It’s well known that many ancient cultures utilized natural remedies, including essential oils, for various health purposes, and this included children’s health.
Once you have experienced the effectiveness of essential oils, incorporating them into your daily life and routine comes naturally and this included using them with children. Many parents ask “Are essential oils safe to use on my children?” The answer to this question is YES! However, it is important to remember that there are safety guidelines and recommendations to consider when it comes to using essential oils with kids.
Essential oils can be safely used on or around children, and just like anything you would use with your family e.g. topical products, hygienic products, cleaning products, etc. special caution must be used when applying oils to children.
When we use essential oils with kids, we need to be aware that they are more sensitive to essential oils than adults. This is due to several reasons:
- Skin Sensitivity: Children have more delicate and sensitive skin compared to adults. Their skin is thinner, more permeable, and can absorb substances more easily, which might make them more susceptible to skin irritation or adverse reactions when exposed to undiluted or improperly diluted essential oils.
- Metabolic Rate: Children have faster metabolisms than adults, meaning their bodies process substances more rapidly. This increased metabolic rate can affect how their bodies break down and eliminate essential oils, potentially impacting their reactions to these substances.
- Respiratory Sensitivity: Children often have smaller airways and a higher respiratory rate than adults. Some essential oils, especially when inhaled directly or in high concentrations, may irritate the respiratory system or trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, potentially affecting children more than adults.
- Developmental Stage: Children’s bodies, especially in younger age groups, are still developing. Their organs, including the liver and kidneys responsible for processing substances, might not be as mature or efficient as those in adults, potentially influencing their sensitivity to essential oils.
- Allergic Reactions: Children might have a higher likelihood of having allergies or sensitivities to certain compounds found in essential oils, which can lead to adverse reactions when exposed to these substances.
Given these factors, it’s essential to exercise caution and seek guidance from healthcare professionals or aromatherapy experts when considering the use of essential oils for children. Always ensure proper dilution, use gentle oils, and perform a patch test on a small area of the skin to check for any adverse reactions before applying essential oils more extensively on a child.
Applying to the skin (in a carrier oil)
Essential oils must always be diluted in a plant-based carrier oil (when applying to the skin) such as jojoba, sweet almond, extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed, apricot kernel old etc.
A safe dilution for children of different ages is below. As you can see, a very small amount of essential oil diluted in a carrier oil like jojoba, or sweet almond oil. Perform a patch test on a small area of the skin and observe for any adverse reactions before applying essential oils more extensively.
For babies and children the dilution must be very low.
|
Up to 3 Months |
1-2 drops only per 50mls of carrier oil (0.1% – 0.2% dilution) |
|
3-24 Months |
2-4 drops only per 40mls of carrier oil (0.25% – 0.5% dilution) |
|
2-6 Years |
7-14 drops only per 35mls of carrier oil (1% – 2% dilution) |
|
6-15 Years |
10- 21 drops only per 35mls carrier oil (1.5% – 3% dilution) |
|
15 or Older |
17-35 drops only per 35mls in carrier oil (2.5% – 5% dilution) |
Essential oil quick dilution guide for blending
|
1 % Dilution |
Children over 2 years old and the elderly |
|
2% Dilution |
Healthy adult, longer term treatments |
|
3% + Dilution |
Suitable only for acute, short term and for a small area |
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Ensure you do not exceed the recommended dilution.
Babies’ & children’s body systems young and still growing and cannot handle stronger dilutions.
Their liver & kidney function and respiratory systems are immature and over-exposure/over-use will lead to adverse reactions such as:
- headaches & migraines
- watery eyes
- respiratory problems
- irritability
- gut or IBS-type symptoms
- seizures
- unexplained skin rashes (that can appear anywhere on the body)
- redness
- itching, burning/and or pain
- hives (tiny blisters)
These adverse reactions can occur at any age range, so it is vital to be mindful of what you are using on and around babies, toddlers & children. If you are using essential oils around this age range, and not under the guidance of a qualified practitioner, please observe the above reactions.
For very infants and young children, it’s often best to diffuse essential oils in a well-ventilated area rather than applying them directly to their skin. And always consult a qualified and experienced aromatherapy professional who has experience in using essential oils for children for personalized advice.
Diffusion
Essential oils can be safely diffused into the air using a diffuser.
The healthiest way is to only diffuse essential oils for 60 minutes, then have a 60-minute break, then repeat if necessary, for adults.
