Essential Oils for Children: Colic, Insomnia and Hyperactivity
Essential oils can be used to improve cases of colic, insomnia, hyperactivity, diaper rash and other common problems in young children. When we are born, we are ready to receive information that will continue to shape our personality and character. By using essential oils on newborns, instead of synthetic aromas that are full of the baby cosmetics industry, we can notice a big difference in the child's behavior.
Children are very sensitive in all aspects and we must be careful when exposing them to essential oils. Babies have very sensitive skin and sense of smell. In fact, babies recognize the world around them by its aroma, with their mother's being the first and most important of all smells. Children's skin is more sensitive and the absorption of essential oils has a faster and stronger effect than in adults. Therefore, excessive use of essential oils can cause internal problems for the child, not just on their skin.
Common Childhood Problems
Many children are hyperactive, do not calm down, sleep poorly and, in the current situation, are agitated and stressed. In addition, it is common for babies to suffer from colic and diaper rash. The use of aromatherapy can bring countless benefits to little ones, but we must be cautious and take some precautions. Whether for adults or children, essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin, as they are highly concentrated. Essential oils need to be diluted in carrier vehicles such as vegetable oils.
Vegetable oils also have specific benefits. The most recommended for children and babies are sweet almond oil, calendula oil, grape seed oil, rosehip oil, jojoba oil, among others. Another tip is to always keep essential oils out of reach of children. Another important point is not to leave the diffuser on all night in the bedroom. It is recommended to aromatize the environment and unplug the diffuser from the socket.
Scientific Studies Demonstrate Effectiveness Against Colic
We found in the literature the application and safety of several essential oils in children and babies. According to Alexandrovich et. al. (2003), in their study with 125 children, the use of sweet fennel essential oil, applied topically, was effective in controlling infant colic.
In another study, the same application was performed on a group of 40 infants between 2 and 6 weeks of age, with a gestational age of 38 to 42 weeks and normal development and growth. All of the infants weighed between 2,5 and 4 kg at birth and showed signs of colic. The infants in the treatment group received abdominal massage from their mothers, using lavender essential oil, while those in the control group were not subjected to any intervention.
Babies in the control and treatment groups were monitored once a week by the researchers. There were five occasions in total. The effect of the massage was measured in terms of changes in the amount of time the babies cried per week. The use of aromatherapy massage with lavender oil has been shown to be effective in reducing colic symptoms.(CENTINKAYA, 2012)
The effect of aromatherapy on anxiety has been evaluated in some studies. Lehrner et al. (2005) studied the effect of the scent of orange and lavender and demonstrated that the scents are capable of reducing anxiety. Some essential oils can calm and induce peaceful sleep in children and babies. They are: lavender, sweet orange, lemongrass and geranium.
According to the book Aromatherapy for Babies and Children (Shirley and Penny Price), there are some oils that are considered safe for children and babies. These are lavender, cypress, geranium, tea tree, sweet orange, sandalwood, amyris, ylang ylang, among others. Based on this research in specialized literature, below are some suggestions for blends that can be used on children and babies.
Suggestions for Protocols with Essential Oils
Add 5 to 6 drops of French lavender to your baby's bath. Mix well. Another tip is to add 5 drops of orange, lavender or lemongrass to the electric diffuser and cover with water, leaving it for 30 minutes. You can also add 2 drops of French lavender essential oil to your child's pillow.
Add 1 drop of French lavender essential oil, 1 drop of lemongrass essential oil to 8 ml of almond oil and 2 ml of jojoba oil and gently massage your child's feet. Alternatively, add the essential oils to a diffuser with a little water to scent the environment for 30 minutes.
Add 3 drops of lavender to 2 drops of Virginia cedarwood in a diffuser with water and let it aromatize for at least 10 minutes, before the child enters the room.
In addition to doing the usual procedures, such as laying the baby on his/her stomach, doing leg exercises to contract the belly, or using a warm water compress, mix 2 tablespoons – 10ml – of almond vegetable oil to 1 drop of sweet orange essential oil, 1 drop of star anise essential oil and 1 drop of sweet fennel essential oil. Apply to the abdomen and back, massaging gently.
Add 1 drop of palmarosa essential oil to 1 drop of French lavender and dilute the mixture in 5 ml of calendula vegetable oil, 3 ml of rosehip vegetable oil and 2 ml of jojoba vegetable oil. Apply to the affected area, massaging gently.
In babies, massage is the most commonly used form of aromatherapy because it involves touch and communication between mother and baby.. The tips I have shared here can be used safely. However, if in doubt, always seek the advice of a specialist. Aromatherapy is a preventive, complementary and useful care for everyday life, but it does not replace any medical recommendation..
References:
1. Alexandrovich, Irina; Rakovitskaya, Olga; Kolmo, Elena; Sidorova, Tatyana; Shushunov, Sergei.Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine; Aliso Viejo Vol. 9, Ed. 4, (Jul/Aug 2003): 58-61.
2. Çetinkaya, B. and Başbakkal, Z. (2012), The effectiveness of aromatherapy massage using lavender oil as a treatment for infantile colic. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 18: 164-169. doi:10.1111/j.1440-172X.2012.02015.x
3. Lehrner J, Marwinski G, Lehr S, Johren P, Deecke L. Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental office. Physiol Behav. 2005;86:92–5.
4. Price, Shirley – AROMATHERAPY FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN
