Essential Oil Safety in Kids
DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only. It should not replace the personalized recommendations of a qualified healthcare professional.
General Principles
Essential oils can have many health benefits but some caution should be used in children - especially young children.
Children have more sensitive skin & lungs compared to adults, making them more susceptible to adverse reactions.
Skin exposure can trigger allergic reactions or dermatitis.
Inhalation can trigger asthma in sensitive children.
Ingestion of high concentrations can be toxic!
Store oils safely away from young children.
Call Poison Control if an accidental ingestion occurs.
Oils contain extracts which are 50-100X more concentrated than in the plant of origin, so oils should always be diluted.
For children, a 0.5% dilution is a good rule of thumb (1 drop in 1 oz/30 ml of carrier oil)
Do not apply undiluted oils in bath water, since they are not water soluble. Dilute in oil first, then add to water.
Avoid use near the eyes and nose. Avoid use near ears in children with ear tubes or severe ear infections.
Specific Risks in Children
Lavendar oil & tea tree oil have been shown to have estrogenic and antiandrogenic (anti-testosterone) effects in some children.
They can cause premature breast development in girls and breast enlargement in boys.
These effects are reversible if exposure is discontinued.
Peppermint oil should not be used in children under 30 months.
It has been shown to cause an increased risk of seizures.
Some oils, like lime and bergamot, can cause a reaction following sun exposure ("phytophotodermatitis").