For babies and children, the diffusion time is 30 minutes with a 60-minute break, then repeat if necessary.
This is safer and more effective, as both our bodies and our nervous system becomes accustomed to essential oils after this period of time. Also allow fresh air into the room/s where diffusion is being carried out.
Overuse can lead to adverse reactions, so ensure to diffuse essential oils for a purpose.
It is not safe to diffuse essential oils in public places, such as early childhood centres, schools, waiting rooms etc…. There is a lot to consider when using essential oils, such as age, health conditions, pregnancy etc and it’s impossible to gather this type of information for everyone being diffused around.
Drops to use in your diffuser by age
|
Babies between 3 & 12 months |
1-2 drops |
|
Babies 12 months to 6 years |
2-3 drops |
|
Children 6-12 years |
4 drops |
|
Children 12 years + |
4-8 drops |
NEVER diffuse essential oils around babies & children (for your own needs) that are not on the list above as suitable for babies and children.
Essential oils suitable for babies & children should be stored away from rooms that they frequent and always out of reach.
Baths
Never add undiluted essential oils to baths. This applies to adults, babies & children.
Add the drops to 20-50mls of liquid soap, mix and then add to the bath.
Oil and water do not mix, which poses a high-risk if the essential oils touch the skin, as this can cause an adverse reaction.
| Child Age | Amounts |
|
Babies 3 to 12 months |
1-2 drops + 20-50ml liquid soap |
|
Babies 12 months to 6 years |
2-3 drops + 20-50ml liquid soap |
|
Children 6-12 years |
4 drops + 20-50 ml liquid soap |
|
Children 12 years + |
4-8 drops + 20-50ml liquid soap |
Safe oils for young children
- Balm Mint Bush
- Boronia
- Buddha Wood
- Bergamot
- Cedarwood
- Chamomile, Roman or German
- Cypress Pine
- Cypress Blue
- Fragonia
- Frankincense
- Geranium
- Grapefruit
- Jasmine
- Lavender
- Lime
- Lemon
- Lemon Myrtle
- Lotus, Pink or Blue
- Mandarin
- Marjoram
- Melaleuca
- Myrrh
- Neroli
- Nerolina
- Orange, Sweet
- Orange, Bitter
- Rosalina
- Rose
- Sandalwood
- Silver Fir
- Spearmint
- Tangerine
- Tea Tree
- Tea Tree, Lemon
- Wattle
Unsafe oils for young children
There are some essential oils that are not safe for children, and it is crucial when using essential oils for kids, that you use them with caution. The essential oils below should should be avoided with young children.
- Basil
- Bay
- Birch
- Cajeput
- Caraway
- Cardamon
- Clove
- Cumin
- Eucalyptus
- Fennel
- Galbanum
- Honey Myrtle
- Ho Sho
- Hyssop
- Jasmine
- Kunzea
- Lavender, Spike
- Lemongrass
- Melissa
- Niaouli
- Oregano
- Pepper, Pink or Black
- Peppermint
- Petigrain
- Peru Balsam
- Ravensara
- Rosemary
- Rosewood
- Sage
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Vertiver
Always use only the essential oils that have been studied and found to be safe and effective. Don’t use undiluted oils directly on skin. Oils in their full form can be harmful if applied directly to the skin. Follow the safe dilutions charts above. Oils can be added to carrier oils, distilled water and lotions.
Essential oils safety
Essential oils should NOT be ingested orally. Do not ingest essential oils unless advised to do so by a qualified/licensed practitioner. Taking essential oils orally engages many areas of risk that other modes do not. Do not take essential oils either undiluted or in water, as there is a risk of mouth/stomach irritation. This can lead to adverse reactions and a possible lifetime of sensitisation.
NEVER give babies and children any food or beverage containing essential oils – no food, no beverages, no ice blocks, confectionary, snacks, raw food etc containing essential oils – adverse reactions are inevitable especially if they are also being treated topically and via diffusers.
ALWAYS STORE ESSENTIAL OILS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND AWAY FROM THE ROOMS YOUR BABIES & CHILDREN FREQUENT.
THEIR SENSE OF SMELL IS SO MUCH MORE ACUTE THAN OURS, SO ADVERSE REACTIONS ARE A HIGHER RISK WHEN BABIES & CHILDREN ARE OVER-EXPOSED TO ESSENTIAL OILS.
ONLY EVER use essential oils with babies & children when there is a purpose.
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