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