By Emmaré Stronkhorst
Essential oils get a lot of attention these days and for a good reason. As a nursing sister with a love for natural health care I’m in awe at how empowering these oils truly are, especially for moms with little ones.
Essential oils are volatile organic compounds found in the plant’s root, bark, leaves, flowers, fruit or stem. These oils are the plant’s immune system and also help them to regenerate when needed. In our bodies, they affect us on a cellular and physiological level and we can use them in much the same way a plant does. When you use a pure, tested grade oil that has not been altered in any way it is 100% natural and safe for everyone in the family. This is where my love for essential oils grows, as we now have a safe and effective natural solution to use for self-care in our families.
Probably one of the most concerning points for us as moms is how to protect our children from environmental threats and keep their immune systems strong. Essential oils have an important role to play here as they have anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. Essential oils are the perfect natural solution for using proactively against illness through a daily routine.
Tea tree and lavender are worth mentioning here as they are a powerhouse combination for soothing occasional ear and throat discomfort. This is also the combination you may use for bumps and bruises, minor skin irritations and scrapes. Apart from supporting your child’s health with essential oils you now also reduce their exposure to toxins and chemicals by choosing a natural solution.
Supporting our children emotionally and promoting peaceful sleep is empowering and one of my favourite ways to use essential oils. Using essential oils aromatically has a remarkable effect on our emotions and supports calming of our brain and nervous system. It is the safest and easiest way to use essential oils with children and is very effective. Using essential oils for emotional support can help your child to feel grounded, support your baby or toddler to cope with sensory overload, help to soothe anxiety, the feeling of being overwhelmed, help to calm the nervous system and promote peaceful sleep.
Another favourite use of essential oils is soothing occasional discomforts. Most of us have struggled with tummy discomfort in our toddlers or babies and we know how distressing it can be. Essential oils give you a natural option to soothe occasional tummy discomfort, usually with immediate effect. Other discomforts like teething and growing pains can also be supported by essential oils. As essential oils are potent you will always dilute them before using them topically. You only need one drop of essential oil in 5ml of carrier oil for children under one year old. A little goes a long way and we use a little at a time more often for the best results.
The properties and efficacy of essential oils are backed by science which gives them credibility for us to use them with peace of mind. It is a powerful tool to have in your toolbox as a mom and is easy to use at home and on the go. Rest assured that you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the benefits of essential oils. All you really need is a basic understanding of each oil and how to apply essential oils safely and simply as part of your daily routine. So enjoy the journey of starting a more natural approach to your family’s health!
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