How to Boost Kids’ Immunity with Essential Oils

With the world facing multiple health threats such as coronavirus, delta variant and now omicron, many are looking for alternate ways to boost protection and immunity for themselves and for their children on top of social distancing, avoiding and limiting time in crowded areas and of course, vigorous personal hygiene. Here is how you can boost you and your kid’s immunity with essential oils.

Although there are over 100 types of essential oils in the market, not every essential oil is made equal and not every is suitable to be used on children. You want to use the ones with anti-viral and/or anti-bacterial properties while being generally safe for children (remember to never use essential oils on infants):

  • Eucalyptus
  • Frankincense
  • Lavender
  • Lemon
  • Lime
  • Patchouli
  • Sweet basil
  • Sweet marjoram
  • Sweet orange
  • Tea tree

To make life a little simpler, you can also purchase ready-made blends from promising and reliable brands:

Tip: Find out more about the adult versions and also our DIY essential oil recipes to boost immunity.

The most common way to use essential oils is via inhalation. Add a few drops of your choice of immunity boosting essential oil to your diffuser, diffusing for around 30-60 minutes. If you want to diffuse for more than once a day, make sure to have ample break periods in between. It is very important to keep your kid away from the direct mist.

Make your own room spray by combining water, witch hazel or grain alcohol, and your choice of immunity boosting essential oil. Spray lightly around your home, you don’t have to go crazy with this. This eliminates harmful airborne bacteria while acting as a natural air freshener.

Now let’s be honest here. Kids are very curious and love to touch everything. You can use the same DIY room spray as a disinfectant and spray on surfaces (especially frequently touched door handles), curtains, sofas, cushions if any, areas where your kid loves to hang around for long periods of time.

For topical applications, make sure to use a dilution rate of 0.5% for younger children (below 10 years of age) and 1% for older children (above 10 years old). You can apply well diluted immunity boosting essential oil on their feet before bedtime. You don’t need to apply all over their body. Make sure not to ingest the oils.

When working with essential oils, you should always remember that less is more. The expression “small things come in big packages” applies to the effects of essential oils, it may not look like a lot but it can sure pack a punch. On top of mindfully using essential oils and practicing the general guidelines to lower the risks of infections, make sure to eat well and sleep well, too. Find out more about how to use essential oils for babies and young children. You’ll be surprised how eating healthy and having enough rest will impact the body.