Babies & Children Reference Guide
Rest easy, Mama. You're in the right place. Be sure you start with the info on safety and usage before proceeding to the specific topics of interest to you.
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"I know how our littles can depend on Dr. Mom. I have spent countless hours over the years researching and scouring my resources in order to tackle childhood ailments in a natural and safe way. I wanted something that would assist their little bodies in healing, as it was designed to be done, without chemical and drug involvement.
This quick-read guide offers single oils as well as blends available in our store. All blends that are a part of the Selah Kids Collection are properly pre-diluted and packaged in a roll-on bottle, ready for immediate use. However, with my little people, I don't limit my essential oil usage to just one application method. I like to diffuse them or use them in a bath, in addition to applying them topically.
Something to keep in mind is that diet plays a major role in keeping our kiddos healthy. Certain foods can make all the difference. At our house we stay away from processed foods and sugars (bread, crackers, pasta, candies, refined sugars, etc), grains (oats, corn, soy, wheat, etc.), and dairy (fresh goat's milk is an excellent substitute). We also practice cellular cleansing, detoxing, and use some key supplements. (If you'd like more info on the products we use, aside from essential oils, feel free to email me directly at support@selahoils.com.)
Now, on to the topic of oils, kids, and oily kids. From one oily Mama to another, I hope you'll find this list to be a helpful and simple resource."
-Brittany
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- Never give essential oils by mouth.
- Never put essential oils in eyes, nose, or ear canal.
- Do not add undiluted essential oils to the bathwater of babies or children.
- Always keep essential oils out of reach of children.
- Never apply essential oils to or near a child's (or baby's) face.
- Never use essential oils on premature infants.
- Do not expose children of five years or less to strong essential oil vapors.
- Never attempt to treat serious illness without referring to a medically qualified practitioner.
- Call your medically qualified practitioner in any case if conditions do not improve within 24 hours.
- Always dilute essential oils before applying to babies or children.
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Always follow your doctors advice.
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Our Selah Kids Collection of essential oil blends is safely pre-diluted and safe for use for ages 2+, during pregnancy/lactation, and for the elderly.
Dilution guidelines: Click here for a handy dilution chart. Remember, higher concentrations should only be used for short term application.
6-24 months: 1 drop essential oil to 10mL (2 tsp) carrier oil
Diffusing Guidelines: When diffusing oils, be sure there is plenty of airflow in the room Baby is located in. Using the diffuser on an "Interval" setting would be best. This means it will diffuse for 30 minutes and then turn off for 30 minutes. Then it will continue again. This will allow you to diffuse essential oil in your home all day but with breaks in between so that it is gentle enough for Baby. Do not put carrier oils in your diffuser.
6-24 months: 2-3 drops essential oil + amount of water called for by your diffuser instructions
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*Please see the tab "How to Use this Reference Guide" before use.*
For quick location of a topic, press command + F (on Windows press control + F) and a search bar will appear. This will allow you to search for items listed on this page specifically, without taking you anywhere else on the site.
Disclaimer
Although the quality of Selah Oils is excellent, it is not advised to take essential oils internally unless under the guidance of a certified physician who is also certified in aromatherapy. We recommend getting internal dosing instructions from a licensed physician as some essential oils are not recommended for oral consumption. This is in no way a reflection on our oil quality, only a matter of safety and caution with respect to how concentrated essential oils are. When used within safe parameters, and under your physician's care, the quality of our essential oils is such that they can be used internally if deemed appropriate.
However, with that said, it is important to remember the extreme concentration of essential oils. "Using essential oils by rubbing them into the skin or via inhalation is in many cases more effective than oral delivery" (3. p. 96).
How to Use this Reference Guide (Read this first!)
- For quick location of certain topics, press command (or control on Windows) + F and a search bar will appear. This will allow you to search for items listed on this page specifically, without taking you anywhere else on the site.
- Be aware that the oils listed for each topic are in order based on what our research and testing has shown to be most effective.
- Select only three or four single oils or a combination of singles and blends.
- Click on the name of the blend or the individual oil to read more about its Applications and Cautions (or drug interactions).
- When using topically, please refer to our dilution chart here for proper dilution ratios.
- If diffusing is recommended but is not an option for you, apply one drop of oil to a cotton ball or tissue and inhale.
- This list does not cover General Health Issues or Pregnancy & Lactation Issues. Please go to the following reference guides for each: Health Issues Reference Guide or Pregnancy & Lactation
- Understand that most of the application methods listed here only give a brief description. Please see our post on applications here for full details.
- NOTE: when the body is provided with the proper tools to begin its repair work, it takes three months to heal plus an additional month for each year that it has been dealing with a specific issue. So if you have been dealing with "Issue X" for 2 years, it will likely take 3 months plus an additional 2 months (one month for each year you have dealt with "Issue X") to see full health restored.
