the specific user. Parents who are uncertain or reluctant to use a “safe” oil on or near their children, should disregard the safe lists and follow their own instincts.

LIST OF ESSENTIAL OILS THAT ARE NOT SAFE FOR CHILDREN

The following Essential Oils are reputed to cause skin irritation, breathing difficulties, uncomfortable cooling effects, changes in alertness, or increased blood pressure. This list is not exhaustive:

• Basil Essential Oil
• Bay Essential Oil
• Birch Sweet Essential Oil
• Camphor Essential Oil
• Cardamom Essential Oil
• Cinnamon Essential Oil (Bark or Leaf)
• Citronella Essential Oil
• Clove Bud Essential Oil
• Cumin Essential Oil
• Eucalyptus Essential Oil
• Fennel Essential Oil
• Garlic Essential Oil
• Lemongrass Essential Oil
• Oregano Essential Oil
• Peppermint Essential Oil
• Rosemary Essential Oil
• Sage Essential Oil
• Tagetes Essential Oil
• Tarragon Essential Oil
• Thyme Essential Oil
• Wintergreen Essential Oil

CARRIER OILS THAT ARE CONSIDERED SAFE FOR CHILDREN

Most Carrier Oils are deemed gentle enough for use on children’s skin. An oil like Jojoba is highly recommended due to the fact that it is odor-free and its composition is similar to the oil that is naturally produced by human skin; however, as with any new product being introduced to the sensitive skin of a child skin, a skin patch test should also be conducted for each Carrier Oil used to ensure that they do not cause a negative reaction. The following are the most commonly used Carrier Oils, which are said to be comparatively safe for use on children:

1. Calendula Oil
2. Castor Oil
3. Coconut Oil
4. Sesame Oil
5. Mustard Oil
6. Almond Oil
7. Sunflower Oil

Caution: Persons with nut or seed allergies should not use oils derived from seeds, nuts, or kernels.

DILUTION OF ESSENTIAL OILS FOR CHILDREN

Before full, lavish application to a child’s skin, Essential Oils should always be diluted. A safe ratio is 1 drop of Essential Oil for 1.5 tablespoon (approx. 445 drops) of Carrier Oil. This equates to a dilution of approximately 0.25%, which will be mild and likely agreeable for children.

A patch test can be done by applying a dime-size amount of the diluted Essential Oil to an insensitive part of the child’s body, usually a leg or an arm. This should be performed in a large, open space or a large, airy room. Check for any irritation or reactions, which may take up to 24 hours to occur and could appear in the form of soreness, inflammation, redness, burns, sun sensitivity, inexplicable and long-lasting irritability, or a change in bowel movements, such as the frequency and appearance. In the absence of a reaction, it is said to be safe to proceed with normal application of the diluted Essential Oil.

USES & TIPS FOR KID-FRIENDLY ESSENTIAL OIL APPLICATION

Essential Oils should be handled in the same manner as other products that can pose potential dangers if mistreated. They should be stored in in an area that is cool, dark, and out of the reach of children, and they should be used in accordance with their instructions and expiry dates.

THE MOST-RECOMMENDED ESSENTIAL OILS FOR CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS

ESSENTIAL OIL SIDE EFFECTS

As with all other New Directions Aromatics products, our Essential Oils are for external use only. It is imperative to consult a medical practitioner before using these oils for therapeutic purposes. Pregnant and nursing women are especially advised not to use Essential Oils without the medical advice of a physician, as they may have effects on certain hormone secretions and it is unclear whether these effects are transferable to babies at these stages of development. These oils should always be stored in an area that is inaccessible to children, especially those under the age of 7.

Those with the following health conditions are especially recommended to be advised by a physician: cancer, heart-related ailments, skin disorders, hormone-related ailments, or epilepsy. Individuals that are taking prescription drugs, undergoing major surgery, or who are at a greater risk of experiencing strokes, heart attacks, or atherosclerosis are also advised to seek medical consultation prior to use.

Prior to using any Essential Oil on a child, a skin test is strongly recommended. This can be done by diluting 1 drop of the Essential Oil in 1 tablespoon of a Carrier Oil and applying a dime-size amount of this blend to a small area of the child’s skin that is not sensitive. Essential Oils must never be used near the eyes, inner nose, and ears, or on any other particularly sensitive areas of skin. Potential side effects of Essential Oils include redness, rash, hives, burning, bleeding disorders, decreased speed of healing, low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, convulsions, rapid heartbeat, and seizures. In the event of an allergic reaction, discontinue use of the products and see a doctor, pharmacist, or allergist immediately for a health assessment and appropriate remedial action. To prevent side effects, consult with a medical professional prior to use.