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Gossamer Wings
Essential Oils
for Children

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email me at Cheri Haug @ AOL.com
ARE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFE FOR BABIES?
Despite having natural plant origins, Essential Oils are
not always entirely safe for use on baby skin, and each Essential Oil that is
considered to be relatively “safe” should also be used with extreme care.
The majority of 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.
Avoid 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 THAT ARE CONSIDERED
SAFE FOR CHILDREN
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:
OIL TYPE |
ESSENTIAL OIL COMMON NAME |
SPECIFIC VARIETY |
REPUTED BENEFITS FOR CHILD |
CITRUS
|
Grapefruit Pink
Essential Oil (avoid topical
application) |
Citrus paradisi |
- Boosts circulation
- Encourages a positive mood
- Supports digestive function
- This oil is phototoxic; use only the
distilled variety.
|
Lime Essential Oil
(avoid topical application) |
Citrus aurantifolia |
- Uplifts mood and energy
- Refreshes
- Strengthens and supports nervous system
- Promotes better focus
- Strengthens sense of emotional security
- Helps reduce congestion
- This oil is phototoxic; use only the
distilled variety.
|
Lemon Essential Oil
(avoid topical application) |
Citrus limon |
- Uplifts mood and energy
- Refreshes
- Promotes better focus
- Strengthens sense of emotional security
- This oil is phototoxic; use only the
distilled variety.
|
Mandarin Essential
Oil |
Citrus reticulata |
- Calms the mind and body
- Makes an ideal substitute for Lavender Oil
- Uplifts the mood
- Is not phototoxic
- Promotes restful sleep
|
Sweet Orange
Essential Oil |
Citrus sinensis |
- Has relaxing effect
- Promotes restful sleep
- Encourages positive mood
|
Tangerine Essential
Oil |
Citrus reticulata blanco
var tangerine |
- Supports digestive function
- Soothes, reduces, or prevents spasms
- Helps to relax body and ease mind
|
FLORAL
|
Clary Sage Essential
Oil |
Salvia sclarea |
- Soothes, reduces, or prevents spasms
- Uplifts mood
- Supports digestive function
- Promotes easier breathing
|
Lavender Essential
Oil |
Lavandula angustifolia |
- Sedative property helps to relax the body and
calm the mind
- Encourages sleep
- Soothes itchy skin
- Eases discomfort of colic
|
Marjoram (Sweet) |
Marjorana hortensis |
- Supports respiratory and digestive function
- Promotes restful sleep
- Strengthens immune function
- Strengthens sense of emotional security
|
LEAF
|
Basil, Sweet
Essential Oil |
Ocimum basilicum |
- Refreshing scent
- Helps to eliminate or reduce airborne
bacteria
- Relaxes the body
- Eases discomfort of cold and flu symptoms
|
Marjoram (Sweet) |
Marjorana hortensis L. |
- Supports digestive and respiratory function
- Encourages restful sleep
- Strengthens immunity
|
Patchouli Essential
Oil |
Pogostemon cablin |
- Uplifts mood
- Supports immune function
- Calms inflammation
- Eases discomfort of dry, irritated skin
|
|
Tea Tree Lemon
Essential Oil (avoid topical
application) |
Leptospermum petersonii |
- Helps to reduce or eliminate airborne
bacteria
- Promotes easier breathing by helping to clear
or reduce mucus that causes congestion
|
RESIN
|
Copaiba Balsam
Essential Oil |
Copaiba spp |
- Calms inflammation
- Reduces likelihood of developing infections
- Strengthens respiratory function
|
Frankincense
Essential Oil |
Boswellia carterii |
- Uplifts mood and promotes positive sentiments
- Strengthens immune function
- Helps to clear or reduce congestion
- Calms the mind and helps to relax the body
|
ROOT
|
Turmeric Essential
Oil |
Curcuma longa |
- Helps to relax the body
- Encourages positive feelings and emotional
balance
- Calms inflammation
- Helps to reduce or eliminate airborne
bacteria
- Clears or reduces congestion
|
|
Vetiver
Essential Oil |
Vetiveria zizanoides |
- Uplifts energy
- Promotes a sense of tranquility
- Helps to keep the body cool when experiencing
high temperatures
- Strengthens sense of emotional security
|
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:
- Calendula Oil
- Castor Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Sesame Oil
- Mustard Oil
- Almond Oil
- 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.
OIL
MASSAGE |
HOW TO USE |
- Make sure that oil removal products are
easily accessible. These include a Carrier Oil, lotion or cream,
any other product that can help dilute the Essential Oil without
further causing the oil to irritate the skin, and a soft cloth.
- The parent should rub the diluted Essential
Oil between the palms in order to gently warm it before massaging
the child.
- When massaging the oil into a child’s skin,
do so lightly – applying only enough pressure to gently
stimulate the skin.
- When massaging a child, begin with the legs.
When massaging the chest and belly, use light outward strokes that
start at the center and spread gently toward the sides or the
shoulders. Further research on child massage techniques is highly
recommended.
|
BENEFITS |
- Reputed to encourage and help advance
child’s development, such as weight gain, emotional balance, and
emotional connection with the parent.
