Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy therapy essential oils are pure aromatic plant essences known for their healing properties.  There are a large variety of essential oils that you can use for many different ailments.  

Essential oils are a wonderful way to support your child's physical and mental well-being.  You should exercise great caution before you apply oils to your child body.  Some oils are dangerous for children.  Children with epilepsy should not be given essential oils in any form.  Always ask a professional practitioner for his advice.  The blends of essential oils should be three times less for children than adults. 

The oils are used on the outside of the body.  There are two ways you can use them for children.  They can be inhaled through a diffuser or applied topically.  You should dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil.  Inquiring of a professional will help you find essential oils that are safe.  You don't want to take a chance and use a toxic oil.  Some can cause an allergy that could trigger symptoms when your child is older.  Also make sure the oils are therapeutic grade.  Organic is the best to use.  The strength of the oil should depend on the age of your child and what you are using it for.  Take your time when you pick the carrier oil.  You need to use something gentle like sweet almond or olive.  Sweet almond oil is very safe for babies and children.  Apricot kernel oil is safe for children over six years old. 

There are so many good ways to help your children with aromatherapy.  It can aid in healing from accidents.  Many children get scrapes and bruises when they play outside.  Lavender is an excellent choice for sores or wounds.  It is also good to use for bee stings or mosquito bites.  It is analgesic and it helps prevent infections.  Burns are soothed from using lavender.  Tea Tree oil can be used as a blend with lavender.  Tea Tree is a potent antiseptic.  You can put it directly in the water that you clean the wounds with.  Then put a couple of drops on the gauze of a bandage.  Don't put the drops straight onto the wound because you don't want to irritate the skin.  For any kind of inflammation Calendua oil is wonderful.  It gives a cooling sensation.  Camomile is also good to use for inflamed or irritated skin. 

Children with stomach aches accompanied by gas pains and nausea can be given a gentle tummy massage using the oils.  One blend mixture is two drops of chamomile, one drop of fennel, two drops of dill, one drop of Melissa and 1 ounce of carrier oil.  You can soak a piece of cloth in warm water with drops of lavender and use it a neck wrap for swelling glands and mumps.  

There are essential oil blends for all kinds of childhood diseases such as chicken pox, mumps and measles.  A treatment suggested for children before they go to bed is a warm lavender and chamomile essential-oil bath.  Relaxant teas can also calm a child and help them to sleep.  Some teas are Melissa, lavender and chamomile.  

Researchers have stated that massage for children helps them to grow physically and mentally.  Massage your child in a soft manner.  Make sure that it is enjoyable for them.  You can buy oils that are already mixed and apply right on their skin.  

Many books are available on aromatherapy for children.  They can teach you how to make blends yourself or give you suggestions on where to buy essential oils that are already blended.