Aromatherapy

For
Children

By Johanna Pedranti
Aromatherapist
http://www.mynsp.com/esuite/home/naturallysports
 Introduction

What is Aromatherapi?
Aroma the rapy is th e inh alatio n a nd bodily applicat ion of es se ntial oils fro m aro matic
plant s to relax, bala nc e, rej uv e nate, re sto re o r e nha nc e body, mi nd a nd spiri t. P ure
ess e ntial oils a re ex tra ct ed f rom ma ny pa rt s of the plant i ncl udi ng th e flo we r, leaf, re sin,
bark, roo t, t wig, s eed, be rry, ri nd a nd rhizom e.

Aroma the rapy is po werful no t just b eca use it’ s heal ing be nefit s of the body, b ut also
beca us e it’s soothi ng eff ec ts o n the e motio ns.

Ess ential oils ca n wo rk almos t insta ntly, esp eciall y for ho rmo nal a nd em otio nal co nce rns.
They go to wo rk immedia tely i n the bod y beca use th ey don’ t have to go th ro ugh th e
digestiv e sy ste m to g et t o the blood st rea m. Whe n y ou i nhale a n e sse ntial oil, the volatile
molec ule s begi n to b e abso rbed right i nt o the m ucos a of the sinuse s.
The a roma o f a n es se ntial oil is very po werf ul. In o rde r fo r an a roma to be d et ect ed it has
to be volatile, so it c an b e ca rri ed by the ai r to the 10 million se nsory ne uro ns locat ed in
the nos trils. The a roma finally e nds up in the limbi c sys te m of th e brai n whe re i t is
perc eived a nd a nalyzed. The limbic s ys tem is the ma in relay st atio n a nd it is there all the
emotio nal resp onse s are loca ted. Th e f ro ntal lob es o f the limbic sys tem co nt rol th e mem ory
and at te ntio n, and i t is also he re the e motio nal res ponses a re se nsed. Af te r th e informatio n
about the sc e nt has b ee n pe rc eived a nd a nalyzed o f the limbic sy st em, it is se nt to o the r
part s of th e brai n a nd th e n to sto rage i n th e me mory. The s e ns e of smell co nne ct s em otio ns
with m emo ries a s well as i nt eg rate s mi nd a nd body.

Othe r volatile mole c ules e nt er the l ungs a nd are a bsorb ed into th e bloods tr eam th ro ugh
the alveoli, or ai r sa cs. E sse ntial oils mas saged i nt o the ski n mov e th ro ugh th e ski n a nd
int erstitial fl uid and a re ab so rbed i nto the blood st ream.

Esssential Oils
Ess e ntial oils have uniq ue p rope rtie s tha t are e nha nc ed by ea ch othe r. I t mea ns that they
wo rk in sy ne rgy a nd ar e mo re po we rful wh en they a re mixed wi th each o the r. It i s
importa nt to k no w that th e e ss ential oils are mo re pote nt tha n th e herb s a nd it is
importa nt not to exc eed the s tat ed dos es. E ss e ntial s oils st ay mo re pot e nt for a lo ng er time
than h erb s. Th ey ne ed to be sto red i n a co ol place a nd a way f rom ligh t.
It is ve ry co nv e nie nt to use es se ntial oils compa red to her bs si nce it is easy to j us t drop a
fe w oils i n mas sage oil s, bath sal ts, shampoo o r in s oap.

It is impo rta nt to p urchas e good q uality to oils be c aus e th e cheap er v er sio ns a re of te n

diluted wi th harm f ul chemi cals o r infe rior co ns tit uents. The se ch emical s ca n ca use ha rm to
the body.

Ess e ntial oils ca n be used for emotio nal, ho rmo nal, or heali ng co ncer ns.
 Dilutions and Aromatherapy Ideas

Basic suggested dilution for essential oil massage blends

CARRIER OILS ESSENTIAL OILS

Volume 1% dilution 2% dilution 3% dilution

½ oz. 3 drops 6 drops 12 drops
1 tablespoon
15 ml

1 oz. 6 drops 12 drops 24 drops

2 tablespoons
30 ml

2 oz. 12 drops 24 drops 48 drops

4 tablespoons
60 ml

1% dilutio n for childr en a nd t he elder ly .

