Aromatherapy: Oils for All the Family

Aromatherapy has recently started to become increasingly popular with all age groups. Children and grandparents alike adore the fresh, fruity fragrance of mandarin, and the whole family will certainly appreciate the decongestant power of eucalyptus. To gradually build up your own aromatherapy medicine chest, choose a wide range of oils to treat health and first aid issues from every stage of life. Lavender, tea tree and chamomile are key oils, being versatile and of low toxicity. Each family member will also have their own oil preferences, which can easily be incorporated to ensure your medicine chest can cope with any situation.

Home Healing

Each stage of our lives brings its own set of health challenges. Aromatherapy can help us tackle these at home, combating the particular issues relevant to our age group and enabling us to lead a healthier and happier life.

List of Safe Dilutions

  • Pregnant Women
    • Massage (30 ml carrier oil)
      • 2 drops
    • In baths (full bath)
      • 2 drops
    • Lotions and Creams (50ml)
      • 5 drops
    • Shampoo and shower gels (100ml)
      • 8 drops
    • Compresses (500ml water)
      • 5 drops
    • Burner
      • 8 drops
  • Babies under 1
    • Massage (30 ml carrier oil)
      • 1 drop
    • In baths (full bath)
      • 1 drop
    • Lotions and Creams (50ml)
      • 3 drops
    • Shampoo and shower gels (100ml)
      • 2 drops
    • Compresses (500ml water)
      • 3 drops
    • Burner
      • 4 drops
  • 1-4 Year
    • Massage (30 ml carrier oil)
      • 2 drops
    • In baths (full bath)
      • 2 drops
    • Lotions and Creams (50ml)
      • 6 drops
    • Shampoo and shower gels (100ml)
      • 3 drops
    • Compresses (500ml water)
      • 3 drops
    • Burner
      • 6 drops
  • 5-6 Years
    • Massage (30 ml carrier oil)
      • 5 drops
    • In baths (full bath)
      • 3 drops
    • Lotions and Creams (50ml)
      • 8 drops
    • Shampoo and shower gels (100ml)
      • 10 drops
    • Compresses (500ml water)
      • 5 drops
    • Burner
      • 8 drops
  • 7-12 Years
    • Massage (30 ml carrier oil)
      • 8 drops
    • In baths (full bath)
      • 5 drops
    • Lotions and Creams (50ml)
      • 12 drops
    • Shampoo and shower gels (100ml)
      • 15 drops
    • Compresses (500ml water)
      • 5 drops
    • Burner
      • 8 drops
  • 13-65 Years
    • Massage (30 ml carrier oil)
      • 10 drops
    • In baths (full bath)
      • 10 drops
    • Lotions and Creams (50ml)
      • 25 drops
    • Shampoo and shower gels (100ml)
      • 25 drops
    • Compresses (500ml water)
      • 5 drops
    • Burner
      • 8 drops
  • Over 65 Years
    • Massage (30 ml carrier oil)
      • 5 drops
    • In baths (full bath)
      • 4 drops
    • Lotions and Creams (50ml)
      • 10 drops
    • Shampoo and shower gels (100ml)
      • 15 drops
    • Compresses (500ml water)
      • 5 drops
    • Burner
      • 6 drops

Oils Throughout Your Life

Oils for Infants 

Adjust oil dilution according to age and ensure neat oils don't come into contact with babies skin. To safely introduce oils, add a couple of drops to hot water so the steam disperses it into the air.

For fractious toddlers:

  • Chamomile
  • Lavender

For Colic

  • Chamomile
  • Lavender
  • Fennel
aromatherapy lavender

For Nappy Rash

  • Chamomile

For cuts and grazes

  • Lavender
  • Tea tree

For colds

  • Eucalyptus
  • Rosemary

For headlice

  • Geranium
  • Lavender
  • Rosemary
  • Tea tree

Oils for Adolescents

Essential oils can help to balance hormones during adolescence. Encourage experimentation with oils, but ensure that teenagers are clear about dilutions and safety. Aromatic scrubs and washes are valuable during puberty for skin prone to blemishes and disorders.

For skin problems

  • Chamomile
  • Lemon
  • Myrrh
  • Neroli
  • Patchouli
  • Rosemary
  • Tea tree

For exams

  • Grapefruit
  • Lavender
  • Lemon
Sandalwood trees

For emotional turmoil

  • Marjoram
  • Myrrh
  • Sandalwood

Oils for Mid-life

For menopause

  • Bois-de-rose
  • Clary sage
  • Jasmine
  • Sage

For work stress

  • Bergamot
  • Cedarwood
  • Patchouli

For heart care

  • Bergamot
  • Geranium
  • Hyssop
bergamot

Oils for Pregnancy

Aromatherapy can be beneficial during pregnancy and a comfort during labour. Skin is more permeable and sense of smell is heightened. Some oils, such as rose, jasmine and clary sage, stimulate the uterus to contract which can hasten labour, so must be completely avoided during pregnancy.

For backache

  • Lavender
  • Marjoram

For speedy labour

  • Clary sage
  • Jasmine
Aromatherapy quality rose

Post baby blues

  • Frankincense
  • Neroli
  • Rose

Stretch Marks

  • Chamomile
  • Lavender
  • Rose

Oils for the Elderly

Essential oils complement a healthy lifestyle in the maturing years. Metabolism declines with age, so use lower concentrations of essential oils. Massage is a powerful, emotionally healing tool, especially if you no longer have a partner for physical contact.

For swollen feet and ankles

  • Cypress
  • Fennel
  • Grapefruit

For memory loss

For varicose veins

  • Cypress
  • Geranium
  • Hyssop
  • Basil
  • Ginger
  • Cardamom
  • Black pepper

For rheumatism

  • Black pepper
  • Chamomile
  • Cypress
  • Eucalyptus
  • Fennel
  • Ginger
  • Juniper
Aromatherapy black pepper

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