As we strive to include more essential oils in our lifestyle, I've been using essential oils on my children for a variety of reasons: fever, cough, sleep aid.
However, I must mention some safety tips for using essential oils with kids, because it's not quite the same as using oils on an adult.
Remember, I am NOT a medical professional, and so the suggestions here are just that - suggestions based on my reading, and you should always check with your medical professional before administering anything to you or your children.
Tip #1 - Dilute essential oils used on children. Children's smaller bodies typically respond better or faster to any treatment (EO or not!) than an adult's body does, so you need a smaller dose. Also, remember my first post about EO where I shared with you that EO are "hot" oils, meaning they can cause irritation because of their concentrated strength. Dilution will help you avoid overdosage and irritation on your child's skin.
Tip #2 - Recommended to NOT use these oils on children: Peppermint, Rosemary, Eucalyptus (under 5), and Wintergreen or Birch (under 12). Why? Although the percentage of cases was small (2%), Methol and eucalyptol based oils can cause respiratory distress in young children; also Eucalyptal/camphor can over-stimulate the CNS (Central Nervous System) in children, which could cause convulsions/seizures. Even though the percentage of negative affects was small, with so many great alternatives, I'm planning to just avoid these for the kids until they are older.
Tip #3 - Know some safer substitutes:
- Lemon instead of Peppermint (diluted and applied on the spine for help in fever reduction)
- Ginger or Lemon instead of Peppermint (diluted and applied topically to support proper digestion)
- Cedarwood, Pine, or Myrtle instead of Peppermint (diffused or warm (dry) compress on chest back to support the respiratory system)
- Lemon Frankincense, Cinnamon, Clove, Melalueca A, Thyme, Oregano instead of Rosemary or Eucalyptus (diluted and applied to bottoms of feet for immune support)
- Frankincense or Copaiba instead of Peppermint (diluted and rubbed across gums for teething)
- Frankincense, Balsam Fir, Copaiba instead of Peppermint (diluted for aches/discomfort)
Tip #4 - NEVER give essential oils to children internally
Tip #5 - When using essential oils in the bath, first add to Epsom Salts so the oils disperse in the water instead of just float around on top. (Hubby is working on a hypothesis for why this is better!).
Tip #6 - Avoid sun exposure after using citrus oils (for at least 12-48 hours, as these oils are photosensitive).
Many of these tips I learned from Scott Johnson, ND at Young Living, but also some is some common sense about diluting the potency of these "hot" oils. I also love using the Life Science Essential Oils Desk Reference - it contains much more information, and more details on safety for using essential oils with kids - like dilution ratios, etc. (affiliate)
New! Essential Oils Blends Just for Kids!
If you're concerned about using essential oils with kids, you'll be happy to hear about a new kit from Young Living: KidScents® Oil Collection, which comes in a backpack! These oils address common concerns of childhood and includes six mild essential oil blends, formulated just for children:
- GeneYus™
- Owie™
- Bite Buster™
- TummyGize™
- SniffleEase™
- SleepyIze™
The kit includes 4-5ml essential oil blends and 2-10 ml roll-on blends all diluted with coconut oil - designed specifically for use by kids. Two roller-ball fixtures are included. Here's a few more details about this kit!
Learn more about Young Living Essential Oils!
Check out my Young Living Essential Oils page to see my list of posts and sign up info.
I missed the party, but love reading the posts in the event!!
I missed the party, but love reading the posts in the event!!
I am sad I missed the party. I did not know about it.
I am sad I missed the party. I did not know about it.
I missed the FB party. 🙁 I'm glad you wrote to avoid citrus essential oils before going out in the sun. I got frustrated one time when I saw an Etsy seller {I forget who} sell sun block that had orange eo in it.
I missed the FB party. 🙁 I'm glad you wrote to avoid citrus essential oils before going out in the sun. I got frustrated one time when I saw an Etsy seller {I forget who} sell sun block that had orange eo in it.
Love those alternatives you give...so many things to learn!
Love those alternatives you give...so many things to learn!
