Children’s  aromatherapy

So what are the most common childhood ailments, and how can you safely use aromatic blends on your children? Try creating the following recipes at home for a natural healing alternative. To create these blends, pour your essential oils into a 10-ml bottle, and fill will organic vegetable oil.

Colds and Flu
2 drops Rosemary
2 drops Eucalyptus
Rub blend on the chest and middle back. Add a few drops of the aromatic blend to your child's warm bath water and let him/her soak for at least 15 minutes. Pour 4 drops of the aromatic blend on a tissue and have your child breathe it in deeply.

Wounds and Burns
Dab 1 drop of pure, undiluted Lavender essential oil on the afflicted area. Do it just once.

Immune System Booster
2 drops Rosemary
3 drops Ravensara
Massage the solar plexus and lower back, chest and middle back. Add a few drops of the aromatic blend to your child's warm bath water and let him/her soak for at least 15 minutes. Pour 4 drops of the aromatic blend on a tissue and have your child breathe it in deeply.

Sweet Dreams
1 drop Roman Chamomile
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Orange
This is a wonderful blend for story time! Massage the forehead and temples, neck and back. Add a few drops of the aromatic blend to your child's warm bath water and let him/her soak for at least 15 minutes.

Toothaches
2 drops Roman Chamomile
Rub the essential oil directly on the cheek.

Joy and Laughter
3 drops Orange
2 drops Lemon
Massage the solar plexus and abdomen, friction the back. Pour 4 drops of the aromatic blend on a tissue and have your child breathe it in deeply.

Tummy Aches
2 drops Basil
2 drops Dill
Massage the tummy clockwise with the blend as needed.

Lack of Appetite
2 drops Cardamom
2 drops Dill
Massage the solar plexus and abdomen. Pour 4 drops of the aromatic blend on a tissue and have your child breathe it in deeply.

Motion Sickness
4 drops Lemon
1 drop Ginger
Massage the solar plexus. Pour 4 drops of the aromatic blend on a tissue and have your child breathe it in deeply.

Aromatherapy heals more than just common childhood ailments. It also has a great impact on the emotional and mental issues children face on a daily basis.

Children have their own ways of dealing with stress and internal conflict. Some internalize their emotions and attempt to hide their thoughts and feelings. Others may become overly expressive or abnormally active. Many children simply don't know how to process their complex feelings. Unlike adults, children do not have the skills and the maturity to find healthy outlets for their emotions.

Stresses in a child's family, school and social settings can contribute to any number of emotional issues, including guilt, loneliness, hyperactivity and neediness. Whatever situation your children may be facing, it is most important to emphasize communication, or share your concerns with a child therapist. I also encourage you to use one of the aromatic blends below to safely enhance the work of any therapy.

In a 10ml bottle, pour the essential oils and then add any organic vegetable oil to fill (jojoba, sweet almond, grapeseed, etc.)

 

Calming

equal portions of :

 Sweet Orange

Vanilla

Add to unscented hand and body lotion.

Rejection Issues
2 drops Marjoram
1 drop Rose
Massage along the spine, the solar plexus and heart chakra. Pour a few drops of the blend into your child's warm bath water and have him/her soak for at least 10 minutes. Pour a few drops in the palm of your hands and have your child inhale deeply.

Guilt Issues
2 drops Sandalwood
2 drops Orange
2 drops Lavender
Massage along the spine, the solar plexus and abdomen. Pour a few drops of the blend into your child's warm bath water and have him/her soak for at least 10 minutes. Pour a few drops in the palm of your hands and have your child inhale deeply.

 

Withdrawal
NOTE: Avoid nighttime use. Do not use if your child is hyperactive.
2 drops Lavender
1 drop Peppermint
1 drop Rosemary
Massage the throat, neck and shoulders.


 

Loneliness
1 drop Rose
1 drop Roman Chamomile
2 drops Lavender
Massage the solar plexus, abdomen and heart chakra. Pour a few drops of the blend into your child's warm bath water and have him/her soak for at least 10 minutes. Pour a few drops in the palm of your hands and have your child inhale deeply.

Need for Attention
2 drops Sandalwood
1 drop Rose
1 drop Bergamot
1 drop Marjoram
Massage along the spine, the solar plexus, and heart chakra. Pour a few drops of the blend into your child's warm bath water and have him/her soak for at least 10 minutes. Pour a few drops in the palm of your hands and have your child inhale deeply.

