Back to School Essential Essentials: Must-Have Oils

Today, let’s talk about essential essentials – those oils that every family needs for back-to-school support.  Essential oils are a great way to help your kids to succeed in school and to keep their bodies strong in the process.  Emotional and mental health is just as important for kids as it is for adults, but they need to learn how to verbalize their emotions and recognize how life affects them.  Teaching them to recognize their triggers and verbalize how they are feeling are the first steps in creating a positive attitude towards mental and emotional health.  If they are able to talk about their emotions, then they are able to know what natural solutions can support them in their daily lives.  Empowering kids to help themselves is so important…I can just imagine what my life would have been like if I had these tools as a child!

Just remember that kids are not mini-adults, and that essential oils work differently with each person.  There is no one prescription to fix everything.  It takes patience and a lot of communication.  Also, I never suggest giving your kids the power to treat themselves with oils.  You should always be involved in the process.  With that said, check out these awesome must-haves for your collection.

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL USES

Helping your kids to find that calm in their day is such an amazing gift.  Yoga, deep breathing exercises, and meditation can help to support this goal, but adding Lavender Essential Oil to this mix provides an extra element of calm.  Lavender can help them to let go of any pent up frustrations or tension that have accumulated throughout the day and has the added benefit of soothing the skin.  In addition, the aroma will reach anyone around them!

My two favorite ways to use Lavender with kids are topically and aromatically.  You can add Lavender to raw coconut oil for an essential oil rub after bathtime or before bed.  Try massaging their feet with it or using it in place of lotion.  Lavender can also be combined with other essential oils like Bergamot or Roman Chamomile, or some of the blends mentioned below.

And don’t wash your hands if you apply the rub to your kiddos!  Moms and Dads can use some calming power too, so rub it into your hands or on your face at night to promote relaxation and to soothe your skin!

Another awesome use is a spray you can use before bed.  Spritz pillowcases, sheets, or even a special stuffed animal to promote healthy sleep.

 
 
[Learn More In My Lavender Oil Blog]

PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL USES

(AND ITS BEST FRIEND, WILD ORANGE)

Another must-have in your essential oil arsenal is Peppermint.  Nothing compares to this aroma for promoting mental alertness and helping your kids to focus on the task at hand.  From homework to test-prep, peppermint can be the key to increased focus and concentration.  For a boost of energy in the morning, try combining Peppermint with Wild Orange essential oil in your diffuser.  This combo can also be applied on the wrists or foreheads.  Combining Peppermint with your other favorite citrus essential oils like Grapefruit, Lemon, or Lime will create amazing wake-up blends for your family.

And another little tidbit…did you know that dōTERRA makes an all-natural lip balm with Peppermint and Wild Orange?  Tuck this in your kiddos’ backpacks for an everyday solution.  Not only can they use it to prevent chapped lips, but it can also be applied to their temples or on their wrists to improve concentration and to soothe tension.  Tummy troubles?  Peppermint and Wild Orange have also been known to alleviate occasional digestive issues, so rub it in a circle around the belly button for relief.

Don’t believe in the power of these two oils for promoting mental alertness in the classroom?  Check out this amazing science project by Fallon Henderson.

[Learn More About Peppermint Oil in My Blog Here]

VETIVER & IN TUNE ESSENTIAL OIL USES

Two other great oils to have on hand are some hard-hitting aromas.  The earthy, woodsy scents penetrate and provide a powerful solution for promoting grounding and calm.  Vetiver not only supports increased focus, but it can also help with concentration for kids who may need more than just Lavender or who don’t care for its floral scent.  Diffusing it can help to enhance feelings of calm to enable students to focus on their schoolwork or homework.  Be sure to do a test-run of Vetiver before sending your kiddo off to school, however, because it has such a powerful calming effect that it is often used to support restful sleep, especially in combination with Lavender.  Diffusing it or applying it to the feet before bedtime can promote a restful night’s sleep to recharge both you and your kids for the next day.

If you have a highly-active kiddo or one who is easily-agitated or distracted, try dōTERRA’s In Tune Focus Blend that comes in a rollerball bottle.  Many parents have found that this helps their students during the school day if they apply it to their feet before putting on their shoes, or it can be applied down the spine or on the wrists.  It is a heavy scent, but I know a lot of boys who are drawn to it and ask for it daily before school, especially on days when they know they have a test or need to focus on something important.  It can also be diluted by applying a carrier oil to the skin before applying it with the rollerball bottle.  If your kiddo has sensitive skin but responds to the scent, try rolling it on a leather bracelet or a clay pendant that he can wear during the day.

dōTERRA’s ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS

dōTERRA never disappoints with its blends and there are several that are great for specific needs. Especially during the middle school years, students often have emotions that take them on a daily rollercoaster ride.  These can be tough times for both the student and the family.  Learning to talk about their emotions and using techniques to find a place of peace and calm can help your child’s mental and emotional health, as can talking to an experienced healthcare professional.  In addition, check out the following blends that may be a great solution for finding that balance in your family’s life.  I recommend diffusing them or combining them with a carrier oil in a rollerball bottle to be used whenever they are needed on pulse points.

• Serenity Calming Blend lessens feelings of tension while calming emotions and promoting relaxation.
• Balance Grounding Blend brings harmony to mind and body and helps to balance emotions.
• Motivate Encouraging Blend promotes feelings of confidence, courage, and belief while counteracting doubt, pessimism, and cynicism.
• Cheer Uplifting Blend promotes feelings of optimism, cheerfulness, and happiness.

Taking charge of your family’s health and wellness is so empowering and completely possible with the right tools.  For more information on using essential oils with your family or for using these blends, all you have to do is ask!

If you know you are ready to get started with dōTERRA essential oils, you can sign up with me immediately here.

This is blog #2 of a 3-part back-to-school series. Check out blog #1 here, Back to School: Essential Oils for Immune Support, and be sure to contact me with any questions!