Looks like I missed the party! I'd like to know where to begin! 🙂
Looks like I missed the party! I'd like to know where to begin! 🙂
I missed the party... I just saw this post.
I missed the party... I just saw this post.
Sorry I missed the party! Would like to learn how to use oils for DIY personal care products.
Sorry I missed the party! Would like to learn how to use oils for DIY personal care products.
I have always wanted to try essential oils but I don't know quite where to start. What is the oil you recommend starting with first?
I have always wanted to try essential oils but I don't know quite where to start. What is the oil you recommend starting with first?
Wow, I had no idea that you could not let kids smell concentrated peppermint. I used to let my kids sniff it too..thanks for the heads up!
Wow, I had no idea that you could not let kids smell concentrated peppermint. I used to let my kids sniff it too..thanks for the heads up!
I'm on the road so I will be unable to attend. Thanks for this post Julie.
I'm on the road so I will be unable to attend. Thanks for this post Julie.
Very interesting. I like that there are oils made for kids. I need to get some.
Very interesting. I like that there are oils made for kids. I need to get some.
These are great tips. It is awesome that they are making oils just for kids now, so smart!
These are great tips. It is awesome that they are making oils just for kids now, so smart!
I've been interested in learning more about essential oils for DIY cleaners. This is helpful information.
I've been interested in learning more about essential oils for DIY cleaners. This is helpful information.
I'm really glad you spelled out the oils that might be dangerous. This is excellent information.
I'm really glad you spelled out the oils that might be dangerous. This is excellent information.
These sound like great alternatives to other things we use for cold remedies! Thanks for sharing!
These sound like great alternatives to other things we use for cold remedies! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the great tips! It's always best to be informed before trying these sort of things.
Thanks for the great tips! It's always best to be informed before trying these sort of things.
Great tips!! I had no idea these oils had such a wide variety of uses!!
Great tips!! I had no idea these oils had such a wide variety of uses!!
Great tips! I love the list of safer substitutes.
Great tips! I love the list of safer substitutes.
Great tips. I know so many people who use oils. sounds interesting.
Great tips. I know so many people who use oils. sounds interesting.
I have never used essential oils before. I am glad to hear that there are some especially for the kiddos!
I have never used essential oils before. I am glad to hear that there are some especially for the kiddos!
Thank you for this article about using essential oils safely with children. It was very informative and helpful with information I didn't know. We are still learning about the many uses of oils.
Thank you for this article about using essential oils safely with children. It was very informative and helpful with information I didn't know. We are still learning about the many uses of oils.
I have just recently thought about using essential oils and had no clue you couldn't use some on children! Wow, thanks for the info and alternatives
I have just recently thought about using essential oils and had no clue you couldn't use some on children! Wow, thanks for the info and alternatives
I love essential oils. Great choices.
I love essential oils. Great choices.
That is a great list of oils that are save to use with kids! We use Essential oils all the time; so making note of which ones are save with kids and which aren't is very helpful.
That is a great list of oils that are save to use with kids! We use Essential oils all the time; so making note of which ones are save with kids and which aren't is very helpful.
Such great information! I have been wondering if essential oils were safe for the kiddos.
Such great information! I have been wondering if essential oils were safe for the kiddos.
I love using homeopathic methods to treat minor ailments. Sometimes the pharmaceutical cure causes more problems than they solve.
I love using homeopathic methods to treat minor ailments. Sometimes the pharmaceutical cure causes more problems than they solve.
I'm a big fan of using natural remedies whenever possible. Pharmaceuticals have so many extra ingredients, and even when they don't, the active ingredients can sometimes cause more problems than they help.
I'm a big fan of using natural remedies whenever possible. Pharmaceuticals have so many extra ingredients, and even when they don't, the active ingredients can sometimes cause more problems than they help.
This is such a great post. I love holistic approaches to ailments. I don't like the idea of putting extra chemicals into my body to treat myself when I could do it with all natural ingredients.
This is such a great post. I love holistic approaches to ailments. I don't like the idea of putting extra chemicals into my body to treat myself when I could do it with all natural ingredients.