The 6 Best Essential Oils for Constipation in Toddlers
Does your child have a tummy ache due to mild constipation? Do you only want safe, Mother Nature-approved remedies? Then you’ll want to consider a few key essential oils. So, what are the best essential oils for constipation in toddlers?
There are many plants from around the world that have been used for centuries for their constipation-relieving properties. Essential oils give us potent concentrations of the best healing properties of those plants. The six best essential oils for constipation in toddlers are:
- Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
- Orange Essential Oil
- Ginger Essential Oil
- Caraway Essential Oil
- Patchouli Essential Oil
- Sandalwood Essential Oil
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Constipation in Toddlers
<Editor’s Note: The information contained herein is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Constipation could be a symptom of other health issues, so always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional to rule out deeper medial problems. With that being said, after we ruled out other issues and felt confident that we were dealing with a mild case of constipation, here’s what we did….>
As parents, it’s not uncommon to feel helpless when our children are suffering with constipation. We do everything in our power to make our kiddos feel better, but constipation can be a tricky foe. Sadly, stools can be so hard and dry and big that they are nearly impossible for little ones to pass, which might lead to children becoming fearful, thus avoiding even attempting a bowel movement on the toilet.
Even if they are not yet able to tell you what is going on, you can easily tell if constipation might be the culprit. Other than fewer than usual bowel movements than normal, a few warning signs of toddler constipation are
- Going someplace to hide each time they feel the internal signals that it’s time to poop
- Occasional, slight bleeding at the anal opening (Even for minimal blood, we suggest seeking advice from your pediatrician)
- Poops that are able to be passed are dry/hard and possibly even extremely large
- Irritability, crankiness, becoming physical (i.e. hitting others, especially parents or other caregivers) and you feel this is not traditional “terrible two’s” type behavior
Again, and we know we sound like a broken record with this, but if your child is constipated, seek medical attention. Our suggestions for essential oils are for mild constipation, and we sought the advice and consent of our pediatrician before applying our special blend.
Here’s How We Handled Our Toddler Son’s Constipation
We knew we were not going to subject our child to any type of drugs for a simple case of mild constipation. We increase his fluid (water) intake, and added a little prune juice. We also increased play time and walks, as exercise is a great way to “get things moving.”
But it’s usually bad (wet!) idea to increase fluids and physical activity at night, so that’s when we decided to look for an alternative.
Thankfully, because of our recent endeavors into the world of essential oils, we knew that there are a few safe, natural, drug-free remedies that can lessen the discomfort and get our kids smoothly back on track. Through research and a little in-the-kitchen “alchemy,” we developed a blend of a few specific essential oils that could help get things moving normally again, creating a much more pleasant potty time for our child.
Essential Oils and Toddlers
Much like our general statements at the beginning of this post, we suggest that you seek the consent of your pediatrician before using essential oils with your child. Some oils are perfectly safe for children, while others can be toxic. Remember, physiologically, small children are NOT miniature adults. So we can’t just assume that anoil that is safe for adults is automatically safe for children, in smaller doses. Ask your doc!
With that being said, since our little one has a healthy immune system (doctor-confirmed) and is otherwise healthy (doctor-confirmed), we felt confident in using the oils that follow with our toddler. We also have friends, readers and family members who have since used this blend effectively, as well.
Important note: The blend presented below is for topical use only. DO NOT allow your child to ingest any essential oils. Also, we are not recommending this blend for aromatic diffusing. While we know of no dangers in inhaling this blend, inhalation is not known to reach the particular body system(s) that would benefit from this blend. So, while diffusing this blend might have other benefits, our recommendation is for topical use.
Essential Oils for Constipation in Toddlers
After pouring through the scientific literature, as well as looking at our own experiences and documenting anecdotes of other parents, we have come up with a very specific list of essential oils that, when blended together, diluted in a carrier oil, and applied properly (see the application section near the end of this article), can help your child to have regular and comfortable poops!
Let’s take a look at each oil and how they help with children’s constipation, then we’ll wrap it all up with our proven blend recipe and we’ll let you know the best way to apply it to help with your child’s constipation.
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
Roman chamomile is widely known for its soothing relaxation properties. It also promotes calm, restful sleep. And it’s that general relaxation-enhancement that makes it a great addition in our constipation relief blend.
Orange Essential Oil
Sweet orange essential oil is referred to by many as the happiness oil, making it great for the kiddo who’s feeling a little down because of mild constipation. As an added benefit, orange essential oil is also known to support immune system functioning.
Ginger Essential Oil
Ginger is well known for its ability to help with nausea, but it is ginger’s warming properties that make it helpful with constipation, as the warming sensation is known to get things moving along.
Caraway Essential Oil
Caraway is similar to fennel and cumin. Extracted from the seed of the caraway plant, caraway essential oil is great for a natural, non-stimulant energy boost due to its limonene constituent, and also is effective at helping with digestive problems because of its carvone constituent. The combination of carvone-containing plants and limonene-containing plants have been used for millennia for digestive relief.
Patchouli Essential Oil
While best known for its skincare qualities, patchouli essential oil is also extremely effective at reducing nervous tension, worry and stress, making it a great ingredient to help calm the anxiety of a child who is having trouble pooping.
Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood is perfect for alleviating the discomfort of a little one’s mild constipation. Sandalwood essential oil is one of the most effective oils for calming tension, anxiety and agitation.
How to Blend and Apply the Oils for Constipation Relief
In a clean, empty, preferably glass bowl (remember, we are making a salve-like blend), add the following:
2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) of a carrier oil. We prefer coconut oil, but feel free to use your favorite, such as olive, jojoba, almond, grapeseed, etc.
2 Drops Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
2 Drops Orange Essential Oil
3 Drops Ginger Essential Oil
3 Drops Caraway Seed Essential Oil
2 Drops Patchouli Essential Oil
2 Drops Sandalwood Essential Oil
Gently stir the ingredients until well blended.
Instructions: Gently rub a small amount of the blend in a circular motion to the lower abdomen. The carrier oil will thin a bit and might become runny. That is why we suggest a small amount to begin. You’ll want to use enough to cover the lower abdominal area; but not so much that it runs down your child’s sides and soaks bedding, pj’s, etc.
Warning: Tickle Monster Alert!!! If your child is ticklish, beware…even with the discomfort of mild constipation, giggles and laughs are a guaranteed side effect of this method!
Conclusion and Our Wish for Your and Your Child
In our experience, this blend, applied twice per day, works fairly quickly to help with mild constipation. Don’t forget to give your child plenty of water, which will help to get things moving as the essential oil blend does it thing. We truly hope this recipe/blend helps with your toddler’s mild constipation.
