Which essential oils can I use without risk for my baby ?

Choosing an essential oil for an infant is very delicate, on the one hand because of infantile enzymatic immaturity and on the other hand because the use of EO is accompanied by many precautions; indeed, poorly controlled handling can prove to be harmful or even dangerous.

Several factors play a role in the harmfulness of an EO such as the content of toxic molecules, the way of applying the EO, the dosage or the duration of the application. It is therefore advisable to test an EO before any use, by applying a drop in the crease of the elbow to visualize a possible allergic reaction (redness, tingling, etc.). In addition, pure EO should never be applied to mucous membranes (nose, eyes, etc.). This type of application requires an appropriate systematic dilution of the EO

The rate of dilution of an essential oil appropriate for an infant over 3 months is between 0.5 and 1% in a fatty substance (a vegetable oil for example), and this, whatever the type of pathology to be treated.

The cutaneous route remains the best route for an infant ; used properly, it remains the safest route of administration for your baby.

The essential oils that can be used in an infant from the age of 3 months (i.e. between 4.3 kg and 6.9 kg) are :

Essential oils with a Monoterpenols chemotype (monoterpene alcohol) such as rosewood essential oil, except oils containing menthol and methyl eugenol
Essential oils with chemotype Esters such as the essential oil of Petitgrain de bigarade (caution at the risk of interactions with anticoagulants)
Essential oils with a Monoterpene chemotype (monoterpene hydrocarbon) such as Neroli essential oil (caution at the risk of interactions with cortisone)

WARNING ! It is strictly forbidden to use essential oils with the following chemotype on infants :

ALCOHOL sesquiterpene (Sesquiterpénols) such as essential oil Niaouli
OXIDES such as for example the essential oil of globular eucalyptus
SESQUITERPENIC HYDROCARBONS (Sesquiterpenes) such as for example the essential oil of Absynthe
PHENOLS (Phenic acids) such as for example the essential oil of Oregano
AROMATIC ALDEHYDES such as Ceylon Cinnamon essential oil
TERPENIC ALDEHYDES such as for example the essential oil of Ceylon Lemongrass
ETHERS (methyl ethers phenols) such as for example the essential oil of green anise
KETONES such as for example the essential oil of Lavender stoechade
LACTONS such as Chinese mugwort essential oil
COUMARINES such as Parsley essential oil
PHTHALIDES such as the essential oil of Lovage

Certain essential oils can be toxic and dangerous without controlling their precautions for use. In case of doubt, it is then recommended to go to hydrolatherapy (floral waters) for infants.

A hydrosol is not as powerful as an essential oil , however, being constituted by water (floral water), it retains water-soluble odorous molecules and remains slightly scented, having certain therapeutic properties; such as orange blossom water used to regulate children's sleep.