Children, too, sometimes have trouble staying calm and falling asleep. Did you know that essential oils can be used to help children relax and get back to sleep naturally? We’ll tell you how, with a little reminder of the precautions for use.
Be careful indeed: remember that essential oils are not suitable for children under three years old. For older children, here are some of the essential oils that will help children relax.
Essential Oils to Help Children Relax
THE essential oils with calming properties can be administered to children over three years old either by diffusion, or by placing one or two drops on the pillow, or by massage with an organic vegetable oil.
For any contact of essential oils with the skin of children (as with adults), they must be mixed with a vegetable oil chosen between:
- l’jojoba vegetable oil perfectly tolerated, because it is close to sebum;
- l’sesame vegetable oilespecially in winter, because it warms;
- l’calendula oil for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
The use of sweet almond vegetable oil is not recommended, as it presents risks of allergic reactions.
Mandarin essential oil
Mandarin essential oilin addition to smelling very good, contains many virtues.
It does indeed have properties calming and relaxing and promotes sleep. This essential oil is also anti-spasmodic and aids digestion.
It is therefore perfectly indicated for combating insomnia, anxiety, nervous tension, stress and nervousness in children and adults alike.
Our advice
Mix 10 ml of mandarin EO with 5 ml of ravintsara EO, and diffuse in the bedroom 10 to 15 min before bedtime.
Tips for more peaceful nights © Rido
Chamomile essential oil
The chamomile is very commonly consumed in the form of herbal tea for its soothing properties. The WHO also recognizes its effectiveness for relieve nervous agitation and minor insomnia.
Mandarin, chamomile, bitter orange petitgrain… Essential oils for the whole family © fizkes
Our advice
A single drop of chamomile EO (diluted in a washing base that is as neutral as possible or in a little powdered milk) in the bath water or in massage (diluted in vegetable oil) will help children relax.
Petitgrain Bigarade essential oil
Bitter orange is the fruit of the bitter orange tree, which is more often called “bitter orange”. The essential oil that comes from it is known for its properties calming and sedative. Bitter orange petitgrain essential oil also has an anti-depressant and balancing action.
It is therefore ideal for helping nervous, stressed, agitated children and who have trouble falling asleep.
Our advice
Place a drop of bitter orange essential oil on the inside of each wrist and ask the child to breathe deeply.
Rosewood essential oil
Soothing and stabilizing, Rosewood essential oil promotes relaxation and brings balance.
Our advice
It can be used by placing a drop on the pillow, diluting it in bath water, or massage on the solar plexus and on the back, mixed with vegetable oil.
True lavender essential oil
True or officinal lavender is one of the essential oils to have at home all the time. It has many virtues: not only does it regulate the nervous system, but it is also calming, sedative, antidepressant, antispasmodic, muscle relaxant, antiseptic, hypotensive, healing, regenerative, analgesic… Just that!
Our advice
Used in diffusion in the children’s bedroom, it will help them relax and approach the night in a serene manner. You can also put a drop of lavender essential oil on the pillows.
True Lavender Essential Oil – Organic
Pranarōm True Lavender Essential Oil is produced using organic farming methods – from the south of France
100% pure and natural – Certified HECT label, a guarantee of biochemical and botanical quality – Chemotyped.
Sweet orange essential oil
Just the scent of sweet orange essential oil is a invitation to relax. Calming and sedative, it helps to regain quality sleep. It acts against anxiety in children.
Our advice
The bain allows you to take full advantage of its soothing virtues.
Calming massage oils for little ones
In synergy with each other, the essential oils are also very effective. Here are some ideas formassage oils ideal for the youngest.
A massage to soothe yourself
If your child is hyperactiveprepare a massage oil based on:
- 75 drops of mandarin essential oil
- 30 drops of Roman chamomile EO
- 60 drops of bitter orange petitgrain essential oil
- 50 ml of jojoba oil
Massage the solar plexus and the inside of the wrists.
Small recipes for rest zen © Aaron Amat
A massage to help you fall asleep better
To help your child over three years old get back to sleep, mix:
- 2 drops of true lavender essential oil
- 2 drops of mandarin essential oil,
- 5 ml of jojoba oil
Massage his back, stomach and also his feet before bed.
A blend of oils in diffusion for a good night’s sleep
Finally, to ensure your child has a good, peaceful night’s sleep, diffuse in their room 15 minutes before time from bedtime:
- 5 drops of bitter orange essential oil,
- 5 of mandarin essential oil
- 5 of true lavender EO.
Essential oils and children, the right actions in the event of an incident
Poison control centers receive hundreds of calls each year regarding accidental ingestion of essential oils by children.
What are the risks?
If a child accidentally ingests essential oils, there is a risk of convulsion crisis in most cases. It may present signs such as agitation or conversely, drowsiness, balance disorders, hallucinations or signs of drunkenness.
Symptoms of poisoning can also include a persistent cough, a sore throat, digestive pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. They occur within half an hour of ingestion and up to 4 hours after.
What to do if swallowed?
If you notice that your child has swallowed essential oils, don’t make him vomit ! Don’t give him anything to drink either, especially no milk in this case. The first course of action is to call the poison control center.
In case of eye or skin contact at high doses, rinse thoroughly with olive oil (not water, essential oils are not soluble in water) and again contact the poison control center.
Find the numbers of poison control centers
Essential oils and children, the rules to follow
- Do not use in children under 36 months.
- Keep bottles properly closed and out of reach of children.
- Do not store essential oils in bottles other than the original ones.
- Do not remove labels from bottles.
Article republished.
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Source: www.consoglobe.com
