Aromatherapy in the first years of life

August 11, 2025

A single drop of essential oil can smell like an entire field of flowers – and have an effect just as intense. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant substances with complex effects, the production of which requires enormous quantities of plant material. This explains the preciousness of these plant fragrances – and also why their dosage and correct application are so important for young and old alike.

Nevertheless, it must be emphasized time and again that the undiluted application or even ingestion of essential oils is not advisable, especially for children. Time for the ABCs of AromaKids – the dos and don'ts of aromatherapy for children.

ABCs of Aroma Kids: Dos and Don'ts of Aromatherapy for Children

First of all: Basic rule for external applications

In general, the aromatherapy industry in German-speaking countries advises against the ingestion of essential oils, as it should only be carried out under the supervision of experienced aromatherapists and poses enormous risks for laypersons – not just for children.

However, even when using these fragrant helpers externally, some rules must be observed to optimally support health and well-being:

A: Best organic quality instead of cheap "aroma oils" for children

High-quality essential oils are always clearly labelled – with botanical name, plant part, extraction method, cultivation method, country of origin, certification body, and the statement "100% pure essential oil" . For children, be sure to look for organic quality or organic wild harvesting.

Only pure, organic oils offer the assurance that they are free from pesticide residues. Inferior products may also have an unfavorable chemical composition. They may exhibit imperfections or develop elevated peroxide levels due to improper storage. The higher the quality of the oil, the better its compatibility.

Good essential oils come at a price due to the elaborate production process – this price also corresponds to the amount of plant material required (inexpensive citrus oils, valuable flower and wood oils).

B: Careful selection of essential oils for children

Which essential oils are unsuitable for children?

Children are not just small adults – certain essential oils that are harmless and beneficial for adults can be dangerous for children's nerve cells or respiratory systems. Simply adjusting the adult dosage is not enough. This is especially true for oils containing menthol and camphor, such as all mints (except... Bergamot mint ), camphor and rosemary, sage, hyssop, wintergreen and also eucalyptol-containing oils, depending on age.

Which essential oils are suitable for children?

For aromatherapy treatments for children, we should stick to the essential oils on our positive list: Atlas cedar, bergamot mint, cistus, woodwood and Mandarin red, Manuka, Tea tree (fresh!) and lemon can help children from about one year old with many topics.

Especially gentle oils such as Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Rose and Thyme linalool They can be used on babies' skin and noses from six months of age. In our own formulations, they are diluted to 0.1-0.5% – in farfalla baby products, they are dosed accordingly.

From the age of three, depending on the type of application and dilution, it is also permitted Eucalyptus radiata and Swiss pine or spruce needle to be used, from five years of age Cajeput, Ravintsara and Niaouli is also included. Its applications are often extensive, so that a few selected oils can often cover an entire range of topics.

C: Correct dosage and application of essential oils for children

When and how do I apply essential oils to children's skin?

Only in a child-friendly dilution in Organic care oil (e.g. Almond oil or St. John's wort oil) can be used to apply the selected essential oil to the skin. 1 to 2 drops of essential oil to 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of carrier oil corresponds to the recommended dilution of 0.5% for children; for babies 1 drop per 50ml for 0.1. Trust only reputable recipes from responsible sources and a child's sense of smell – a few drops added by feel can often be too much in a mixture. Never use a conventional mineral oil-based product instead of a plant-based carrier product.

Do you want to use essential oils on your baby? The ready-made aromatherapy products farfalla Baby (suitable from birth and without an upper age limit) and organic plant waters (like this) are a sensible option that can cover many care needs.

When and how do I use essential oils with children via their sense of smell?

Often, using the sense of smell is the right approach – for all issues that occur on a mental and emotional level: finding peace, feeling self-confident, learning with concentration, gaining courage, letting go of fears. Whether it's a drop on a muslin cloth in bed, in a scent stick in your pocket, a brief fragrance burst using a room spray, or on a scent stone next to the bed.

The same applies here: For babies, a A spritz of chamomile or rose petal organic plant water – enough fragrance to be used, for example, on a muslin cloth for bed. Pay attention to nonverbal cues – does the child like the scent or prefer to be kept away?

You can read many tips about using essential oils as companions during school, for focused learning and necessary relaxation HERE.

D: Organic plant waters - the baby-soft siblings of essential oils

Versatile in its applications, easy to use and gentle on babies: Organic plant water , Also called hydrosols, they are produced during the steam distillation of essential oils and are their super-gentle counterparts. They can even be sprayed undiluted on baby skin. Organic rose hydrosol is unsurpassed as a spray for diaper rash as well as for the eye area, organic chamomile flower water Organic lemon balm water calms active night owl children (and relaxes stressed parents). Hydrosols are a good choice for unclear skin conditions. Their range of applications is so ingenious and diverse for all age groups that consulting the relevant literature is definitely worthwhile! Just remember regarding shelf life: store in a cool place and use quickly (within 3 to 6 months).

Simple recipes for essential oils for children's skincare:

• Forest and meadow oil for children from 1 year old: Gently warm 30 ml of coconut oil and mix with 3 drops of Atlas cedarwood essential oil. Pour into a small container, as it will solidify at cooler temperatures. Before playing outdoors, rub it onto legs, neck, and any exposed skin.
• Protective baby balm: Gently warm 75 ml of organic shea butter in a glass jar in a water bath until melted. Stir in 25 ml of organic argan oil (strengthens the skin barrier and protects) thoroughly with a wooden stick to ensure a smooth mixture. Allow to cool slightly. Mix in 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil (calms both skin and restless spirits) or rose essential oil (a classic for baby skin). Pour into a jar and allow to cool completely.
• Soothing baby balm: Gently warm 75 ml of shea butter in a glass jar in a water bath until melted. Stir in 25 ml of calendula oil with a wooden stick to ensure a smooth mixture, then allow to cool slightly. Mix in 5-10 drops of fine lavender essential oil, pour into a jar, and allow to cool completely.
• Many more recipes HERE
• and for your safe use, the dosage table

Recommended literature on aromatherapy for children:

• Aromatherapy from pregnancy to breastfeeding, Stadelmann Ingeborg
  The classic guide with many application tips for the range of products available at the Bahnhof-Apotheke (pharmacy).
• Aromatherapy for children, Herber Sabrina / Zimmermann Eliane:
  Recipe collection with age categories from 0/1/3/6/12 years, very suitable for everyday use