Written By: Aimee Proulx
It’s official: winter break is over. Kids are back in school and our regular schedules are in full swing. And anyone who has spent time around school aged children knows that at any moment- the meltdowns might start. It’s hard enough for adults to take a long break and go back to work so we get why the kids have trouble. However, it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom.
In those moments it’s VERY helpful to have mood uplifting/helpful/altering/peaceful- essential oils.
If you haven’t heard about essential oils, then you are new to this page and way of life (OR you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of years). EVERYONE is talking about them, even the mainstream media is doing stories on them now and for good reason; they are amazing and they’ve been around for thousands of years.
But, using them properly is crucial. There are a lot of people out there who work for MLM companies and they will sell kits to whoever is willing to fork out the cash- but not teach them a thing about how to safely use them on their families- especially how to safely use them on their sweet babies. Essential oils can be a HUGE help for kids, so education is key.
Check out these 5 essential oils and how they can be helpful for your littles ones- AND- how to safely use them:
Ylang Ylang:
The properties of this oil make it an antidepressant, aphrodisiac, hypotensive, nervine and sedative substance (among many other things).
Extracted by steam distillation of fresh flowers of the ylang-ylang tree (Cananga Odorata), it’s commonly found in the rain forests of certain Asian and South Pacific Islands like Indonesia, Philippines, Java, Sumatra, Comoro and Polynesia.
It’s commonly used to calm, relax, and de-stress those suffering from anxiety, depression, frustration and/or mental fatigue. It’s got an amazing scent, too which you can just sit and smell, use directly on the skin, or put into a diffuser so the scent fills the room.
With oils like these 5, I like to put them in a roller ball so I can hit the Vita Flex points, temples, back of the neck…any place where there is stress.
And while this oil doesn’t need to be cut with a carrier oil (like Almond or Coconut) on the littlest ones it never hurts and they will still get the benefits.
You could even put it in their bath!
Lavender:
Most people who know anything about essential oils will know about Lavender because it’s been used for so long and is in so many health and beauty products currently on the market.
Found in Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean, and parts of Asia, as well as other small corners of the “Old World”, the oil is extracted mostly from the flowers of the lavender plant, primarily through steam distillation.
Lavender essential oil is beneficial to induce sleep and help with the nervous system. The scent, which is calming, can be used to help treat anxiety, depression, nervous tension, and emotional stress. The aroma alone can remove nervous exhaustion and restlessness and thereby calm someone who is out of sorts.
You can apply it directly to the skin or use it with a carrier oil. It’s also super beneficial in the diffuser at night, right next to your little one (or even not so little). You might also consider taking an empty spray bottle, filling it with distilled water and 10-20 drops of lavender oil, and using it to spray on pillows and sheets before bed.
This is another oil that works well in the bath too. When my kids were in elementary and still taking a bath together, I’d add a couple drops, turn the lights down low, and give them glow sticks. The darkness of the room combined with the smell of lavender allowed them to calm down from their day and prepare for bed. Worked every time.
Orange:
Orange Essential Oil is, among many other things, an antidepressant and sedative: it can elevate a mood or help settle someone down.
In our house, we diffuse it before a big test or after a rough day at school. It’s also helpful (and safe to use undiluted) to rub a bit on the back of the neck. The smell is sweet and intoxicating. They will want to settle down- they can’t help it. You can also mix it with vanilla or lavender to make the mood even more peaceful.
Bergamot:
The components of Bergamot Oil make it an antidepressant and stimulant. Thanks to improved blood circulation, the oil creates a feeling of joy and energy. It also helps to stimulate hormonal secretions- like dopamine and serotonin- thereby helping to maintain proper metabolic rates, feelings of relaxation, and sedation.
The flavonoids present in Bergamot oil are very good relaxants as well; they soothe nerves and reduce nervous tension, anxiety, and stress.
Roman Chamomile:
The health benefits of chamomile essential oil are many: it is an antidepressant, antispasmodic, nervine, relaxant, & sedative.
Chamomile oil is extracted from the flowers of the Camomile plant. There are two types of Camomile: Roman Camomile and German Camomile. Although the essential oils extracted are similar, they also have specific qualities worth noting. For example, Roman Camomile oil is more calming.
One more great thing about Roman Chamomile is that it blends so well with three of the oils on our list: Bergamot, Lavender, and Ylang-Ylang! You can either mix a couple drops together in your diffuser or in a little roller bottle with a touch of carrier oil. When your littles need help calming down they can rub it on their wrists. You can even use it as part of an after bath, pre-bedtime massage. Find the correct reflexology points on their hands and feet and massage away. Or teach them to do it to themselves once they are old enough.
Remember, essential oils aren’t magic. However, they are incredibly powerful and can be used for amazing results when, in general, your body is in a healthy, stable state. If you eat terribly, never move your body, and don’t sleep well, don’t expect a miracle.
But don’t give up, either. If you want to move toward wellness you’ll find your body and state of mind will thank you for it!
Source: Organic Facts
