Lavender oil is a great essential oil for children with Special Needs. It has many benefits, such as reducing anxiety and helping to relax and soothe. Check out these seven ideas for using lavender!
Do you know about the fantastic benefits of Lavender?
This fragrant flower has been used for centuries for its medicinal and therapeutic properties.
This blog post will discuss scientific research on the benefits of lavender and a list of fun sensory activities you can do with your child!
You will read here about the various benefits of Lavender, including its ability to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
As a parent, it is important to know about the different ways that Lavender can help children.
Many people love Lavender for its remarkable benefits for sensory experiences and anxiety.
If you’re looking for some fun lavender-based activities to do with your child, look no further!
This blog post will list seven lavender-themed activities that are perfect for kids of all ages.
These activities are sure to promote relaxation and sensory exploration, from lavender-scented play dough to lavender essential oil massages.
So why not give them a try today?
These lavender-themed sensory activities can be an excellent way for children with special needs to enjoy the benefits of Lavender.
How does it work, and why is Lavender so good?
Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) is a fragrant flower used for centuries for its medicinal and therapeutic properties. Let me guide you through its benefits and why it is great to use with children.
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How does it work?
What precisely is it about Lavender that makes it so beneficial for children?
One of the main reasons Lavender is so effective is because of its scent.
The fragrance of Lavender is calming and soothing.
It can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality.
The compounds of Lavender are what give it its therapeutic properties.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil has a sweet floral scent and can help reduce stress and anxiety.
It is a naturally occurring essential oil extracted from the lavender plant and made of linalool and linalyl acetate.
These compounds are effective in treating anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
In fact, lavender oil was one of the first essential oils used in aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is a form of therapy that uses the scent of essential oils to promote relaxation and well-being.
Scientific research on the benefits of Lavender suggests that Lavender works in a few ways:
- Lavender oil has analgesic (pain-relieving) effects, which can help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation
- Lavender can also inhibit the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, which is known to cause anxiety symptoms
- Lavender may also have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce inflammation in the brain
This is my favourite brand when it comes to essential oils, and I use this lavender oil all the time.
What can Lavender help with?
Anxiety
Lavender is especially beneficial for sensory experiences and anxiety. I wrote about anxiety here.
Lavender oil has long been used for its relaxing properties.
The relaxing effects of lavender oil are owed to its ability to impact the autonomic nervous system.
The autonomic nervous system controls the body’s involuntary functions, such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
Lavender oil can help reduce anxiety by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.
It can also help to reduce stress by promoting feelings of calm and relaxation.
One study found that Lavender inhalation can significantly reduce anxiety levels.*
So very often, Lavender oil is used as a complementary or alternative therapy for anxiety.
Another study shows that the inhalation of Lavender has psychological effects.
And because positive smells are associated with positive memories and emotions, Lavender calms you and creates calm memory every time you smell it.*
Sensory Issues
Lavender is known to help regulate the nervous system.
It can help calm and soothe the nerves, which can benefit children with sensory processing disorders or autism spectrum disorder.
All of its properties make lavender an excellent choice for sensory issues.
The analgesic (painkilling) effects can help to relax the body and mind.
In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce inflammation in the brain.
These effects can be helpful for children who experience sensory overload or have sensory processing disorders, including those with autism.
Sensory processing is the way in which the brain interprets information from the senses. For people with autism, sensory processing can be a challenge. I wrote about it in this post.
So, if you are looking for a way to relax and soothe your child’s senses, Lavender is a great choice to use in sensory play.
Sensory play is a fantastic way to help children learn and explore the world. It can also help to promote development and growth.
There are many different types of sensory play, and each one offers its benefits.
Some of the activities below are great ideas for Sensory Play.
Other health benefits
Lavender is also effective because of its anti-inflammatory properties, which can lead to relief from pain and discomfort.
It also has benefits for skin health and digestion.
Essential lavender oil is antibacterial, antifungal, antidepressant, analgesic (painkiller), carminative (smooth muscle relaxant) and beneficial for wound healing.*
Lavender flowers can also help people to improve their sleep quality.
Why is lavender better than other things?
Lavender has a calming effect without producing sedation.
Many drugs that are sedatives (slow your body down) can also have potentially harmful side effects, such as drowsiness and impaired coordination.
One study showed that when using Lavender, there was no evidence of dependence, tolerance or withdrawal and no harmful side effects.*
Lavender oil will not cause addiction and is unlikely to cause any problems.
Calming and soothing Lavender Sensory Activities
In this post, I will introduce you to some great lavender-based sensory play activities.
You can use Lavender in a variety of ways with children. Here are a few ideas:
1. Lavender (home-made) Playdough
Making and playing with lavender scented dough is a great way to enjoy the benefits of Lavender.
Lavender has pain-relieving and relaxing effects and can also stop some things that cause anxiety.
It makes lavender a good choice for sensory activities.
I found a simple recipe for lavender playdoh on this blog. It calls for:
- 2 cups of plain flour
- 1 cup of salt
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- Few drops of lavender oil (or fresh or dry lavender flowers)
- 1.5 cups of just boiled water
Mix your ingredients, knead the dough for a little while, and it’s ready to play with.
