Why use essential oils for children?

Essential oils are from plants . 100% natural, one could imagine that it is the ideal solution to look after one's children . Yes and no. Certainly essential oils are multi-caps thanks to their complex composition in active molecules : they cure but also act in prevention or by stimulating the immunity of the small ones. Extremely powerful, these essential oils should be used with caution.

He fell, was gently skinned ...

In the category of small sores , there are kisses that heal. But these are more effective when you match them with a drop of tea tree essential oil , pure, directly on the wound. It is antiseptic but also antibacterial , antiviral ... and serves for many small ailments (ENT or intestinal infections and many skin infections).

He vomits

Of course there may be different causes for these vomiting . The most appropriate treatment for emetic spasms from 6 years old is lemon essence : 1 drop of lemon essence * in ½ tsp. coffee honey that is given several times in the morning. If these vomits are obviously a sign of a gastro (it also has diarrhea), then we use the essential oil of clove , coupled with the essential oil of ravintsara : it is enough to dilute 1 drop of each essential oil in 8 drops of vegetable oil ( sweet almond for example). It is applied in a belly massage 5 to 6 times a day for 3 to 5 daysIf vomiting is a result of a fall, it is essential to consult your doctor quickly.
* From lemon, the essence is not distilled as would be the essential oil of lemon.

He has a cold

From an early age , our children know these ENT infections that gives them a dripping nose . This is not a serious problem, it is especially important to avoid superinfections and help to breathe better. For this, you must teach him to blow his nose (around 2 years) and clean his nose with saline . To combat the virus that causes the common cold , the most appropriate essential oils are those of rosewood and eucalyptus radish (especially not other eucalyptus species globulus type ), usable from 3 years: we mix , 1 drop each and apply to key areas : neck, forehead, sinuses and temples, 3 times daily for 4 to 5 days. It is also interesting to clean the atmosphere of the room with a mixture of essential oil to purify the air (in pharmacy) when the child is not there.

He has a stomach ache

This bobo, what child did not know him? Some are more sensitive than others and we do not really know what causes these painful spasms . They can nevertheless be reduced with tarragon and Roman chamomile essential oils (from 6 years old): 2 drops of each essential oil are diluted in 6 drops of hazelnut vegetable oil (it penetrates very quickly and facilitates the penetration deep assets ). Then the stomach is massaged in the direction of clockwise 2 to 3 times a day if necessary (for some children, it can also be a sleep ritual or serving as the détresser before school, for example).

He has nightmares

Very small, the child has an intense dream life. Then comes the nightmare period. If it is subject to it, one can "defuse" these nocturnal events with 2 drops of Roman chamomile essential oil deposited on the pillow or the corner of the bed , before bedtime. To complete, you can also massage your child (from 12 months) with essential oil of Patagonian pine which is diluted 2 drops in 2 drops of vegetable oil . Slowly, then massaged the solar plexus, the arch and spine (watch some children do not like massages, useless to insist).

He has verses

Intestinal parasitosis is very common in young children because they spend their time touching everything and then put their fingers in their mouths. This is how they infest. It is therefore advisable to deworm at least once a year, or at the return of holidays if they took place in the countryside . Having worms is not very serious in itself, but it can disrupt the sleep of the little ones (who wake up around midnight) or make them restless. From 3 years old, we can give children hydrolats * (and not essential oils) chamomile, savory and thyme by making an equal mixture of these 3 hydrosols in a bottle of 90ml (30 ml) of each one). During the distillation to extract the essential oils , a more watery part remains, it is the hydrolat , a kind of infusion of plants , less powerful than the essential oil but perfect for the children.
Then, with each change of moon (twice a month), one tablespoon of this mixture is swallowed morning and evening for 3 days.

He has eczema

In case of red bursts in the folds of the arms and legs, the itch sensation can be soothed with a mixture of lavender , yarrow , chamomile and rose hydrosols . One impregnates compresses with one of these hydrolats or a mixture in equal parts of each one. Another option: spray directly on the skin if you put the mixture in a vaporizer (clean). In addition, to calm the crisis , we opt for essential oil geranium rosat : we dilute 3 drops in ¼ c. vegetable oil and apply locally 3 times a day for 20 days.
And recalcitrant eczema must of course be followed by a doctor.

He has a headache

As in adults , peppermint essential oil (from 6 years old) is the most recommended for headaches . We apply 2 drops on the nape, the forehead, the temples. But be careful not to be too close to the eyes.

He was bitten by an insect

Just apply a drop of lavender essential oil on the sting every ¼ hour for 1 hour to 1:30. This ultra-soft essential oil soothes itching and does not irritate the skin. From 3 years.

The essential oils are forbidden to children

Some active molecules found in essential oils , such as ketones and phenols are too strong for the nervous system of children , so it is not recommended to use them. The list of essential oils forbidden to children (according to Danièle Festy):
• Absinthe
• Achilles
• Acores
• Dill
• Star anise (badian)
• Green anise
• Wormwood
• Balsamite
• Camphor Basil
• Boldo
• Buchus
• Calaments
• Camphor tree from Japan
• Cinnamon
• Carvi
• Cedars
• Goosefoot
• Turmeric
• Blue cypress
• Eucalyptus dives
• Globular Eucalyptus (forbidden to babies)
• Eucalyptus polybractea to Cryptone
• Sweet fennel
• Germandrés
• Hyssop officinale
• Lantana
• Stoechaean lavender
• Mints (except mint bergamot, peppermint prohibited only to toddlers and pennyroyal)
• Black mustard
• Nutmeg
• Balsamberry
• Origans (except Marjolaine)
• Parsley
• Aniseed Ravensare
• Camphor rosemary
• Verbena rosemary
• fragrant street
• Santoline
• Sassafras
• Sages
• Souchet
• Tagete
• Thuya
• Zedo
• Use with caution: Giraffe, Helichryse, Niaouli,
• Forbidden to babies but usable by children: Eucalyptus globulus, peppermint.

To know more: I do not know how to use the essential oils special children of Danièle Festy, Daily Malin Editions (Leduc.s)