Aromatherapy can be used as an effective and safe treatment method for treating minor health issues in children. It has no side effects so you don’t have to worry about the unknown side effects. The studies have also revealed that the natural vitality and immune system of the children allows them to be highly receptive to aroma therapy. Aromatherapy can be quite handy in day to day life. This therapy is quite important in dealing with the day to day issues concerning your child. Simple medical conditions like diaper rash can be treated with lavender sitz bath or you can also use lavender and cider vinegar to stimulate the healing of bruised knees. Tea tree oil can also save your child from the mosquito attack during your outing.
Natural remedies are quite helpful when you use at the start of the aliment. Some of the oils that can treat illness in the children are lavender oil, peppermint, tea tree, sandalwood, eucalyptus, bergamot, mandarin and St John wort. These herbal oils are quite effective in treating children’s illness.
How to use aromatic oils for treatment?
The best way to use the oil for treatment is to dilute it in carrier oil; however tea and lavender are exception to this. The dosage for the child should just half of the dosage used for the adults. The dosage also depends upon the weight and physic of the child. For younger children, it is recommended to use 1 to 3 drops of aromatic oil in about an ounce of the carrier oil. Then you can allow your child to sniff the oil. It is also recommended to carry on an allergy test beforehand to know if the child is allergic to any oil. Chamomile and Lavender can be used even for a child who is highly sensitive.
Use of Oil for different medical condition in children
For diaper rash
Diaper rash is often caused by the yeast overgrowth. Candida can be eliminated and irritation can be soothed by daily use of the lavender sitz bath. Before giving a bath to your child just put few drops (1 to 3 drops) of lavender oil into the bathtub, filled up to baby’s hip level with lukewarm water. Churn the water so that disperse the oil. Let the baby sit in the tub for about 5 to 15 minutes.
For treating wounds
You can mix one part of tea tree oil to sixteen parts of water and mix it. This solution can be used to clean the wound. Wash and clean the wound by using this mixture. This mixture can be quite useful even when you are travelling in the woods where no such sanitary facility is available then also it can be used as an effective disinfectant. It can be quite useful in treating bruises and skinned knees. You use a bowl filled with water with equal part of apple cider vinegar and about six drops of lavender. You can use a diaper to dip it into the water and use the excess liquid for applying to the bruised area.
For treating insect bites
Lavender oil is extremely important in healing burns and rashes from insect bites. You can use the oil by applying it directly to the area of the bite. It provides immediate relief from insect sting.
Helps in Teething
Chamomile is quite beneficial in teething, as it soothes pain and calms your baby’s nerves. You can use a solution of an ounce of carrier oil along with six chamomile drops. Before applying the oil to your baby, just warm it up a little and apply it along the baby’s jaw and around his/her ears.
For treating burns
Lavender oil has always been known to be effective for healing burns. For emergency burn cares take undiluted lavender oil and apply to the affected area. For small burns you can put few drops of lavender oil into a tub and let your child sit in it for some time.
For treating pain in the ear
If your child is witnessing some ear trouble, all you need to do is to mix about 3 drops of chamomile into 2-3 cups of lukewarm water. Then you can use this solution to apply a compress over the ear. Keep on applying as the compress cools. You can also add a few more drops of chamomile if needed.
You can also dip a cotton ball into a solution of 3 drops of lavender, 3 drops of chamomile and about 1 ounce of carrier oil. You can put this cotton ball into the ear. Remember to replace it thrice a day. You can continue the same process until the pain is totally gone. If your child is quite prone to ear infections or troubles then you can use oil of St John’ wort for the preventive care.
To provide relief from stomach ache
Once your child is in his/her bed you can use about 4 drops of chamomile blended into an ounce of carrier oil to massage him to sleep.
To provide relief from cold and fever
Add two drops of tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil into bath water for your child. You can also use a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a diffuser or air vaporizer in your child’s bedroom to purify the air and induce a soothing aroma into the room. Eucalyptus and peppermint oils are known for their cooling properties so it can be used to provide comfort during fever. However, you should keep one thing in your mind; peppermint can be stimulating so use just 1 or 2 drops of it. To bring down the fever you can also use a solution of about 2-3 teaspoonful of peppermint in a bowl of water. Soak a sponge or cloth in the solution and apply it on your child’s forehead. If your child has some skin irritation then you should refrain from using peppermint oil.
For getting relief from respiratory tract infection you can bath your child with water mixed with about 3-6 drops of eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil is good for sore throat also and inhaling it with steam could give you immediate relief.
If the baby is suffering from cold form a solution of about 2 drops of lavender, a drop of eucalyptus, 2 drops of chamomile and an ounce of carrier oil. Use this solution to give a gentle massage to your child. You can massage the oil on the back and chest of your child. The unique medicinal properties present in the oil help in loosening the mucus and guide the child to a faster recovery.