2. Lavender Rice
Making lavender rice is a great way to enjoy the benefits of lavender oil.
All you need is some rice, lavender flowers, and lavender oil.
Dry Lavender Rice
Rice play is simple to set up and easy for children to participate in.
All you need is a bowl of dry rice and some objects for your child to explore.
Add some lavender oil and/or dry lavender flowers to the rice for an added sensory experience.
Children can explore the rice using their hands, fingers, and toes.
They can also use spoons, forks, and cups to scoop and pour the rice.
This type of sensory play helps to improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
You can pour it into a big container and let them explore
Wet Lavender Rice
To make lavender rice, start by cooking the rice according to the instructions on the package.
Once it is cooked, let it cool to room temperature.
Next, add the lavender flowers and lavender oil to the rice. Stir until well combined.
Store the lavender rice in an airtight container. It will last for several days.
When you’re ready to play with the lavender rice, take a small handful and form it into a ball.
3. Lavender Pillow Spray
Create a lavender aromatherapy spray to use during calming moments or before bedtime.
Lavender pillow spray is a simple but effective way to promote relaxation and sleep.
The lavender scent can help to improve sleep quality.
To make your own lavender pillow spray, simply add 10-15 drops of lavender oil to a 4-ounce spritzer bottle filled with water.
Shake well before use.
Spritz the lavender oil onto your child’s pillows before bed for a relaxing and restful night’s sleep.
4. Make Lavender Soap
Lavender soap is a simple but effective way to enjoy the benefits of Lavender.
The lavender oil in the soap can help to reduce anxiety and stress, while the lavender scent can help to improve sleep quality.
Making it together with your child can be a fun and bonding activity.
There are tons of recipes online, and they require different ingredients and equipment.
Some may have other components you might be sensitive to, so do your research before you choose your favourite recipe.
You can get yourself a soap-making kit and supervise your child closely when they join you or get a kit for children like this one here.
5. Make Lavender Tea
Lavender tea is another great way to enjoy the benefits of Lavender.
The tea is made from lavender flowers and has a sweet, floral flavour.
Lavender tea is caffeine-free, and you and your child can enjoy it any time of the day.
Lavender tea has a variety of health benefits.
It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality.
Lavender tea can also be helpful for digestion and skin health.
It is caffeine-free, so it can be enjoyed any time of the day and by anyone, and it has a sweet, floral flavour that is sure to please.
You can involve your child in the process of preparing the tea.
Lavender tea is easy to make
Add 1-2 teaspoons of lavender flowers to a cup of hot water to make lavender tea.
Let it steep for 5-10 minutes before drinking.
6. Lavender Bath
Lavender baths are a great way to relax and soothe the senses.
The lavender oil can help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
To create a lavender bath, add 1-2 tablespoons of lavender oil to a warm bathtub.
Soak in the tub for 10-15 minutes for a relaxing and soothing experience.
You can also add lavender flowers to your bathtub.
Simply place a handful of lavender flowers in a muslin bag or cheesecloth and tie it shut.
Drop the bag into the bathtub and let the flowers infuse the water. Soak in the tub for 10-15 minutes for a relaxing and soothing experience.
Bonus: Add Epsom Salt
I love Epsom salt and wrote about its benefits in helping with anxiety here.
Lavender-scented Epsom salt is a great way to enjoy the benefits of Lavender.
Epsom salt can help to reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality.
Lavender-scented Epsom salt can also be helpful for digestion and skin health.
To create a lavender-scented Epsom salt bath, add 1-2 cups of lavender-scented Epsom salt to a warm bathtub.
Soak in the tub for 10-15 minutes for a relaxing and soothing experience.
7. Lavender oil massage
Use lavender essential oil as a massage oil for relaxation and stress relief.
Depending on their sensory needs, some children may love having a massage, but others may be sensitive to touch.
When used in massage, lavender oil can help to soothe tired muscles, relieve stress and anxiety, and improve sleep quality creating a calming experience.
If you are interested in giving lavender massage a try, here are a few tips:
Start with a small amount of lavender oil mixed with a carrier oil and increase if needed. A little goes a long way!
(Always test the oil on a small patch of skin before use. Some people may be allergic to lavender oil)
Massage lavender oil into your child’s skin using gentle circular motions.
Can it go wrong?
There are a few cons to using Lavender.
First, Lavender can be toxic if ingested in large amounts. Second, Lavender can also cause skin irritation in some people.
Before using Lavender, you should always consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Lavender is generally considered safe but currently lacks the endorsement of the FDA (in the US) in managing anxiety.
I hope you could see how amazing Lavender is and what you can do with it.
And how do you use lavender with your child? Let me know in the comments!
*Sources:
Donelli et al. (2019) ‘Effects of lavender on anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis’ in ‘Phytomedicine’, issue 65
Malcolm and Tallian (2017) ‘Essential oil of lavender in anxiety disorders: Ready for prime time?’ in ‘Mental Health Clinician’, issue 7(4)