Safety and Usage with Littles
The schools of thought concerning essential oil safety vary widely. At Selah Oils we have decided to follow the advice given by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young in their book, Essential Oil Safety (2nd edition), for several reasons. They are very conservative in their allowances, they have based their reasoning on sound research and testing, and their information is the most up-to-date, as this book was published in 2014. Our safety information listed below can be found on pages 152-156 of their book.
Usage Guidelines:- Never give essential oils by mouth.
- Never put essential oils in eyes, nose, or ear canal.
- Do not add undiluted essential oils to the bathwater of babies or children.
- Always keep essential oils out of reach of children.
- Never apply essential oils to or near a child's (or baby's) face.
- Never use essential oils on premature infants.
- Do not expose children of five years or less to strong essential oil vapors.
- Never attempt to treat serious illness without referring to a medically qualified practitioner.
- Call your medically qualified practitioner in any case if conditions do not improve within 24 hours.
- Always dilute essential oils before applying to babies or children.
- Always follow your doctors advice.
Test:
Always test your application on yourself first and then on a very small area on your baby to be sure their skin will tolerate it. If there is not enough dilution, the baby's skin may redden and become irritated. You can add more carrier oil to lessen this effect. Please note that water does not reduce the effect but could actually intensify it.
Infection:
The best place to apply (diluted) essential oil is to the bottoms of the feet.
Diffusing:
Diffusing the oils in the baby's room is a great way for the baby to inhale the essential oil molecules. Essential oils provide antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and anti fungal properties. There is no need to overload the air with essential oils. We recommend running the diffuser so that when you walk in, the essence of the aroma is noticeable, but does not overpower you.
Lengthly Illness:
If you will be applying the oils for a length of time for a chronic condition, please use more dilution. Essential oils are processed and used by the body within 2 hours, so for an acute illness it is a good idea to reapply every 2 hours. After diluting, it is best to apply to the bottoms of the feet and cover with socks.
Respiratory:
The best places to apply (diluted) essential oil is to the baby's chest and back. (Avoid face and neck.)
Oils to Avoid:
Selah Oils Singles and Blends that should be avoided and/or used with caution:
Wintergreen and Birch
Blends to Avoid:Armor, Armor Spray, Balance, Comfort, Ease, Helichrysum Blend, Inhale, Love, Regulate, Tummy Troubles, Resolve
*Please Note: If you use another brand of essential oils, check their safety before use. This list only applies to the items that we carry in our shop here at Selah Oils. There are several more essential oils to be avoided and used with caution than just what we have listed here.
Bed Wetting
Bronchitis
Chickenpox
Circumcision
In 1 pint of warm water, add 20 drops of lavender. Bottle, shake well. Use before circumcision in a spray over the genital area. Use after circumcision to also assist in healing, once the dressing has been removed.
Colds (Common Cold)
Cold Sores (Fever Blisters)
Colic
Cradle Cap
Cuts (Minor)
Diaper Rash
Dilute well (1-2 drops essential oil to 2 tablespoons carrier oil) and apply at each diaper change until the rash is healed.
Earache / Infection
Massage diluted essential oil around the back of the affected ear - outside the ear, on the side of the head.
Fever
Fifth Disease
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Hives
Impetigo
Influenza (Flu)
Insomnia
Pin Worms
Pneumonia
Rash
Ringworm
Teething
Mix 2 drops German chamomile (or oil of choice) with 5ml (1 tsp) carrier oil. Very gently massage the cheek.
Throat
Armor, Jr., Thyme linalool, Lemon, Frankincense, Tea Tree
Dilute 5 drops with 1 tablespoon carrier oil. Apply over throat, chest and back.Do not apply essential oils to baby or child's face.
Thrush, Yeast Infection
Umbilical Cord Infection
Tea Tree, Lavender, German chamomile
Newborn babies have very thin skin, as it has yet to mature. Only use very small amounts of anything on the skin.
Cotton ball method:
First wash your hands. Put 1 drop lavender onto a cotton ball. Dip the cotton ball in a cup of water, squeeze the excess water out between your fingertips. Use the cotton ball to carefully clean around the area. Do this twice a day.
Urinary Tract Infection
Tea Tree, German chamomile, Lavender
Warm Baths:
Dilute 3 drops tea tree in 1 teaspoon carrier oil, and add to the warm bath water. Also add 1 teaspoon salt to the water. Swish around well before the child gets in.
References:
Davis, P. Aromatherapy An A-Z. (2000).
Higley, Connie & Alan. Reference Guide for Essential Oils. (2012).
Price, Shirley & Len. Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, (2012).
Tisserand, Robert. Essential Oil Safety, Second Edition. (2014).
Worwood, Valerie. Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child, (2000).