“Using Aromatherapy for Upleveling Kids’ Mental Health”
On Monday, August 31, Kari Davis, holistic life coach, essential oil educator and founder of The Well Team discussed “Using Aromatherapy for Upleveling Kids’ Mental Health”.
What does holistic mean? It’s not weird, kooky, or unconventional. If someone is a holistic coach, it just means to think of the body as interconnected. Thinking holistically provides tools for mental, physical and emotional well-being, not just treating the symptoms. What can we do to help all these systems: body, mind, spirit and soul? It’s trying to be proactive and preventative instead of just reactive. I had learned about holistic approaches for physical needs, but I dug into learning about supporting emotions when my children’s father passed away when they were 4, 9 and 11.
What are essential oils? Aromatic compounds steam-distilled from the roots, stems, leaves, needles, flowers of plants, or cold-pressed from the rinds of citrus fruits. They are carbon-based like humans and need to be pure and potent. When you use an essential oil in, on or around you, your body recognizes it and instinctively knows where to use the oil in the body. There are no side effects except possibly some skin sensitivity, but in that case, oils can be diluted. They have a physical and an emotional response. They are tiny molecules that work on the cellular level.
Benefits of essential oils: They are good for mental focus and brain clarity. They support the body’s systems physically, with essential oils good for respiratory support, digestive support, muscle pain and inflammation, and cellular support. The oils help the body to help itself, not to treat or cure disease. It’s preventative, proactive wellness that works on a cellular level. Simple, basic, safe and effective.
How are essential oils used? They are used three ways:
- Diffused (aromatic, smell) can boost mood, cleanse the air and provide respiratory support.
- Topically on the skin and can be diluted to be used for babies.
- Taken internally in a veggie cap, diluted, or under your tongue.
Olfactory use for emotional support: By breathing or diffusing oils, the smell receptors on the upper section of the nasal cavity make direct connections with the limbic system of the brain, the area that governs the body’s emotional responses. One drop of pure oil works quickly to change how you feel.
Effect on the brain: When applied at the back of the neck, under the ears, in your mouth and on the bridge of the nose, the oils can influence the neurotransmitter activities. Essential oils have been found in research to provide protection synapses so they are not breaking down and communication can be freely received.
How essential oils can help kids: When they are feeling anxious, stress or fear, we want them to feel empowered. Teaching kids to reframe their thinking and behavior is key to their mental health. Oils provide a way to deal with anxiety like deep breathing or exercise. It’s a tool. Having oils helps them stop and think, what do I need to support my emotions, my focus or my body. Spray essential oils on masks!
What oils to use: Because the oils work on a cellular level, it’s important to use oils that are sourced properly, that are tested and made from the most effective, but safe strain of the plant. They are the most effective for the body. Look for oils that are sourced from where they grow indigenously and are tested for purity, and free of contaminants and adulterants.
Oils with many benefits:
- Stress: Lavendar, clary sage, frankincense, Ylang-ylang, citrus
- Worry: Lavendar, citrus, frankincense, clary sage, sandalwood
- Uplift Mood: Bergamot, orange, frankincense, lavender
- Attention/Focus: Ylang-ylang, peppermint, chamomile, rosemary
- Memory and Learning: Rosemary, frankincense, peppermint, clary sage
- Disruptive: Ylang-ylang, vetiver, chamomile, cedar, lavender, sandalwood
RESOURCES
- The Well Team, essential oils, wellness plans, coaching, encouraging blog posts
- Dr. Danielle: The holistic brain, has chart on essential oils and the brain
- Doterra Essential Oils: There are oils already formulated for children. Safe and diluted. They are color-coded and have symbols for even young kids to use.
- Diffuser mind Zen blend recipe: 2 drops lavender, 2 drops sandalwood, 2 drops clary sage, 2 drops wild orange
- Contact Kari: hello@thewellteam.com or by phone at 239-699-8835. I have a team of health coaches to support families and individuals who are interested in staying well with natural products.
QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS
Q: Where is the best place to get oils?
A: I would recommend getting them through a holistic coach such as myself. The ones you buy, even if organic, they are not always sourced properly or have chemical compounds. You need to be able to see testing. You want to be careful. FDA does not regulate. Be careful and do your own research. Getting the education is important.
Q: What would you say is the best oil for anxiety/stress for children and adults?
A: I am a really big fan of Adaptive by Doterra. It has wild orange, lavender, copaiba, which is not CBD but works like it and is good for calming. There’s rosemary and magnolia. They also have capsules that are a natural chill pill. Using oils in on and around you is great and powerful. The capsules include GABA, a natural compound for focus and calm.
