Safe, effective and 100% natural wellness products for children
Here at Saje, we’ve lost count of the number of times someone has asked, “can I also use this product on my child?” And many times, the answer to that question has been no. When it comes to safe essential oils for children, there are many things that need to be considered, and it isn’t as simple as them using the same products as their parents or guardians.
The simplest way to explain the differentiators in our “adult” products and our “children” products comes down to safe concentration and dosage, specific to smaller bodies, and more highly diluted products. A simple comparison is to think about food or drink: an adult might have 3-4 litres of water in a day, whereas a child might have 1-1.5. The essence of this rule is applied to children’s products in that we significantly lower the concentration of essential oil to carrier oil ratio in any given product so that these products are safe and appropriate for their stages of life.
Some of the same best practices are in play when it comes to a person of any age using an essential oil-based product. It’s always recommended to dilute an essential oil in carrier oil prior to application, rather than applying ‘neat’ which is an aromatherapy term that means applying directly to the skin. At Saje we firmly believe that essential oils should not be ingested or swallowed, even in diluted form. Lastly, essential oils should never be used as a substitute for healthcare-recommended conventional medications or interventions when required and should always be viewed as a complement to a care routine that can bring many benefits and positive impacts.
We believe in the guidance of many safety experts in aromatherapy who support the use of certain essential oils and essential oil-based products for children over the age of two. We’ve worked to create a children’s collection of products that were specifically formulated to address some common wellness concerns in various stages of life, in a form that is recognized as safe and effective for children. Be it support for when they’re feeling under the weather, having trouble getting to sleep at night or struggling to stay on track during the day, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn more about 100% natural products for children’s wellness routines.
Natural wellness for children: sleep and wind down support
The oldest part of our assortment designed to provide a calming bedtime routine for children is a collection called Aroma Fairy, which includes an environmental mist , a diffuser blend and a roll-on. Aroma Fairy is a blend of gentle yet efficacious essential oils like lavender, orange, marjoram and cedarwood, blended to help encourage winding down from the day and moving towards a calm and peaceful bedtime transition, during which many children tend to be challenged.
Creating an atmosphere of relaxation with ingredients studied as calmatives, meaning they induce calmness when inhaled and applied topically, is a safe way to encourage a nighttime routine that feels intentional and that supports tranquility. Here’s what our community has shared about their experience with the Aroma Fairy line of products:
“My kids have been having difficulty falling asleep, but since using this, they now fall asleep within a few minutes lying in bed. I love it”
“This is the best little item to calm and settle small children & is also helpful to the adults too!”
“Works fast and helps to calm my daughter down for bedtime.”
Natural wellness for children: cough & cold support
Another popular wellness need state that many people are looking for natural options to support their little ones is with natural remedies for colds and coughs. Many of the renowned essential oils for respiratory support, like eucalyptus, are recommended for an older stage of life, which is why these products have been blended with ingredients that are studied to be appropriate for younger ages and that are safe and effective at treating these symptoms.
Fortify Petite is a diffuser blend that was developed specifically for children, to provide soothing vapors that help to temporarily relieve mild nasal congestion and cough associated with the common cold. We’ve licensed this blend as a Natural Health Product (NHP) with Health Canada, and have utilized l-menthol from peppermint, lavender, myrtle and tea tree essential oils for support and relief.
We also offer a topical roll-on product called Chest Comfort that was made as a restorative blend to ease and relieve when they’re feeling run down or under the weather. This blend utilizes a key ingredient called rosalina, which is studied as a gentle and child-safe botanical that offers many of the same respiratory health benefits as eucalyptus, alongside lavender and tea tree for optimal well-being.
Our community shares:
“Wouldn't go through cold and flu season without it.”
“I cannot rave about this product enough. I always have it on hand at home for when my kids get sick - cough, cold, flu, congestion, anything! It helps so much with relief from the symptoms, and the smell is great in the diffuser.”
