There is a safe middle ground between those companies who tell you to use everything and anything with no concern for safety, and those senseless articles that try to scare you away from oils altogether. In truth, the use of good quality, 100% pure essential oils is safe for use with children. We just suggest taking some precautions to avoid even the most minimal of reactions. If you follow proper dilution guidelines, and choose oils from the list below, you can confidently enjoy the benefits of using essential oils for children.
Dilution
The most important step towards using essential oils on your skin safely is dilution. Essential oils are highly concentrated should be diluted before applying them topically. All of our bottles have a suggested dilution rate marked. You can also find this information under the 'Additional Information' tab under every essential oil listing. Children have special requirements when it comes to how much carrier oil to use. For an easy to understand explanation to how diluting essential oils works, see our article Child Safe Essential Oil Use.
Essential Oils for Infants Under 3 Months
We recommend not using essential oils on infants under 3 months of age unless there is a very good reason for doing so, and you are working with an experienced aromatherapist with plenty of experience in infant care. Neonatal skin does not mature until three months of age, and newborns are less equipped to deal with adverse effects because of a lower metabolic capacity. This is especially important where premature infants are concerned. We recommend waiting three months past the baby's intended due date before considering the use of essential oils on the skin.
Essential Oils Safe With Children of All Ages
- Amyris (Amyris balsamifera)
- Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)
- Basil linalool (Ocimum basilicum)
- Bergamot (Citrus bergamia
- Black pepper (Piper nigrum)
- Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum)
- Buddha Wood (Eremophila mitchellii)
- Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
- Cedarwood Atlantica (Cedrus atlantica)
- Chamomile Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)
- Clary sage (Salvia sclarea)
- Copaiba balsam (Copaifera officinalis)
- Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
- Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
- Dill weed (Anethum graveolens)
- Fir needle (Abies sibirica)
- Frankincense carteri (Boswellia carteri)
- Frankincense serrata (Boswellia Serrata)
- Geranium bourbon (Pelargonium x asperum)
- Ginger root CO2 extract (Zingiber officinalis)
- Grapefruit Pink (Citrus x paradisi)
- Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)
- Ho Wood (Cinnamomum camphora)
- Juniper berry (Juniperus communis)
- Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)
- Lemon / cold pressed (Citrus x limon)
- Lemon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora)
- Lime / cold-pressed (Citrus x aurantifolia)
- Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) – Calming
- Marjoram Sweet (Origanum majorana)
- Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium)
- Neroli (Citrus x aurantium var.amara)
- Orange, sweet (Citrus sinensis)
- Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii var motia)
- Patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin)
- Petitgrain (Citrus x aurantium)
- Pine (Pinus Sylvestris)
- Sandalwood (Santalum Spicatum) – Calming, thought to be helpful for oily skin
- Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
- Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamans
- Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) – Immune support. Bright, uplifting citrus scent
- Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
- Turmeric rhizome CO2 extract (Curcuma longa)
- Vetiver
Why We No Longer Mark Our Bottles Child Safe
The Herbal Toad has made shopping for child safe essential oils easy with specific child safe single essential oil, synergy blend, and roll-on categories. We do not, however, mark our bottles as such, and we believe for very good reason.
As generational herbalists, we have used essential oils our entire lives, and know that there are dozens, if not hundreds of variables as to whether or not an essential oil is child safe, and multitudes of exceptions considering modality and purpose. These essential oils require special instruction, but should not be discounted for use with children when used properly. For instance, Blockade is safe to diffuse in an open area but we wouldn't want you to use it topically on small children. There are also certain essential oils like Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang, and Jasmine that have precautions attached, but used properly, and in small concentration can be completely safe and beneficial. This is why we don't mark it as child safe, while at the same time, you may find them professionally blended in our children's formulations occasionally.
We mark every listing with further explanation of these exceptions, allowing you to find comfort in using your favorite essential oils safely. We are helping you to have the best of both worlds, without compromising the health and safety of your household.
The Importance of Purity
Please be sure that you are using 100% pure essential oils, especially where children are concerned. See our article, Dangers of Fake Essential Oils.
Relax and Enjoy
In the end, while we do need to respect safety guideline concerning essential oils, let's keep in mind that for the most part the side effects and number of occurrences are almost nonexistent when compared to OTC medicine. We don't say that so that you will throw caution to the wind, but so that you can relax just a little and allow yourself the freedom to explore the benefits of using essential oils with your children.
Enjoy!
