I wish I’d known about essential oils when my children were young. Both of my kids had intense tantrums and meltdowns, at home and in public.
These were embarrassing, as well as exhausting. Their behavior would typically tank toward the end of the day, as I was trying to get dinner.
But, better late than never. I finally discovered some amazing aromatic compounds when my children were teenagers. When a bad mood hit, I’d fill my house with the scent of frankincense. This soothing smell always seemed to dispel tension.
Essential Oils to Calm Children
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Nowadays, you can also find special aromatherapy synergy blends designed to calm children down. These are made with essential oils known to be safe to use on children.
Diffusing essential oils is considered a good way to calm cranky children. It’s quick and easy, and also very safe. Essential oils are so highly concentrated, so you need to find ways of diluting them. This is why diffusion is a preferred way to enjoy the peaceful and calming scents of frankincense, lavender and citrus.
If you don’t a diffuser, here’s an excellent one sold by Now Foods that’s beautiful, as well as functional.
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Some people also put essential oils in plastic spray bottles, dilute them with water, and spray these calming fragrances into the air. If your child over the age of two has trouble unwinding at night, and falling asleep, you can spray a little of this mixture on his or her pillow.
Essential oils are very effective at inducing sleep, especially when they are used at bedtime or naptime.
Essential Oils for Calm Children
Frankincense, as you know, was one of the gifts brought to Baby Jesus. Maybe in Biblical times this was considered a good gift for new mothers, because it can help calm a cranky child, or even a teenager, as I’ve discovered. Although Mary, the Mother of God, wouldn’t have needed it for this purpose, I’m sure she still appreciated the present.
Plant Therapy Kid Safe Oils
Anyway, if you want to use frankincense for restoring peace, I can highly recommend the Plant Therapy brand. This is made by a family-run business based in Twin Falls, Idaho. This company works with Robert Tisserand, a world-famous aromatherapy expert, who helped develop its KidSafe line. He is one of the leading authorities on essential oil safety. Some aromatic oils should not be used on children under 10. Plant Therapy KidSafe formulas are designed for little ones aged two and older.
Plant Therapy also makes a special Calming the Child blend, a combination of lavender, tangerine, mandarin and Roman chamomile. Each of these oils has natural sedating and mood-enhancing compounds. Together, they work in synergy to create a powerful mix, strong enough to soothe a tired cranky preschooler or a nervous seven-year-old.
Plant Therapy KidSafe essential oils are designed for use in children aged two and older. Essential oils should not be used on babies or children under the age of two.
I totally trust Plant Therapy, in terms of safety and purity. All of its oils are tested twice, and one batch even undergoes third-party testing.
Plant Therapy Calming the Child
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Good Essential Oils for ADHD
A growing number of parents are questioning the conventional “wisdom” of giving pharmaceuticals to children with attention deficit disorder. This diagnosis, in and of itself, is a controversial one. Currently, in the United States, about 1 in 5 children are diagnosed with this condition.
Essential oils are considered one of the natural remedies that may help children with ADHD. Although there aren’t a lot of scientific studies, many parents aren’t waiting for the definitive research. Most clinical trials are centered around drug-based approaches. There is little financial incentive to conduct a study into the potential beneficial effects of a natural plant-based remedy, as it can’t be patented.
The search for a more natural approach intensifies in the wake of new information about the risks of drugs commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit disorder. One study conducted by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology found that long-term use of Ritalin could increase the chances of brain damage, and also lead to a higher incidence of depression.
Other findings have also revealed that Ritalin can cause negative brain changes, similar to what’s been observed in people who use certain street drugs.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
Essential Oils and ADHD
Here is an addition resource for information about essential oils and ADHD.
Also, here’s information on Plant Therapy Attention blend.
For Addition Reading
