Essential oils are such a blessing in the lives of children - and in the lives of those who care for and love them!

Pure essential oils should always be diluted before placing on the body—more is not always better or more effective. In fact, many times a small amount of oil will be soothing and calming but a larger amount can be overstimulating. Lavender and peppermint are great examples of this. Children have less body mass than adults and pure essential oils MUST be diluted well for application on children.

With a few exceptions, such as lavender, I find that synergistic blends are safer and more effective for children. I feel this same way about adults and the use of blended oils but this is particularly important with children especially when you are first learning to use essential oils. Blending single oils together allows us to participate in the best that each single oil has to offer without the risk of too much of any one good thing. So much more can be accomplished with a blend and there is little risk of there being an overwhelming amount of any one oil—too much of even a good thing is still too much.

Butterfly Express LLC has, over the years, created several blends that are particularly effective with children. These blends were usually created ‘one grandchild at a time’ and are among my personal favorites for use with children. They also have a few oils with the Jr prefix. These are some of their most popular blends that have been formulated specifically with children in mind.

This is in no way meant as a complete list of oils you can use with children. I have used most of the Butterfly blends and singles with my children. You should avoid hormone-balancing oils with children and a list is provided below.

Favorite Blends for Children:

^LeAngel

This blend is helpful in the relief of anxiety. ^LeAngel helps us to process and release emotional trauma. It can protect us from the negative energy and unprocessed emotions of others. ^LeAngel is one of the best essential oil blends for stabilizing mood swings, especially in children.

^LeBaby Me

This blend helps to open the heart chakra, enabling us to give and receive love. ^LeBaby Me is a special combination for mothers, expectant and otherwise, and for babies of all ages. The use of this oil brings feelings of connection and willingness to give and take in relationships, particularly in parent/child relationships. It is also recommended for use in bonding between a mother and a new baby. Great for diaper rash.

^LeDelicate

This blend is often used for cradle cap. Dilute this blend with a carrier oil, and apply it to the baby’s scalp. After a few moments, use a soft-bristled brush to gently remove the crusts from the baby’s head. If you are patient, the baby may even laugh and smile at you, finding this to be a fun game with mommy.

^LeDreams

This blend is a favorite of children who are nervous in the dark or when left alone. If nightmares persist while using ^LeDreams, continue to use it in conjunction with energy work modalities. Finding the disturbing emotion, processing it, and letting it go is the only way to achieve lasting healing. ^LeDreams can help you do that. This blend has been beneficial for bedwetting if the root cause is fear or anxiousness.

^LeExhale

This blend is antibacterial, helps encourage lymphatic drainage, stimulates the immune system, and aids circulation. It has a high percentage of cineole because of the Eucalyptus Radiata in it which is believed to be the component that relieves colds and congestion. This is my favorite respiratory blend for children because it is soothing and strong. 

^LeEZ Traveler

This blend alleviates the physical symptoms of motion sickness, ^LeEZ Traveler promotes feelings of calmness, emotional strength, and the ability to cope with the day’s events and responsibilities. It has been used to treat anorexia. Several of my children have suffered from car sickness and this blend has been a lifesaver. 

^LeGood Nite

This blend helps us process, painlessly, deep emotions during our sleep. In the morning we will be able to express our deep feelings about these emotions clearly and without the usual stress. Children who have a hard time expressing themselves often love this oil.

^LeJulia

This blend was created as a gentler alternative to ^LeInsideOut for a sweet granddaughter whose trip into this world was a bit traumatic. ^LeJulia has proven itself over and over again for use with colic, tummy ache, and constipation in infants, children, and (a bit of a surprise to me) with adults as well. The aroma is often useful for motion sickness.

^LeMelaPlus

This blend is strongly antiseptic. It prevents the growth of bacteria, fungus, and other infectious agents. ^LeMelaPlus can be used for athlete’s foot and toenail fungal infections. It can also be used for disinfecting cuts, scrapes, and wounds. A drop applied to insect bites will help prevent infection.

^LeMillenia

“Chiropractor in a bottle” is a good description of this blend except that ^LeMillenia aligns so much more than just physical structures. ^LeMillenia aligns the electrical energies of the body, balances every meridian, and energizes every chakra. In addition, ^LeMillenia maintains the integrity of the connective tissues that wrap, connect, and protect every organ and balances the emotions connected to each organ. This makes it an emotional oil that often helps children develop courage.

One of my favorite uses for ^LeMillenia is in working with ADHD and hyperactivity. Applying ^LeMillenia to the feet at least once a day can make a profound difference in a child’s ability to sit still and concentrate. I use the feet because it is an excellent place to draw essential oils into the body. I also like the feet because the person (it is often a little boy) can put his shoes back on, go to school, and no one teases him because he “smells like flowers.” Also, consider using ^LeTranquility and ^LeVictory along with ^LeMillenia.

^LeSunburst

This is a favorite among the citrus blends because it is relaxing and calming, especially for children. This blend promotes a sense of well-being and is an excellent remedy for insomnia. ^LeSunburst is not a sedative, however. It promotes restful sleep from which you wake in the morning feeling energetic and refreshed. Some citrus oils have proven effective against eating disorders. Because of the variety of citrus oils contained in ^LeSunburst, it has been used in treatments for anorexia and bulimia.

