Lucy Corkhill

By Lucy Corkhill

24th January 2014

Essential oils have been around for millennia. Humankind’s affinity with the natural world means that these oils – distilled from plants – can have a powerful effect on our wellbeing; physical, emotional and spiritual. But it can be daunting when faced with a shelf-full of essential oils at the health food store to know which are best for your family, especially as some aren’t safe for children. Building up a collection can take place over time, as you get to know which ones work for each family member.

Lucy Corkhill

By Lucy Corkhill

24th January 2014

Lucy Corkhill

By Lucy Corkhill

24th January 2014

A human’s olfactory system, consisting of 50 million smell receptors, is connected to the brain’s limbic system. That’s why smell is one of the most potent memory triggers, as the limbic system is responsible for our memory, emotions and arousal.

An individual oil for your child
Finding a personal oil for each child is a way of celebrating their uniqueness. Everybody has scents that work on a deeper level and discovering them can be fun. Offer your child a range of different essential oils to choose from and allow them to sniff each in turn, pausing between each oil. Hold the bottle away from your child’s face – you don’t need to have the oil directly under your nose to pick up the scent. Once your child has found their favourite oil, use it to create a sense of ambience around the home. Put a few drops in an oil burner in their bedroom (out of reach of little hands). Perhaps you’ll find that the oils you have chosen blend well together: this blend can become your ‘family oil’ for use during happy and fun times to help commit them to memory.

A subconscious sense
Supermarkets have long used our sense of smell to reach us on a subconscious level and make us buy. Chances are that if you find yourself drawn to the bakery section, it’s your sense of smell that’s taken you there. Baking is a very evocative smell and can conjure up memories of childhood or simply eating comfort food. Despite the fact we are fairly beholden to our sense of smell – pulling away when something smells bad or deeply inhaling a favourite scent – we don’t give it the same recognition in our lives as we do other senses. Consider, for instance, when you create a cosy space at home: you’ll go for ambient lighting, attractive décor, relaxing music playing, cosy blankets by the fire…but not many people think about the smell unless it’s throwing a few synthetically perfumed candles into the mix.

Our child’s sense of smell is a vital part of how they remember and cope with emotion. If your child has recently moved house, started a new school, lost a loved one, or experienced some kind of trauma, watch the way in which they bring a familiar object – a toy, clothes, bedding, a blanket – to their face, pressing their nose into it. We derive much familiarity and comfort from our sense of smell. Most of us have childhood memories that are instantly triggered by a smell: grandmother’s newly starched pillows, mother’s favourite perfume, home cooking. One client I knew couldn’t bear – and I mean it really upset him – the smell of lavender as it took him straight back to his mother’s last days in hospital. However the scent of mandarin oil reminded him instantly of happy Christmases and festive times with his family. Working in this way with essential oils, we can discover which smells really resonate for us as individuals.

Creating a safe space
Harnessing this deeply healing relationship with scent can have powerful and long-lasting effects. If our children are upset or stressed, we naturally want to create a safe space for them to retreat to for comfort. Burning essential oils in an oil burner can help create a more ambient environment and actually aid relaxation and calm. Although the smell of baking is one of our collective favourite smells, we often don’t have time to be baking every time our children return home. Putting a few drops of oil in an oil burner and lighting a candle takes a few minutes of our time and creates an atmosphere as soon as someone steps through the door.
Here are some suggestions to get you started finding the right essential oils for your child:

For hyperactive children: Frankincense is deeply relaxing and promotes deep breathing and calm. Lavender oil can help unwind. Roman Chamomile is soothing.
For scatty children who find it hard to concentrate: Basil is good for clearing the mind and focus, as is Black Pepper oil (they make a nice combination). Perfect for pre-exam focus.
For quiet, melancholy children: Mandarin is a warm, bright oil that encourages connection and joy. Petitgrain can help find peace in stressful situations.
For young women: Geranium oil is a fantastic hormone balancer and helps to regulate mood in young teens. Rose has a natural affinity with the female reproductive system and can be used as girls mature to help connect them to their innate power.
For young men: Sandalwood is a good grounding oil that connects men to their essential essence. Frankincense can also be helpful to deepen thinking.
For tired, lethargic children: Citrus oils are particularly useful for boosting energy and lifting the mood. Try Lemon, Sweet Orange, Grapefruit, Lime, Mandarin or Tangerine – Grapefruit and Lemon the most energising.
For sensitive children: Some children feel things very deeply and can find life intense and upsetting. Try Neroli oil for nurturing and calming, Roman Chamomile for soothing. Rose is one of the most heart-centred oils and can feel hugely comforting.
For unhappy or stressed children: Petitgrain is an excellent oil for depression, especially where a child is unsettled and unable to sleep. Frankincense aids deeper breathing and can help with feelings of anxiety.
It is worth remembering that essential oils are very potent and most cannot be used directly on the skin. For best results for small children, put them in an oil burner to diffuse in the room or add a few drops to the bath. If using for massage, consult a qualified aromatherapist www.ifaroma.org to make sure your choices are safe – some oils are toxic to young children. Essential oils should always be diluted for use on a child’s skin.

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