Posted by Les Mauvaises Herbes
We know that essential oils have invaluable benefits for our health, but they are not without risks. While vegetable oils, oil macerates, plant butters, and hydrosols can be used on toddlers without too much vigilance, essential oils require more precautions. Why? Because they are highly concentrated substances (they contain 100% active aromatic molecules) that can be irritating and sometimes even "toxic."
Also available: Essential oils – a short guide for pregnancy and breastfeeding
Why should some essential oils be avoided?
Certain families of molecules naturally contained in essential oils, such as ketones, phenols, and certain monoterpenes, can damage the tissues of organs such as the liver, brain, and kidneys.
Internal use of these essential oils (swallowing them) is riskier than external use (application on the skin), but since essential oils applied to the skin still penetrate the bloodstream, we prefer to avoid them entirely for children. The precautionary principle always prevails!
We must remember that children are not miniature adults! Their various organs are still developing and are more vulnerable to toxic substances than those of healthy adults. Their skin is also more sensitive and more easily irritated.
Essential oils to avoid
- angelica (Angelica archangelica)
- camphor (Cinnamomum camphora camphoriferum)
- cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum cassia or Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
- cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
- frankincense (Boswellia carterii and Boswellia serrata)
- black spruce (Picea mariana)
- blue gum eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
- juniper (Juniperus communis)
- spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia)
- French lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
- lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus)
- peppermint* (Mentha piperita)
- cornmint* (Mentha arvensis)
- spearmint* (Mentha spicata L.)
- pennyroyal* (Mentha pulegium L.) – nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
Mint: all types of mint essential oils should be avoided before the age of 30 months because they can induce a pharyngeal reflex and obstruct breathing. Don't mess with that! Furthermore, it is recommended to avoid them completely until the age of 6 because of their content of molecules from the ketone family.
- green myrtle (Myrtus communis cineoliferum)
- red myrtle (Myrtus communis myrtenylacetatiferum)
- Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
- Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
- verbenone rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis verbenoniferum)
- camphor rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis camphoriferum)
- common sage (Salvia officinalis)
- tansy (Tanacetum annuum)
- arborvitae (Thuya occidentalis)
- thymol thyme (Thymus vulgaris thymoliferum)
- goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
Recommendations by age category
The following recommendations concern children with typically developing, generally healthy status. These are universal guidelines advocated by aromatherapy experts as well as essential oil manufacturers. However, since every child is unique, an essential oil might be irritating for one and not for another. The parent is the person who knows their child's skin best!
Note that some aromatherapy experts recommend higher dosages than those mentioned in this post. Opinions on what is “allowed” or not vary greatly from one author to another! We preferred to remain conservative with recommended dosages that are relatively low, on the one hand, and lists of essential oils that are generally unanimously accepted, on the other.
The recommended dilutions are for body skin. As with adults, you should never exceed a 1% concentration in products intended for facial skin.
Babies 0 to 3 months
It is recommended to avoid all essential oils for babies under 3 months old because they are very active for such a small organism, but also because their very intense odor affects the sensitive sense of smell of infants. It is also interesting to know that natural body odors are important in the attachment process between the baby and members of the family and close entourage. Avoiding interference with this natural process with substances that have very strong fragrances is therefore highly indicated.
3 to 12 months
This is when we can start introducing essential oils into our child's care, if the baby is healthy. Use only gentle and well-diluted essential oils.
At this age, we recommend a dilution of 0.25% to 0.5% of essential oils in an oil, butter, or cream carrier before applying them to the skin. Using a precision scale is very practical for accurately measuring this type of ingredient. Since essential oils do not dilute in water, they must imperatively be mixed into an oily substance, and not, for example, in aloe vera gel or a hydrosol. For babies with particularly sensitive skin, you can put the (diluted) essential oils on the soles of their feet: the skin there is more tolerant, and the essential oils can still penetrate into the bloodstream.
Diffusion is also an excellent way to enjoy the benefits of essential oils on the baby's respiratory and nervous systems. Use the minimum quantity recommended by the diffuser manufacturer (3 to 5 drops are often enough), turn it on for 5 to 10 minutes, and turn the machine off before the baby is in the room, to avoid running the diffuser in the child's presence.
Recommended essential oils
- Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
- True lavender (Lavandula officinalis or Lavandula angustifolia)
- red mandarin (Citrus reticulata blanco)
- petitgrain bigarade (Citrus aurantium ssp amara)
1 to 3 years
At this age, for skin use, you can increase the concentration of essential oils to 0.5% to 1%.
You can also increase the diffusion time to 10 to 15 minutes, before the child is in the room.
In addition to the essential oils mentioned in the previous age bracket, you can introduce new ones.
Recommended essential oils
- lemon (Citrus limonum) for diffusion (no skin use yet)
- sweet marjoram (Oreganum majorana)
- sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
- ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora cineoliferum)
3 to 6 years
A dilution of 1% to 2% is appropriate for body products. You can diffuse gentle essential oils while the child is in the room, but by opting for intermittent and not constant diffusion (diffuser on for 15 minutes, pause for 30 minutes, resume diffusion for 15 minutes, etcetera).
