Back to School Essential Oils

August 20, 2023

Essential oils can be extremely helpful for children going Back to School. We will cover the basics and talk about the essential oils helpful for going back to school from preschool to college age.

First I want to talk about our sense of smell and how important it is for children as they are developing.

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Aromatherapy and the sense of smell

Our sense of smell is the strongest human sense and a direct link to our emotions, memory and mood.

Scents enter the nose and are processed by the olfactory bulb. This is where signals are then sent to the limbic system, including the amygdala and hippocampus.

They are the only sensations that travel such a direct path to the emotional and memory centers of the brain. All other senses first travel to the thalamus, which acts like a "switchboard," relaying information about the things we see, hear or feel to the rest of the brain.

Did you know? Smell is the only fully developed sense a fetus has in the womb? It's the most developed in a child through the age of around 10 when sight takes over. Because smell and memory are linked, childhood tends to be the period in which you create the basis for smells you will like and dislike for the rest of your life.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This includes some affiliate links and I may earn a small commission on products recommended at no extra cost to you.

What is an essential oil?

Essential oils are aromatic compounds found in plants, seeds, bark, flowers and trees.
Essential oils help protect the plant and thrive. We get the same benefit when we use them.
Essential oils when pure are potent and concentrated. One drop of essential oil is 50-70 times more potent than herbs.
LESS IS MORE! Oils work best when they are used consistently and in smaller amounts.

Why use essential oils?

The modern approach to health is to focus on symptom management vs the Natural approach which is to focus on the cause and our bodies needs.
Our cells are encased in an oily cell membrane for protection. Because of their molecular size, essential oils are able to cross this oily cell membrane to get to work quickly and help us combat threats.
When pure, they are 100% natural and safe for babies, children, adults and elderly. Fur babies too!

➡️Buy The Kids Collection of essential oils

How to use essential oils

Aromatic Use
- Aromatic use is the best way to use essential oils to effect our mood and emotions.
- Add 4 - 8 drops to a room diffuser. NEVER leave a diffuser running in a room with the door closed with a small child or animal.
- Add a drop to your palms, cup around your nose and inhale, smell from the bottle or make a room/pillow spray.
Topical Use
- Essential oils when pure are able to permeate the skin and enter the bloodstream.
- Apply directly to the skin with a carrier oil* on touch points such as wrists and back of neck.
- Apply to bottom of feet or along the spine.
Internal Use
- Internal use is not only safe when pure, but recommended for a systemic effect in the body.
- When pure, essential oils labeled "safe for internal use" can be ingested.
- Add to a veggie capsule or a few ounces of water or drop under the tongue.

Safety

Essential oils are lipid based and do not mix with water. Use a carrier oil* or lotion for sensitivity.
Kids’ skin is different from adult skin; it’s thinner and generally more sensitive. Even though most oils tend to be non-irritating on the skin (especially on the bottom of the feet, where the skin is thickest), it’s a great idea to dilute essential oil in a good carrier oil before applying to children.
Essential oils that should be diluted for young or sensitive skin: Black Pepper, Ginger, Wintergreen, Geranium and Peppermint.
"Hot" oils should always be diluted: Oregano, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, Cassia, Clove and Thyme. These are more likely to cause sensitivity when applied "neat" (which means no carrier oil).
Kids are not tiny adults. Remember that oils are potent, and you only need a very small amount, especially when it comes to children. A little bit goes a very long way and you can always add more if needed.
Aromatherapy is an excellent way to enjoy the benefits of essential oil without the worry of skin reactions. Inhaled oils have long been studied for their ability to enhance feelings of relaxation, encouragement, excitement, focus, and well-being.
The labels on doTERRA’s oil bottles remind us to keep them out of reach of children. Kids won’t understand the potency of the essential oils—they only know that these lovely liquids smell divine, and may go overboard in using them. Adults, not children, should always be doing the oil applications.

The Kids Collection

I wanted to talk about the kids collection, which isn't just for kids. I myself love it! Made for kids but adults love them too!

Stronger protective blend

Use daily for immune support. Roll on the bottom of feet or spine or back of neck every day.

Brave courage blend

Use when feeling insecure, unmotivated or in a new situation
Roll on tummy or bottoms of feet for a boost of courage and confidence

Thinker focus blend

Roll on the back of neck to help focus on a quiz or test, homework, or studying,
Does your child get distracted easily? squirrel!

Steady grounding blend

Steady is ideal for daily centering, feelings of anxiousness or too many thoughts
Roll it on the neck and wrists will calm and comfort emotions

Tamer digestive blend

Tamer is for digestion, motion sickness or car rides, tummy distress from lunch.
May help balance the digestive system. Roll onto abdomen and massage in a clockwise motion.
For babies roll a little swipe on the bottom of their feet.

Rescuer soothing blend

Helpful for growing pains, leg cramps, head, neck tension.
Roll near the jaw for orthodontic discomfort.
Roll and rub it in where it hurts.

Calmer restful blend

This is the middle-of-the-mall-meltdown blend.
Roll on pillow or favorite stuffed animal at bedtime.
Roll on wrists to melt away stress, or roll on the bottoms of the feet to prepare for bedtime.

➡️Buy The Kids Collection of essential oils