“There’s an essential oil for that” or so the joke goes.
No, they are not a cure-all, but all that hype does essential oils a disservice — each oil boasts a list of benefits, whether topically or used in aromatherapy. They may not cure everything that ails you, but essential oils (liquids distilled from the leaves, stem, flowers, bark, roots or other elements of a plant) are certainly an effective complementary wellness tool! Essential oils, the pure essence of a plant, have been found to provide both psychological and physical benefits when used correctly and safely.
You may have some questions about essential oils — especially when it comes to using them safely with your baby or children. Is it safe to use them topically on babies? Are there any essential oils that could help your baby sleep, and if so, how can you make that happen? How can you be sure you’re using them properly and safely?
The short answers? No, don’t use essential oils topically on your baby or child unless you’re very sure they’re properly diluted; yes, a diffuser with essential oils of lavender, roman chamomile or mandarin can help baby fall asleep and stay asleep; and simply play it safe by diluting in a carrier oil or using in a diffuser, and not ingesting oils unless you receive advice from a qualified aromatherapist.
Thankfully, getting started with essential oils is easy (and fun!). Here are a few of our favourite oils for some of what might ail you:
Relaxation for parents: marjoram, vetiver, clary sage
Energy boosting for parents: lime, spruce, spearmint
Helping baby sleep: roman chamomile, mandarin, lavender
Calming kids: petitgrain, vanilla, tangerine
Anxiety: neroli, frankincense, blood orange
Essential oils diluted in a carrier oil can be surprisingly helpful with headaches and stomach aches when applied to the affected area, as well as a variety of other ailments or concerns. This can be as a massage oil or in a rollerball.
Another way that many people love to use essential oils is to create a room or body mist. This is both easy and effective. A room mist works similarly to a diffuser, with the added bonus of being portable, and super-specific as you can spray it say, right on the sheets so the oils weave themselves right into the fabric! Simply mix water and essential oil, or add alcohol or polysorbate to preserve the mix. Just remember to shake it before you spray it!