Essential Oils, Sleep, and Safety
Unless you live under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard all about essential oils and aromatherapy. You’ve seen them featured on headlines associated with miracle nausea cures, or how oregano has natural antifungal properties. Admittedly, I fell for some essential oil marketing in the past that promised blissful sleep for my little one. The essential oil market is HUGE and expected to hit $12 billion this year. (1) Essentials oils are a major business, and the people who like them, like them a lot.
So what are they used for?
Well, just about any ailment you can imagine could be solved with an essential oil if you ask one of their advocates. Doctors and researchers might be more likely to direct you to some of the ones that are more scientifically established, such as tea tree oil for acne or citrus oil as an antibacterial agent. But to make a long list short, essential oils and some of their components possess a variety of antimicrobial, antiviral, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties and are associated with psychogenic effects like relieving stress, treating depression, and helping with insomnia.
And do they work?
This is a tricky one: It’s hard to say. Many studies regarding essential oils have not moved into any clinical trials. Many essential oil users swear up and down that they are effective, but any peer-reviewed scientific studies are still on the fence. It’s very difficult to study the effectiveness of many essential oils because they do not contain one specific compound. In a single oil, up to 400 substances can be identified! (2)
Are they safe for babies?
I hate to sound so ambiguous, but it truly depends on how they’re used. So far it appears that there are very few negative side effects from using essential oils when they are used as directed. One important note here though, they do not require approval from the FDA in the US.
One exception to this is the estrogen-like effects that have been found for lavender and tea tree oils. These oils have been linked to breast enlargement in prepubescent boys when applied over long periods of time. (3)
Will lavender oil help my child sleep?
It might? Like any other aromatherapy, it may help a little, it may help a lot, or it might have no effect whatsoever.
But what HAS been proven time and time again to help your baby sleep more soundly through the night is the development of their independent sleep skills. Babies who can get themselves back to sleep when they wake in the night sleep for longer stretches at a time along with more stretches of quiet sleep vs active sleep. (4)
So by all means, if you are comfortable with using essential oils safely and you find them to be effective, go to town! But if your child needs a thorough & comprehensive approach to address the root cause of their sleep issues, then I’m ready to help with step-by-step support while they master those sleep skills.
Better nights can be just around the corner!
For some tips on using essential oils safely, here are some guidelines from Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital:
● Don’t use undiluted oils directly on skin. Oils in their full form can be harmful if applied directly to the skin. Safe dilutions for children generally range from 0.5- 2.5% depending on the condition and the age/weight of the child. Oils can be added to carrier oils, distilled water and lotions.
● Don’t add undiluted oils to bath water. Since oil and water don’t mix, the concentrated form could irritate the skin.
● Don’t swallow oils. Essential oils are highly concentrated oils that can be toxic if swallowed.
● Don’t overuse oils. Be mindful of how often and how much you use on your child. For example, don’t use a lotion that contains lavender and then apply an essential oil.
● Don’t use peppermint oil on children less than 30 months old. Peppermint used on children under 30 months of age can increase a risk for seizures.
● Don’t use oils near a heat source. Using essential oils near a heat source can cause a fire.
● Don’t use essential oils near the eyes, ears and nose.
● Do buy oils from a reliable source. “Check the source of the essential oils to avoid oils that might contain contaminants,” Gujral says. “Look for credible companies that list the scientific name of the oil, source of the oil and who also list a contact number to answer any questions you might have.”
● Do avoid sunlight for some essential oils. Always check the caution remarks for each essential oil you use.
● Do store oils in a cool dry place. Store oils in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children.
● Do apply a patch test first. Before using an oil on your child’s skin, apply on a small area of skin and wait 24 hours to see if there is an adverse reaction before using again.
● Do consult an expert. If you have any questions about how to use an oil or the dilution ratios to use on your child, consult an expert before use.
1. www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/essential-oil-market-size-to-reach-1167-billion-by-2022-grand-view- research-inc-531216151.html
2. Ramsey, J Tyler et al. “Essential Oils and Health.” The Yale journal of biology and medicine vol. 93,2 291-305. 29 Jun. 2020
3. PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. Aromatherapy With Essential Oils (PDQ®): Patient Version. 2021 Oct 26. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65820/
4. Burnham, Melissa M et al. “Nighttime sleep-wake patterns and self-soothing from birth to one year of age: a longitudinal intervention study.” Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines vol. 43,6 (2002): 713-25. doi:10.1111/1469-7610.00076
