The therapeutic use of naturally extracted plant aromas to encourage physical and emotional well-being may be described as aromatherapy or essential oil therapy. For many centuries, essential oils have been used safely and widely in medicine for adults and kids.
Some essential oils can be used for babies older than three months to improve sleep, calm agitation, and even alleviate colic symptoms. However, it's vital to understand proper dilution ratios and application methods before administering essential oils to toddlers.
Don't apply essential oils directly to your baby's skin. Blend them with a carrier oil at all times. Babies should never drink essential oils or swallow them. It's never safe to take essential oils orally for toddlers.
Here are the types of essential oils that can help a toddler sleep better.
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Patchouli
Patchouli essential oil is obtained from the patchouli plant's leaves (a type of aromatic herb). Patchouli essential oil can help promote sleep in children. Research reveals that inhaling the essential oil scent can have sedative effects that can help treat issues with sleep. Patchouli essential oil may be applied directly to the skin or added to baths mixed with a carrier oil (such as jojoba, sweet almond, or avocado).
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Bergamot
The secret ingredient that refreshes your kid's dream blend is Bergamot Oil. Bergamot is a citrus fruit. The has a soothing effect, unlike other citrus oils that are considered to be stimulating. Studies also show that the bergamots essential oil trigger physiological changes, such as a lowering heart rate and sleep-preceding blood pressure. Bergamot essential oil at its full potency should never be added topically on kids.
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Neroli
Neroli essential oil is derived from a bitter orange tree's bloom, making it a common ingredient in perfumes for its spicy, citric fragrance. As its hypnotic and calming effects will help calm the mind and ease insomnia, grief, and feelings of desperation, Neroli essential oil is a great sleep remedy. It has also been found that blood pressure is lowered, agitation is relieved, and benefits your general well-being when diffused.
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Coriander
Coriander is an annual herb with many advantages and medicinal properties for wellbeing. Coriander is rich in a chemical constituent known as linalool, much like lavender. It helps improve mood, calms frazzled nerves, helps with mental concentration, and helps to relax before sleep. You should use Coriander oil if your kid sleeps restlessly. Coriander essential oil can be used aromatically or topically to promote calm feelings that can help your child drift comfortably to sleep.
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Clary Sage
Clary sage is a flowering herb mostly found in the Mediterranean Basin. This essential oil is a natural sedative that can help your kid fall and stay asleep by providing a soothing effect. It has been proven that Clary sage decreases stress-related hormone levels, such as cortisol, which may be the secret to making the body prepare for a good night's rest. It's perfect for kids who may need an extra boost to get decent sleep.
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Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla or Chamaemelum nobile)
The soothing essential oils of German chamomile and Roman chamomile can help babies who have difficulty sleeping. Chamomile has inherent calming properties and is traditionally used in babies and adults to relieve insomnia.
Chamomile can alleviate colic symptoms, along with lavender. Chamomile has also been found to help with anxiety and depression and uplift a fussy infant's spirits.
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Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender essential oils come with many soothing and sedative properties. A massage with lavender oil can help calm a fussy baby and promote sleep. Lavender can also be used to decrease itchiness and cure mosquito bites.
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Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
Like lavender, Mandarin has soothing effects, making it a perfect nighttime substitute for babies who are reacting to the scent of lavender. Because it is not phototoxic, the aromatic smell of mandarin is favorable to other orange varieties. This suggests that it does not induce skin irritation, even when diluted applied directly to the skin.
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Frankincense
For thousands of years, individuals have used Frankincense and is a perfect essential oil for emotions and mental rest. It has a rich woody smell and is suitable for diffusing at baby's night or nap time. You can apply it to the bottom of the feet.
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Cedarwood
Cedarwood, used during Biblical times like Frankincense, is an age-old essential oil. It has an earthy scent that is both comforting and calming, humid, woodsy. A relaxing mood can be created by diffusing 4-5 drops in a diffuser, and application on the feet' bottoms can cause feelings of rest for your baby.
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Vetiver
Vetiver oil has a rich, exotic, complex fragrance and is commonly used in perfumes. Since the essential oil of vetiver is distilled from the herb's roots, it has a very rich and earthy fragrance. This is another excellent oil to sleep on because it is grounding, relaxing, and stabilizing psychologically.
Blending with a Carrier Oil
The widely used carrier oils that blend well with essential oils are vegetable oil, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil. They also bring moisturising properties of their own and help to nourish the skin if applied topically.
Dilute the essential oil with a ratio of 0.5 percent essential oil to base oil to mix. When mixing, shake or mix vigorously. Once the oils are thoroughly mixed, to guarantee the product is non-irritating, perform a patch test on your infant. You can do the test on the arm or leg.
How to Perform a Patch Test?
- Apply a small quantity of diluted essential oil to the leg or arm (just a little on the tip of your finger is fine).
- Wait 24 hours to see if a reaction happens.
- If a reaction arises, suspend the oil's use (a reaction would likely cause redness, inflammation, or be painful to the touch).
- It is probably safe to go forward with the application of the essential oil if no reaction happens.
In a Nutshell
Last but not least, as mentioned earlier, do not apply essential oils directly to your baby's skin. Instead, you should blend them with a carrier oil at all times.
Before applying essential oils for kids, please consult with a paediatrician as certain essential oils should not be combined with some drugs and medical conditions. For more information about essential oils, feel free to get in touch with us.
