Children

Cuts & Grazes:- Essential oils help fight infection and promote healing. Thoroughly bathe cuts & grazes with a solution of 10 drops of French Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia) to 1 pint of warm water. This doesn't sting as much as antiseptic lotions and the aroma will have a calming effect on both the child and the parents!
If possible leave minor cuts and grazes to heal in the fresh air, however is there is a liklihood of re-infection then cover with a plaster. Apply 1 drop of neat Lavender oil to the plaster, this helps the healing process and can help to prevent scarring.

Insomnia:- Insomnia in children can have many causes, from anxiety at school to a fear of "monsters" in the dark. Nothing can replace parental reassurance and comforting, however essential oils can help to create a relaxing and soporific environment. A warm bath can become part of the "winding down" for bed routine, add any one of the following essential oils, or a blend of up to three oils.

For children aged 12 months to 5 years:-
French Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia),
Chamomile Roman (Artemis nobilis),
Mandarin (Citrus nobilis)
Maximum of 3 drops in total, e.g. 2 drops of lavender & 1 drop of Chamomile.

For children aged 5 years to 12 years:-
French Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)
Chamomile Roman (Athemis nobilis)
Mandarin (Citrus nobilis)
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
Clary-sage (Salvia sclarea)
Maximum of 5 drops in total, e.g. 2 drops of lavender, 2 drops of chamomile &
1 drop of geranium.

A foot massage is also recommended following a relaxing bath, make up a massage oil using any of the oils listed:- add 10 drops of essential oil to 50 mls of sweet almond oil.

Childhood Asthma:- A whole book could be written on this subject, the causes, from diet to allergies are too numerous to go into here. It is thought that massage with essential oils can help to prevent attacks occurring so frequently. Massage the back in long sweeping movements from the base of the spine, with hands either side of the vertebrae, work towards the shoulders then, with a more gentle stroking pressure, back down the sides of the body.

Massage oil:- 2 years to 7 years
50 mls Sweet Almond Oil
5 drops French Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)
3 drops Geranium (Pelargoniun graveolens)
3 drops Frankincense (Boswellia thuifera)

Please Note: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to treat a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified health care adviser. Please consult your healthcare adviser with any questions or concerns regarding your condition. The information provided is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use is the sole responsibility of the reader.