Aromatherapy for Online School

An article about aromatherapy and online school in a COVID-19 world, in particular young children. Includes easy-to-make aromatherapy recipes. By professional aromatherapist and author Sharon Falsetto.

COVID-19 has brought a lot of changes this year, one of which is suddenly converting in-person school learning to online learning to keep our children safer. However, it is not without its fears, most significantly from younger children who struggle with not seeing school friends and adapting to sitting in front of a computer for lessons.

Aromatherapy for Online School

Aromatherapy may help your child with some of these changes from relieving anxiety, boosting confidence, and sleeping better. It is a question I have started to get asked from worried parents and caregivers as the school year commences. So, I’ve put together a quick article with three aromatherapy recipes which might help your child adapt to these changes more easily.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about using aromatherapy for online school with your child. All these recipes have been adapted for general use with children, as formulated by a certified aromatherapist, but you should always check with your healthcare professional before using, if your child has specific issues.

Hero Support Inhaler (for ages 5 and up)

This simple blend for children will help to boost their confidence and calm fears, making them feel like the superhero of the hour!

Adapted from my Certificate in Holistic Aromatherapy course modules.

Essential Oils:

• 2 drops lemon (Citrus × limon)
• 1 drop geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
• 1 drop sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
• 1 drop lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Instructions for Use:

• Pre-blend the essential oils required for the blend in a glass beaker.
• Add the wick from the inhaler to the essential oil blend and allow it to fully absorb the blend. Avoid touching the soaked wick with your hands (use gloves if necessary) as you may have a reaction.
• Insert the soaked wick into the inhaler. Make sure that you fix the bottom cap on securely.
• Your inhaler is now ready to use! Make sure that you cap it when not in use and affix a label with the contents for reference.

You can learn more about how to make an aromatherapy inhaler (with photos and sources for supplies) in this journal entry:

How to Use and Make an Aromatherapy Inhaler

Cautions: Avoid contact with mucous membranes. For inhalation purposes only. Supervise young children in the use of the inhaler. Older children, once they know how to use it, can then use it on their own as needed.

Sleep Easy Spray Blend for Insomnia (for ages 5 and up) 

If your child is having difficulty sleeping at the moment, make this gentle spray and use before bedtime.

Ingredients:

• 7 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
• 5 drops Roman chamomile (Chamamelium nobile) essential oil
• 2-oz. distilled water
• 15 drops each of solubol and/or alcohol

To Make and to Use: Blend the essential oils with the water and solubol/alcohol in a spray bottle. Shake gently before use. Spray a couple of times onto the child’s pillow before going to sleep.

Tummy-be-well Rub for Children (for ages 3 and up)

Is your child getting more tummy aches with the stress of online learning? This is a gentle and effective tummy blend that can be used for minor digestive upsets with children.

Base:

• 1-oz. unscented, white lotion

Essential Oils:

• 2 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
• 1 drop ylang ylang (Cananga odorata)
• 1 drop ginger (Zingiber officinale)

To Use: Blend together the white lotion and essential oils in a 1-oz. jar. Cap. Place a dime-sized amount of the blend onto the palm of your hand. Gently massage in a clockwise direction around the belly button and abdomen area of the child.

Cautions: Possible skin sensitivity. Slight risk of photo-sensitivity. Discontinue use if either reaction occurs.

About the Author:

The author of this article has a combined 24-year history in the health care and aromatherapy industry. She is UK-certified aromatherapist and a NAHA Certified Professional Aromatherapist®. She is both a published author and editor in aromatherapy, a consultant, custom blend formulator and herbal studies student. She is the author of Authentic Aromatherapy and the current chief editor of the NAHA Aromatherapy Journal. She has taken the online Master Gardener short course series with the University of Oregon. Sharon works from her garden studio in Sedona, Arizona, where she gardens and distills plants from her own aromatic gardens, surrounded by natural fauna and flora on an original pioneer homestead property.