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.
ARE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFE FOR 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.
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.
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 to Safely Apply Oils on Children
Before you start using essential oils, make sure that you have a firm understanding of how to apply them, the appropriate dosages and quantities, and which areas to avoid. For example, when applying essential oils topically, avoid application to the eyes, ears, nose, or sensitive areas, and avoid putting essential oils on broken or damaged skin.
When applying essential oils topically, dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil so that it is not too powerful for the child’s skin. This will help ensure your child doesn’t experience any sensitivity.
While some worry that using a carrier oil will reduce the benefits of essential oils, it will help increase absorption as that the oil stays on the skin for a longer period.
Remember that the dilution ratio you use on your child should be different than what you might normally use on yourself. It is recommended that you use several drops of carrier oil to one drop of essential oil with your child. The exact dilution ratio you use may change with their age. Younger children require more dilution than older children.
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?
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:
• 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.
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 labor 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.
To learn more about essential oils and pregnancy, read this article: “How to Use Essential Oils during Pregnancy.”
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.
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.
