Family life can be hectic; there is no doubt about it. Schedules, school, activities, sports, chores, meals, jobs, etc… What Mother couldn’t use support dealing with life’s trial and tribulations? Aromatherapy can be a Mother’s most impressive tool for easing discomfort and softening up the edges of a rough day.

Listed below are a few situations from normal family life that can be enhanced through the use of authentic essences from the plant kingdom .

Aromatherapy to Help Boys Navigate Through Life

Boys (girls too) can be intense. Fairness issues abound, boundaries are pushed, muscles are tested and parents are at wits end. Often, what a parent wants for their child is for them to just calm down and take it easy. Citrus Essential Oils are like little bottles of joy and sunshine. Placing a couple drops of these sorts of essences in an aromatherapy diffuser , like Lemon, Lime, or Tangerine can sooth an anxious child.

Exploring the spiritual and therapeutic qualities of essential oils can frequently offer a glimpse into the inner life of a child. If your child loves the fragrance of Lime (because it “smells like sherbert!”), it might be because it is a very good match for what that young person might need in their emotional or physical life. For example, Bergamot Essential Oil helps one to “relax and let go” according to Gabriel Mojay (Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit), and Lime can be used to “awaken”. Both essential oils might be perfect for a child as he (or she) navigates through his childhood with his issues and gifts.

Aromatherapy to Ease Stress and Anxiety in Pre-Teen Girls

Adolescent daughters worry. “How do I look?”, “What should I wear?”, “How am I going to do on the test today?”, “What if we lose the soccer game tomorrow?”, and so on. What they need to do is “Lighten Up”. A fantastic blend for girls this age is Pink Grapefruit Essential Oil and Thyme Geraniol Essential Oil in a pretty aromatherapy diffuser. Why? Because pink grapefruit is all about being light-hearted. Its refreshing, perky, and fun frangrance can’t help but lighten the mood. And the Thyme Geraniol is for courage, which pre-teen girls need daily . (This chemotype of thyme has a citrusy aroma and doesn’t resemble culinary thyme at all.)

Aromatherapy for Stressed-Out Moms

Many people only think of Ylang Ylang as an aphrodisiac. Actually, Ylang Ylang has many therapeutic properties. Using a number of drops of Ylang Ylang Extra Essential Oil in a piece of attractive aromatherapy jewelry (like a specially-made locket on a chain) every morning can make a Mom feel more loving -  kinder, gentler, and more compassionate. The Ylang Ylang Extra seems a little less heavy than the Complete. You can also place a few drops in an aromatherapy diffuser to soften up the atmosphere for everyone. Try blending it with Bergamot Essential Oil in a  diffuser (try 3 drops each). Ylang Ylang essential oil is a sedative and also helps with insomnia. So, using a diffuser in the evening with a couple drops of Ylang Ylang and perhaps 2-3 drops of Palo Santo essential oil makes perfect sense. It relaxes and eases away the tensions of the day. What Mom doesn’t need help with that?

Essential Oils for Insomnia

Everyone needs to get a good night’s sleep. This is a traditional purpose to use aromatherapy in a diffuser in the bedroom. Some very helpful therapeutic essential oils to use at bedtime are Ho Wood, Lavender, Chamomile, Spikenard, Petitgrain, and Palo Santo. They are very relaxing and lovely sedatives. A candle diffuser is recommended for evening use, since the soft candlelight adds a calming glow to any room. (CAUTION: Always blow out the candle before going to sleep.)

Aromatherapy as a Safe Insect Repellent

There are so many helpful essential oils that can be used as an insect repellent. They can be applied topically or diffused into the air to repel the insects even more. And, they smell sooo good! Here are a few suggestions you simply must try:

• Geranium essential oil for mosquitoes. Apply a drop or two neat or blended in a carrier oil on the skin. 2 drops for each leg down to the ankles and 1 drop for each arm and neck.
• Lavender essential oil to repel ants. Use drops of the lavender essential oil on a damp washcloth to wipe down surfaces in the kitchen – counter tops, cupboards, walls and drawers.
• Eucalyptus citriodora essential oil to repel flies and no-see-ums. Use the same technique as the geranium.
• Tea tree lemon essential oil to keep bugs out of the linen closet. Place 5 or so drops on a cotton ball and place it on a shelf in the closet – not touching any fabrics. I also use the “cotton-ball technique” in the kitchen cupboards.

There is no end to the ways one can use therapeutic-grade essential oils for the family everyday. They add natural loveliness to the environment, have practical uses, and support the emotional and physical life of children and adults alike.