Aromatherapy - Using Nature's Healing Oils
By Jane Sheppard
In my quest to find viable ways to strengthen a child’s immune
system, I have discovered essential oils. These oils are volatile
substances extracted from plants. Pure essential oils have powerful
therapeutic effects. Most of them are natural antiseptics, and certain
oils have highly effective, immune-boosting, disease-fighting properties
that can kill airborne viruses, bacteria and fungi. They can be
used preventively and also to treat colds and infectious disease
by reducing discomfort, helping to shorten the duration and preventing
secondary infections.
Essential oils can be valuable in treating
many other childhood ailments. Some are analgesic or anti-inflammatory,
helping to reduce aches, pain and swelling. Others can alleviate
insomnia or hyperactivity and calm anxious or troubled children.
They can also be used to treat minor injuries. In addition to being
very safe and effective, essential oils are fun and easy to use.
Choose High-Quality Oils
Not all essential oils are created
equal. They must be chosen and used with great care. Many are highly
adulterated and over-processed with chemicals. To obtain the beneficial
therapeutic qualities, you must use pure essential oils. Many people
have purchased inexpensive oils and have been very disappointed
with the results, leading them to believe that “essential oils do
not work”. Some pure essential oils can be expensive since they
are hard to come by. It can take as many as 500 to 2,000 pounds
of raw plant material to produce a single pound of pure essential
oil. These plants should also be organically grown whenever possible.
In addition, the harvesting procedures and extraction processes
are critical to quality. It is important to have documentation of
the purity and quality of an essential oil so you don’t get something
that just smells nice, without the therapeutic qualities. Always
buy oils in dark glass bottles. Never buy essential oils in plastic
containers or put them into anything made of plastic. They not compatible
with plastic. Store in a cool, dark place, away from heat and tightly
capped.
How to Use Essential Oils
Inhaling the oils by diffusion produces
immediate beneficial effects and is one of the easiest ways to use
essential oils. Diffusion releases the highly aromatic molecules
of the oils into the air so that we can breathe them in. Inhalation
sends impulses directly to the brain and will trigger various healing
responses, depending on which oil is being used. The physical body
as well as the emotions can be therapeutically affected. Many oils
have good germicidal properties and can be very effective in disinfecting
a room without using harmful chemicals. When diffused, these oils
can cleanse and purify the air by removing toxins and killing pathogenic
bacteria, viruses, molds and fungi. They can also destroy odors.
Regular diffusion can keep you and your kids healthy throughout
the cold and flu season.
A spray bottle used to mist houseplants can also be used to diffuse
the oils. Fill with water and add 15 or 20 drops. This will clear
and clean the air, but does not have the long-lasting effects of
a diffuser or nebulizer. A diffuser or nebulizer sprays an ultra-fine
mist into the air.
Diluted oils can be applied directly
to the body by massaging the affected area, the bottom of the feet
or with a full body massage. The tiny molecular structure of an
essential oil allows it to be filtered through the skin via the
hair follicles and into the bloodstream or to other parts of the
body. The oils can nourish and oxygenate every cell of the body.
It can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 7 hours for essential oils
to be completely absorbed through the skin, depending on how much
body fat there is. In children, they are usually absorbed very quickly.
Essential oils can be very powerful. They should always be diluted
before applying directly to the skin or to the bath of a child.
They can be used in a carrier oil, mixed with water or added to
creams or lotions. Patch testing can be done for children with sensitive
skin or allergies. This is done by applying a little diluted oil
to the inside of the elbow. Leave it unwashed for twenty-four hours
and if any redness or itching occurs, that oil should not be used.
Caution:
Essential oils should never be taken internally, without the advice
of a professional. Keep all essential oils away from the eyes. Keep
all essential oils out of the sight and reach of children. Never
attempt to treat a serious illness yourself without first referring
to a qualified practitioner.
Many books have been written on aromatherapy
and the use of essential oils. Instructions in applying the oils
vary widely with different aromatherapists and authors. Simplers
Botanical Company has been making essential oils and extracts since
1981. Their oils are absolutely pure and guaranteed to be organic
or ethically wildcrafted and properly distilled or extracted. They
have written the Aromatherapy
Guide to Essential Oils, which is a brief summary of the
views of a wide variety of experts in the field of aromatherapy.
In this booklet, they suggest the following guidelines for application
of essential oils for use with adults. In parenthesis and italics,
I’ve added general recommendations for use with children.
Bath
Add a total of 10 to 15 drops of essential
oil to an already full bath. Agitate the water to thoroughly disperse
the oils before getting in. (Always
dilute essential oils before adding them to the bath of a baby or
small child. They can be diluted in a little oil such as almond
or in two or three tablespoons of full-fat milk. Essential oils
in the bath are not recommended for babies under 3 months. A single
drop is enough for an older baby or toddler’s bath and two or three
drops can be added to the bath of a child 2 to 5 years in a full-size
bathtub. No more than 4 drops for children 5-12 years.)
Foot and Hand baths
Put 5 to 7 drops of essential oil into
a bowl of warm water. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes. (For
children, use same age-appropriate amount of drops as for a bath.
Do not use hand baths for children who will be putting their hands
in their mouths.)
