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Can essential oils be safely and effectively used on little ones?
If so, how and at what age do you start?
What are some dos and don’ts for using essential oils on little ones?
What oils are good for which issues?
All these questions and more will be answered below. I hope you find this helpful!
In Penny and Shirley Price’s helpful book, Aromatherapy for Babies and Children, she outlines and discusses 19 known safe essential oils (EOs) for children.
Gain the knowledge you need to use essential oils with confidence.
Remember, you do not need much (just a touch – more is not better) with a baby and ONLY the ones listed because the others would not be safe on a young infant!
You will notice, that there are only 2 oils listed for young babies! They should be used sparingly and only when absolutely necessary and ALWAYS use carrier oil.
NEVER use oils NEAT on babies skin (or anyone else for that matter).
Safe Essential Oils For Babies:
COLDS ~ Lemon, or Lavender. Diffuse 2 drops of either at bedtime or during the day. Mix 1 drop of either with 1 TBSP of carrier oil and massage the upper chest and back at each diaper change.
COLIC ~Mix 1 drop of Lavender with 1 TBSP of carrier oil. Gently massage a few drops into the abdomen in a clockwise direction following the natural movement of the colon.
CONSTIPATION ~Lavender or Roman Chamomile. Add a drop of either to 1 TBSP of carrier oil and massage in a clockwise motion on the tummy.
COUGHS ~Mix 1 drop of Lavender with 1 TBSP of carrier oil and rub a small amount on the chest and back.
CRYING ~Place a small drop of Lavender or Roman Chamomile on your hand or a tissue and just let the baby smell the oil.
DIARRHEA ~Mix 1 drop of Roman Chamomile with 1 TBSP of carrier oil, gently massage 2-3 drops on the tummy in a clockwise motion following the natural movement of the colon.
DIAPER RASH ~Combine 1 drop of Roman Chamomile and 1 drop of Lavender with 1 drop of whole milk. Add to baby’s bath water and swish around before bathing baby. Keep the oils away from baby’s eyes.
FEVER ~Mix 1 drop of Lavender with 1 TBSP of carrier oil. Massage a small amount onto the bottoms of the feet and apply to the back of the neck and behind the ears, cover the feet with socks.
TEETHING ~Mix 1 drop of Roman Chamomile or Lavender with a TBSP of carrier oil. Use a small amount to gently massage outside of the face along the jaw line.
TUMMY ACHE ~Mix 1 drop of Roman Chamomile and 1 drop of Sweet Orange with 2 TBSP of carrier oil. Add 1 tsp. of mixture to warm bath water, swishing around before bathing baby. Avoid getting oils in baby’s eyes.
Nutrient-rich virgin Coconut Oil is excellent as a carrier oil for all the safe essential oils listed here.
*These oils are photosensitive; ALWAYS dilute. To prevent a rash or pigmentation of the skin, do not use citrus oils when exposed to direct sunlight. **These oils should NEVER be used undiluted on babies and children.
Safe Essential Oils For Children:
COLDS ~Dilute 1-2 drops of Rosemary or Lemon in 2 TBSP of carrier oil and massage a little on neck and chest.
CONSTIPATION ~Dilute 1-2 drops of Rosemary, Ginger or Sweet Orange in a TBSP of carrier oil and massage on stomach and feet.
CUTS & SCRAPES ~Add 5 drops of Lavender and 5 drops of Tea Tree (melaleuca) to warm water, use to clean the wound. Apply 1 drop of Lavender to a band-aid and cover the wound. The Lavender may sting if applied directly.
EARACHE ~Apply Tea Tree (melalueca) and Lavender to the outside of ear or apply a drop of each to a cotton ball and set in the ear. Do not apply oils directly into the ear canal.
FEVER ~Dilute a drop of Lavender and a drop of Peppermint in 2 TBSP of carrier oil and massage a small amount on back of neck, behind the ears and on the back.
FLU ~Dilute 1 drop of Cypress or Lemon in an unscented bath gel and use in a warm bath.
MINOR BURNS ~Cool burn first with cold water. If the skin is not broken apply 2 drops of Lavender directly to the burn. If the skin is broken apply the Lavender on the perimeter of the burned area. Apply 5 drops of Lavender to a cold, DRY cloth and gently hold over burned area.
SUNBURN ~Add 5 drops of Lavender to 1 tsp. of Aloe Vera and apply to sunburned area. Other safe essential oils commonly used for children: Frankincense, Geranium, Sandalwood, Mandarin, Grapefruit, and Ylang Ylang.
Nutrient-rich virgin Coconut Oil is excellent as a carrier oil.
The bottoms of the feet are really one of the best places to apply safe essential oils. Interesting to me is that oils even as hot as oregano, cinnamon, or cloves can be applied to the bottoms of the feet (of older children and adults) without discomfort. Put socks on to prevent getting these kinds of oils on other areas of the body that are more sensitive.
I also recommend for homemakers and mothers The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood. This is my go-to book for everything EO. It is easy-to-read with a wealth of age old advice and practical information. Valerie is British, so there are a few words that will broaden your vocabulary {like ‘cot’ below}. This book is not just about safe essential oils for children but for adults as well.
How To Help Baby Sleep
Here is what Mrs. Worwood writes on ‘Sleeping’ for babies that may save Mums a bit of grief:
If your baby isn’t sleeping, here is a remedy that can be used on alternative nights until he or she has learned to sleep through the night. There is no need to use the remedy every night, but slowly the baby’s sleeping pattern will change – for the better all around. When you put your baby to bed, place beneath the cot (crib), on the floor, a bowl of boiling water. Add 1 drop of chamomile Roman and 1 drop of geranium oil. Keep the door almost closed to keep the aroma molecules in the baby’s room. A few alternate days of this and your baby will soon learn to conserve his energies during the night and save them for another demanding day.
Cautions and Warnings:
When using these safe essential oils on babies and children, it is always best to dilute 1-2 drops of pure essential oils with 1/2-1 tsp. coconut oil or pure virgin olive oil. If the oils are used in a bath, always use an unscented bath gel base as a dispersing agent for the oils.
Ouch!: If not enough carrier oil is used, the baby’s skin may redden and become hot. Add just a touch more carrier oil. Water DOES NOT dilute or reduce the effect but rather may intensify it.
Caution: Never use synthetic or adulterated oils. Do not use oils with different botanical names until the safety data has been thoroughly reviewed.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. The statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and they are not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure or prevent any disease or injury. Don’t take my word for it…you should always engage conventional wisdom and consult with your medical professional to determine potential drug interactions and safety of use.
I have successfully used these safe essential oils since our firstborn was 4 months old. It is truly a beautiful thing for a mother to be able to calm a distraught child or soothe a hurt with God’s gift of EOs. Your children will learn to love them and look forward to their benefits from very early on.
I love sharing with others the incredible things learned through my research, personal experiences, and the experiences of friends and family.
“…and there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither… Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.” ~Ezekiel 47:12
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