Kids will be kids and kids should be kids. But exuberance can turn to upset in the blink of an eye. So can peace. So can low energy and no big surprise: so can high!
If the scales have tipped and tantrums or tears are on red alert, it’s awesome to have natural help on hand – not the least in public, especially in close quarters like planes and cafes. In a perfect world, we’d all smile and nod understandingly over upset children, even when we’re desperately seeking sleep on a long plane flight or a moment of respite of our own, but the reality is that benevolence sometimes can only stretch so far unless you’re on your way to sainthood. Honestly, I have to admit I’m not that evolved! So perhaps it’s a touch of selfishness that partly motivates today’s post.
But seriously, I’m writing this in a coffee shop and there’s a young mum and her two youngsters at the next table. One of them was happy (if restless) to start with then grew increasingly upset. I looked up to see her sister covering her hands with her ears and looking distressed. Being able to smooth over the upsets and settle the kids down helps everyone.
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING ESSENTIAL OILS AROUND CHILDREN
Essential oils are natural substances but highly potent, so they should be used sensibly and judiciously with children.
And I can’t emphasise strongly enough how vital it is to always choose top quality oils so you’re not exposing you and your loved ones to synthetics and hidden potentially-harmful fillers sometimes used to extend the volume so the producers can make higher profits and sell more cheaply. Guaranteed quality and purity are the reasons I continue to choose Young Living essential oils after more than 20 years of counting on them for all my needs. When I first started using them, I researched extensively, compared and tested them until my analytical side was satisfied that I wasn’t imagining the amazing effectiveness I was getting from using them!
As for the safety guidelines for essential oils and children, please bear in mind that their skin is much more sensitive and tender than yours and their body weight is also much smaller. If topically applying, only a drop or two well-diluted is all that’s needed. All ‘hot’ oils should be avoided unless you’re working with the assistance of an experience practitioner who can guide you specifically in this area. Please also be sure to familiarise yourself with the usual guidelines for safe use of oils in all situations.
- Keep essential oils out of the reach of children so they can’t accidentally apply them in ways or quantities that aren’t safe or intended.
- The drop reducer orifice in the opening of the oil bottle helps with regulating drop sizes and also importantly helps prevent children from accidentally swallowing large amounts of essential oil. But if you think a child has consumed a quantity of essential oil, give them milk to drink and seek the advice of a health professional.
- For younger children, seek the advice of a healthcare professional experienced with essential oils before topically applying any ‘hot’ oils (even diluted ones) such as cassia, cinnamon bark, clove, hyssop, lemongrass, mountain savory, oregano, peppermint, rosemary, sage, thyme and wintergreen.
GREAT WAYS TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS AROUND CHILDREN
- A great way to use oils with children is to dilute just one or two drops in say one teaspoon of premium carrier oil and apply to the soles of the feet. (Applying oils to the soles of your feet is fabulous for everyone in the family! It’s easy and safe even for people with sensitive skin.)
- Diffusing oils in their bedrooms is also a wonderful way for them to get the benefits of these gifts of nature.
- And you can apply a drop or two to your palms, smooth together then cup over your children’s noses for direct inhalation.
- You can also put several drops onto your own shoulders and rub through your hair so that when you give them cuddles or carry them, they’ll be getting the beautiful aromatic effects in an easy and subtle way they aren’t even aware of. (This is great for settling animals, too!) That said, children generally tend to absolutely love essential oils and are super-welcoming of them.
And now onto our favourite oils to help transform upset moods.
TOP THREE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR UPSET CHILDREN
Young Living Lavender essential oil (true lavender: Lavandula angustifolia)
True lavender is one of the gentlest essential oils and is tremendous for its ease of use and being adaptable to pretty much every need that comes along. It’s often called the Swiss Army Knife of essential oils or the universal oil, the all-rounder and can uplift as well as being very relaxing, balancing and grounding. It’s a beautiful prelude to sleep, too. Read up on our top 9 uses for lavender essential oil here.
Young Living Peace & Calming® essential oil blend
This blissful-smelling blend is a combination of tangerine and orange (citrus oils are fantastic for bringing a sense of peace and happiness), ylang ylang (balancing for outward and inward/masculine and feminine energies), patchouli (peaceful and serene) and blue tansy (a wonderful relaxant). Please click here to order (you’ll be joining our Good Oil Team for support by joining via this link). Search for Peace & Calming in the Product Search field.
Don’t just reserve it for the kids: you’ll love it too! Diffuse this soother every evening from an hour before bedtime and the whole household will wind down. Peace & Calming is limited for ordering due to its ingredients and immense popularity, and Peace & Calming II is a wonderful alternative. Note: if you’re planning on a huge night catching up on work to meet a deadline, reserve Peace & Calming® for your kids’ bedrooms and inhale Young Living Clarity™ for yourself instead!
Young Living Tranquil™ Roll-on
Tranquil™ Roll-on is so easy to use, you’ll be smitten with it. This is a gorgeous blend of the nurturing essential oils of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) and roman chamomile (Chamaemeium nobile) ready-diluted with coconut oil and distributed in a roll-on so that all you need do is remove the lid, roll over the soles of the feet and massage in lightly if desired or simply leave to absorb of its own accord. It’s especially wonderful when tucking your kids into bed. Apply to your children’s feet before any events you suspect could have a higher risk factor for generating upsets and you’ll find it helps set a tranquil mood in advance that can help prevent things escalating in the first place. And you can use it behind your own ears as a perfume – daily if needed! It will be helpful for you and them.
Essential oils are potent, so do follow the usual guidelines for safe use of authentic essential oils . Please ensure you are choosing a brand with complete transparency from seed to seal, such as Young Living. You can learn in this short video why we only ever recommend and choose Young Living oils and love them so much!
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