Kid and Essential Oils

For many people the reason for starting a wellness regimen using essential oils includes using them on our children.  I know for myself I felt empowered as a mother to be able to support my children's health with essential oils.

I wanted take a minute to outline some basics on essential oil use for children including safety, recommended oils for children, and my 3 go-to recipes. 

5 Safety Tips:

When it comes to our children we want the best, which is why I chose Young Living essential oils over any other essential oil company.  If you have not chosen a company to purchase essential oils from watch this video on Seed to Seal. What we use on our children is important, which is why I did not mess around with using any old essential oil offering at my local health food store. We use Young Living because it is the purest product on the market. 

Here are a few tips for safety when using essential oils on children:

1. Dilute with a carrier oil before application. I use coconut oil for making balms and grape seed when making a blend. I dilute at a 1:20 (or more) ratio for my children, essential oils very concentrated which translates to a little goes a long way. 
2. Apply essential oils to the feet.  The feet have the largest pores in the body and a great way to target specific areas of the body using a vita flex chart.  Plus the feet are a less sensitive area of the body making for an ideal location for essential oil application.
3. Keep essential oils out of reach.  Essential oils should not be kept in a place where a child could reach and use.  All of my essential oils are kept in cabinets out of reach of my children. If an essential oil is used without supervision and irritation occurs DO NOT use water, use a carrier oil on the area or around for eyes. 
4. Keep essential oils out of sensitive areas.  Never drop essential oils directly into the ear canal, this goes for everyone not just children.  Don't apply essential oils around the nose, mouth, or eyes, these are all sensitive areas and should be avoided. 
5. Use an essential oil reference guide. There are so many great essential oil reference guides for using with children, here are two books that I like to use  Gentle Babies and Dr.Mom Essential Oils First Aid. 

Recommended Oils for Children: 

In Shirley Price's book, Aromatherapy for Babies andChildren, she mentions 19 oils that are safe for children. Here is where you can Purchase any of the oils listed below!

These oils are:

• Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)*
• Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)**
• Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)
• Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
• Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
• Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
• Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• Lemon (Citrus limon)*
• Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)*
• Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
• Melaleuca-Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
• Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
• Orange (Citrus aurantium)*
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
• Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora)
• Sandalwood (Santalum album)
• Thyme (Thumus vulgaris CT linalol)
• Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)

*These oils are photosensative; To prevent a rash or pigmentation of the skin, do not use citrus oils when exposed to direct sunlight.

Young living has a wonderful collection of essential oils specifically formulated for with the needs of children in mind: KidScents Collection:

My Tops 3 Recipes For Children:

In our home maintaining my children's health and wellness is a top priority. I love to use this wellness blend daily, applied to their feet when getting dressed in the morning. 

1. Wellness Blend:

Healthy regular sleep is a great way to support a growing body and developing brain.  I love to use the following blend to support a healthy sleep regimen.

2. Healthy Sleep Balm: 

In the winter, I have noticed that the air gets dry and I love to make this winter chest rub. This rub has a wonderful soothing aroma and is great for use during the cold months of the year. 

3.  Winter Chest Balm:

There is so much more that can be said about using essential oils with children, when in doubt check with your essential oil references! 

Stretching Your Essential Oils

One Drop

Essential oils are very concentrated so a little goes a long way. If you’re like me, then showering yourself in essential oils all day is the norm…but not necessary.  

I have learned that since these amazing oils are so concentrated and affect the whole body, I can use them…one drop at a time.  Apply your essential oils with purpose to the desired areas and know you only need a drop or two.

Apply directly to the area or to the vita-flex points

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Whether you are using 2 or 6 drops you are getting the benefit…so save your oils by using less!

Dilute

I think diluting is the best way to really get the most out of your essential oils. Here are ways to dilute your essential oils:

Use an empty essential oil bottle or roller bottle fill with a carrier oil that is liquid at room temperature, fill up your essential oil bottle 2/3 of the way and then add 20 (or more) drops of essential oil. 

Another great way to dilute is to add the carrier to one of your half full bottles of essential oil. 

Add a few drops of carrier oil and a drop of essential oil to the palm of your hand and apply.

Remember if you are using a “hot” oil like Oregano you will want to dilute it even more.

Diluting your oils will help to stretch your essential oils without losing any of the benefits.

  

Diffusing…

I love to diffuse my oils as do most of my oily friends, but it can get those oils running low real fast…if you don’t follow some simple suggestions:

Choose to diffuse on the intermittent setting, the Home diffuser has the option of diffusing for 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off. 