2% dilutio n for g eneral, who le-bo dy massage.
4% dilutio n for concentrated, lo cal massage

Othe r ways to use esse ntial oils. The se a re ad ult dil utio ns a nd som e ways may not b e
sui table for yo ung childre n, b ut a re i ncl uded i n ca se pare nts wa nt som e pampe ri ng too !

Spritzers Roll-ons Foot/Hand Bath Steam Inhalations

2 oz. glass bottle 1 roll on bottle Small tub H2O 4 to 6 cups of water
1 ¾ oz. distilled or filtered fill ¾ with vegetable oil 4-6 drops essential oils 2 - 3 drops essential oil
water add 3-8 drops of essential
10-30 drops essential oils oils.
Optional:
¼ Add witch hazel or vodka
to emulsify the oils.
Important for thick oils like
jasmine and myrrh.

Facial Massage Shampoo/Conditioner Body Lotion Aromatic Shower

3-4 tsp massage oil 8 oz. un-scented shampoo 8 oz. un-scented lotion Wet wash cloth
3-5 drops essential oils 80-100 drops essential oils 80 drops essential oils 6-8 drops of essential oils

Aroma Lamp Facial Scrubs Compress

¾ full of water 3-4 teaspoon carrier 4-8 oz. warm or cold H2O
3-5 drops essential oils 2-3 drops essential oil 8-10 drops essential oils
Mommie s need pamp eri ng too so this pag e is mai nly for th e pare nt s.
Add about 8-12 d rops o f e ss ential oil or ble nd pe r a dult ba ths.
Dispe r sion i s importa nt b eca us e mo st e ss e ntial oils will float o n the s urfa ce a nd may b urn
the ski n. He re is a char t of sui table disp ersio ns a nd the amo unt needed for a f ull bath.
Make s ure yo u ble nd the e ss e ntial oils with th e dis persio n ag e nt b efo re addi ng it to the
bath. I have added some re cipes b elo w th e chart.

ADDITIVES AMOUNTS BENEFITS PRECAUTIONS

Castile Soap Quick bath: 2 teaspoons Cleans skin, prevents tub Can be drying to the skin.
bubble bath: ¼ cup plus ring, disperses essential oils.
¼ cup glycerine.

Massage Oil 1/4 cup Moisturizes lightly, disperses Agitates the bath water. Be sure
essential oils. not to slip.
Jojoba Oil 1/8 of a cup Moisturizes deeply and
heals.
Epsom Salt 1/3 to 2 cups Detoxifies the body, eases Do not use in cases of low blood
muscle pain and joint aches, pressure. Mix with essential oils
disperses essential oils. before adding to water.

Sea Salts 1/3 to 2 cups Detoxifies, heals eczema, Use caution in cases of high or low
remineralizes the body, blood pressure. Mix with essential
disperses essential oils. oils before adding to water.

Dead Sea Salt 1/3 to 2 cups Detoxifies, heals eczema, Use caution in cases of high or low
remineralizes the body, blood pressure. Mix with essential
disperses essential oils. oils before adding to water.

Hydrated Bentonite ½ to 2 cups Detoxifying. May absorb smell of essential oils.

Clay
Kelp 1/8 cup Detoxifies, contains Has a strong smell.
minerals.

Honey 1/8 cup Conditions skin, disperses Mix with essential oils before
essential oils. adding to the water.