Overly Active
1 drop Roman Chamomile
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Marjoram
Massage along the spine and the solar plexus. Pour a few drops of the blend into your child's warm bath water and have him/her soak for at least 10 minutes. Pour a few drops in the palm of your hands and have your child inhale deeply.  

Adolescence and Teenagers

Adolescence is one of the most difficult stages of our lives. During this dynamic period, we not only encounter awkward physical changes -- such as skin problems and weight issues -- but we also see a rise in the expectations we face from family and society, which brings emotional conflict. In fact, one-third of American teens claim they suffer daily from stress-related issues, including sleep deprivation, anxiety and depression. The other two-thirds say they feel stress-related symptoms at least once a week.

Teenagers in general have a tendency to shut down their emotions as a method of coping with the influx of change in their lives. They may also become irritable, angry, provocative, or resort to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. This stage is also extremely difficult on the parents, who must also come to terms with their teens, who are no longer children.

The following aromatic recipes can be used to help teens better cope with the emotional and physical stress they face. Next month, I'll provide some aromatic blends to help parents during this life change!

To create these custom aromatic blends, add the essential oils in a 10-oz bottle and then add organic vegetable oil to fill.

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Aiding Communication

This blend is effective for teens who shut down their communication by isolating themselves in their own world. It will help them better express their desires and emotions.

-3 drops Sage
-4 drops Lavender
-2 drops German Chamomile

Massage the neck and shoulders. Pour up to 20 drops of the blend into your warm bath water and soak for at least 15 minutes. Pour a few drops into the palm of your hands and inhale deeply.

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Accepting One's Identity

This blend reconnects the body and spirit, helping teens create an awareness of their purpose and identity. It helps soothe the transition toward adulthood by encouraging the teen along the right path.

-4 drops Sandalwood
-3 drops Frankincense
-2 drops Jasmine otto

Massage the heart chakra and solar plexus. Pour up to 20 drops of the blend into your warm bath water and soak for at least 15 minutes. Pour a few drops into the palm of your hands and inhale deeply.


 

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Depression
 
This blend can help teens open themselves to positive opportunities and attitudes. It will bring more joy into their lives.

-3 drops Ylang Ylang
-4 drops Orange
-4 drops Grapefruit

Massage the solar plexus. Pour up to 20 drops of the blend into your warm bath water and soak for at least 15 minutes. Pour a few drops into the palm of your hands and inhale deeply.

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Panic Attacks

 

This blend soothes and calms fear-related issues or sudden bouts with panic.

-2 drops Roman Chamomile
-1 drop Rose otto

Massage the heart chakra and solar plexus. Pour up to 20 drops of the blend into your warm bath water and soak for at least 15 minutes. Pour a few drops into the palm of your hands and inhale deeply.

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Sleep Disorders
 
This blend brings a deep sense of calm. It can help teens process emotions during sleep. It stops the chatting mind that may impede healthy sleep patterns.

-2 drops Roman Chamomile
-4 drops Petitgrain
-4 drops Basil

Massage the neck, shoulders, temples and forehead. Pour up to 20 drops of the blend into your warm bath water and soak for at least 15 minutes. Pour a few drops into the palm of your hands and inhale deeply.

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Skin problems

This recipe will purify soothe and regenerate the skin.

-3 drops Lavender
-3 drops Geranium
-1 drop Rosemary

Massage the face thoroughly with this blend. You can also incorporate the blend into an unscented moisturizer or clay mask.

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Escaping
 
This blend allows more grounding, inner strength and stability. It helps teens face their issues while turning them into positive lessons. It also enhances courage and faith.

-4 drops Cedarwood
-3 drops Cypress
-3 drops Rosemary

Massage the sacrum and solar plexus. Pour a few drops into the palm of your hands and inhale deeply.

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Anger-Related Symptoms

This blend soothes the heart and soul when the teen expresses anger toward others as well as himself.

-4 drops Marjoram
-1 drop Rose
-1 drop Jasmine otto

Massage the heart chakra, sacrum and solar plexus. Pour up to 20 drops of the blend into your warm bath water and soak for at least 15 minutes. Pour a few drops into the palm of your hands and inhale deeply.

(c) Francoise Rapp, 2001.