Essential oils for children – yes or no?

Essential oils are a popular alternative to conventional medicines for the first signs of a cold, with sniffles, coughs, and hoarseness. While they are generally unproblematic and helpful for adults, essential oils can be irritating to the sensitive nerve cells or airways of babies and children. For this reason, undiluted essential oils are not suitable for babies and children under three years of age. In this article, you will learn what parents should look out for when using them in the first years of life.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile substances that are extracted from various plant parts in nature, such as flowers, leaves, bark, roots, or fruits. Alternatively, they can also be produced from synthetic aroma compounds. These oils contain the characteristic fragrances of the plants, which not only give them their typical scent but also unfold diverse effects.

The ingredients of essential oils can be absorbed through the skin by rubbing, through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, or by oral ingestion through the gastrointestinal tract, whereby they enter the bloodstream and unfold systemic effects. In addition, essential oils are perceived through the sense of smell. The scent molecules enter the nasal mucosa and send signals to the brain. These signals can influence emotions and moods and thus play an important role in aromatherapy.

Essential oils are extremely versatile in their application:

• As soothing aromatherapy or as an aroma bath for cold symptoms
• For room fragrancing and use in wellness areas
• For external application on the skin to unfold anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving properties
• As internal application to stimulate appetite and digestion
• For cleaning and disinfection in the household thanks to antimicrobial properties

Essential oils are available both in highly diluted form and undiluted. However, due to their high concentration, caution is advised: dilution is often necessary to avoid skin irritations or other side effects.

Aromatherapy in the first years of life

Very important: Undiluted essential oils are not suitable for infants and toddlers under 3 years of age! Due to the high content of monoterpenes, even small amounts can lead to life-threatening spasms of the larynx and breathing difficulties. Further possible side effects include skin and mucous membrane irritations, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, tremors, movement disorders and, in severe cases, even seizures.

For children from 3 years of age, undiluted essential oils can be used in small, highly diluted amounts after consultation with a doctor or advice from a pharmacy. For children with asthma, whooping cough, or pneumonia, essential oils should generally not be used due to the compromised airways.

Diluted and essential oils that have been incorporated into creams or ointments, for example, can be used in small amounts if skin tolerance is confirmed. Always test beforehand whether your child tolerates the product by applying it to a small area of skin. Then aroma care products like our Thyme Balm can be practical helpers during the cold season.

Summary 

1. In the first years of life, the use of essential oils is not recommended. After that: first test skin compatibility and start with minimal amounts.
2. Make sure that no strong oils like camphor are included and follow the prescribed dilution instructions.
3. Avoid direct application to the face or very sensitive skin.
4. Store products with essential oils out of reach of children as a precaution.
5. Immediately contact emergency services if your child experiences acute symptoms such as shortness of breath, seizures, or changes in consciousness after contact with essential oils.