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Sunday, February 22, 2015

Starting Your Essential Oil Collection

Want to add essential oils to your medicine cabinet?


Ah, my daughter has hit the terrible twos... add a terrible cold and you have terrible chaos. With over 2 feet of snow on the ground, being stuck in the house, and unable to get some fresh air, this whole house has gone mad!

As I added some Eucalyptus essential oil to Lyla's running bath, I was inspired to share some of my favorite oils that have many benefits. Although your doctor's advice should be followed each and every time, essential oils can work alongside treatment to ease symptoms.

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender is by far the most versatile of all essential oils (EOs). Not only can it calm and soothe, relieve stress and imbalances, but it's an antibacterial, too. Some common uses include:

BEFORE BED- I add a drop of Lavender EO to a carrier oil such as Olive or Avocado oil and massage on my daughter's skin. Always avoid the eyes, nose, & mouth! If you don't have Olive Oil on hand, you can substitute it for Coconut Oil or even add the Lavender EO to lotion!
BATHTIME- This can serve a dual purpose. When my daughter has a diaper rash, I add a few drops of Lavender EO to her bath. It helps kill the rash bacteria and provides a relaxing bath.
DIAPER RASH- After the bath, you can mix Coconut Oil with 1 drop of Lavender EO and apply to a diaper rash. It works wonders!
VACUUM FILTER- I have a small hand held vacuum that easily disassembles and reveals a round sponge like material that acts as a filter. If you look at your vacuum's manual, you can easily locate yours. Make sure the filter is clean and sprinkle 2-3 drops of Lavender EO directly onto the filter. Each time you turn on your vacuum, the scent will fill the room!
Before using Lavender EO, talk to your doctor. Although it's generally safe, do not apply it directly to skin- always use a carrier oil. Pregnant women should talk with their OB to make sure they're cleared to use essential oils. Lavender is safe for babies over 3 months old.

 
EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OIL (Eucalyptus globulus)
 
The staple in our medicine cabinet each winter has to be Eucalyptus EO. It's a decongestant, antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, and expectorant making it a perfect fighter against the common cold.
VAPOR RUB- Add 1-2 drops of Eucalyptus EO to coconut oil and apply to chest and/or bottoms of feet. On smaller children, only apply to the bottoms of feet and cover with to socks. This will prevent the oil from getting into the eyes.
DIFUSSING- Add the recommended amount of Eucalyptus EO and distilled water to your diffuser and allow it to run a few times a day. It will help congestion and cough naturally!
BATH TIME- Add 1-2 drops of Eucalyptus EO to running bath water. I suggest kicking your socks off and soaking your feet so you can close the shower curtain without taking your eyes off your child. This allows the steam and EO to be easily inhaled, breaking up mucus.
CLEANING- Grab an empty and clean spray bottle. Add 9 parts distilled water, 1 part white vinegar, and 4-5 drops of Eucalyptus EO. The smell of the vinegar will disappear fairly quickly.
Before using Eucalyptus EO, talk to your doctor. Although it's generally safe, do not apply it directly to skin- always use a carrier oil. Pregnant women should avoid Eucalyptus EO altogether. ***Although I have been using Eucalyptus EO on my daughter since she was 12 months old, it's now suggested for use in children 10 years and older. It can cause slowed breathing. Always use common sense and caution.
 
 
TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL (Melaleuca alternifolia)
 

What a wonderful EO. It's very safe, very effective, and has many uses.
CLEANING- In a spray bottle, add 9 parts water, 1 part white vinegar, and 4-5 drops of Tea Tree EO. Can be used on almost any surface! Use it to disinfect toys, door handles, and counters.
HUMIDIFIER- Add 2-3 drops of Tea Tree EO to your child's humidifier at night. The diffusion of the EO will help clear lungs, kill bacteria, and even help with sinus infections.
DIAPER RASH- Add 1-2 drops of Tea Tree EO to Coconut Oil and apply to diaper rash. A few drops can be used in a bath to combat a bad rash.
EAR INFECTIONS- Never put oils directly into ear canal! I mix one drop of Tea Tree EO to one ounce of oil (olive oil works great). Mix well. Take a Q-Tip and dip it into your mixture. Pat excess off and apply Q-Tip to the outer ear twice a day.
Do NOT take Tea Tree Oil orally- if ingested it can be toxic! Tea Tree EO is safe for babies 6 months and older. If you are pregnant, check with your OB before use.



The uses above are just a needle in a haystack of possibilities. Do some research... your purchase of these 3 essential oils will pay off time and time again. Make sure you are getting your oils from a reputable distributor. Low price may mean low quality. Breath a little easier, go natural!


Here's a basic guide to diluting your EOs:
-The maximum amount of essential oils used on babies 3+ months topically, should not exceed 1-2 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.
-The maximum amount of essential oils used on babies 6+ months topically, should not exceed 3-5 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.
-The maximum amount of essential oils used on children 2+ years topically, should not exceed 20 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.
Always test one EO at a time on young children to rule out the possibility of an allergic reaction.




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