Milk 3 cups or more Conditions skin, disperses Mix with essential oils before
essential oils. adding to the water. Do not use if
Candida is present.
Apple Cider Vinegar ½ to 2 cups Conditions skin, detoxifies. None

Invigoration Bath Refreshing Bath Detoxifying Bath Diuretic Bath

3 drops tea tree 3 drops bergamot 4 drops lemon 3 drops rosemary
3 drops pink grapefruit 3 drops lemon 3 drops thyme linalol 3 drops geranium
1 drop peppermint 1 drop rosemary 1 drop rose 2 drop lemon
Relaxing Evening Bath 1 Relaxing Evening Bath 2 Relaxing Evening Bath 3
3 drops lavender 3 drops sandalwood 3 drops lavender
2 drops rose 1 drop chamomile 3 drops geranium
3 drops bergamot 2 drops ylang ylang
 Suitable oils for Babies and Young Children from Valerie Ann Worwood’s
Book “The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy”:

Base Oil Additives ( 10% of

base o il unless ot her wise
stated) Yo u ca n a dd t his to
Essential Oils Base Oils enha nce the massage oil .
NE WBOR N B ABIE S Hazelnut Jojoba
Chamomile Roman Sweet Almond Borage
Chamomile German Wheatgerm
Yarrow
Lavender
Dosage: 1-3 drops diluted in 2
tablespoons Base Oil

2-6 MO NTHS OL D As above As above

As above plus:
Mandarin
Eucalyptus (Never apply on
face)
Neroli
Dosage: 3-5 drops diluted in 2
tablespoon Base Oil.

6-12 MO NTHS OL D As above As above

As above plus:
Calendula
Grapefruit
Tea tree
Dosage: 3-5 drops dilutet in 2
tablespoons Base Oils

1-5 YEA R S OL D As above As above

All the above plus: Carrot
Ginger, but only use 1/3 of
the dosage directed for other
oils
Dosage: 5-10 drops diluted in
2 tablespoons Base Oil.
5-7 YEA R S OL D Hazelnut As above
All the above plus following Sweet Almond
used in 1/3 dosage directed Apricot
for other oils: Grapeseed
Ginger
Peppermint
Rosemary
Thyme linalool
Clary Sage
Geranium
Dosage: 5-12 drops diluted in
2 tablespoon Base Oil

7-12 YEA R S OL D As above As above

All those to 7 years old; plus
the following at 1/3 dosage
directed for other oils.
Fennel
Frankincense
Cypress
Basil
Dosage: 5-15 drops diluted in
2 tablespoons Base Oil.

PU BER TY As above As above

All the above oils at full dose,
plus:
Female s:
Rose
Geranium
Sweet Marjoram

Male:
Marjoram
Bergamot
Dosage: 10-20 drops diluted
in 2 tablespoons Base Oil.
 Aromatherapy and Children

Ess e ntial oils are sa fe a s long a s yo u f ollow the s af ety reco mme nda tio ns a nd pe rfo rm a
skin pa tch t es t whe n yo u us e the oil for the fi rs t ti me o n the skin.

The re a re ma ny way s to i nco rpo rat e es se ntial oils int o a child’s life a nd th ey respo nd v ery
positively t o aro mathe rapy. M ethod s incl ude a roma tic bath s, lotio ns, a nd i nhalatio n.
Many childre n als o e njoy ha nd or foo t mas sage. A drop or t wo of a n es se ntial oil o n a
pillow cas e is a g rea t way to us e e ss ential oils whe n th e child is co ng es ted o r has a ha rd
time falli ng asl eep. I us ed to p ut es se ntial oils o n a cott on b all and t uck it in und er my
daugh te r’s pillow wh en she wa s s uf fe ri ng f rom a pe rsis te nt co ugh whe n we lived in Wale s,
U K. Humidifie rs a re also a wa y yo u ca n utilize a ro mathe rapy i nhalatio n sa fely for
childre n.

Bedtime secrets
It ca n be a challe nge ma ny time s to g et a child t o g o to sle ep b ut I no ticed that a relaxi ng
calm bath ca n m ake wo nde rs a t bed time. B efo re the bath time y ou ca n t ry to giv e the child
a cup o f diluted cha momile t ea. Lav e nder a nd m and arin a re well liked by childre n a nd th ey
can b e used i n a ha nd or foo t mas sage b efo re b edti me.

