I was bottling essential oils in the formulary the other day and felt inspired to share a little bit about how natural aromatherapy can help parents, teachers, and kids stay healthy during the school year. Being the mother of a toddler, I’m always on the lookout for ways to keep my little man healthy.
Going back to school means being exposed to more germs, so my main focus is on essential oils that can help kill germs. These are my top picks, and I hope they benefit you as much as they do my own family.
4 Thieves essential oil blend is excellent for diffusing in the room using an essential oil diffuser. The 4 Thieves blend is famous for killing nasty microbes that can cause illness. You can also mix 1 to 3 drops of 4 Thieves essential oil in a teaspoon of a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil, and dab a bit on you and your kids (on the hands especially!) Use 4 Thieves Mist to spray lightly over the hair and clothing; this is pretty awesome and kinda like putting on a germ-repelling cloak.
Oil Of Oregano (pure Mediterranean Oregano essential oil in a base of organic olive oil) can be taken internally (1 to 3 drops) to boost the immune system, and is believed to be antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic. (Note: pure, undiluted Oregano essential oil MUST be diluted before using at all. It is so potent that serious irritation can result from using it without diluting first in a carrier oil.)
Sweet Orange essential oil is a joyous and energetic scent that can be diffused throughout the house in the morning to wake you up and put everyone in a happy mood. Sweet Orange oil makes a fantastic household cleaning spray. Take an empty spray bottle, and mix it up like this: use 10% rubbing alcohol, 90% water, and 60 to 100 drops Sweet Orange oil. It makes a yummy-smelling natural disinfectant that’s also a natural mood booster. (Make sure to clearly label your concoctions.)
Lavender oil is a great calming scent, as well as a potent germ killer. A few drops of Lavender oil in the tub or an essential oil diffuser is great in the evening, but it is also great for students who can use mental focus. Herbalist David Crow says Lavender is great for calming the mind, allowing you to focus and concentrate.
Finally, Vetiver oil is a really earthy and grounding essential oil that help you feel calm and centered. It’s not only useful for students who might have a tough time staying focused; teachers can inhale a little vetiver oil to feel immediately more calm and less frazzled on stressful days. One of the most grounding ways to use vetiver oil is to place a little bit of olive or coconut oil into your palm, and then add a drop of vetiver. Massage this into the soles of your feet to immediately anchor your energy and attention.
I hope this helps you sail happy and healthy through back-to-school season. Happy teaching and learning!
~Sasha
*Safety reminder: essential oils are really strong substances, so make sure to keep them way out of reach of children at all times.