I did cover this topic in my ‘Essential Oils For Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Baby‘ article. However I thought I would copy the information and chart across concerning kids in general for easy reference.
Safe essential oils for children reference chart
UNSAFE 🚫
SAFE ☑️
MAX TOPICAL DILUTION ➕
USE WITH CAUTION ⚠️
PHOTOTOXIC (when using cold pressed) ☀️
| ESSENTIAL OIL | 6 MONTHS – 2 YEARS | 2 – 5 YEARS | 5 YEARS+ |
| Basil (linaloo) ☀️ | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Bergamot ☀️ | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Black Pepper | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Black Spruce | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Blood Orange | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Cajeput | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ |
| Cardamom | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ |
| Carrot Seed | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Catnip | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Cedarwood | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Chamomile German | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Chamomile Roman | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Cinnamon Leaf | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ ➕0.6% |
| Citronella | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Clary Sage | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Clementine | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Clove Bud | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ ➕0.5% |
| Copaiaba (balsam) | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Coriander | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Cypress | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Dill Weed | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Elemi | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Eucalyptus ⚠️ | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ ➕1.0% |
| Firs | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Fragonia | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Frankincense | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Geranium | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Ginger | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Grapefruit ☀️ | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Helichrysum | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Ho Wood (linaloo) | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Jasmine | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Juniper | 🚫 | ☑️ ➕ 0.7% | ☑️ |
| Laurel Leaf ⚠️ | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ ➕0.5% |
| Lavandin | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ |
| Lavender | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Lemon ☀️ | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Lemongrass | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ ➕0.7% |
| Lime ☀️ | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Mandarin | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Marjoram Sweet | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Melissa | 🚫 | ☑️➕0.9% | ☑️ |
| Myrrh | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Neroli | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Niaouli ⚠️ | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ |
| Orange Sweet | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Palmarosa | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Palo Santo | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Patchouli | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Peppermint ⚠️ | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ ➕0.5% |
| Petitgrain | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Pine | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Ravensara | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ ➕1.0% |
| Ravintsara (Ho Wood) ⚠️ | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ |
| Rosalina | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Rose | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Rosemary ⚠️ | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ ➕1.0% |
| Rosewood | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Sandalwood | 🚫 | ☑️ ➕2.0% | ☑️ |
| Spearmint | 🚫 | ☑️➕1.7% | ☑️ |
| Spike Lavender ⚠️ | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ |
| Tangerine | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Tansy, Blue | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Tea Tree | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Thyme (linaloo) | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Vanilla | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Vetiver | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
| Ylang Ylang | 🚫 | 🚫 | ☑️ ➕0.8% |
| Yuzu | 🚫 | ☑️ | ☑️ |
Sources:
Essential Oil Safety 2e – Tisserand & Young
Using Essential Oils Safely
Some other unsafe essential oils for babies and children
Anise, Aniseed, Basil Lemon, Bay Laurel, Benzoin, Birch, Camphor, Carrot Seed, Cassia, Cinnamon Bark , Wintergreen & Wormwood
Peppermint & eucalypus use on children
Years ago I had written that it was not safe to use on Children under 10. Similar cautions are still as written in Robert Tisserands book on Essential Oil Safety 2.0. Within the last year or so, the Tisserand Institute website has adjusted these guidelines (see graphic below). There is still a lot of conflicting information regarding the matter, and many aromatherapists will have different opinions. Personally I feel it is better to be safe than sorry and if you are concerned or have a child prone to respiratory complications I suggest using gentler oils like Rosalina or Fragonia which have a lower 1,8-cineole content. They smell more pleasant too! Remember all children are different and may react differently. If you have used eucalyptus essential oil topically on your child in the past and they suffered no adverse reactions then generally it should be regarded as safe for your child.
Important: Dilutions & use with children
0-6 MONTHS OLD:
Avoid using any essential oils around babies before 6 months of age. Hydrosols are a safer alternative.
6 MONTHS – 2 YEARS
Topical : Should not exceed 0.25% of essential oil per carrier oil ( 1-2 drops per 30mls carrier)
Diffuser: Diffusion is a better option. Only diffuse for short periods of time (no more than 15 minutes) on young babies. Start off with 2-4 drops of oil maximum.
2 YEARS +
Topical: Should not exceed 2% of essential oil per carrier oil ( 20 drops per 30mls carrier)
Diffuser: Regular amounts of essential can start being used in diffuser. Generally around 5-6 drops maximum. Diffusion shouldn’t last longer than 30 minutes.
5 YEARS +
Topical : Should not exceed 3% of essential oil per carrier oil ( 30 drops per 30mls carrier)
General use of essential oils with babies and children
- Avoid use on essential oils for babies under 6 months.
- Keep essential oils out of reach of children.
- Never allow babies or children to ingest essential oils. Seek medical assistance if ingested. (The Poison Information Centre Australia – 13 11 26)
- Slowly introduce essential oils one at a time to determine any allergies. An allergic reaction to any oils will usually present itself within 15-30 minutes after use.
- Always dilute essential oils properly for topical use on children.
- If too much oil is accidentally used on the skin – wipe the area using a carrier oil to help dilute and then wash off with soap and warm water.
- Keep oils away from eyes and other mucous membranes.
- Do not use essential oils in excess for long periods of time.
- Whilst chamomile is recommended for most age brackets, it is quite a strong smelling oil that overpowers others. I have found that one drop is usually enough for most applications and diffuser blends.
- Essential oils such as peppermint and eucalyptus contain a high 1,8 Cineole content and can cause breathing problems in young children. Diffuse in small amounts and use 0.5-1% max dilution.
- Oils which may be listed as safe but should be used with caution include : cardamon, thyme, lemongrass, ginger, black pepper, pine, citronella, peppermint, nutmeg & clove bud. Some of these oils can be quite hot on the skin and have greater risk of being dermal irritants. Use with caution. If you must use these oils topically, dilute these oils more than the recommended amount.
- There have been conflicting articles claiming that use of lavender essential oil on boys can lead to breast growth due to being a hormone disruptor. I won’t go into detail here but information proving this is not the case can be read here.
- Remember that it’s always best to use your own judgement when using essential oils on children!
Disclaimer : The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only. The traditional and suggested uses listed here are for reference only and under no circumstances should they be taken as recommendations for cures or treatments for diseases or medical conditions. Aromatherapy For Australia shall not be responsible for any damages resulting from use of or reliance upon this information. Therapeutic oils are used to support natural body functions and work in harmony with our body’s physiology. The information on this website should not be used as a substitute for medical counselling with a health professional. Always keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets and consult a medical practitioner before use during pregnancy or other medical conditions. If misuse of essential oils occurs please phone the poisons information centre straight away – 13 11 26
