HOW SAFE ARE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR YOUR KIDS: THINGS TO KNOW

If you don’t have kids below 3, 6 or 10 years old then it’s ok to just join in the whole forum of essential oils and trying out what works for others. Also, unless your kids are not asthmatic or does not have seizure problems, then just grab any oil that smells good and use it.

Unfortunately, essential oils can be unsafe for kids even they are natural and pure. Some of the essential oil companies have actually marked their essential oils safe for kids. As what aromatherapists say, “It doesn’t matter what brand it is. It has to do with the chemical components of the essential oil, not the quality of the essential oil (Amy Emmnet).“

1.. CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY OR SEIZURE DISORDERS

Avoid these essential oils because of its convulsant effects (avoid these oils when your kids have fever as well):

Rosemary
Fennel
Spike Lavender (other lavender are ok)
Sage
Hyssop
Camphor
Tansy
Thuja
Wormwood

2.. CHILDREN WITH BREATHING PROBLEMS

The use of peppermint and eucalyptus should be very used cautiously. Peppermint and Eucalyptus contains the constituent 1.8-cineole and Cineole is primarily used as a mucolytic agent in inflammatory airway diseases. However, too much of this can slow down breathing and can cause neurologic problems to some children.

Peppermint – do not diffuse of apply topically for children under 3 years old
Eucalyptus Ctriodora – safe to diffuse for children under 3 years old and topically by 0.5%

3.. CHILDREN WHEN SICK

Antimicrobials such as lemongrass, cinnamon bark, oregano, thyme thymol and clove are also advised not to be used first as they will inhibit the child’s natural course of immune response. This means that when you diffuse essential oils that have antimicrobial effects when the child is sick right away, the “the immune system cannot create the necessary memory cells that help children fight off recurrent attacks, inhibiting the appropriate development of their immune response”.

4. CHILDREN WITH ADHD or MEDICAL ISSUES

Lavender may make them more hyper even by just smelling it. Generally, some essential oils are contraindicated with medications. It can affect the rate by slowing or potentiating it.

I did call Dana’s Primary Care Physician and Neurology doctor just to make sure that the essential oils that I use don’t put a risk on her. When they said ok then I felt good about diffusing. Right now, I only use Frankincense, Lavender and Ylangylang on her room. There is a child’s blend from one essential oil company that I diffuse on her room at times too.

5. USE HALF STRENGTH PREPARATION FOR CHILDREN.

Unless you are using the blends made specifically for kids, assume that the rest of the oils are for adults. The strength should be reduced at half strength when you are using for children under 12 years of age.

So before you buy those starter kits or blend whatever you see online, check first if it is safe for your kids. There’s always a substitute oil that is safer for them. For example, Peppermint or Lavender can be used instead or Eucalyptus for children under 3 months. Aromatherapy and Essential way is a fun and pleasant way of natural healing as long as we know all the safety information on the oils we use. Use the essential oils with caution especially if you have children with medical issues.

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