Essential Oils for Babies & Kids SAFE TOPICALLY FOR 2 AND UNDER The recommended dilution ratio for this age group is .25% (1 drop per 4 teaspoons carrier oil) Many aromatherapists often prefer hydrosols to essential oils when considering topical application for children under two Basil linalool (Ocimum basilicum) – Relaxing, mood lifting, helpful for soothing sore muscles Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) – Bright, clean, uplifting citrus scent. Bergamot is phototoxic unless you purchase one that is filtered to be bergaptine-free. If not using bergaptinefree, a maximum dilution of 0.4% (about 5 drops in 4 tablespoons carrier oil) is recommended to avoid phototoxicity. Black pepper (Piper nigrum) – Helpful for soothing achy muscles Blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum) -Also called Moroccan blue chamomile, this oil has skin soothing properties. It may also promote feelings of being clear-headed when pollen counts are high. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) – Relaxing. Supports restful sleep. Also very useful in homemade bug spray. Cedarwood Atlantica (Cedrus atlantica) – Calming, Skin soothing. Cedarwood Virginian (Juniperus virginiana) – Lovely woodsy scent, relaxing and beneficial for skin. Chamomile/German (Matricaria chamomilla L) – Relaxing, helpful for sleep, may support clear thinking when pollen counts are high Chamomile/Roman (Chamaemelum nobile) – Relaxing, helpful for sleep, helpful for soothing sore muscles Cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum verum) – NOT cinnamon bark. Smells lovely when diffused during the holidays. Can have a warming effect when applied to the skin, but it can cause irritation if too high a concentration is used. The maximum recommended dilution in Essential Oil Safety is 0.6% (about 7 drops in four tablespoons carrier oil) Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) – Great addition to homemade bug spray. Can also be used to make outdoor citronella candles. Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) – Helpful for relaxation and restful sleep. Copaiba balsam (Copaifera officinalis) – Supports healthy respiratory function and soothes achy muscles. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) – Soothes upset tummy’s and calms emotions. Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) – Supports healthy respiratory function. Thought to have an emotionally grounding effect during challenging experiences. Dill weed (Anethum graveolens) – Helpful for digestion. Supports immune function. The maximum recommended dilution for this oil is 1.2% (about 7 drops in two tablespoons carrier oil) Eucalyptus, lemon (Eucalyptus citriodora) – Mood lifting, supports healthy respiratory function, and can also be used in homemade bug spray Fir needle (Abies sibirica) – Supports healthy respiratory function Frankincense carteri (Boswellia carteri) – Immune support, helpful for soothing cuts, bruises and other injuries, relaxing, also thought to promote youthful looking skin Frankincense frereana (Boswellia frereana) – Immune support, helpful for soothing cuts, bruises and other injuries, relaxing, also thought to promote youthful looking skin Frankincense serrata (Boswellia serrata) – Calming, thought to promote youthful looking skin Geranium bourbon (Pelargonium x asperum) – Very helpful in homemade tick spray Ginger root CO2 extract (Zingiber officinalis) – Helpful for digestion and soothing sore muscles Grapefruit/Pink (Citrus x paradisi) – Uplifting. Can cause photosensitivity. Maximum recommended topical use is 4% (4 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil) Helichrysum italicum (Helichrysum italicum) – Considered one of the top oils for promoting youthful skin, helpful for scars, and supportive of the immune system. Helichrysum splendidum (Helichrysum splendidum) – Considered beneficial for skin, but not as much as Helichrysum italicum. Supports healthy respiratory function. Juniper berry (Juniperus communis) – Calming, supports healthy respiratory function Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary Essential Oils for Babies & Kids SAFE TOPICALLY FOR 2 AND UNDER Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)- Calming, helpful for soothing bug bites, sunburns, and other skin irritations Lemon/expeller-pressed (Citrus x limon) – Mood lifting, supports immune function. Can cause photosensitivity. Maximum recommended topical use is 2% (12 drops in two tablespoons carrier oil) Lime/expeller-pressed (Citrus x aurantifolia) – Uplifting, supports immune function. Can cause photosensitivity. Maximum recommended topical use is 0.7% (about 4 drops in two tablespoons carrier oil) Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) – Calming Marjoram/Sweet (Origanum majorana) – Relaxing, helpful for sleep. Neroli (Citrus x aurantium var.amara) – Often used in skincare products due to it’s ability to promote beautiful skin. Thought to be helpful for easing emotional tension. Orange, Blood (Citrus sinensis) – Mood lifting Orange, sweet (Citrus sinensis) – Mood lifting Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii var motia) – Digestive support, skin soothing Patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin) – Thought to promote the appearance of youthful skin. Great addition to men’s personal care products. Petitgrain (Citrus x aurantium) – Thought to be beneficial for skin, especially oily skin. Pine (Pinus Sylvestris) – Supports healthy respiratory function and soothes sore muscles Rosalina (Melaleuca ericifolia) – Supports healthy respiratory function (similar to eucalyptus) Sandalwood/Australian (Santalum Spicatum) – Calming, thought to be helpful for oily skin Spearmint (Mentha spicata) – Similar to peppermint, but safer for use with small children. Helpful for digestion. Maximum recommended topical use is 1.7% (about 10 drops in two tablespoons carrier oil) Spruce (Tsuga canadensis) – Supports healthy respiratory function. Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) – Immune support. Bright, uplifting citrus scent Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) – Immune support, helpful for cuts and scrapes. Also considered helpful for acne-prone skin. Turmeric rhizome CO2 extract (Curcuma longa) – Soothes joint discomfort Vanilla CO2 extract (Vanilla planfolia) – realxing and grounding. Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) – Relaxing and emotionally grounding.. SAFE FOR DIFFUSING FOR 2 AND UNDER Jasmine absolute (Jasminum sambac) – Calming Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) – Clean citrus scent. Great addition to homemade bug spray. Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) – Relaxing. Helpful when you’re in de-stress mode. THE EUCALYPTUS & PEPPERMINT ISSUE There is some concern about these two oils as they contains the consitituent (1.8, cineole) that sometimes act negatively on the temperature receptors of children’s lungs and can cause slowed breathing. According to Robert Tisserand, peppermint can be diffused with care around 3-6 year olds and applied topically at a concentration of 0.5% (2 drops in 4 teaspoons carrier oil). He clarified that “with care” means about two drops in the diffuser. For children under three, Robert Tisserand says that eucalyptus globula and radiata can be diffused (1-2 drops) and applied topically at a concentration of 0.5% (2 drops in 4 teaspoons carrier oil) He recommends a 1% maximum dilution of eucalyptus globula or radiata (4 drops in 4 teaspoons carrier oil) for children ages three to six SAFE TOPICALLY FOR CHILDREN 2-6 Jasmine absolute (Jasminum sambac) – Max dermal use of 0.7% (about 4 drops in two tbsp carrier oil) Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) – Max dermal use of 0.6% (about 7 drops in four tbp carrier oil) Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) – Max dermal use of 0.8% (about 5 drops in two tbsp carrier oil) SAFE TOPICALLY FOR CHILDREN 6-10 This includes every oil in the previous categories, but after age six it is considered appropriate to apply peppermint, eucalyptus radiata, and eucalyptus globulus at a dilution ratio of 1.5%. (1 drop per tsp of carrier oil) Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is also considered appropriate after age six Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary
