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Anxiety is one of the problems most kids struggle with, and it does not affect only those kids diagnosed with ADHD or other conditions that mimic this learning difference. We now know that your child’s anxiety can lead to problems with focus, academic performance and making and keeping friends, and it can also have an impact on their sleeping habits.
The good news is that both parents and professionals have noticed the effectiveness of some essential oils in helping children struggling with anxiety find calm. But it may be difficult to know where to begin. The problem with using essential oils to calm anxious, stressed or hyperactive kids is that there is such an overwhelming amount of information – much of which is conflicting – that it can be difficult to know whether or not you should try out essential oils, which oils to use, and how to use them.
Essential oils are a practical, easy-to-use and natural solution that can help calm kids struggling with stress and anxiety. However, they can also have an adverse effect on your child and can even lead to poisoning.
In this post, you’ll learn about:
- How essential oils can help your child if they are struggling with anxiety
- The essential oils that help calm anxiety in children
- How to calm an anxious child using essential oils
- Getting to the roots of your child’s anxiety
What research says about essential oils, stress, and anxiety
The calming effect of essential oils has been the subject of several research studies. For instance, one study found that women exposed to orange odor had lower levels of anxiety, a more positive mood and a higher level of calmness.
The same researchers carried out a second study to analyze the impact of orange and lavender essential oils in dental patients. Two hundred 18- to 77-year-old patients participated in the study. While waiting for their dental appointment, the patients were either stimulated with ambient odor of orange; ambient odor of lavender, a music condition, or nothing. The researchers found that both ambient odors of orange and lavender reduced anxiety and improved patients’ moods.
In a study undertaken by Robert Tisserand, one of the world’s leading experts in aromatherapy, lavender, marjoram, geranium, mandarin and cardamom were found to be effective in calming and inducing sleep.
A different study exploring complementary therapies in long-stay patients found that patients’ stress and anxiety reduced when they were exposed to lavender, tea tree, and rosemary essential oils.
Other studies conducted on the effectiveness of essential oils on stress, anxiety, and hyperactivity also suggest that aromatherapy could be highly beneficial to kids.
In one study, six- to fourteen-year-old children who were previously diagnosed as having ADHD, and who were not under medication, were treated by one of three essential oils (cedarwood oil, vetiver, and lavender). The researchers found that the oil that had the greatest impact on the kids’ behavior was Vetiver, then Cedarwood, then Lavender.
Using essential oils to calm kids’ anxiety – what you need to know
It is difficult to tell “how soon is too soon” when using essential oils with kids. There is little evidence-based information, and most of the available information is conflicting.
Babies’ immune systems are still developing and they may thus react negatively to substances unknown to them. Although there have been suggestions that essential oils can be used with kids from 3 months, I personally prefer waiting until at least age two before using essential oils with kids.
Precautions to take when using essential oils to calm an anxious child
1) Never give essential oils orally to kids
Never give essential oils orally to kids unless if you are working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Like all chemical substances, essential oils should be kept out of reach of children. If your child ingests an essential oil, please contact a doctor immediately. Do not attempt to induce vomiting. With kids, diffusing or applying diluted essential oils directly on the skin is a safer and more appropriate choice.
Essential oils are highly concentrated and must, therefore, be treated with caution. All essential oils have to be diluted with a carrier oil before they can be used with kids. A carrier oil is an oil made from plants and used to dilute essential oils before applying them on your child’s skin. Common carrier oils include olive oil
, coconut oil
, and Sweet Almond Oil .
2) Before using essential oils with your anxious child, carry out a test first
Although pure and natural essential oils do not contain allergens, it is important to take your time when introducing your child to them and to watch for sensitive reactions to the oils. Starting with one essential oil at a time can help you more easily determine how your child will react to essential oils.
Allergic reactions to essential oil include itchiness, problems breathing, tenderness or swelling of the skin, digestive problems, and skin reactions such as boils or rashes. An allergic reaction to essential oils generally occurs within the first few hours of application or inhalation. That said, allergic reactions to essential oils are quite rare.
To be on the safe side, testing your kid’s reaction to a new essential oil can help determine how they will react to it.
You can test your kid’s reaction by applying one drop of essential oil mixed with four drops of carrier oil to their skin (for example inner arm). If they develop an allergic reaction over the next couple of hours, it might mean that they are sensitive to that essential oil.
However, sensitivity to a topical application does not mean that your child will react similarly when other methods are used. For instance, they might be sensitive to the topical application of a particular oil but show no allergic reactions when the essential oil is diffused.
3) Use essential oils sparingly
It is always recommended to use essential oils sparingly on babies and kids. If you are just starting out with essential oils, diffusion is a great way to introduce the oils to your kids. Avoid using essential oils around the face and especially around the eyes and mucous membranes (nose).
4) Use only 100% pure oils with kids
Use only those oils that have been proven to be safe for kids and use them sparingly. In other words, although essential oils can help calm kids, they are not “the cure” for stressed, anxious or hyperactive kids.
One of the most comprehensive books on essential oils use for the entire family is Robert Tisserand’s book – Essential Oil Safety
– which presents 400 essential oils profiles and gives a full breakdown of their constituents, uses, hazards, risks and recommended doses. The book is a bit costly, but it is one of the most comprehensive books on essential oil use on the market.
Just because an oil is labeled as “natural” or “pure” does not actually mean that it is a high quality essential oil. When using essential oils with children, please ensure that you are getting them from a trusted source.
5) Get professional advice
Do not replace medical treatment with essential oils. If your child is under medication and you would like to try out the impact of essential oils on their behavior, speak with their physician first.
Whenever you are in doubt, do not hesitate to get professional advice from qualified aromatherapists or your physician.
Not all essential oils are safe for use with kids. It is also important not to go overboard when using essential oils with an anxious child. For example, you could try one essential oil at a time, especially if you are just starting out on these oils with your child.
6 essential oils that can help calm your child’s anxiety
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender has a calming effect and has also been proven to induce relaxation and sleep. It is one of the oils considered to work best against anxiety in children.
A word of caution: Children with ADD, ADHD or autism may react negatively to lavender essential oil so it is important to carry out a test first to determine whether or not to avoid it.
Mandarin orange (Citrus Reticulata)
Mandarin orange essential oil has been found to have relaxing qualities. It is also known as tangerine essential oil. This oil calms stress and anxiety and has also been found to be effective in reducing hysteria.
Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides)
Vetiver has been found to help calm kids’ anxiety and hyperactivity. It fights against stress and has also been found to promote calm sleep.
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
Frankincense has been around for years. It was used in ancient Egypt and is still used in several religious ceremonies today. Frankincense has been found to induce feelings of peace and relaxation. It has a calming effect that can help calm kids’ stress and anxiety.
Cedarwood is an essential oil extracted from the cedar tree. Some of the benefits of Cedarwood oil include reduced tension, stress, and anxiety. This oil can also help kids with sleeping problems.
Ylang Ylang acts as an antidepressant. It has been associated with reduced stress and anxiety and with improved moods.
How to use essential oils to calm an anxious child
1 | In baths – It is not recommended to use essential oils in your kid’s bath but if you decide to try this method, the essential oil must be diluted first using a water-soluble carrier such as vegetable glycerine or raw unfiltered honey
2 | As a spray – Spraying diluted essential oil in your home can help create a soothing and calming environment. If you decide to spray the essential oil in your kid’s room, avoid spraying it over their bed and especially their pillow.
3 | Diffusion – You can use water-based vaporizers
to diffuse essential oils in your home. Diffusion is the best way to introduce new essential oils to kids because it is a safe way to judge whether or not your kid will react negatively to the oil.
A lengthy diffusion period can be overwhelming for the senses. According to Robert Tisserand, diffusion should not exceed one hour (30 to 60 minutes diffusion) and should be followed by a break of at least 60 minutes. Given these rates are for adults, it is advisable to diffuse for shorter periods with kids (for instance 20 minutes – a maximum of 30 minutes).
4 | Massage – Essential oils should never be directly applied on kids’ skin without diluting them first using a carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, and Sweet Almond Oil ). Massaging your kid’s feet or toes with essential oils is a safe way to apply the diluted essential oil.
