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