Essential oils are so useful. They have a number of potential health benefits, now being explored by modern scientists. Some aromatic oils appear to have a special affinity for the skin. Some aromatic oils are soothing and healing. That’s why they’re often used for stubborn skin conditions, including eczema.
Lavender, chamomile and frankincense essential oil are among the most common choices for irritated skin. Recently, I noticed that one of my readers arrived at this site, after entering the search term, “Is frankincense safe for toddlers with eczema?”
I’ve published other posts about safe use of essential oils in young children. But I realized I didn’t have a specific post about frankincense essential oil and toddlers. So, I decided to write one.
Is Frankincense Safe for Toddlers With Eczema?
(This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything, I receive a commission, at no extra cost to you.)
Whether or not frankincense essential oil is safe for toddlers depends upon the age of the child. There’s a lot of conflicting advice about safe use essential oils, and whether strong aromatic oils can be used on infants. The best answer is “no.” Essential oils should not be used on children younger than two years of age, according to Plant Therapy, which has partnered with famous essential oil safety expert Robert Tisserand.
Frankincense Oil for Toddlers
Actually, he’s written a book on essential oil safety, a professional reference you can see below. What I like about Tisserand’s advice is that he seems to err on the side of caution. This is important, since everyone is different. What doesn’t bother one person may bother another. So you need to be extra careful, especially when writing for a wide audience.
Essential Oil Safety Book Robert Tisserand
Just because one person might have used essential oils on a young baby, with no seemingly ill effect, this doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. That’s why it’s best to wait until a child is two before using frankincense or any other essential oil on the skin. You should be able to use frankincense essential oil on a three-year-old toddler, as long as it’s properly diluted.
Plant Therapy is one of the essential oil brands I recommend. It has high-quality oils, which it sells at affordable prices, especially compared to the MLM labels. It also works with Robert Tisserand, the world renowned essential oil safety expert. Plant Therapy has a line of KidSafe oils. This means they’re safe for children aged 2 through 10. Below, you can see organic frankincense carteri, which has a KidSafe label.
Frankincense Oil and Eczema
Can frankincense essential oil help eczema? The scientific study of essential oils is still in its infancy, despite the fact these highly concentrated plant extracts have been used for ages. Traditionally, they’ve been employed for a wide range of ailments, including skin problems. It’s believed frankincense essential oil does have use, in a folk remedy sense, as an eczema remedy.
Is Frankincense Good for Eczema?
Because the evidence isn’t there, at least not yet, no one can say definitively that frankincense essential oil is good for eczema. Some people believe it’s useful. There’s also limited research showing this may be true.
On its website, the Penn State Hershey Medical Center noted that “massage with and without essential oils” led to improvements in eczema lesions among children. The massage was conducted when the skin lesions weren’t flaring.
The essential oils used in this study, according to the PSH Medical Center, were typically ones associated with soothing the skin, and included frankincense essential oil. You might also be interested in a special essential oil blend designed for children with skin problems. It’s called Skin Soother, and it’s part of the company’s KidSafe line.
Plant Therapy Skin Soother Blend
How to Use Frankincense Oil for Eczema
Essential oils are very strong. So you can’t put them directly on the skin, unless they’re diluted in a carrier oil. The standard dilution ratio is 2 percent for adults. However, you’ll want to at least cut this in half for children, especially younger ones. Adding 3 drops of essential oil to one teaspoon of carrier oil will yield a 2 percent dilution. If I were mixing essential oils to put on my child’s skin, if he or she were young. I’d use even less (.25 to .50 percent dilution) if the aromatic mixture was for the face.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
For More Reading
Penn State Hershey Medical Center Report
