Essential Oils and Children

Essential Oils and Kids: how to ensure safe use Whether you have used essential oils for a long time, or you are just starting out, parents are often concerned about using essential oils on children. Although children are smaller and generally more sensitive than adults, it is still possible for the entire family to enjoy essential oils on a daily basis. Today we will go over several safety guidelines that will allow you to safely use essential oils at home with your children—allowing your whole family to reap the benefits that essential oils have to offer. Keep in mind that it is important to consult with your child’s physician about any specific health concerns or conditions before you start using essential oils on your child.

Yes, essential oils are safe for children - Effective use over thousands of years - Natural and safe when used properly - dōTERRA® testing and safety processes If you are new to essential oils, it is important to know that essential oils have been used throughout the world since ancient times. For example, ancient Egyptians frequently used essential oils for beauty treatments, in food preparation, or during religious ceremonies and rituals. Essential oils have also been used to promote wellness in China for centuries. Many parents are concerned that essential oils are simply a fad, however, when we consider that essential oils have been used safely and effectively for centuries, it is easy to see that they are much more than a fleeting trend. Many cultures have safely used essential oils within the family for thousands of years, and so can you. Some parents worry that essential oils are unsafe for children, but they are safe when used correctly. Like any substance, essential oils can be unsafe when used incorrectly—even for adults. The key to safe use of essential oils (for children and adults) is adhering to simple safety guidelines and paying attention to dosage. Essential oils are composed of natural compounds, which means that they offer a safe and natural way to care for your family. Like any product you would use in your home or on your children, as long as you know how to use essential oils for their intended purposes, you can safely use them on your children. dōTERRA wants parents to feel confident about using essential oils and essential oil products on their children. This is why dōTERRA has created the CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® testing process to ensure that each essential oil product is high quality, free of contaminants, and safe to use. The CPTG® process includes a series of tests to ensure that the essential oils dōTERRA produces always meet a high standard of quality, and do not contain any harmful contaminants. Not only should this testing process make us as parents feel good about using dōTERRA products, but it also gives us peace of mind when it comes to sharing these products with our children.

General safety guidelines The best way to ensure that you are using essential oils properly with your children is to educate yourself. Remember, the way you use essential oils for yourself is different from how you will use them on your children, so be sure to thoroughly read labels and instructions, and educate yourself before applying a product or oil to your child. Let’s go over a few general safety guidelines that are important to remember when using essential oils with children.

Safety Tip: doses and dilutions The most important thing to remember when using essential oils on children is that kids are not tiny adults—they have a much lower body mass, and they are still developing, so their bodies and skin are far more sensitive than ours. Essential oils, especially dōTERRA essential oils are extremely potent, so a little goes a long way, particularly when dealing with children. As you can see from this chart, children require a much smaller dose of essential oils than adults when it comes to aromatic, topical, and internal use. The “Dermal” section refers to what we typically call topical application, or application directly to the skin. The “Internal” section refers to taking essential oils by capsule, while “Oral” is drinking or dropping essential oils directly into the mouth. We typically refer to both of these methods simply as internal usage. This chart provides general guidelines, but remember—you must always consider the specific health conditions and concerns of your child before using essential oils. If there are any concerns, always speak to your child’s physician beforehand. One of the best ways to safely use essential oils on the delicate skin of children is to dilute. By using a carrier oil like dōTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil to dilute an essential oil before applying it to your child, you can protect their sensitive skin, while still allowing them to experience all of the benefits that the oil offers. When trying a new oil, the feet are the best place to apply because that is where the skin is thickest. When diluting, it is best to use one drop of essential oil and five drops of a carrier oil. Perhaps the easiest and safest way to allow your child to enjoy the benefits of essential oils is through diffusion. Diffusing essential oils in the kitchen, living room, or your child’s bedroom will allow them to experience the aromatic benefits that an essential oil has to offer. Whether you want to promote feelings of relaxation, encouragement, focus, or happiness, diffusing essential oils in an essential oil diffuser provides a safe way for the entire family to enjoy essential oils.

Safety Tip: children should not take adult supplements - Read labels and instructions - Use essential oil supplements made specifically for children While children can safely use single oils, essential oil blends, and many essential oil products from dōTERRA, it is important to keep in mind that dōTERRA essential oil supplements designed for adults should not be taken by children without consulting a health care provider. As mentioned before, it is up to you to educate yourself about essential oils, and most importantly, to read any label or product instructions before giving your child an essential oil product. Later on in this presentation, we will discuss a few essential oil supplements that dōTERRA has designed just for children.