Natural wellness for children: mood support
Another one of the need states we frequently hear from parents that they’d like to address naturally is mental and emotional support. Children face many unique challenges as they navigate growth and shifts in their day to day like entering school, extracurricular activities and even as they develop new relationships. Sunny Mood is a boosting and brightening formula, designed to be their happiness in a bottle. For little ones who need support in regulating their emotional state, or who get the Sunday Scaries, or who might be experiencing some ups and downs in their mood, this is a very gentle and very friendly formula of red mandarin, orange, bergamot and coriander, all safe essential oils for children that help set a cheerful and encouraging tone.
More on why it’s so well loved:
“Love this product! Its mild scent is very pleasant and the roll on has made a big difference for my kids if they're struggling with anxiety.”
“I love this for my kids and myself! Great product!”
Natural wellness for children: focus support
Lastly, we wanted to share the blend we’ve created for children to help keep their minds on track and to help them remain in clarity, called Focus Buddy. This blend supports creativity, helps them find balance and provides both grounding and uplifting sensations to the mind and body. It’s been blended with lemon, rose geranium and Amyris; Amyris is a lesser-known essential oil ingredient commonly used for calm and to encourage a meditative state. Together, this synergy works to promote a sense of stability that allows children to remain present.
Thoughts from those who’ve used it:
“I purchased this for my godson who has a bit of challenge concentrating and since his mom started using it, it has made an amazing difference. The teachers have noticed a difference in him, not knowing what the reason was. Thank you so much!”
“My daughter often gets overwhelmed at homework time; this gives her that extra push to settle down and focus on her work!”
A wellness resource for all things essential oils and children
For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of recommendations and resources for essential oils and children, we’ve written a comprehensive blog post, Usage and Safety of Essential Oils with Babies and Children, that outlines many of the most common suggestions and thought starters for introducing essential oil-based wellness products to your children, and helps navigate the many differing views on the topic.
The blog will include best practices including what to look for on product labels, proper dilution instructions, guidance for both aromatic and topical use of essential oils and more.
Frequently asked questions about natural wellness for children
We’re including a frequently asked question section here, specific to natural wellness for children and children’s wellness routines.
Q: What essential oils are safe for children?
The answer here is nuanced, in that it depends on a number of factors such as the age of the child and their previous health history. In general, some of the essential oils we recommend as being studied to be safe for children are the oils you’ll find in the products we’ve outlined above, such as lavender, orange, cedarwood or rosalina, as examples. What matters most is the products selected are blended specifically with children in mind, meaning they are at a lower dose or concentration than what an adult may use topically or aromatically. Of course, a best practice is to consult with a trusted healthcare provider prior to introducing any new products to your children’s wellness routines or environments.
Q: What are natural sleep aids I can use for my children?
We recommend our Aroma Fairy line of products as outlined above, which are available as a room spray mist, a topical roll-on and a diffuser blend. These products have been specifically formulated as safe for use with children 2+ years of age, and the inclusion of gentle yet effective essential oils like lavender and chamomile can help them rest and relax, naturally.
Q: How do I create a wellness routine for my child?
Wellness is personal to each family, and there are many ways to consider building a children’s wellness routine that supports them physically and emotionally. We would encourage building consistency into a routine, so that they come to feel familiar and know what to expect. For example, you may choose to do an application together of a product like Sunny Mood first thing in the morning, to encourage a positive and happy start to the day. Conversely, creating a nighttime ritual with the Aroma Fairy products can begin to signal to them each night that it’s time to wind down the day and prepare for rest. Being flexible yet consistent is an optimal way to help encourage them to see these wellness rituals as a valuable part of their daily routines and will support them in continuing along.
Q: Are essential oils safe for children of all ages?
This is an excerpt from our blog post regarding safety and essential oils for children, and we encourage you to read it in full for more information:
“Children represent a special type of Saje Community Member and therefore we want to take special care in answering any questions by parents related to product selection and usage for their infants and children. The bodies and systems of children are immature as compared to adults. For example, their immune, respiratory and central nervous systems have not fully matured, they absorb products through the skin more readily, and even their sense of smell is different. Generally speaking, the younger the child, the more delicate they are and, therefore, more care should be given in the decision to use essential oil-based products.
Ultimately, we respect that the decision to use essential oil-based products on children lies with the parent or caregiver. This guidance aims to provide knowledge to be able to discuss this topic effectively and to be able to confidently recommend products and usage instructions that are safe for our special young Community Members.”
