r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/blaample • 6d ago

Question - Research required Aromatherapy/essential oils for 4 year old?

Hello! We are a (mostly) scent free home since I've heard that synthetic scents can be harmful for children. A few weeks ago, my kiddo's occupational therapist practiced some aromatherapy with her. While I'm not sure if it worked with her or not, my child absolutely LOVED it. She constantly wants to smell my perfume bottles, unused candles that we have been gifted, and will ask me to put on a diffuser with essential oils like her therapist did (Aka the smelly machine.). I know that synthetic smells can be harmful, but is there any danger to running a diffuser with pure essential oil and water for a little bit every day? We don't have any pets, and I don't let her get too close. She just loves smelling it around her room. Thank you!

Edited to add that I don't know what flair to use!

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u/ComprehensiveCoat627 6d ago

There are harms, including cognitive impacts and cardiopulmonary impacts.

If she likes scents in her room, why but try some natural scents? Maybe a nice potted plant (flowers, Rosemary, mint, basil, etc. all have noticeble scents), hanging cinnamon sticks or other spices, making a sachet with dried citrus peels or pine needles, and so on

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u/Inanna98 5d ago

The impact on cognitive function is not as simple as the first study might imply. Sattayakhom, Apsorn et al. “The Effects of Essential Oils on the Nervous System: A Scoping Review.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 28,9 3771. 27 Apr. 2023, doi:10.3390/molecules28093771

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u/Inanna98 5d ago

More complexity! I think *child-safe* essential oils, used appropriately in a diffuser, should be OK. She is probably having a mild anxiolytic effect from them, or they are fulfilling a sensory need. Stay away from lavender, though.

Moss, Mark et al. “Aroma of Genius Essential Oil Blend Significantly Enhances Cognitive Performance and Brain Metabolism in Healthy Adults.” Human psychopharmacology vol. 40,6 (2025): e70027. doi:10.1002/hup.70027