Day Eight
Welcome to
Welcome to Day Eight of your 10 Day Oil Education!
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Essential oils are powerful tools that can be used to support health and well-being. When proper usage guidelines are followed, essential oils are safe for the entire family. Today, we'll be discussing the following three:​​
Essential Oils and Children
Essential Oils and Pregnancy
Essential Oils and Pets
Are essential oils safe for everyone? Let's get started!
Essential Oils & Children
ARE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFE FOR KIDS?
Yes, essential oils are safe to use on children; however, there are a few extra precautions to take when it comes to using essential oils on your little ones.
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Children have more delicate and sensitive skin than adults, so it is always necessary to dilute oils before applying them topically on your kids. The most important rule for kids when it comes to using essential oils is to only do so with the help and supervision of an adult.
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Keep essential oils out of reach of your children so they cannot use them unsupervised.
HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS WITH CHILDREN?
• Opt for topical and aromatic uses with children.
• Start with just one drop of oil diluted with several drops of carrier oil for topical application.
• Use pre-diluted roller bottles for easy application.
• Keep essential oils out of reach of children at all times
• Never let children use oils unsupervised.
• Avoid sun exposure for 12 hours after topical application of citrus oils.
• Consult with a physician before using essential oils.
• Hot oils, like Oregano or Cinnamon, require extra dilution before topical application.
Avoid using these strong oils topically on children until they are older.
HOW MUCH OIL TO USE ON A CHILD.
Dosage, which is how much essential oil you use at once, is a big part of using oils safely. If too much oil is used, it can cause your body to react negatively. So how do you make sure that you are using the right amount of oil?
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For children, a good rule of thumb is to start with just one drop of essential oil, and as we said before, make sure it is diluted for topical application. From there, you can decide if the oil had the effect you wanted or if you need a second drop. It is not recommended to apply more than two drops at a time on a child. Remember, when it comes to using essential oils, less is often more. Using small amounts multiple times a day is better than using a large amount once a day.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD HAS AN ADVERSE REACTION.
Although uncommon, some people experience sensitivity to essential oils. This can include:
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• Pain, swelling, or tenderness of the skin
• Itchiness
• Hives, rash, or boils
• Digestive upset
• Difficulty breathing
If your child experiences a reaction to essential oils, discontinue use immediately. Do not apply any other essential oils. If the reaction is severe, prolonged, or worsens over time, seek immediate medical attention from a trained professional.
Essential Oils and Pregnancy
ARE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFE FOR PREGNANCY?
Essential oils can help maintain a healthy body, support the immune system, soothe feelings of discomfort, and more.* Because of these powerful benefits, essential oils are useful and effective during every phase of life—even pregnancy. By following proper safety guidelines, you can feel confident in using essential oils during pregnancy.​
When pregnant, the body goes through a wide variety of changes. These changes often bring feelings of discomfort and sensitivity. While every pregnancy is different, the goal is the same: to support the healthy, proper function of the entire body. Along with proper nutrition and regular exercise, essential oils can be used during pregnancy to help support a healthy body and healthy baby. You can also use essential oils during labour and delivery to make it a more pleasant or positive experience.
ESSENTIAL OIL SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR PREGNANCY
Due to the ethical issue of testing expecting mothers and their fetuses, limited clinical studies address the safety of essential oils during pregnancy. However, we can rely on the history of safe use to determine which essential oils to use during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, it’s not uncommon for a woman to be sensitive to essential oils. Due to these sensitivities and all of the changes that occur in the body when pregnant, it would be wise to consult with your doctor before using essential oils during pregnancy.
TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT USING ESSENTIAL OILS WHILE PREGNANT
Even if you’ve used essential oils before without incident, you should still inform your doctor of any essential oils you plan to use during pregnancy. Your doctor knows you, your specific health concerns, and the status of your pregnancy; therefore, he or she should be aware of all essential oil products you plan to use during pregnancy. Because each pregnancy is different, your doctor is the best resource available for making a treatment plan and determining which essential oils are best to use during pregnancy for each individual. Your doctor can give you a good idea of what to avoid during pregnancy, as well as any other safety measures you should take, based on your health and the health of your growing baby.​
ESSENTIAL OILS AND BREASTFEEDING
IS IT SAFE TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS WHILE BREASTFEEDING?
