What essential oils to use for my child?

Essential oils are generally not recommended for children under the age of 6.

However, for the little ones, it is advisable to prefer hydrolats, vegetable oils or oily macerats for everyday ailments.

Top 3 essential oils to use safely for my child over 6 years:

• The essential oil of Marjolaine with shells:

Marjoram essential oil has medium-intensity antibacterial properties (Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus sp. , pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, propionobacterium acnes, antifungal (Candida albicans, microsporum, pityriasis versicolor), antiviral (Herpes simplex virus), antispasmoic, sedative and calming of the nervous system. It is an anti-inflammatory (by inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines), a tranquilizer, a diuretic, a hypotensive and an analgesic.

It protects in particular from the renal and liver toxicity of lead acetate and also has a favorable effect of massage on the psychological and immunological level, as well as an anti-infective effect by activation of white blood cells, but also by activation of the differentiation of monocytes. In addition, marjoram essential oil has anti-candidosis (oral candidiasis), antiparasitic, anti-acne properties on Propionibacterium acnes and anticonvulsant.

It also decreases the growth of human melanic cells and induces apoptosis. It is also a diuretic and hypotensive by vascular muscle relaxation.

It is commonly used in neurovegetative dystonia, tachycardias, arrhythmias, HTA (high blood pressure), digestive disorders, colopathies and colitis, ulcers, gastritis, anxiety, stress, restlessness, dizziness, cramps and labial herpes.

Like all essential oils, Mandarin is no exception to the rule of precautions:

1. Under-indicated in children under 7 years of age
2. Dermocaustic, should not be applied pure on the skin (always dilute)
3. Risk of photosensitization, no sun exposure
4. Risk of per bone neurotoxicity in high doses
5. May vary blood glucose levels, and presents a risk of interaction with antidiabetics
6. Avoid in combination with cortisone, risk of drug interaction

• Sweet Orange Essential Oil:

Sweet Orange essential oil has antibacterial, anti-staphyloccal, expectorant, anti-inflammatory and anti-radical properties. It is insecticide, relaxing (by air), antiseptic, antiviral, expectorant, sedative and muscle relaxant. However, there is potential action in chemo-prevention and chemotherapy of cancers by detoxifying carcinogens by induction of Phase I and Phase II enzymes, making it an inductor of apoptosis, anti-angiogenic, anti-tumor by inhibition of malignant cell growth.

It is therefore preventative of skin cancer by reducing chemo-induction of hepatocellular carcinomas. The d-limonene it contains has anti-cancer properties such that it is called an emerging anti-neoplasic agent. It would induce apoptosis through mitochondrial death and suppression of cellular mediators. Limonene, on the other hand, is a potential protein glycation inhibitor that can help improve secondary complications of diabetes.

It is generally used in chemo-prevention of cancer by inhibition of angiogenesis. The essential oil of sweet orange protects against cancer, among other things, the skin and liver.

Like all essential oils, sweet orange is no exception to the precautionary rule:

1. Skin revulsive and dermocaustic, should not be used in its purest form, always dilute
2. Caution in case of per bone kidney failure (risk of nephrotoxicity)
3. Cytochrome P450 (CYP2B1 and CYP2C) – Risk of drug interactions, seek advice from your pharmacist
4. Risk of photosensitization (no sun exposure)
5. Under-indicated in children under 7 years of age
6. Drug interactions with essential oils of cinnamon, coriander or containing aromatic adehhydes at more than 10%
7. Avoid in combination with cortisone, risk of drug interaction

• Chamomile’s essential oil:

Noble Chamomile essential oil has relaxing and antispasmodic properties. It is also a digestive tonic. It stimulates fibroblasts and collagen formation, giving it a healing effect.

Parasiticide against intestinal parasitosis such as hookworms and lambiases, protozoans of the genus giardia, it also reveals an interest in anxiety, agitation and behavioral disorders when used in massage.

It is a particular oil with analgesic action, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory and nerve calming.

It is usually used in emotional shocks, emotional trauma, shingles and stress. But not only that! She has demonstrated her effectiveness on allergic grounds (asthma, eczema, conjunctivitis, pruritus, hives, psoriasis, rosacea), hypersensitivity, restlessness, insomnia and nightmares in soothing massages. In addition, it can be of valuable support in the dental flare-ups of toddlers (respecting a dilution rate between 0.5 and 1% in calendula vegetable oil in gum massage)

Like all essential oils, noble chamomile is no exception to the rule of precautions:

1. Risk of common allergy with other Asteraceae (millefeuille, matrix, arnica, etc.)
2. Possible drug interactions, seek advice from your pharmacist
3. Risk of interaction with anticoagulants
4. Under-indicated in children under 6 years of age

Conclusion:

Aromatherapy is certainly a natural medicine, but it is far from being a gentle medicine as we usually call it. For aromatherapist Jean-Pierre Willem, “This is not a gentle medicine. It is not possible to self-medicate.”A single teaspoon of thuya essential oil, for example, may be enough to cause death. It is best to avoid playing with your children’s health by using certain essential oils without knowing the molecular content and the appropriate dosages. If in doubt, do not hesitate to seek the advice of a health professional.

The atmospheric diffusion of essential oils makes it possible to clean up your parts, to counteract the bacteria and microbes present, to tone or otherwise soothe your environment, or simply to create an atmosphere. But not all essential oils are diffusible. Remember that essential oils are pure and total extracts, therefore very concentrated in active molecules. Some essential oils can be very dangerous if misuse is done. In particular atmospheric diffusion, the essential oils concentrated in phenols, aromatic aldehydes or ketones must be discarded. Phenols and aldehydes are dermocaustiques, toxic and irritating to mucous membranes, while ketones are neurotoxic. The best advice is to have you seriously accompany in the choice and dosage of your essential oils by a professional aromatherapist. The following lists are not exhaustive, they are just examples. But they will allow you to spot among the most common essential oils that you should avoid. Essential Oils with ketones: Achilles yarrow, dill, green anise, Atlas cedar, Himalayan cedar, cryptic eucalyptus, Eucalyptus globulus, Menthol eucalyptus, Hyssop officinale, ASP lavender, mints, rosemary with camphor, Rosemary in Verbenone , annual Tansy. Essential oils for phenols: Ajowan, exotic basil, Ceylon cinnamon, clove, oregano, savory, thyme essential oils with aromatic aldehydes: cinnamon, cumin, niaouli other molecular families are easier to use but Nevertheless, precautions in dosage and diffusion must be taken, in addition to the usual recommendations for dissemination (see article “How to disseminate essential oils?”) Some oils are particularly recommended for atmospheric diffusion: Rosewood, Roman chamomile, lemon, eucalyptus radiata, fragrant geranium, black spruce, compendial lavender, beds, mandarin, small grain bigarade, orange Bitter, Scots pine. Complexes combining several essential oils with specific targets exist.