Parenting is a huge job. From the moment your baby is born, you're responsible for their health, safety, and happiness. You might feel like there's no end to the things you need to do. But here's one thing that doesn't require a lot of effort.....Aromatherapy!
How Can Aromatherapy Benefit?
Aromatherapy can be used in many ways to benefit your child's health, happiness, and well-being. Here are just some of the beneficial ways to use Aromatherapy for children.
Helps to Improve Kid's Immune System
You might wonder how Aromatherapy can help your child's immune system. Well, it can improve the immune system by helping to boost it!
Aromatherapy is a natural way to help boost the immune system and keep it working at its optimum level, which means that you will have a healthier child who is less likely to get sick or develop illnesses. This helps prevent colds, flu, and other infections from developing in your children.
Works as a Natural Antiseptic and Disinfectant
Essential oils are natural antiseptics and disinfectants. They're known for their ability to kill pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Let's use tea tree oil as an example of how you can use Aromatherapy to clean your home with essential oils.
Tea tree oil is one of the most effective anti-fungal and anti-microbial oils in nature – so we'll turn it into a spray to clean our homes with!
Combine 1 cup distilled water with 15 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Spray on surfaces that need cleaning (and then wipe down). Be sure not to get any in your eyes or mouth - this could cause irritation! Also, avoid natural, polished surfaces.
You can also use this mixture as an antibacterial handwash when washing hands:
Mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar (about 1/2 cup each) into another spray bottle. Add ten drops of tea tree essential oil; shake well before each use. Mist hands after washing them with soap & water, then rinse well under running water for about 30 seconds - be sure not too much gets on your clothes as it may stain them if left there too long. This should kill 99% of germs within 10 minutes or less and keep working even after being washed off due to its high concentration levels being applied directly without dilution from other cleaners like soap products would provide.
Treats Insomnia and Improves Sleep Quality
Aromatherapy is a great way to help children relax and sleep better. They will feel more relaxed, and their minds will be calmer, leading to better sleep quality. When you combine the effects of Aromatherapy with other therapies like massage or meditation, the results are even more powerful.
Some examples of must have essential oils include lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia), jasmine absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), neroli essential oil (Citrus aurantium amara), ylang-ylang absolute oil (Cananga odorata), german chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile flower oil (Chamaemelum nobilis). Look for Aromatherapy blends containing these oils.
It helps Ease Aches & Pains
In addition to the scent alone, Aromatherapy can help soothe pain and aches. For example, Aromatherapy blends containing peppermint are a popular option for providing natural relief from headaches.
Aromatherapy blends containing Lavender are very effective for relaxing sore muscles and reducing swelling after injuries. Lavender is probably the oil with the widest variety of uses on the market, along with Tea Tree.
Relieves Cold and Flu Symptoms
Aromatherapy can help relieve cold and flu symptoms. One of the best ways to use Aromatherapy while experiencing cold/flu symptoms is by using a vaporizer or inhaler. By inhaling the essential oils (the obvious one being eucalyptus and tea tree), you can feel relief from congestion, headaches, sore throats, muscle aches, and chills. Try our Antiviral blend for great results.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety Levels
One of the most significant benefits of Aromatherapy is that it can help reduce children's stress and anxiety levels. Aromatherapy has been found to be particularly effective at reducing stress levels, improving mood, and reducing the effects of depression.
Provides Relief from Eczema and other Skin Conditions
Use a carrier oil, such as jojoba, almond, or coconut. You can find these at your local health store or online.
Choose Aromatherapy blends that are known to be helpful with eczema symptoms (such as lavender and chamomile). Most essential oils come in blends, so if you choose one of these blends, it will already have several beneficial ingredients in it already!
Aromatherapy can help treat diaper rash by using essential oils that have anti-inflammatory properties. Some examples of these essential oils include lavender, chamomile, and rosemary.
We would always recommend using an 'off-the-shelf' Aromatherapy Blend if you have any doubts.
In Summary
Aromatherapy can not only help a child feel calmer and more relaxed, but it also may have some health benefits as well. There are many ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your family's life, such as by diffusing essential oils or using them in the bath.
Use the following tips to get started:
Invest in an Aromatherapy Diffuser: This is one of the most popular ways for parents to introduce their children to aromatherapy. The diffuser releases a gentle mist that contains essential oils into the air around them so they can breathe in these beneficial scents throughout the day. It's perfect for bedrooms or playrooms where children spend much time playing, studying, or even sleeping!
Remember to keep the diffuser and its cables out of reach of young children.
Introduce Aromatherapy into Your Bath Time Routine: Kids love baths and getting clean—and who wouldn't want their skin smelling amazing after a long day? For extra fun (and relaxation), add a blended Aromatherapy oil to your bubble bath so kids can enjoy them along with their favorite toys or reading material while taking care of business. You'll be able to see how happy they become knowing they're being pampered while enjoying such a relaxing experience!
Essential oils must be diluted to around 0.5% (maximum) when used on young children, but the strength of the oil also depends on the type of oil being used. If in doubt, seek professional guidance or use a pre-blended oil from a reputable supplier.
References
https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/how-aromatherapy-can-help-children
https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/aromatherapy-benefits-kids.html