The Bamboo diffuser has the option for 1 hour or 4 hours, and the Dew Drop will diffuse for up to four hours.  I let the diffuser go for 30 minutes on then 30 min off, just to make it last longer.

The other piece to consider when diffusing is what oils you are choosing.  Here is a great list of diffuser blends and most of the oils used are the less expensive ones.  I also only use 3-4 drops when diffusing and that seems to do the trick!

Some oils are better diffused then others, so check the suggested use on the bottle or in your reference guide.  PanAway for instance smells great, but will provide the biggest benefit when applied topically.

The Most Out Of Every Bottle

Once I get down to the last few drops in the bottle I like to fill it half way with a carrier oil, like almond or grape seed.  The carrier oil is now infused with the last of the oil, to be used topically only until empty.  

Another great tip I saw from a Pinterest post was to immerse your empty bottles in Epsom salt, to be used for a nice essential oil infused bath.   

You can also create essential oil infused water for your diffuser. Take your empty oil bottles and submerge in a bowl or jar of water.  I let mine sit overnight and the next day I have oil infused water!

Yes I am crazy about getting the most out of these little bottles and you should too!  Young Living Essential oils are precious down to the very last drop!

Do you want to find out what all the hype is about….Get more oily information on our websites:

www.essentialoilenjoyment.com and www.livingoilsdaily.com

Everything You Need To Know About Oil Cleansing

Oil Cleansing Method

The oil cleansing method caught my eye awhile back as I was looking for a new way to clean my face.  I was tired of breaking out and feeling like my skin was aging poorly.  At first the idea of applying oil to ones face to rid of imperfections sounds backwards, but I assure you this has been the best way for me so far to get clean, healthy looking skin.  First it is important to have the right oils for your skin type:

The one oil you will need is Castor oil, I purchase all my oils online through Amazon

• Oily skin: Use 2/3 castor oil to 1/3 carrier oil. (Or measure out 2 tsp castor oil and 1 tsp carrier oil.)
• Normal skin: Use equal parts castor oil and carrier oil. (Measuring out 1-1/2 tsp castor oil and 1-1/2 tsp carrier oil.)
• Dry skin: Use 1/3 castor oil and 2/3 carrier oil. (Again, 2 tsp carrier oil and 1 tsp castor oil.)

Good Carrier oils by skin type:

• Jojoba (all skin types, acne-prone skin)
• Sweet almond (all skin types, oily)
• Grapeseed (all skin types, oily)
• Avocado (dry, aging skin)
• Sunflower Seed (all skin types)
• Apricot Kernel (dry, aging, and normal skin)

A good Washcloth:

• 100% cotton or Microfiber (I use a microfiber and I works great)
• Washed without fabric softer (to avoid irritation)

Essential oils to apply after cleansing:

• Frankincense
• Carrot Seed
• Geranium
• Lavender
• Patchouli
• Tea Tree
• Ylang Ylang

Castor oil is very think and has ideal cleansing properties, which is one of the main reasons it needs to be diluted with carrier oil.

You will want to perform the oil cleansing method before bed and will not need to do it again in the morning.  You will not want to over cleanse your face and I assure you it will not be necessary. This type of cleaning will provide balance to your skin naturally.

• Hot water is key, this will help to open your pours to remove the grime
• Pour a generous amount of oil into the palm of your hand, the size of a quarter or more. Rub your hands together to warm the oil and rub all over your face and neck. You will want to massage the oil into your face, removing makeup, dirt, and other impurities.  This is replacing the need to wash your face with cleanser or make-up remover.  
• Once all of your pores are saturated, soak your washcloth in hot (hot as you can stand) water. You want the water to be warm enough to open your pores and remove the oil. Cool water will not open your pores or clean the skin.
• Lay the washcloth over your face and keep it there until cool.  Wipe the oil away and rinse the washcloth well in hot, running water. You can repeat this step more than once if needed.  Don’t scrub your face, it is not needed the oil will deeply cleanse your skin.
• The hot water will remove the oil with the help of the Castor oil. Castor oil is the main cleansing oil and is easily removed with warm water.
• Once you have completed the cleansing portion you can add two drops of essential oil of choice with three drops of your carrier oil and slather on face for moisture.

You will love the way your skin feel and notice the difference in texture right away.  Adjust your carrier oil as needed, based on the dryness of your skin.

1. By, Christina Shaver