Back to School Essential Oil Checklist and Recipes
Going back to school can be full of excitement, nervousness, and new routines. The new school year means more germs, more stress, and a greater need to focus. Essential oils are a natural solution to help kids of all ages navigate the school year successfully.
Every year as kids make their way through the school year, parents woefully complain about the latest bug going through their home or repeated trips to the Doctor. Additionally there are concerns about focus, feelings of stress or tension, growing pains, poor sleep, and the like. Fortunately essential oils do offer assistance when it comes to supporting these concerns and you don't necessarily need a ton of different oils. Some of my favorites to have on hand for back to school are lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, orange, frankincense, and peppermint.
1. Lavender: This mild mannered oil has germ fighting power due to its linalool and linalyl acetate content. Linalool has been shown to kill airborne germs and reduces viruses. It also calms swelling and reduces congestion. Lavender is also calming for sleep and good sleep supports a healthy immune system. Lavender also soothes minor skin irritations, scrapes and cuts, burns, and insect bites. Lavender is great in a bath, diffused, or used topically such as in a hand cleaner (recipe below).
2. Eucalyptus: Eucaplytus globulus or radiata are both effective against airborne germs. The 1, 8,-Cineole in both types of eucalyptus can ease sinus congestion, open up airways, soothe muscle aches, and increase cerebral blood flow making this oil a great choice for immune support and focus. For children under 10 cedarwood is recommended as a safer choice. Diffuse eucalyptus to clear the air or improve focus (recipe below). You can also add to an inhaler or make a chest rub (see below) for respiratory support.
3. Tea Tree: Tea tree is a germ fighting powerhouse thanks to its terpinen-4-ol content. Research on terpinen-4-ol shows that it has immune stimulant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Tea tree can be diffused (I like to hide its aroma with orange and eucalyptus see below), used in an immune inhaler, a lotion, or to fight foot funk. You can add a drop to body wash or shampoo and use as a gargle for sore throat (see recipe below). It's a great oil to have in your back to school arsenal.
4. Orange: Orange smells awesome. It's a bright, sunshiny oil that most people love. It's rich in d-limonene which has been show to active white blood cells, reduce swelling, and calm aches. Orange has an uplifting aroma and has been shown to reduce feelings of nausea and stress. It's great in hand cleaners, foam soaps, and cleaning products. Orange is useful for digestive support, muscle aches, and mood. Diffuse or use in an inhaler to enjoy its bright uplifting aroma.
5. Frankincense: Rich in a-pinene and d-limonene frankincense has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulent, and respiratory support properties. It supports mood and cognition. supports skin health, and relieves muscle and neck tension. Supports focus and acts a a tonic to the body. Diffuse, use in chest rubs, or in a bath. See below for night time chest rub and diffuser blend recipes.
6. Peppermint: Peppermint is rich in menthol and menthone and has a strong fresh scent. Peppermint is a fantastic analgesic and works to fight headache as well as joint and muscle aches. It's also antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, a CNS stimulant, and decongestant. Try diffusing or using in an inhaler along with orange to increase feelings of alertness or to help with focus or to open up airways. Peppermint also deters bugs. Peppermint is not recommended topically for kids under 5.
Germ Busters Check!:
Hand cleaner
1 oz aloe gel
5-6 drops lavender (Lavendula angustafolia)
4-5 drops orange (Citrus sinensis)
combine aloe and oils in PET plastic flip top container. Use as needed to clean hands. Lavender and orange support immune system, fight germs, and smell great.
Clear the air:
to a diffuser add
2-5 drops tea tree (Melaleuca alternafolia)
3-6 drops orange (Citrus sinenesis)
2-5 drops eucalyptus radiata or globulus (sub cedarwood for young children)
Diffuse to clear the air. You can add these same oils to a blank inhaler. Use a total of 10-15 drops of oils.
Chest rub older kids:
6 drops Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
4 drops Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
3-5 drops Orange (Citrus sinensis) 2 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
1 oz (30 ml) unscented lotion
Add oils to lotion in a PET plastic or glass jar. Mix to combine. Apply to chest as needed to open airways and support immune system.
Chest rub younger kids:
1 drop Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) 2-3 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
2-3 drops Orange (Citrus sinensis) 1 oz (30 ml) unscented lotion
Add oils to lotion in a PET plastic or glass jar. Mix to combine. Apply to chest as needed to open airways and support immune system.
Focus Helper check!:
Focus Diffuser blend:
2-5 drops peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
2-5 drops orange (Citrus sinensis)
add to diffuser and enjoy. You can also add oils to a blank inhaler -- peppermint is pretty strong so best to stick to 2-5 drops each. With young kids you can diffuser orange alone or use in an inhaler.
Lavender Eucalyptus focus blend:
2-5 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
2-5 drops eucalyptus globulus or radiata
add to a diffuser or inhaler (10-15) drops total for a calming, refreshing focus blend. For younger kids use orange or cedarwood in place of eucalyptus.
Sleep and Stress support check!:
Good night diffuser blend:
6 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
2-4 drops Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
2-4 drops Orange (Citrus sinensis)
add to diffuser or inhaler (use 10-15 drops total). Can run for 15-30 prior to bed for young children and shut off. This blend will promote relaxation, ease tension, and support sleep.
Bedtime Bath: Bath Salt Blend
For Adults
2 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
2 drops Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
1 drop Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) 1 drop Orange (Citrus sinensis)
1 tsp jojoba oil (or other oil)
2 oz (60 ml) pink Himalayan salts
2 oz (60 ml) glass jar
For kids 5-12 years old
2 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
1 drop Orange (Citrus sinensis) 1 drop Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
1 tsp jojoba oil (or other oil) 2 oz (60 ml) pink Himalayan salts
2 oz (60 ml) glass jar
Combine oils and salt in a jar. Use 1⁄2 oz to 1 oz in a warm bath. Add salts to running water to dissolve. Be careful stepping out of tub, oil can be slippery. These blends will soother and calm. Additional benefits include respiratory and immune support.
Nighttime chest rub:
For Adults
6 drops Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
6 drops Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
6 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
1 oz (30 ml) unscented lotion
Combine oils and lotion and mix. Apply to chest or neck as needed.
For kids 5-12 years old
1 drop Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
1 drop Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
2 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
2 drops Orange (Citrus sinensis) 1 oz (30 ml) unscented lotion
ombine oils and lotion and mix. Apply to chest or neck as needed.
Growing pains, headache, and muscle/joint aches support check!:
Ache relief lotion
6 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
2 drops frankinscene (Boswellia carterii)
3 drops eucalyptus globulus or radiata
1 oz (30 ml) unscented lotion
Combine oils and lotion and mix. Apply to muscles, joints, neck or back.
For kids 5-12 years old
2 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
2 drops frankinscene (Boswellia carterii)
2 drops orange (Citrus sinensis)
1 oz (30 ml) unscented lotion
Combine oils and lotion and mix. Apply to muscles, joints, neck or back.
Essential oils are a natural, safe ways to help your navigate through the school year. Armed with a few basic essential oils you can support your family in many ways. Sometimes more complex situations require different oils or approaches. If you have questions about essential oils, aromatherapy, or would like to order custom products or take a class contact Tricia. To learn more about choosing oils for therapeutic purposes download a free eBook HERE.
In an upcoming post I'll share more strategies for using essential oils to fight colds and flu. The key is using them early and often to fight off germs or feel better faster.