^LeThermaCare

This blend was designed to gently reduce even the very high fevers that we often see with the quick-onset “flu bugs” prevalent in the world today. It stimulates the body’s defenses while calming and soothing. I love this blend for children. ^LeThermaCare should be diluted well and applied to the back of the neck, down the spine, and on the bottoms of the feet. One or two drops may also be put in the tub.

^LeTranquility

This blend can help us develop inner strength, patience, understanding, and confidence. The very best blend to relieve anxiety, stress, tension, and depression. It is also very useful to promote relaxation and restful sleep. ^LeTranquility has been used in programs to help children and adults get off of Ritalin and Prozac. Of course, it is recommended that you work closely with the doctor who prescribed the medications.

^LeUnity

This oil should be diffused in groups where incompatibility or quarrelsomeness is a problem. Use it in the home to increase peace and cooperation between children and family members.

One of the great strengths of ^LeUnity is its ability to balance every chakra to the extent of greatly minimizing or eliminating altogether any reaction from overuse of essential oils. This is very useful for children who get into essential oils that have been left lying around the house. Many times the balancing of all of the chakras eliminates or minimizes any allergic reaction.

^LeVictory

This blend is especially useful for those with ADHD, OCD, autism, or neurological disorders. Each step forward when working with learning disabilities or any type of neurological malfunction is a victory and a celebration. The ingredients of ^LeVictory are so well-balanced and synergistically combined that they act as catalysts for the re-building of nerve tissues, and yet are soothing to the nervous system and the emotions at the same time.

Children that have any type of difficulty with learning or social skills seem to need physical touch. They have the sunniest dispositions, loving to hug and be hugged. Physically connecting with others helps their energy circuits connect and flow more smoothly. Remember that confidence and emotional stability outweigh, many times over, early academic achievement in overall success in life. An “I can do it” attitude is the best skill set any of us can possess. ^LeVictory absolutely shines in the development of this attitude. Consider using with ^LeMillenia.

Lavender and Chamomile are particularly effective oils for use with children. Remember, a little is very good but a lot is NOT a lot better. In fact, too much of either of these oils will act as a stimulant, rather than having a calming effect.

Companion Oils - For Parents

^LeFaith

This blend helps you see your child’s potential, avoid discouragement, and aids you in finding ways to bolster your child’s confidence and self-esteem. Changing the school system is probably not possible and supporting your child is more effective anyway.

^LeWhispering Hope

This oil can help when a young mother (or anyone else, really) is feeling stressed and overwhelmed. It helps to create a more positive attitude and a sense of optimism.

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Oils Contraindicated For Children

Chaste Tree, Clary Sage, Fennel, Rue, Tagette, ^LeBalance, ^LeWoman Wise

Oils To Use With Caution On Children

Ajowan, Camphor, Capsicum, Cassia, Catnip, Chaulmoogra, Cinnamon Bark, Cinnamon Berry, Clove, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginger, Helichrysum, Idaho Tansy, Juniper Berry, Ledum, Nutmeg, Oregano, Parsley, Saro, Spearmint, Thyme, Valerian, ^LeLivN (try ^LeRevitalize instead), ^LeSafeGuard

The main essential oils you do not want to use with children are the ones with strong hormonal properties. Any caustic or very strong essential oils you want to use cautiously and dilute extra well. As always these oils are much safer used in a blend instead of by themselves. It is also a good idea to read about an oil before using it. In the book Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils, or on our website in the information section, cautions will be listed below the information for each essential oil if any cautions for that oil are known.

Additional Cautions

The most important thing to know about essential oils and children is that they should be kept out of the reach of children. Having said that, I must also admit that my grandchildren, one in particular, have dumped whole bottles of a wide variety of essential oils into the tub while taking a bath. Which ones? The ones Mom or Dad left on the side of the tub! Their skin and poor little private parts turned bright, fiery red and, sometimes, a cleanse or an allergic reaction has been triggered! None have ever been deadly, or even very serious.

Suggestions For These Situations

1) Milk. Put milk on any skin that is burning and even in the eyes.

2) Support the eliminative organs (kidney, colon, and skin) with mild herbs for a few days, and make sure the child drinks plenty of water.

3) Run a tub of luke-warm water (just warm enough not to freeze the child to death) add 3 Tablespoons of *Redmond clay and soak the child for at least 20 minutes.

4) In the above situation or when there has been a negative or allergic reaction to a particular oil due to an intolerance of the plant from which the oil was made, the following protocol is almost always very helpful.

A. Put ^LeUnity on the palms of both hands.

B. Place one hand over the thymus (heart chakra) and the other hand over the navel.

C. Take 3 deep breaths and switch hands, then take 3 more deep breaths.

*Redmond clay is a bentonite clay. Any earth clay would be fine.

The world of essential oils offers so many blessings and benefits. As a parent and grandparent, I have often been grateful for essential oils as I have used them on myself, my children, and my grandchildren for many emotional things as well as physical ones.

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