I have been using essential oils for my kids since they were 6 months old. Usually by diffusing the oils in the room or diluting a single drop of pure essential oil in 1 tablespoon of a good quality carrier oil like sweet almond oil.

Not all oils are suitable for children. Only the safest oils may be used. Personally, I prefer mandarin, lavender, roman chamomile and very occasionally eucalyptus oil for kids. When my kids were under 1 year old, I would use only lavender or roman chamomile essential oils. The oils must be from a reputable supplier. Their is so much adulteration going on. Impure oils or oils stretched with components of cheaper oils are so often passed off as pure essential oils. These are not safe and should be avoided. Especially for kids.

Caution: If you are new to aromatherapy, I would not advise you to start on kids below 2 years old. As a beginner, you might try diffusing a few drops of lavender oil, mandarin oil or chamomile oil in the nursery but that is all I would recommend.

Mandarin

This one is my 3 year old's favourite oil. It is better than tangerine as the fragrance is fuller. It also has a sedative quality that is absent in tangerine, making a really good oil for a bed time massage. Both my kids love the sweet fruity scent and often ask me to diffuse the oil in the room and give them the 'orange smell massage'. For that, I simply dilute a single drop of mandarin oil in 1 to 2 tablespoons of a good carrier oil, and massage their backs, tummies and feet with it. In France, mandarin oil is considered as a children's oil. It is used to soothe tummy aches, coughs and colds in children.

Lavender

This is indispensible for first aid. Knocks, bumps and cuts respond well to lavender essential oil. Lavender oil soothes the pain and helps skin heal more quickly. Personally, I apply a single drop on my finger and gently massage on the knock or bump.

Lavender is very relaxing. If your kid has difficulty sleeping, a drop of lavender oil, diluted in a tablespoon of carrier oil added to his bath may help him relax. After the bath, add a single drop of lavender oil to a tablespoon of good quality carrier oil and massage him with it. That helps with insomnia and fretful kids.

Eucalyptus

Personally, I prefer eucalyptus radiata. That is the most expensive, most pleasant smelling, and safest variety of eucalyptus. The sweet eucalyptus oil in the kit is ok too.

I usually save eucalyptus oil for the flu season. When my kids are down with flu, I mix 1 drop of eucalyptus and 1 drop of lavender oil to use either as a bath oil or massage oil (mainly for the soles of their feet only). Definitely, you should follow the doctor's instructions. If the child has a fever, call a doctor and follow his instructions. You can help bring down the fever by applying cold compresses on his forehead and thighs. Add 1 drop of lavender oil and 1 drop of eucalyptus oil to a basin of cold water. Mix well. Dip a towel into the water, wring dry and apply on his forehead. Dip 2 more towels, wring dry and put on his thighs. That is in addition to whatever medicine the doctor prescribes.

If the fever is high, this is what a friend working in a hospital taught me. Run a bath of cool water. Put your kid in the bath tub. As the water cools, his temperature should also go down. You might want to add a drop of eucalyptus oil and a drop of lavender oil in a tablespoon of carrier oil to the bath water. Personally, I would rush him down to a clinic that is open all night. There are many where I live.

Caution: Do not use Eucalyptus oil for more than 5 days in a row.

Chamomile

I have a tiny bottle of roman chamomile oil which I save for tummy aches. It is very effective for the occasional tummy upsets my kid gets at night. Useful for colic too. Just a single drop of roman chamomile oil in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil massaged on the tummy usually helps relieve tummy pain in my kid. I prefer chamomile to peppermint as chamomile is sedative (helps you relax and sleep) while peppermint is a stimulant (may keep you awake). The catch is that Roman chamomile is expensive. I think that is why it is not included in the children's kit. You can ask the merchant for it. They are very customer oriented and I am sure they will be able to help you get it.

Peppermint

This one is not something I use on my kids. I prefer roman chamomile. I see it very often in massage oils for kids in this region though. It is useful for colic and tummy upsets but must be well diluted before use. a single drop in 2 tablespoons of carrier oil would suffice.

Personally, I use peppermint for myself. It helps clear my mind when I am working. It is stimulating so do not use at night and do not use for more than 5 days in a row. You might end up with insomnia, if you are sensitive to it. There are many uses for peppermint in beauty care and for the elderly. I will talk about that in future articles.