CARMEL MOUNTAIN PRESCHOOL BLOG

What is the All The Buzz About Essential Oils?

Carmel Mtn. Preschool Kids around oil diffuser

Here at Carmel Mountain Preschool we strive to be environmentally conscious. We have made a lot of changes this past year and are excited to share our reasons for using essential oils in most of our classrooms. We use Young Living Thieves Essential Oil Household Cleaner in all of our classrooms to help kill germs naturally as well as Young Living diffusers to help instill scents that will keep the classrooms naturally disinfected as well as help with calming the children during naptime. Learn all about the importance of essential oils and how they can help your family.

“I started using essential oils while I was pregnant.  My doctors advised me to eliminate the majority of the cleaners and personal body products that I was using in order to protect my son. They explained that the majority of chemicals in household products are not safe for a fetus, children, or adults. Not only did I make these changes in my home, but decided to create these changes at CMP.” – Arianne Condrick-Betazzi, CFO Carmel Mountain Preschool

Young Living essential oils and diffuser

We interviewed two gurus of essential oils who helped answer the questions about this important topic. Danielle Janney-Smith and Kelly Schott, who is an essential oil educator and mentor.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated natural plant extracts; a drop or two can produce significant results. An entire plant, when distilled, might produce only a single drop of essential oil. That is why their potency is far greater than dried herbs. Pressing or distilling extracts the subtle, volatile liquids (meaning they evaporate quickly) from plants, shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, and seeds, that make up essential oils.

Essential oils are the life-blood of the plant, protecting it from bacterial and viral infections, cleaning breaks in its tissue and delivering oxygen and nutrients into the cells. In essence, they act as the immune system of the plant.

That is why they are so essential to the plant — without them, plants could not survive.

In the human body, they have a similar action — such as transporting valuable nutrients to the cells; increasing oxygen intake, and digesting toxic waste in the blood. This is because the three primary elements – carbon, hydrogen and oxygen- are common to both human beings and essential oils. This shared chemistry makes essential oils one of the most compatible of all plant substances with human biochemistry.

Not only that, but the lipid-soluble structure of essential oils and the fact that they have a protein-like structure similar to human cells and tissues makes them even more compatible with human tissue. (source: http://www.crazyforcoconuts.com/index2.php#!/what_is_an_essential_oil?)

Young Living essential oil bottles spread out

What is all the talk about essential oils and why are they important to use?

Kelly: I feel like there has been a lot of talk about essential oils in the recent years because we are coming out of this pharmaceutical revolution where we were excited about the technology to mass produce cheap prescription drugs that could quickly mask whatever symptoms were ailing us. Thankfully, our access to information has also developed, and every home and every mother has the ability to discover the ingredients that comprise our favorite commercial brands, and it doesn’t make us feel so good. Essential oils, when distilled properly, provide us an effective way to naturally replace many of our household products and boost each of our body systems in order to promote a healthy and clean lifestyle for our entire family.

Is diffusing the essential oils the best way to use around young children?

Danielle: In a school environment, absolutely! Diffusing oils disperses the therapeutic oil molecules into their air, where they can help kill germs, encourage concentration or relaxation, improve moods, and replace chemical-ridden air fresheners. In the home, oils can also be applied topically (dilution ratios are key for safe oil use!) and some Young Living oils, like immune system-boosting Thieves, can even be ingested.

What are the top 10 oils to use with children?

Danielle: I’m sure you’d get a different answer depending on who you ask, but these are some of my favorite…

  • Thieves – Because kids are germy, and we were the sickest we’d EVER been when our daughter started group daycare. With daily Thieves use we’re one healthy bunch, and if and when the occasional bug does sneak in, our recovery times are exponentially faster, and the severity of the illness is much less.
  • Peace & Calming – A soothing blend that’s essential for encouraging an easier bedtime routine, calming tantrums and easing separation anxiety. A must have for all moms.
  • Sniffle Ease – A blend formulated especially for the littles with the sniffles, pre-diluted for use on children 2 and up.
  • Lavender – The Swiss army knife of oils – apply directly to bumps, bruises, cuts, scrapes. Also wonderful for diffusing during bedtime. Consult recommended dilution ratios for young children.
  • Peppermint – Kids get carsick? Peppermint to the rescue! Also wonderful for soothing flu-induced fevers and nausea.
  • Lemon – When diluted properly, lemon [essential oil] can be rubbed on a child’s chest and back to encourage healthy respiration and soothe coughing.
  • Geneyus –  Another blend formulated specifically for kids, to enhance focus and concentration.
  • Gentle Baby –  This is one of the gentlest essential oils specifically formulated for expectant moms and babies. It is comforting, soothing, relaxing and great for diaper rash.

