How to Use Essential Oils with Children

The other day, my five year old niece asked me, "Why do other people's houses have their own smells, and ours doesn't?" The question made me laugh, because I remember asking my mother the same thing when I was little. To this day, certain smells remind me of the homes of different childhood friends.

Scents probably evoke childhood memories for you, too! What smell do you think about when you remember your first kindergarten classroom? How about your grandparents' house? The doctor's office? The airport? Each of these special smells probably brings back a certain feeling, as well.

The sense of smell is linked with our emotions. This is especially true with children. It is possible to take advantage of the sense of smell, by introducing your children to aromatherapy with essential oils.

What are essential oils, in the first place? Basically, an essential oil is an oil that can be extracted from a plant. These oils are what give the plants their scents. For centuries, many people have believed that these oils have therapeutic and medical values.

You can buy essential oils in most health food or natural food stores, in the beauty supplies section. You can also order them online, but I prefer to buy them in person, so that I can sample the scents. When purchasing essential oils to use with children, you might want to bring the children along so they can sample the scents for themselves. Some essential oils have stronger smells that kids might not like. Smells that you love may offend your children.

Some essential oils smell sweet or fruity. Some examples of my favorite oils are peppermint and spearmint, cinnamon, lemon, lime, tangerine, and vanilla. I also love the smell of cedar. Children might like the scent of anise, which smells like black licorice.

Now, how can you use essential oils with children?

One great way is to put a few drops of a special scent on a handkerchief, or on the collar of his shirt, so he can carry it with him all day. Another way is to add a few drops to her bath water. You can make a special room spray, a pillow sachet, or a sheet mist, for your child's room. You can even apply some essential oils topically, by adding a drop or two to a carrier oil such as almond oil or jojoba oil. (However, always be careful when using essential oils topically, especially with children. Do some research to find out the best ratios of carrier oils to essential oils. Children should use a smaller amount of essential oil than adults can safely use. Also, some children may find certain oils, such as peppermint oil, to be uncomfortable on their skin.)

Your children may choose to use a particular oil often just because they like the smell. But, did you know that different oils can have different effects on children? You can try using different essential oils, based on your child's needs.

If your child has a big test at school, or generally needs help concentrating and keeping his focus, try cedar. You can either put drops on a handkerchief or the collar of his shirt so he can smell it when he wants to, or put a drop of it into a carrier oil and have him massage it into his forehead and neck.

The smell of peppermint can help awaken your child's mind and keep her feeling energized throughout the school day. It can also help improve your child's concentration, possibly because the smell of it will make her feel more alert! The essential oils of cinnamon or lemon can have similar effects.

For a child who is grouchy or sad, certain scents can help lift their moods. Try lemon, tangerine, peppermint, sweet orange, or lime.

On the other hand, certain scents can help sooth and relax a very active or anxious child. Lavender, vanilla and chamomile are great for this purpose. If your child has trouble settling down at night, try adding a few drops of one of these oils to his bath water before bed, or sprinkle a little on the sheets of her bed.

Aromatherapy can be a wonderful way to enrich the lives of your children. As they get older, you can introduce them to more types of essential oils. You can even create your own custom blends of different essential oils, based on your children's favorite scents!