I have had so many messages lately about general confusion surrounding essential oil use for children. Is it safe? Is it dangerous? Somewhere in between?
Children are much more sensitive to essential oils and aromas in general, but they can also benefit greatly from their therapeutic uses. There are a number of things that parents need to know before using them to ensure the safety of their child. Looking up a blend or recipe online is not the best way to use your oils. Let’s cover a few things that you may or may not already know in order to keep your little ones safe.
Overall the immune system of a child is much more immature than that of an adult, therefore they are much less likely to be able to handle adverse reactions, even diffusing for long periods can be overwhelming to them. Keep in mind that until a child reaches the age of 5, on average (from experience) they are not going to be able to express that they are feeling “off” if you are diffusing an anti-germ blend of too long in the home, as one example.
What we do know is that babies have an immature nervous system, integumentary system, and liver.
*Rather than me just telling you this and you take it at face value, PLEASE, I encourage you to read further on these topics from these references in which I came to my findings above:
*Tisserand, R., Young, R. (2014) Essential Oil Safety (2nd Ed) Elsevier: London, UK. (p47)
*Leung, A., Balaju, S., Keswani, S., (2013) Biology and Function of Fetal and Pediatric Skin.
21(1): 1-6. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3654382/
*Eye and Vision Development. Retrieved from
http://www.healthofchildren.com/E-F/Eye-and-Vision-Development.html
*Nervous System Development (2014) Retrieved from
https://www.thevisualmd.com/health_centers/child_health/infant_nutrition/
nervous_system_development
In light of all of this, avoiding the use of essential oils for infants and babies under a few months of age both via topical application and inhalation is probably best. Work with/ask a qualified aromatherapist for more information. In regards to topical use of essential oils, many are not recommended dermally under two years of age. This does NOT, however, equate to never use essential oils under two, a bit of a misunderstanding of Tisserand’s most recent book published in 2014.
Diffusing Essential Oils
So if topical use is not the best way for a young child, what is? Inhalation is the ideal method of use for young children. This does not mean however that you should turn on the diffuser and leave it on all day. I do not recommend diffusing for longer than a period of one hour without taking a break for older children, in line with Tisserand’s recommendations. Younger children can benefit from a conservative 10-20 minutes before taking a break. In order to explain possible reasons for this, let’s talk a little bit about our sense of smell, or our olfactory system.
Through my courses at the American College of Healthcare Sciences I learned that, “Our sense of smell goes through five stages, those are: detect, transmit, perceive, analyze, and store. These stages cycle incredibly fast. The reception area of our olfactory system is called the olfactory epithelium. The olfactory epithelium is the size of a small postage stamp in each nostril, and is packed with an impressive 40 million sensory neurons, capable of detecting .0000000013 of an ounce of a scent in a single breath of air” (ACHS, Aroma 101).
Mind-boggling isn’t it! Our olfactory system is so incredibly efficient, that obtaining the therapeutic benefits of these amazing oils happens quickly. Certain oils are stronger than others as well and can be overwhelming diffused for long periods of time, therefore always be sure to diffuse in a well-ventilated room. To receive maximum benefit and not waste your precious oils, diffuse around small children for short periods of time as mentioned above. Please make note, nebulizers are very different than diffusers. Nebulizers are MUCH stronger than your average diffuser. In this instance, I do not recommend following the times listed above, it would be much too aggressive of a treatment.
Topical Application
You can begin to apply oils topically over the age of two, but dilution amounts are very important. Never use oils topically undiluted, or what some call “neat”. This greatly increases your risk for skin irritation and skin sensitization. Contrary to what you may have been told, skin irritation is not a detox reaction.
(See more details here in an article written by Kristina Bauer a.k.a. The Untamed Alchemist)
Special Considerations
If your child suffers from epilepsy, asthma, an autoimmune disorder, or cancer, you should contact a qualified aromatherapist. Not all oils will cause the same reactions for everyone; please do not navigate this for yourself. (Always let your doctors know that you are utilizing aromatherapy for your children. Same goes for herbs, homeopathy, etc.)
Essential oils are potent, it is crucial that you keep them out of reach of children. I have seen pictures online of small babies or small children handling bottles of oil. It is not cute, nor safe to let them hold them. Your children should know from a very young age that essential oils are medicine, and not for their little hands.
Now being an aromatherapist, I certainly do not want to discourage you from using essential oils with your children. I use the following methods on my boys and have for years (now 7 and 9): topically, in a diffuser, in a steam tent, in an aromastick, in a bath, a lotion, a salve, and more. We have some go to oils for supporting a good night’s rest, ones that bring support to the respiratory system when the need arises, help with bumps and bruises, ones that bring comfort, and oils that provide overall support to their bodies own innate healing process.
You will find camps of people that say never use essential oils on children, and others who throw caution to the wind and say that all oils are safe to use on children. My beliefs are not in line with either camp. Essential oils are not an always or never modality. When you follow proper safety guidelines, you can utilize essential oils and know that you are doing the best for your children.
Like so many practices in life I encourage you to become educated on the proper use of essential oils. When using them, please do so cautiously, understanding that there is often misinformation on the internet. You can be assured that I support only educated and proven resources. While essential oils should not be feared they should be respected and used properly to ensure the safety of the individuals using them.
Please note that I am not a medical practitioner. The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. By using this website, you assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.
References and Resources
https://www.aromaceuticals.com/blog/adverse-reactions-to-peppermint-oil
http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/diffu.asp
http://tisserandinstitute.org/essential-oils-and-the-detox-theory/
http://wegotreal.com/essential-oil-concerns-robert-tisserand/
http://roberttisserand.com/2014/05/essential-oil-dilution-important/
http://www.aromahead.com/blog/2009/08/02/essential-oil-chemistry-oils-high-in-18-cineole/
American College of Healthcare Sciences (2012) Aroma 101 (p 185)
Tisserand, R., Young, R. (2014) Essential Oil Safety (2nd Ed) Elsevier: London, UK. (p47)
Leung, A., Balaju, S., Keswani, S., (2013) Biology and Function of Fetal and Pediatric Skin.
21(1): 1-6. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3654382/
Eye and Vision Development. Retrieved from
http://www.healthofchildren.com/E-F/Eye-and-Vision-Development.html
Nervous System Development (2014) Retrieved from
https://www.thevisualmd.com/health_centers/child_health/infant_nutrition/
nervous_system_development
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