We've all heard and understood about how pleasing
scents can lift our spirits and make us feel better overall. Most
people seem to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy, but aromatherapy
isn't just for adults anymore. Children can take advantage of the many
advantages aromatherapy has to offer. You can consult an experienced
aromatherapist to create a special blend of essential oils for your
little boy or girl.
In simple terms, aromatherapy is the art and science of the therapeutic
use of pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils to improve the health and
balance of the skin, the body, the mind and the soul. Aromatherapy is
an "alternative" form of healing and maintaining health that has been
practiced for thousands of years. Medical science today acknowledges
the effect of scent on parts of the brain, such as the limbic system,
that sparks the emotions of sensuality, calmness and serenity,
happiness, and contentment. These emotions in turn regulate sleep,
appetite, pain reduction, reduction of anxiety and depression, and
pleasure.
To be effective, essential oils must be 100% pure therapeutic-grade
oils that are sold by companies specializing in aromatherapy; beware of
concoctions sold at your local mall that may carry the label of being
an essential oil, but in reality are merely "fragrance oils." Don't
waste your money on this junk. Go to the Internet and find a legitimate
essential oil dealer such as Aromaland, First Essentials, or Soma.
Let's start with a basic "Children's Blend." About ten drops of the
blend mixed with water and heated with a candle lite in your
aromatherapy burner serves to calm and soothe hyperactive toddlers.
Choose two of these oils: Lavender, Geranium, Sandalwood, Chamomile,
Mandarin, Neroli (orange flower), Rose, Ylang Ylang, and Mimosa. Shake
your oils until well blended in a small bottle (available via any
aromatherapy dealer). As the calming scent fills the room, your toddler
will feel calm and happy. At bedtime, choose Lavender and Chamomile to
make a "sleep blend" that will ease your toddler into deep, healing
sleep. Be sure to keep the burner out of children's reach!
Another favorite among parents with toddlers is the Cold and Flu
Prevention Blend. This is just as effective for adults! This blend is
not as pleasant to smell as blends that use many florals; this is a
purely functional blend that does its job. Mix one teaspoon of
Lavender, 1 teaspoon of Eucalyptus, a half teaspoon of Ravensara and a
half teaspoon of Bay Laurel. Shake the bottle well to blend, and try to
keep the blend burning all day during cold and flu season.
Aromatherapists have been using Eucalyptus oil for a thousand years to
ward off germs and purify the air.
Massage blends are fabulous for toddlers! You don't have to be a
skilled massage therapist to use these blends; simply rub the blend all
over your toddler for a soothing and healing effect. For massage
blends, you will need a "carrier" oil such as sweet almond, aloe, or
olive oil. Never apply essential oils directly to the skin and avoid
contact with the eyes and mouth. The only exception to this rule is
Lavender; this essential oil can be applied to the skin without a
carrier oil.
Try this wonderful toddlers' massage oil: ten drops of Lavender, four
drops of Marjoram, 2 drops of Ylang Ylang, mixed with two ounces of a
carrier oil. Shake to blend, and then give your toddler a gentle,
soothing massage with the blend. An alternative massage blend is great
for toddlers with colds, aches, or pain. Use ten drops of Geranium,
five drops of Sandalwood, five drops of Chamomile, and two ounces of
carrier oil. Rub the blend gently on the toddler's chest and back to
help relieve congestion.
There are many books on the market these days that contain a wealth of
information on aromatherapy. Two books that are highly recommended are
The Aromatherapy Companion by Victoria Edwards, and the classic
Aromatherapy Workbook by Marcel Lavabre.
Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/
aromatherapy-for-your-toddler-89793.html About the Author
Graham Johns writes regularly for YourToddler.net
where you can read many more articles on toddler safety.
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