Aroma tic Ma ssag e Oil fo r Childre n

2 tbl. Wa rm ve geta ble oil
5-10 drop s of Lave nde r or ma ndari n.
Mix the e ss e ntial oils in the wa rm veg etabl e oil. Yo u ca n mak e this ah ead a nd keep i t in a
dark or am ber glass bo ttl e. Th e es se ntial oil blend s sho uld be kept i n da rk bot tles. M as sage
the f ee t, wo rki ng to ward s the h eart.

Favorit e Ba th Ble nd
Lave nde r 2 drop s
Manda ri n 2 drop s.
Add this to v ege table oil a nd add to th e bath wa te r and s wi sh. Amo unt o f bas e oil depe nds
on th e child’s ag e. Plea se ref er to dilutio n cha rt. Y ou ca n o f co urs e s wit ch ma ndari n for
ano the r oil or us e only lav e nder.

Othe r relaxing oil s fo r bed time a re be rgamo t, cham o mile, clary s age, f ra nki nce nse,
gera ni um, ma rjora m, ro se, yla ng yla ng
Calming an Overactive Child
An ov era ctive childe is n’t ne ces sa ry “hyp era ctive ” a nd so me times childre n a re ov era ctive a t
certai n time s. Re fi ned ca rbohyd rat es, M SG, food co lors a nd additive s have be e n k no wn to
cause ov era ctivity i n child re n. Some childre n be com e hypera ctiv e wh e n the y eat som ethi ng
they a re s e nsitiv e to. Sta te o f ove rs tim ulatio n a nd excit eme nt may be nefit from relaxatio n
and s edative es se ntial oils. The se oils m ay also be b eneficial i n ta ntrum s, a nxiety a tta cks,
and ove rti red ness. Arom athe rapy wo rks o n a subtle level. Relaxatio n oils a re na t ural pla nt
derivativ es tha t may aid th e body i n relaxatio n, slo wi ng th e re spira tio n a nd hea rt rate,
and so othi ng a n ove rs tim ulat ed nervo us sy st em. Th e mos t ef fe ctive meth ods utilizing
aroma the rapy ar e usi ng tho se oils which cro ss the b lood-brai n ba rri er by i nhalatio n.
Massa ge is le ss direc t b ut als o ef fe ctive. I t is impo rta nt to rem embe r to use s tat ed dos es
whe n using the rape utic relaxatio n oils a nd no t too much. An opposit e e ff ect take s place if
the oils a re ove rus ed.

Calmi ng Mis t- a room spray to r elax, this ca n be di ff us ed in the air, a nd yo u ca n eve n

spray it o n things if needed.
1 cup dis tilled wat er
10 drops lave nd er
5 drops ma rjor am
2 drops s andal wo od
a spray bo ttl e wi th mis t nozzle

Aroma thic bath s are relaxing and calmi ng, and using diff us ers are also a g rea t wa y to
spre ad the h ealing oils.

Othe r relaxing a nd calming oils are chamo mile, clary sage, ma nda ri n, marjo ram, ne roli,
ora nge, sa ndalwood a nd ta nge ri ne.

Extra Es se ntial oils i nfo, ple ase check to mak e s ure the oils are s uit able fo r yo ung
childre n.

Roma n a nd Ge rma n Cha momile, be rgam ot, cla ry sa g e, gera ni um, ja smi ne, lave nde r, sweet
marjo ram, ne roli and m elissa a re a re co nside red rela xant nervi ne s a nd valua ble whe n
feeli ng stressed a nd te nse.

For bala nci ng e motio ns: b ergamot, fra nki nc e nse, cl ary sag e a nd ge ra nium.

Anti-irritability oils: chamomile, b erg amot, clary sage, franki nce nse, lave nde r, ma ndari ng,
sand alwo od, ylang ylang.

Anti-dep re ssio n a nd a nti -fearful ness oils: grap efrui t, sa ndal wood, be rgamo t, cla ry sag e,
lavend er, ne rol u, sa ndal wood.