Compress
Add 5 to 8 drops of essential oil to
2 cups hot or cold water and agitate to disperse oils. Briefly soak
cotton cloth, wring and place on skin. Repeat every 15 minutes for
up to one hour. (For children,
use same age-appropriate amount of drops as for a bath)
Diffuser or Nebulizer
The most effective tool for inhalations,
aromatic diffusers create a continuous fine mist of essential oils.
Turn on diffuser for 5 to 15 minute intervals. Excellent air disinfectant.
Inhalation
Place 1 to 3 drops of essential oil
on a cloth to inhale. Or put 3 to 8 drops of essential oil into
a bowl of hot water, cover head and bowl with a towel, and inhale
deeply for 2 to 5 minutes. Do
not use during asthma attacks. (When
giving a child an inhalation, never leave them alone. Reduce the
amount of drops. Have them inhale for only 30 seconds initially.
Increase to 1 or 2 minutes if child can tolerate this. Do not give
inhalations to very young children.)
Massage and Skin Care
For a 2% dilution, add a total of 10
to 20 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of vegetable oil (almond,
sunflower, etc.) (Cold-pressed
sweet almond oil is rich in vitamins, light and easy to absorb.
It is the most suitable oil for baby massage. Babies and young children
respond very well to massage. To make a baby massage oil: to 2 1/2
tablespoons of sweet almond oil, add 1 drop of essential oil. Or
to 5 tablespoons of sweet almond oil, add 2 drops of essential oil.)
Related Article: The Benefits and
Joys of Infant Massage
The Best Oils for Children
Essential oils that are the most appropriate
for children are lavender, Roman chamomile, rose, tea tree, mandarin
and peppermint. If you can buy only a few oils, lavender, Roman
chamomile and tea tree are the perfect ones to have on hand.
Roman Chamomile
With its sedative properties, Roman chamomile can calm and relax
irritable, overtired children. It has anti-inflammatory action to
help skin problems and allergies. It’s been used as a remedy for
asthma that originates from nervousness. It is a pain-reliever for
teething, headaches and muscle aches. Being an antispasmodic as
well, it can alleviate colic and other digestive disturbances.
Lavender
Lavender’s main properties are antiseptic,
antibiotic, analgesic, antidepressant, diuretic, antiviral, antifungal,
antispasmodic, sedative and toning. It is a strong, non-toxic antiseptic
and works well on cuts, wounds, dermatitis, eczema, diaper rash,
pimples and burns. Lavender repels mosquitoes and can give relief
to bug bites.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil (melaleuca alternifolia)
is a powerful immuno-stimulant by increasing the body’s ability
to respond to bacteria, fungi and viruses. It is very valuable for
colds and flu. It’s also effective for ring-worm and thrush, and
acne. Tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender and lemon are very effective
oils for colds and infections.
Essential Oils for Common Ailments
The following are some ways that essential
oils have been used for common ailments. This is not intended as
medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner for advice with
specific treatments.
Sleep Disturbances
A warm bath with pre-diluted Roman
chamomile or lavender oil can be very calming. Both of these oils
have soothing, calming, sedative properties that promote gentle,
natural sleep.
Digestive Upsets
Chamomile oil added to a carrier oil
can be gently rubbed on the tummy. For older children, peppermint
oil may be used. Be cautious with peppermint oil since it can be
over-stimulating.
Diaper Rash
Diaper rash can be prevented by regularly
adding essential oils to a child’s bath. Almost all essential oils
will prevent bacteria from developing on the skin. A diaper rash
cream can be made by adding 2 drops of German chamomile oil and
2 drops of lavender oil to 2 ounces of an unscented cream. Use four
drops of tea tree oil instead, if the rash is due to thrush. A few
drops of lavender added to a prewash soak can help disinfect a bucket
of diapers.
Burns
Apply lavender oil to a minor burn
after plunging it into cold water. Chamomile can be added to a bath
to soothe minor sunburn. For more severe sunburn, lavender can be
used.
Teething pain
Teething pain can be alleviated by
massage with Roman chamomile and lavender added to a carrier oil.
Warm oil in hand first and gently massage into cheek, along jawline.
Do not use directly on the gums or anywhere inside the mouth. Do
not get near the eyes.
Earaches
Chamomile can be massaged gently around
the outside of the ear and down the neck. Hot compresses of chamomile
and/or lavender oil help to reduce pain. Three drops of lavender
oil in a teaspoon of warmed almond or olive oil can be put into
the ear cavity using a dropper.
Related Article: Ear
Infections: Alternative Solutions
Teen-age acne
Steaming the skin with peppermint oil
can cleanse and decongest the skin. German chamomile helps inflammation
of acne. Tea tree oil can be added to a skin wash, alternating with
lavender and bergamot. A single drop of tea tree oil can be dabbed
on each large, inflamed pimple and may clear it up quickly. Tea
tree oil can irritate
the skin so use with caution.
Related Article: Natural,
Holistic Treatments for Teen-Age Acne
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Essential oils can be used during pregnancy
and childbirth with good results. Consult an aromatherapist or a
midwife before using. There are many oils that should be avoided
during pregnancy.
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Use the information provided on this site as an educational resource for determining your options and making your own informed choices. It is not intended as medical advice or to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any specific illness.