- Reputed to reduce irritability
- Reputed to encourage deep, sound, quality
sleep and to reduce minimize sleeplessness
|
CAUTIONS |
- Never apply Essential Oils to a child’s
face; if the goal is to clear congestion, simply apply a diluted
Essential Oil to the soles of the congested child’s feet or
diffuse briefly
- Always select Essential Oils that are 100%
pure and, whenever possible, select ones that are Certified
Organic to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals that could
sometimes be used in the cultivation of the source botanical.
- A generally effective massage method is to
apply a diluted Essential Oil on to the child’s feet rather than
directly into the skin of the rest of the body.
|
WARM
BATH |
HOW TO USE |
- Blend Essential Oils with Carrier Oils,
salts, or Glycerin before incorporating them in a bath (Carrier
Oils dilute the Essential Oils, bath salts disperse them in water,
and Glycerin solubilizes them in water).
|
BENEFITS |
- A bath with Essential Oils that are known to
have soothing and comforting effects can help children fall
asleep, if they are used near naptime/bedtime.
|
CAUTIONS |
- Always select Essential Oils that are 100%
pure and, whenever possible, select ones that are Certified
Organic to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals that could
sometimes be used in the cultivation of the source botanical.
- Dilute the Essential Oil well and use only
those that are considered to be comparatively safe to use on a
child’s skin.
- Do not apply Essential Oil-infused bathwater
to the face of a child.
|
DIFFUSER |
HOW TO USE |
- Use a water-based vaporizer
- Use 1-3 drops of Essential Oil or the amount
suggested by the diffuser manufacturer and diffuse intermittently
– diffusing for 10 minutes then turning it off for 30 minutes
- Alternatively, parents can apply an oil to
their own hands or to a tissue or cloth and allow the scent to
waft to the child.
- Diffuse on the side of the room that is
opposite the child.
|
BENEFITS |
- Does not require skin contact with or
long-term exposure to Essential Oils
- Depending on oil used, can help to eliminate
harmful airborne bacteria
|
CAUTIONS |
- Never use adult doses for children
- Avoid using Essential Oils with strong,
cooling, hot, or spicy aromas (e.g. Cinnamon, Eucalyptus,
Peppermint, Oregano, etc.) around children.
- Ensure that the room remains well-ventilated
and that there is an easy way out for a child that does not enjoy
the smell or does not feel comfortable with the diffused oil.
- Avoid diffusing Essential Oils inside a
child’s bedroom and ensure that diffused oils are properly
diluted.
- Do not allow the diffuser to run non-stop or
leave it on overnight.
- If using Essential Oils near a child with or
at risk of developing breathing difficulties, take extra
precaution in the manner of application.
- When introducing an Essential Oil to a child
through diffusion, begin by testing a small amount of one oil at a
time for a short amount of time to check for potential reactions;
be aware that this trial period also poses potential harm for
children with respiratory difficulties/ailments.
- If Essential Oils are applied to any part of
a child’s body that can end up in his/her mouth (e.g. foot,
hand), ensure that this body part remains covered after
application.
- If a child states that he/she does not enjoy
the scent of an oil, immediately stop using this oil.
- Immediately turn off a diffuser and seek
medical attention at the first sign of a stronger side effect,
such as breathing difficulties, coughing, headache, nausea,
vomiting, seizures, or unconsciousness
|
ROOM
SPRAY |
HOW TO USE |
- Spray only diluted Essential Oils
- Spray only around an open, well-ventilated
room
- Avoid spraying it in a child’s room
|
BENEFITS |
- Helps to create a calming environment scent
before rest period (depending on oil)
- Helps to keep child alert and awake after a
rest period (depending on oil)
|
CAUTIONS |
- Avoid spraying on pillows, other fabrics, or
on toys and objects that the child could put in the mouth and
inadvertently ingest
|
THE MOST-RECOMMENDED ESSENTIAL OILS
FOR CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS
PROBLEM |
RECOMMENDED OILS |
Emotional Distress
Crying
Anxiety
Insecurity
|
Lavender
Lemon
Roman Chamomile
Mandarin
Neroli
Tangerine
Yarrow
|
Sleeplessness
|
Chamomile
Lavender
Mandarin
Petigrain
Sweet Orange
|
Congestion
Cough
Spasms
Phlegm
Cold
Flu
Allergies
|
Tangerine
Tea Tree Lemon
Lemon
Lavender
|
Diaper Rash
Eczema
Cradle Cap
|
German Chamomile
Lavender
Lemon
Yarrow Blue
Petitgrain
|
Upset Tummy
Digestive Discomfort
Gas
Diarrhea
|
Sweet Orange
Roman Chamomile
Neroli
Tangerine
Chamomile
Lavender
|
ESSENTIAL OIL SIDE EFFECTS
As with all other Gossamer Wings Fragrance 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.
IMPORTANT: All
Gossamer Wings products are for external use only unless otherwise indicated.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease, and it should not be used by anyone who is pregnant or under the care
of a medical practitioner. Please refer to our policies for further details,
and our disclaimer below.
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