10 Benefits of Essential Oils for Babies and Children
Essential oils for babies and children are natural products made from aromatic plants. People use them worldwide for disinfection, for relaxing, as anti-inflammatories, as stimulating substances, and even in clinical medicine.
Due to their diverse biological properties and medicinal uses, they’re becoming more and more popular. In fact, people these days are using them in many different ways. Here are 10 benefits of essential oils for babies and children.
Benefits of essential oils for babies and children
Essential oils are one of the most effective options for many treatments and creams. At the same time, they sometimes allow us more variants of use. They can be applied topically, added to food, used in the form of flavorings, and drinkable.
1. Healing power
There are certain essential oils which can be useful in the final stages of healing. Currently, the most commonly used one for this purpose is rosehip oil. Experts recommend it for daily application on scars and stretch marks. It’s even useful for the prevention of acne lesions.
2. Relaxing effect of essential oils
St. John’s wort oil is one of the most useful oils, thanks to its relaxing effects. It’s available in tablet and capsule form, and also as a tea or liquid extract. It tends to lower serum adrenaline levels, thus helping to manage stress levels, euphoria, or excitement. This type of oil is recommended for use in cases of emotional and behavioral complications in children.
3. Antibacterial function
Several oils have antibacterial properties , but coconut oil is the most attractive in this regard. Likewise, tea tree essential oil is beneficial for its antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Moisturizing effect of essential oils
Avocado essential oil is one of the essential oils with the best moisturizing effects, and is the one that most people opt for in order to treat dry skin. In addition, it contains a large amount of vitamin A, vitamin E, and beneficial fatty acids for the proper nutrition of the skin.
Another oil that has significant moisturizing benefits is lavender oil. It also plays an effective role in skin regeneration.
Read also: 3 Benefits of Olive Oil During Pregnancy
5. The treatment of bruises and contusions
One of the most effective essential oils for treating bruises and bumps is arnica oil. This comes from a vegetable oil and just a few drops rubbed into the area in question will bring good results. It helps to prevent blood from concentrating in the area of the blow and reduces the risk of a hematoma forming. It also improves circulation and works as a pain reliever.
6. Helping sleep
You can use several different oils to help children fall asleep. Just 2 or 3 drops of lavender essential oil in a vapor diffuser has a powerful relaxing effect.
St. John’s wort oil is also useful in this regard. In addition, Roman chamomile is indicated for children who get frightened at night. Also, marjoram can calm anxiety, reduce hyperactivity and stress, and its fragrance is very pleasant.
7. Relieving headaches
There are several essential oils that can significantly reduce the pain caused by migraines. Studies conducted by European Neurology conclude that the inhalation of lavender essential oil can be an effective and safe therapeutic option in the management of migraines.
8. Cradle cap treatment
In skin diseases characterized by the presence of desquamation, the use of almond oil is indicated to remove the scales. It’s recommended in cases of cradle cap, scalp psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis.
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9. Intestinal cramps or gas
Several essential oils have antispasmodic properties. That is, they calm stomach spasms and the discomfort they generate. Some of them are ginger, chamomile, and lavender. Peppermint essential oil also helps with good gastric and intestinal function and, therefore, with proper digestion.
10. Flu or colds
The use of essential oils in their aromatic forms provides relief from nighttime symptoms in children with colds. Effective options are camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oils. Some oils with antiviral properties are chamomile oil and maleluca oil.
The choice of essential oils for babies and children
Experts recommend the use of essential oils for babies and children as long as they’re organic and not synthetic. However, it’s vital to avoid using them on infants under 3 months of age.
Regarding the choice of essential oils, they should be certified organic (certified organically grown); and those containing irritants for babies, such as menthol, phenol, eucalyptus and ketone, should be avoided.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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