Stim ula ting/m e ntal ale rtne ss: e ucalyptus, peppe rmi nt (adap toge n)

Anti-dep re ssa nts: be rgam ot, cla ry sa ge, lave nde r, le mon, g era ni um, ne roli, sa ndal wood,
 Essential Oil Safety

Esse ntial oils are sa fe to use a s lo ng as yo u follo w the reco mme nded do sag e and re sea rch
the co ntrai ndica tio ns b efo re yo u use th em. Esse ntia l oils are mo re po te nt tha n th e herb s so
less am ount is ne eded i n ord er to achiev e the d esi re d effec t. Neve r use the oils undiluted
on th e ski n. Th e o nly ex ceptio ns are te a tree a nd la vend er, which ca n be used in tiny
amounts o n sti ngs, wo und s or a small burn.

Wh en i t com es to childre n it is ex tra impo rtant to follow th e recom me nded do sage s si nc e

too m uch esse ntial oil ca n produce ov er stim ulatio n. It is also impo rta nt not to use the
same e sse ntial oils mo re tha n o ne we ek at a time, so if long er time is ne eded j ust alterna te
with o the r e sse ntial oils. Oils like e ucalyp tus sho ul d nev er b e applied in th e fa ce. Do n’t
use e sse ntial oils undil uted o n the ski n.

I highly reco mme nd that yo u do yo ur research whe n you use e sse ntial oils to mak e sure yo u
kno w th e co ntrai ndica tio ns o f the oil s yo u use. Som e esse ntial oils hav e low the rape utic
margi n, which mea ns tha t the dividi ng line betwee n th erap e utic do se a nd a ha rmful do se is
very small. The se oils needs to be avoid ed orally a nd used with ca ution.
I actually do n't re comm e nd anyo ne to use e sse ntial oils orally unl ess yo u have co nsulted
with p rofessio nals ed ucated in e sse ntial oil safety. Extra care is req uired whe n taki ng a n
esse ntial oil orally si nc e a highe r amo unt o f th e oil wo uld reach the ci rc ulatio n, a nd th e
liver wo uld re ceive a large do se via the p ortal circulation, which take s its blood fro m the
gastroi ntesti nal trac t to the live r. Almost all of th e repo rted cases o f poiso ni ng by
esse ntial oils have o cc urred by self-d osi ng of small qua ntitie s of undiluted e sse ntial oils.

Som e oils need to be avoid ed in p reg na ncy, som e oils ca n be toxic if no t co rrect do sag e or
duratio n is used, a nd othe r e sse ntial oils are co ntra indicated in spe cific illnesse s.
Esse ntial oils sho uld no t be used at all in the fi rst trim ester.

The q uality o f th e esse ntial oils also diffe r, and the re is a cha nce that yo u c ome a cro ss oils
diluted wi th harm ful substa nc es. I t is ve ry importa nt to cho ose g ood q uality e sse ntial oils
for a roma the rapy si nc e ma ny a re diluted with ha rm ful substance s a nd the y are of i nferio r
quality

Som e oils are k no wn ski n irrita nts a nd the re fo re it is important to co nd uc t a ski n patch
test be fore yo u use esse ntial oils. This is esp ecially importa nt if yo u have a histo ry of
allergie s, asth ma, or rash es. Som e oils tha t may irri tate the skins are: Ani se, Ba sil, Bay,
Black Pepp er, Ci nnamo n, Cedarwood, Clove B ud, Clove Lea f, Caj up ut, E ucalyptus,
Ging er, O rega no, Pepp ermi nt, and Thym e

A skin pa tch test ca n b e co nd uc ted with a c arrier o il or with undil uted esse ntial oil. A
skin pa tch test sho uld be co nd ucted whe n usi ng oils listed as po te ntial se nsi tize rs o r
irrita nts. A s me ntioned above i ndividuals with all ergie s or a sth ma sho uld al ways co nd uct
a skin pa tch test be fore applying a ny esse ntial oils. Alway s use the rec omme nd ed dose
whe n co nd ucti ng the ski n pa tch test.