Safety Tip: avoid sensitive areas - Eyes, skin around the eyes - Broken or damaged skin - Inner nose, ears While a child’s body is overall more sensitive than an adults, it is important to avoid certain areas, especially when applying essential oils topically to the skin. Because there are some areas that should be avoided, it is important that you are always the one who applies essential oils to your young children, and supervise any older children during application. The sensitive areas to be avoided when applying essential oils to the skin are the eyes and the skin around the eyes, any broken or injured skin, and the inner nose or ears.

Safety Tip: sunlight sensitivity - Citrus oils - Check warnings and labels - Avoid sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying a product with sunlight sensitivity warning Because children spend a lot of time outside, it is important to remember that some essential oils can cause skin sensitivity after time in the sun. Any oils that have the potential for sunlight sensitivity will typically have a warning, but it is important to know that most citrus oils will cause sensitivity if worn in the sunlight. Be sure to carefully check each essential oil product for warnings—those with sunlight sensitivity cautions suggest that you stay out of the sun or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying the product.

Safety Tip: safe storage One of the most important safety guidelines when it comes to using essential oils in a home with kids is to keep the oils out of the reach of children. It is hard for children to understand how potent and powerful essential oils are, or that some essential oils shouldn’t be taken internally. Just as you wouldn’t keep medicine or other potentially harmful substances within your child’s reach, it is important to safely store your essential oils so that your kids can’t get to them. As mentioned, you should always apply essential oils to your children, or be present to supervise older children as they apply the oils. While keeping essential oils in a safe place is key, you will also need to have a conversation with your children about why it is important that mom and dad help them when applying essential oils.

Fun ways use essential oils with your children Recipes: smoothies, snacks, cookies, breakfast food, etc. DIYs: crafts, jewelry, soap, bath time, and more In addition to using essential oils aromatically, topically, and internally with your children, there are dozens of fun, kid-friendly ways to use essential oils that might be more appealing to your children. First, there are endless ways to use essential oils for cooking and baking. If your children don’t like the taste of essential oils, you can always disguise them by placing a few drops in a smoothie, milkshake, or slushie. dōTERRA also has essential oil recipes that kids will enjoy like cookies, pancakes, snacks, and more. You may want to share specific ideas with the audience and give them essential oil recipes that their children might enjoy. You can print out a recipe to share, or even bring an essential oil treat for the audience to taste test. Consider sharing any of the kid-friendly essential oil recipes below: Pumpkin cookies: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipes-pumpkin-cookies Gingerbread cookies: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipe-gingerbread-cookies Spearmint chocolate chip cookies: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipe-spearmint-chocolate-chip-cookies Lavender cupcakes: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipe-lavender-cupcakes-with-lavender-cream-cheese-frosting Patriotic cupcakes: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipe-naturally-dyed-patriotic-cupcakes Peppermint black bean brownies: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipe-black-bean-brownies IQ Mega® French toast: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipes-iq-mega-french-toast Citrus coconut popsicles: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipes-citrus-coconut-sicles doTERRA On Guard® pancakes: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipes-doterra-on-guard-pancakes Dark chocolate Ginger waffles: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipe-dark-chocolate-ginger-waffles-with-cream Honey suckers: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-honey-suckers Hot cocoa: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipe-hot-cocoa Cinnamon PB & granola sandwiches: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipe-cinnamon-pb-sandwich Wild Orange and PB sandwiches: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/recipes-wild-orange-peanut-butter-sandwich Creamy PB dip: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/creamy-peanut-butter-dip Another fun way to enjoy essential oils with your children is with essential oil DIYs. dōTERRA frequently posts do-it-yourself projects on the dōTERRA product blog that provide creative ways to use essential oils at home. Whether your kids enjoy craft time, bath time, or play time, dōTERRA has plenty of fun DIYs that use essential oils. Consider sharing any of the essential oil DIYs below. You can make one of the DIYs at home and bring it to show the audience, or print out instructions so that attendees can do the DIY on their own after your presentation. Heating pad: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-make-your-own-cordless-heating-pad-to-use-with-essential-oils Aromatherapy salt dough ornaments: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-aromatherapy-salt-dough-ornaments-and-gift-tags Piggy bank: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-piggy-bank Bird feeder: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-bird-feeder Aromatherapy jewelry: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-aromatherapy-jewelry-for-your-doterra-essential-oils Aromatherapy play dough: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-aromatherapy-playdough Fun soap: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-how-to-make-fun-soap-for-kids Bubble bath: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-bubble-bath Confetti bath bombs: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-confetti-bath-bombs DIY bubbles: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-bubbles

doTERRA products designed for children Because children have specific needs when it comes to essential oils, dōTERRA has created several products and product lines with kids in mind. Let’s talk about a few dōTERRA products that cater to the sensitive skin and developing bodies of young children.