Essential oils benefits for kids graphic

Kelly: The oil company I use has done an incredible job of collecting some of their most popular top ten oils into their Premium Starter Kit. This is used by everyone in my family from my, once skeptical, husband to both my baby boys (4yrs and 17months). [Some favorites include] Copaiba, DiGize, Frankincense, Lavender, Lemon, Panaway, Peppermint, Purification, R.C, Stress Away, and Thieves.  Here is a list of just a few of the things I use this kit for:

  • digestive issues
  • bloating
  • sore muscles
  • fine lines and wrinkles
  • focus, sleep
  • scrapes/cuts
  • headaches
  • calming a crying/fussy baby
  • stuffy nose, earache
  • wake-up
  • mood boosting
  • nausea
  • seasonal sensitivities
  • air purifier/freshener
  • eliminate odors
  • respiratory congestion
  • coughing, immunity boost
  • sore throat
  • cleaning,
  • stress/anxiety
  • BROWNIES!!!

And that is just a quick list off the top of my head. What I love most is that each oil is so versatile. They all have more than one purpose.

Can I combine oils?  If so, what do you recommend?

Danielle: Absolutely! One of the best things about oils is that you can mix and match oils to meet your family’s needs/preferences. One of my favorite combos is a flu season must-have called “Immunity Booster” – in a 10ml glass roller bottle, mix 10-12 drops Thieves & Purification with grape seed oil. Roll on the soles of everyone’s feet nightly.

Kelly: Once again, the oil company that I use has over 200 essential oils. There are “single” oils like lemon, lavender, peppermint, oregano, and there are also “blends” like Thieves, Breathe Again, and Stress Away. Many times I will find that a blend already exists that would satisfy my need. I would say that if you became familiar with your oils and were educated on their use then you may decide to create your own blend, or perhaps you would get better therapeutic value from layering each individual oil one after the other. Oils are a lot of fun and the best part is that they can be individualized. We have access to a ton of resources to find out how you would best use your oils.

Are there any oils that I should not use around my child?

Danielle: There are! For example, Eucalyptus oil should be used cautiously around young children, particularly kids under the age of 2. When using oils topically on children, the most important factor is proper dilution. This is a good graphic:

Guide for diluting essential oils for kids

Why use Thieves Essential Oil Household Cleaner to do all of you household cleaning?

This product contains essential oils that are purifying and cleansing.  It is non-toxic and made with natural surfactants and therapeutic oils. Made from Thieves essential oil that is highly effective in supporting a healthy immune system and good health and it smells so good!

Parent testimonial:

“I started using essential oils to help relieve pain and heal an injury. I had no idea all the things I would learn from researching all the ways to use essential oils. I ordered the Starter Kit and fell in love with the smell of Stress Away. My daughter, Acacia, loved it as well and this sparked an idea. She had been working to overcome some auditory sensitivities and feeling of being overwhelmed. So, I decided to add essential oils to her routine. I ordered a diffuser necklace and placed Stress Away, and Peace and Calming, in the locket. Within weeks, we saw an improvement at school. Acacia loves her necklace, and we love the results! Acacia gets compliments on her necklace, which leads to us sharing our love for the essential oils. When I learned that CMP used essential oils with knowledge of how they work and why they are better alternatives, I was so excited.  My daughter goes to an outstanding school that really cares about the students and families”. –April Schwartz

Student at CMP with essential oil diffuser necklace

If you are interested in purchasing essential oils or Thieves Cleaner and would like your oil purchase to help provide (more) essential oils for Carmel Mountain Preschool, please place your essential oil order at https://www.youngliving.com/signup/?isoCountryCode=US&sponsorid=2542770&enrollerid=2542770

Or contact Danielle at 0danielle0@gmail.com

Young Living essential oils bottles 2

Blog by Julie Goldstein – Master Artist & Art Studio Teacher

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Carmel Mountain Preschool provides a safe and caring environment with hands-on, developmentally-appropriate programs for children. We also offer excellent care for elementary school-age students with our before and after school programs. CMP is located at 9510 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92129, situated between 4S Ranch, Rancho Peñasquitos, Carmel Valley, and Santaluz. For more information, please visit our website or contact us at 858.484.4877.

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