Wh en co nd uc ting a skin pa tch te st usi ng e sse ntial oils diluted in c arrier oil s yo u first
wa sh and d ry th e fo rea rm, th e n apply esse ntial oil blend e nough to moi sten the a rm. Cove r
the applied area with ste rile ga uze a nd leav e fo r 24 hours I f sig ns o f irrita tion a re sho wn,
remov e th e ga uze a nd avoid usi ng tha t partic ular o il in the future.

Wh en te sti ng a n undiluted e sse ntial oil, you wa sh the arm with unsc e nted vege table soap
and dry before applying the oil. Add o ne d rop of oil in the cro ok of th e arm and close the
arm, a nd ope n a nd clo se th e arm again a fter five mi nutes. I f a ny irritatio n is no tic eable
the applied area ca n be wa shed with cotto n dipped in milk or ve geta ble oil. Or simply
wa sh wi th soap a nd wa te r .

Oils no t reco mme nded i n p reg na ncy a re : A nise seed, basil, birch, ceda rwood, clary sage,
cypress, fe nnel, jasmine, junip er, swee t marj oram, myrrh, peppe rmi nt, rosemary, sage a nd
thyme.

Esse ntial oils not to be used by peopl e pro ne to epil epsy a re : clary sag e, caj up ut,
eucalyptus, Fe nnel, hy ssop, lave nd er (lava nd ula sto echas), rosema ry, sag e and thym e

Esse ntial oils not to be used by peopl e wi th high blood pre ssure a re : Cyp re ss, c ajup ut,
eucalyptus, Hyssop, ro sema ry, sa ge a nd thy me

Esse ntial oils not to be used by peopl e wi th asthma : campho r, ma rjora m, orega no,
rosemary, yarro w

Esse ntial oils not to be used by peopl e wi th hypote nsio n: Clary sage a nd ma rjora m

Esse ntial oils not to be used by peopl e wi th liver di sease are: clove b ud a nd clov e leaf,
garlic, orega no, sa ssa fras, thy me, ve tive r.

Esse ntial oils not to be used by peopl e wi th stoma c h and inte sti nal ulce rs: Cinna mo n bark

Esse ntial oils not to be used by peopl e wi th e stroge n dep end e nt ca nce r: A nise, ba sil and
fe nnel

Esse ntial oils which sho uld no t be used o n the skin at all: Ajo wa n, ci nnamo n ba rk, ca ssia,
clove leaf, clove b ud, ele campa ne, o rega no, pine (d wa rf)
Esse ntial oils which sho uld b e used with ca utio n o n th e ski n: b asil (all vari etie s),
cinnamo n l eaf, fi r needl e(Sibe ria n), lemo ng rass, lem on, ve rbe na, m elissa, o ra nge,
peppermint, red and wild thy me.

Once agai n, plea se look i nto the co ntrai ndica tio ns of the esse ntial oils y ou a re using.
Co nsult wi th yo ur phy sicia n if yo u have existing m edical co nditio ns. Feel free to co nta ct
me if yo u are not sure abo ut the oils.

More a roma the rapy i nfo rma tio n o n my blog :

http ://j osheal thco rne r.blogspo t.co m/2009/12 /are-h olidays-maki ng -yo u-stressed.html

http ://j osheal thco rne r.blogspo t.co m/2009/09 /do -yo u-have -hard -tim e-at-work.h tml

http ://j osheal thco rne r.blogspo t.co m/2009/10 /so me -way s-to -use -e sse ntial -oils.html

http ://j osheal thco rne r.blogspo t.co m/2009/10 /make -your-o wn-spa.html

http ://j osheal thco rne r.blogspo t.co m/2009/10 /oils-for-ski n-care.html

http ://j osheal thco rne r.blogspo t.co m/2009/10 /ma ssa ge-a nd -ho w-to -dilute -e sse ntial.html

http ://j osheal thco rne r.blogspo t.co m/2009/11 /ma ssa ge-oils.h tml

http ://j osheal thco rne r.blogspo t.co m/2009/10 /e ssential-oils-fo r-respira to ry-and.h tml