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Aromatherapy is the art of using scent to promote relaxation, influence mood and, according to some, create a healing environment in the body. Aromatherapists diffuse volatile liquid plant materials called “essential oils” into the air, believing that the tiny molecules are absorbed in the nose and carried directly to the hypothalamus of the brain where they perform their healing works.

Though any scent–whether natural or synthetic–can promote relaxation, proponents of “true” aromatherapy insist on using only those fragrances taken from freshly harvested botanicals. Practitioners call those fragrant materials “essential oils”, believing that these materials contain the “essence” of the plant.

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What could be simpler or lovelier than a festive Christmas inspired by Mother Nature herself? Revive your pioneering spirit by tapping into the landscape’s vivid colors, rich textures and natural fragrances to beautify your holiday home this year!

Shockingly inexpensive, nature’s holiday decor is also fun to find and customize. Pack a picnic lunch and a thermos of hot cider, and head for the countryside!

Most of what you need is right there on any country road — ivies trailing along the roadside, thistle-heads in open fields, bright red spice-berries and rosehips in the understory of most woodlands. Take the kids along and give each of them a disposable camera to record your memory-making experiences

1. Ivy-and-grapevine wreath
Simply tuck tendrils of sweet green English Ivy in and around a wreath of foraged grapevine, twisted into a round, brown wreath shape. (Ivy works wonderfully well on a raffia or straw wreath as well!) For an elegant touch, entwine a length of gold or magenta gossamer ribbon around the wreath, tie a contrasting loop of ribbon at the top, and hang anywhere!

2. Cinnamon-apple garland
Core and slice foraged windfall apples to form apple rounds, sprinkle with cinnamon and dry them on a cookie tray in a slow, 170-degree oven until they’re leathery by not crisp. Use a pencil to drill a little hole at the top of each apple slice, then continue drying. Use twine or raffia to string the dried delectables into a garland to spice up any room!

3. Pine-cone glitterati
Foraged pine-cones of any kind, a little bowl of glitter and a bit of florists’ wire or even recycled ornament hooks are all you need. Put unopened cones on an aluminum tray in a 170-degree oven for a few minutes to open them up. Give each dry cone a quick spray with artists’ adhesive, or dab on regular white glue, then dip the sticky cone into the glitter. A group of these look gorgeous in an old wooden salad bowl, atop a wooden tabletop that strewn with a few evergreen boughs and a handful of bright red foraged rosehips. Or use the wire or hooks and hang them on the tree, where tree lights will have the glitterati shimmering!

4. Willow wands and cobalt
Contemporary elegant drama for almost nothing! Clip and arrange a “bouquet” of wispy green and yellow willow wands in a plain, clear vase. Toss in a handful of small, smooth inexpensive cobalt stones to cover the vase base, then hang a few cobalt blue glass ornaments from the willow branches.

5. Dried basket of bounty
Fill a tall-handled reed or twig basket with stunning lengths of golden yarrow and dried golden wheat, accented with dried poppy heads and milkweed pods. For fragrance, tuck in a spray of silver garden sage or field-dried Sweet Annie. Sprinkle generously with crimson spice berries and tie a sprig of holly to the handle.

6. Colonial apple basket
What could be simpler and more natural than an old basket filled with fragrant balsam and fir boughs, topped with shiny red, golden and green fresh apples? Tie a wide red ribbon to the handle and tuck in a strand of white cool-touch twinkle lights for a soft, traditional holiday glow on a sideboard or dining room table. Or alternate the apples with pears, oranges, lemons and pomegranates!

With Mother Nature as your one-stop shopping guide, you can hang the holly and trim the tree with the richest palette of colors, textures and fragrances imaginable … so why shop anywhere else?

Kate Sheridan is a Michigan freelance writer, photographer and homesteader whose writings on the fun and foibles of country living may be found at http://www.gardenandhearth.com/RuralLiving.htm.

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Essential oils are pure aromatic plant essences - they are distilled from flowers, fruit, leaves, resins, roots, seeds, and wood. The are used for their healing properties the world over - in , for example, they are only available through licensed, qualified parishioners. In the United States, we have free access to essential oils - but with this comes with some important cautions: Only some of the essential oils available are suitable for children; others are not suitable for children and some are even dangerous to children (children with epilepsy should not come in contact with stimulating essential oils).

When used correctly however, essential oils can be of great benefit, and will not conflict with your child’s medically prescribed drugs. Always research the oil of choice thoroughly before using with your infant or child - ask advice from a qualified practitioner, or see the references at the end of this article.

That said, essential oils can be a wonderful way of supporting your child’s health, happiness and well-being. Essential oils can be very therapeutic and nurturing to both your child and you, the caregiver. Essential oils are used externally (on the outside of the body) in your child’s bath, body lotions, oils, creams, gels, compresses, foot baths, or in a oil warmer. The effects of aromatherapy will generally fall into one of three main categories: 1) Assisting in healing from minor illnesses and accidents, 2) Supporting your child’s overall sense of well-being, and 3) Assisting your child in getting quality rest.