Recommended essential oils
- bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
- German chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
- rock rose (Cistus ladaniferus)
- lemon (Citrus limonum)
- rose geranium* (Pelargonium graveolens and Pelargonium asperum)
- lavandin super (Lavandula burnatii super)
- white pine (Pinus strobus)
- balsam fir (Abies balsamea)
- tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
- ylang-ylang* (Cananga odorata)
* Do not exceed a 1% dilution for rose geranium and ylang-ylang for skin application, even in adults, due to the presence of molecules that are irritating to some people.
6 to 15 years
Starting at age 6 or 7, the child begins to be sufficiently advanced in their development and possesses a greater tolerance to a wide range of essential oils.
You can apply essential oils diluted to 2% to 3% on the body. You can follow the same diffusion recommendations as for adults, while remaining vigilant. Stop diffusion and air out the room if the child coughs or shows any sign whatsoever that the essential oil does not suit them.
Recommended essential oils
- exotic or tropical basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- black spruce (Picea mariana)
- Eucalyptus radiata (Eucalyptus radiata)
- wintergreen (Gaultheria fragrantissima and Gaultheria procumbens)
- Italian helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)
- laurel noble (Laurus nobilis)
- spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia)
- palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii)
- Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
- cineole rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis cineoliferum)
- lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
You can introduce different mints like peppermint (Mentha piperita), cornmint (Mentha arvensis), and spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) for external use, well-diluted (at a maximum rate of 1%) and applied to small areas of skin.
15 years and older
Unless the child has specific health problems (epilepsy, asthma, or any disease affecting the nervous system, liver, or kidneys) or very sensitive skin, you can use the same essential oils and the same dosages as for adults.
Summary of recommended dilutions by age
- 3 months to 2 years: 0.25 to 0.5%
- 2 to 6 years: 1 to 2%
- 6 to 15 years: 1.5 to 3%
Robert Tisserand's dilution chart
Source: Tisserand Institute https://bit.ly/CharteDilution
Important!
To reduce the risk of allergy or skin reaction, it is important to perform a test by applying a small amount of product containing an essential oil you wish to use to the inside of the child's elbow and waiting 24 hours to ensure there is no negative effect on the skin. It would be a shame to cover your baby from head to toe in lavender massage oil only to realize it doesn't suit them!
The lists of essential oils mentioned above are not exhaustive (there are several hundred essential oils on the market; it is difficult to cover them all!). It is recommended to research thoroughly before using a variety not mentioned here.
We also recommend consulting a certified aromatherapist for the therapeutic use of essential oils in children with special needs or health issues.
Furthermore, it is doubly important to verify that you have the correct essential oil in your possession when using them with children. You must absolutely check the botanical name (or Latin name) of the essential oil. For example, Narrow-leaved Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata) is well tolerated by children aged 6 and older, whereas Blue Gum Eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus globulus) is reserved for adults. In this case, the label “eucalyptus essential oil” is not precise enough to ensure the right results and safe use!
Essential oils are wonderful substances with exceptional therapeutic properties, but they must be used consciously and responsibly. We may sometimes tend to diffuse them or apply them to our bodies to enjoy their scent, but beyond their aroma, essential oils are highly active!
One final conclusion can be drawn from all these recommendations: the use of essential oils in babies and children must be motivated by a real need.
Looking for some quick recipes? You bet!
Relaxing pillow mist for children and babies
A pillow mist delicately charged with relaxing, sleep-inducing essential oils to add to the bedtime routine during more emotionally heavy times! It can also be used as a room spray or linen water. Relax, everywhere.
Préparation
5 minutes
Conservation
6 à 12 mois
Rendement
100 ml
Decongestant ointment for babies and children
This decongestant ointment recipe for babies and children, with only 3 ingredients, always helps my little one in winter and is literally a godsend for clearing the airways of any little sprout. Plus, it literally smells like CANDY.
- Audrey
Préparation
20 min
Conservation
6 mois et +
Rendement
125 ml
Relaxing roll-on for children and babies
This delicate synergy invites calm and relaxation. Made with gentle essential oils, it is suitable for toddlers and children! The roll-on format allows older children to carry it around and have it with them at all times. Because letting go is not exclusive to adults, and we love helping children develop good reflexes in this area.
Préparation
5 minutes
Conservation
6 à 12 mois
Rendement
environ 10 ml
Homemade massage oil to soothe our little ones... ZZzzzzzz...
I'm probably not the only parent on Earth who has ever thought, "Heavens, where does the expression 'sleep like a baby' come from?!" How ironic! But did you know that massage can help lower stress levels and calm your baby before bedtime? Yes, it's true! So, here's how to whip up an ultra-mega soothing massage oil yourself.
- Estelle xx
Préparation
10 min
Conservation
6-12 mois
Rendement
50 ml