dōTERRA Touch® Kit dōTERRA Breathe® Touch Deep Blue® Touch DigestZen® Touch Frankincense Touch Lavender Touch Melaleuca Touch dōTERRA On Guard® Touch Oregano Touch Peppermint Touch (product image) As we discussed, it is best to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying them on children. The dōTERRA Touch Kit saves you a step, because it comes in a base of dōTERRA Fractionated Coconut oil to make essential oil application easy for adults or children with sensitive skin. Not only are the dōTERRA Touch oils already diluted, but they come in 10 mL roll-on bottles that make them so easy to apply. The dōTERRA Touch Kit includes some of the most popular dōTERRA oils so you can enjoy the benefits of your favorite essential oils without worrying about sensitivity. If you and your family have used the dōTERRA Touch Kit, share with the audience why you like it, when or how you use it, what your favorite oils are, and any other personal experience with the products in this collection.

dōTERRA Emotional Aromatherapy™ Touch dōTERRA Cheer® Touch dōTERRA Console® Touch dōTERRA Forgive® Touch dōTERRA Motivate® Touch dōTERRA Passion® Touch dōTERRA Peace® Touch (product image) One major reason that people use essential oils is to help manage their mood. Essential oils can be used to calm anxious feelings, promote feelings of excitement or encouragement, and much, much more. Because aromatherapy is so helpful for mood management, dōTERRA created an emotional aromatherapy product line, which includes essential oils to help uplift, calm, and alter your mood. For children and adults with sensitive skin, dōTERRA created the dōTERRA Emotional Aromatherapy™ Touch line, which like the original dōTERRA Touch line includes Fractionated Coconut Oil and comes in 10 mL roll-on bottles. As parents, we know how many emotions our children can go through in a single day. When emotions are running high, or when you need a little extra help calming or consoling your child, the dōTERRA Emotional Aromatherapy Touch oils are the perfect companion. If you and your family have used the dōTERRA Emotional Aromatherapy Touch line, share with the audience why you like it, when or how you use it, what your favorite oils are, and any other personal experience with the products in this collection.

PB Assist® Jr. (product image) Like we talked about before, some dōTERRA nutritional supplements are designed for adults, which is why dōTERRA has created a few essential oil supplement products just for kids. PB Assist Jr is a probiotic supplement that comes in powder form so that your child doesn’t have to try and swallow a pill. This product is a blend of six different probiotic strains that have been specifically chosen for their benefits for children. And of course, the powder has a delicious strawberry taste so that your kids will enjoy taking it. While the powder can be poured into the mouth directly, you can mix it into water, juice, or your child’s favorite beverage. You can even mix the powder into foods like yogurt, cereal, and smoothies. If you and your family have used PB Assist Jr, share with the audience why you like it, when or how you use it, and any other personal experience with this product.

dōTERRA a2z Chewable™ (product image) The dōTERRA a2z Chewable is another wonderful product that allows you to provide your child with vitamins, without making them swallow a capsule or a pill. Children love the tasty watermelon flavor of dōTERRA a2z Chewable, and you can rest easy knowing that it doesn’t contain any high-fructose corn syrup, or any artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. As a dietary supplement, dōTERRA a2z Chewable is designed to provide children with a balanced blend of vitamins A, B, E, and C, and is safe for children four years old and up. If you and your family have used dōTERRA a2z Chewable, share with the audience why you like it, when or how you use it, and any other personal experience with this product.

IQ Mega® (product image) * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If you have tried giving your children omega supplements but can’t seem to get them past the fishy taste, IQ Mega is an omega-3 supplement that uses the refreshing taste of Wild Orange essential oil to appeal to children. Not only is IQ Mega easy for kids to swallow, but it provides 1,000 mg of concentrated omega-3 fatty acids per serving. IQ Mega was also designed to be used in conjunction with dōTERRA a2z Chewable as a comprehensive dietary supplement foundation that promotes vitality and wellness.* If you and your family have used IQ Mega, share with the audience why you like it, when or how you use it, and any other personal experience with this product.

Questions? Now is a good time to ask the audience if they have any questions. You will also want to give them your contact information, and any important information about ordering dōTERRA products from you, or joining your dōTERRA team.