When using essential oils with your child, it is imperative that you find a reputable supplier of therapeutic-grade essential oils, using organic or wildcrafted varieties when possible. Synthetic copies of oils commonly used in perfumery are not appropriate, and may even be harmful to your child’s health. To maintain efficacy, essential oils should be kept in dark amber or cobalt glass containers, in a dark and cool location, away from the child’s access. Wooden storage boxes from craft or ‘Pier One’ type stores can make a nice container for the bottles.

Methods of Using Essential Oils

There are two methods of using essential oils with your child - INHALATION: through a diffuser, nebulizer, or adding to a humidifier reservoir, and TOPICAL APPLICATION: diluting the essential oil in a carrier oil and applying topically. Adding essential oils to a bath combines the two methods, though we will cover it under topical application.

For topical application, essential oils are diluted in varying strengths depending on the use and age of your child. The concentration can vary from one drop of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil, to a couple of drops per teaspoon of carrier added to a drawn bath, to an equal ratio of carrier and essential oil applied directly to your child’s feet (as in the case of gentle Lavender). In other words, there is a huge variation in dilution levels depending on the circumstances. Mamas, do your research and then trust your instinct. Only you and your child baby know exactly what is right for your situation.

General dilution rate guidelines of essential oils in one ounce of carrier oil:

Age of Child and amount of Essential Oil per One Ounce Carrier Oil for Topical/Massage Application:

Newborn (Consult primary care physician before use)

1-3 drops essential oil / ounce

2-6 months

1-3 drops essential oil / ounce

6-12 months

1-4 drops essential oil / ounce

1-4 years (unless very small)

5-8 drops essential oil / ounce

6-7 years

5-10 drops essential oil / ounce

9-12 years

5-12 drops essential oil / ounce

12 years to young adult

10-15 drops essential oil / ounce

DO NOT USE AN ESSENTIAL OIL NEAT (undiluted ) on children’s skin, unless indicated to do so for a specific condition. If your child has very sensitive skin, it is important to test a small area before using a new single oil or blend. Keep essential oils away form the eyes. When using citrus oils - orange, bergamot, lemon, tangerine, mandarin, and lime - do not use where the skin will be exposed to sunlight for the next 12 hours. These oils are considered ‘phototoxic’, and can react from the sun’s rays. They may be used in a bath, however, where they will be washed off the skin when the bath is done.

Essential oils are not to be taken orally (by mouth). When your child is taking medications, reduce the amount of essential oil by half the amount recommended for their age group.

Carrier Oils for Children

Sweet Almond oil is generally regarded as the safest and best overall carrier oil for use with babies and children. Apricot kernel oil is also considered extremely safe with children over 6. Jojoba oil can be added at about 10% concentration for any blend - it has a soothing effect on the skin and is good for hair.

Topical Application - Nurturing Touch Massage Recipes

There is nothing better for any child than the loving, nurturing touch of a parent. A gentle hug, a smile, a kiss on the cheek all reassure the child and help the parent and child to bond. These everyday forms of connection are instinctual and children thrive from it.

Research shows that massage can help children’s growth both physically and emotionally. In hospitals, studies done with premature baby’s show that touch is an essential aspect of the children’s ability to thrive.

Using aromatherapeutic nurturing touch massage can be therapeutic to both the child and the parent. Using a light, conscientious tough you can massage your child’s feet, arms, hands, back, abdomen, and even legs. The massage should always be done with loving intention and the work is done in the direction that the blood flows-from ankles to leg; from wrist to shoulder, etc.

Here are a few suggested blends for this wonderful method - each is in one (1) ounce of Sweet Almond oil:

Restful Sleep - 4 drops lavender, 2 drops Roman Chamomile

Happy Child - 3 drops Rose, 1 drop Neroli

Calm and Relaxed - 3 drops Petitgrain, 3 drops Neroli

Emotional Nurturing - 1 drop Rose, 1 drop Vanilla, 2 drops Lavender

For a Baby oil blend, to be used as a moisturizer OR massage oil (note: the frequent washing of a baby’s skin actually makes it difficult for them to retain vitamin C; application of a quality skin oil will help them keep adequate supplies of this important nutrient).

1 ounce of organic sweet almond oil or hazelnut oil

1 drop of pure Lavender essential oil

1 drop of Vanilla essential oil

OR

1 ounce of organic sweet almond oil

2 drops of pure Lavender essential oil

1 drop of pure Chamomile (German) essential oil

The above blends can also be added to the bath. One teaspoon with the following amount of essential oils added can be added AFTER the bath is filled, per the age of the child: 3-5 years, 2 drops; 6-8 years, 3 drops; 8-11 years, 5 drops. Perhaps the easiest way to do this would be to make a full strength blend (without carrier oil) of your choice, then dilute as needed for the application.

Inhalation of Essential Oils

For inhalation, one can apply one or two drops to a handkerchief and inhale, or add oils to a water misting bottle or humidifier. Calming essential oils that may be used are Lavender (recommended for sleep - one to four drops can be placed under the pillow), Mandarin, Roman Chamomile, Ho Wood (an ecologically friendly replacement for Rosewood), Tangerine, Petitgrain, Vanilla, and Neroli. Use these oils singly, create your own blend, or use one of the body oil blends above without the carrier oil. A few drops per quart of water in a mister sprayed throughout a room or added humidifier resevoir will do.

For an anti-anxiety blend: Try 5 drops bergamot, 1 drop lavender and 3 drops geranium - dilute to 10 drops per

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