How to mix your own blends for calming your child’s stress and anxiety
When mixing your own calming blends for rubs or massages, 0.25% dilution is recommended (1 drop of essential oil per 4 teaspoons of carrier oil) for kids under age 6, and 1% Dilution (1 drop per 1 teaspoon of carrier oil) for kids over 6
Tip: Putting the essential oil into the bottle first before adding the carrier oil makes for a more powerful fusion.
Below is a list of the essential oils that blend well together and are safe to use with kids.
3 CALMING BLENDS TO TRY WITH KIDS OVER SIX WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH ANXIETY
RECIPE 1 – FOR MASSAGES
INGREDIENTS
- 1 drop 100% pure Lavender Essential Oil
- 1 drop 100% Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
- Sweet Almond Oil or any other carrier oil of your choice.
- Empty 10ml bottle
or any other carrier oil of your choice.
Method
1. Add the essential oils into an empty 10 ml bottle.
2. Fill the bottle with your carrier oil.
3. Close the bottle and shake well.
4. The blend is now ready to use
RECIPE 2 – FOR MASSAGES
INGREDIENTS ()
- 1 drop 100% pure Vetiver Essential Oil
- 1 drop 100% pure Cedarwood Essential Oil
- Sweet Almond Oil or any other carrier oil of your choice.
- Empty 10ml bottle
Method
1. Add the essential oils into an empty 10 ml bottle.
2. Fill the bottle with your carrier oil.
3. Close the bottle and shake well.
4. The blend is now ready to use
RECIPE 3 – FOR DIFFUSION
INGREDIENTS
- 1 drop of 100% pure Lavender Essential Oil
- 2 drops of 100% pure Cedarwood Essential Oil
- 1 drop of 100% pure Frankincense Essential Oil
- 1 drop of 100% pure Vetiver Essential Oil
- Approximately one-third of a cup of water (80 ml)
- diffuser
Method
Add the essential oils into the water in your diffuser and diffuse.
If you prefer already blended calming essential oils, KidSafe Nighty Night is a ready-made blend adapted to help calm kids down and also sleep better.
Beyond essential oils: Understanding the source of your child’s anxiety
Essential oils may help calm anxious children but if your child is struggling with anxiety, identifying the root of the problem will help you find a lasting solution. Age-appropriate resources can help them learn to identify different emotions, understand how those emotions feel in the body, and select different and appropriate ways to deal with emotion-provoking situations.
Here are a few additional resources if your child is struggling with anxiety:
50 Ways to Calm an Anxious Child Without Words (+PRINTABLE VISUAL ANXIETY CARDS)
Learning to Respond, Not React, to Your Child’s Anxiety
How to Help When You Don’t Know Where Your Child’s Anxiety Comes From
Additional resources to help make you an essential oil expert!
Which essential oils have worked to calm your anxious child? Share your recipes in the comments below!
The information presented here is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
What a lovely post! Aromatherapy is a great idea for calming the anxieties in not only adults but children too, I totally agree. It can be a great comfort to them and I am so glad I came across your tips for it!
Thanks for the lovely comment Laylah 🙂
Is it safe to use if a child is taking medicine
Hi Kismet,
I guess it depends on what medicine your child is taking. That said, I would confirm with a specialist (doctor, aromatherapist, pharmacist) before using essential oils with a child on medication
Can an inhaler be used with Vetiver to calm a 10 year old? I
Hi Robyn,
Thanks for stopping by.
I honestly haven’t tried using inhalers so I can’t give you an appropriate response. I would find out what an aromatherapist thinks.
This is so useful, thanks!
Thanks for reading and for leaving a comment!
Thank you for all the information.
How much time should see on the kid if the essential oils are good for him and do the work ?
As I understand, if I use a diffuse than I will see immediate reaction.
But what happens when I do feet massage ? How much time I need to try it until I’ll know if this is the right essential oil for him or not ?
Thanks !
Hi Yael,
It’s hard to tell how long and whether or not a particular essential oil will be beneficial for your child. The most effective way is to try the different oils that are safe for kids and see how he will react to them. You could also try wearing the diffferent oils on yourself to see how your child reacts to them. You will not necessarily get an immediate reaction with diffusion but many parents have found it quite effective with kids. If you choose to diffuse, remember to keep to short intervals (30 minutes maximum). I hope this helps