In addition to concerns about essential oils and pregnancy, many people ask, “Is it safe to use essential oils while breastfeeding?” While the body changes significantly during pregnancy, these changes don’t end with the birth of the baby—your body continues to change as you adapt to postpartum life. Just as you should discuss beforehand the use of essential oils with your doctor for pregnancy, you’ll also want to consult with your physician if you choose to nurse.
Again, your doctor is the best resource you have for advice when it comes to your body, your baby, and any special concerns you might have. Just as you would check with your doctor before using any new products when breastfeeding, it’s important to discuss your essential oil use with your healthcare professional when you become a nursing mother.
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​Like pregnancy, breastfeeding places a lot of demands on a mother’s body. When nursing, the goal is to maintain a strong and healthy body and support a growing newborn.
With the help of your doctor, you can use essential oils and essential oil– related products that support the whole body.
Essential Oils and Pets
ARE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFE FOR ANIMALS?
While there is some controversy surrounding the essential oils on animals, when used properly, essential oils can be part of a well-rounded program to help your pets live happy, healthy lives. Just as it is of key importance to use pure essential oils on yourself and your family, you should use only high-quality, pure essential oils with your pets.
Essential oils have numerous benefits for your pets. They can help with calming emotions, soothing muscles, deodorizing unpleasant aromas, and maintaining overall wellness for your furry family members. As with any new product you introduce to your pet, begin slowly.
• Start small. Start with a small amount of a diffused or diluted essential oil, and then observe your pet’s behavior.
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• Diffuse. Keep your diffusers in a safe place where your pet can’t knock them over. When you’re diffusing, be sure to use a water-based diffuser and only diffuse four to five drops at a time in an open area, where your pet can leave the room if desired.
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• Dilute. Before using oils topically on your pets, first, consult with your veterinarian. Always dilute essential oils down to 1–2 percent (100 drops of carrier oil for every one drop of essential oil) before topical application. Dilute even more for animals under 10 pounds.
It’s probably not a surprise that pets can greatly improve the lives of the humans around them. One study shows that owning a dog can promote cardiovascular health.
There are obvious positive health benefits when it comes to taking your dog for a walk, including it being good exercise, but there are also lesser-known benefits, such as the positive social interactions that naturally occur when others smile at how adorable your pet is or ask if they can pet him or her. Another study indicates that pets can improve immunity and respiratory health in children.​ Pets can also decrease stress at the end of a long day.
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With all these and other benefits, it’s no wonder we have incorporated pets into our lives so closely.
PETS AND ESSENTIAL OILS
It’s important to keep our pets in mind as we use essential oils in our homes. Dogs and cats in particular have 200–300 million olfactory receptors (humans have only 5–6 million). Their sense of smell is very sensitive, so when you are diffusing, be sure to use a water-based diffuser and only diffuse 4–5 drops at a time in an open area where your pet can leave the room if desired.
Due to this sensitivity, there are a few oils to avoid with pets. Of course, we can use other oils instead. Here are a few suggestions:
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Instead of Tea Tree (Melaleuca), use Geranium, Arborvitae, Myrrh, or Cedarwood.
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Instead of Wintergreen, use Copaiba, Frankincense, or AromaTouch.
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Instead of Cassia, use On Guard, Oregano, or Thyme.
Many oils can support the various body systems of your animals. When using oils topically with pets, be sure to consult with your veterinarian first.
Always dilute oils down to 1–2 percent before application (100 drops of carrier oil for every one drop of essential oil). Dilute even more for animals that are less than 10 lbs/5 kg.
Cardiovascular Support: Helichrysum, Cypress, Marjoram, Copaiba
Digestive Support: doTERRA DigestZen®, Ginger, Cardamom, Fennel, Coriander
Endocrine Support: Myrrh, Lemongrass, Geranium
Immune Support: Rosemary, Copaiba, doTERRA On Guard®, Melissa
Integumentary Support: Lavender, Frankincense, Myrrh, Helichrysum, Cedarwood, Geranium, Spikenard, Roman Chamomile, Melissa
Musculoskeletal Support: Frankincense, Copaiba, doTERRA AromaTouch®, Marjoram
Nervous System Support: Copaiba, Helichrysum, Turmeric, Sandalwood, doTERRA Balance®
Respiratory Support: doTERRA Breathe®, doTERRA On Guard®, Cardamom, Rosemary, Arborvitae
Urinary Tract Support: Copaiba, Lemongrass, Juniper Berry, doTERRA Zendocrine®