Back to School with Essential Oils - for Teachers, Parents, and kids.
I wanted to create a guide specifically for teachers (and parents!) to navigate the different essential oil choices available that help to support a healthy learning environment. Essential oils provide many health benefits that support the immune and respiratory systems, mood, and can help cleanse the air. It’s pretty impressive that something as simple as pure essential oils can do so much for us!
If you want to dive more into the benefits of owning a diffuser and using essential oils aromatically this way, check out my previous article HERE.
First, as I’m speaking on essential oils, please know that many essential oil brands/companies on the market today are not comparable to doTERRA’s quality and purity. doTERRA has the highest standard of transparency within the industry. It’s why many hospital settings and medical professionals will only use doTERRA oils. Even if that cheap blend of oils from Target or Bed, Bath and Beyond, say “100% pure” on the label, it’s a marketing claim that isn’t being regulated. With that said, it’s why many of the essential oils I’m mentioning here also contain a supplement fact on the back of the bottle. If they are so pure they can be used in cooking and baking, it sure makes you feel better about using them topically or breathing them in from a diffuser! If you’d like to read more on the doTERRA’s purity, quality, + sourcing standards see www.sourcetoyou.com.
Must-have Back to School Blends:
For immune support and cleansing of the air, ON GUARD Protective blend. On Guard oil is a blend that is very versatile. You can simply diffuse it to receive the aromatic benefits, cleanse the air, and breathe in that aroma that reminds me of the fall season (wild orange, cinnamon, clove, etc). On Guard can also be used in cleaning! You can add 15 or so drops to a spray bottle with water for a multi-purpose green cleaner. You can add On Guard to a hot mug of water for an immune supporting tea. We make snacks and treats with this delicious blend all while receive the health supporting benefits.
For respiratory support, BREATHE Respiratory blend is the way to go. It helps to support the lungs and opening of the airways for clearer breathing. It contains oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, and cardamom to help everyone breathe easier. This is a great blend to add a few drops of Wild Orange to (a very positive and uplifting oil!) in the diffuser as well.
For stressful and anxious feelings, ADAPTIV Calming blend is a must. It’s a must for everyone and anyone who experiences stress and I can’t think of a better blend for Back to School jitters, or test-day!
The Kids Collection of Essential OIl blends
The doTERRA Kids Collection are roller bottle blends that are supportive to a child’s mind, body, and emotions. This natural toolbox for kids comes with flashcards to teach children what each blend is designed for and how to use them. The oils in this collection:
THINKER (focus blend) contains vetiver, peppermint, clementine, and rosemary.
RESCUER (soothing blend) contains copaiba, lavender, spearmint, and zanthoxylum.
BRAVE (courage blend) contains wild orange, amyris, osmanthus, and cinnamon.
CALMER (restful blend) contains lavender, canaga, buddha wood, and roman chomomile.
STRONGER (protective blend) contains cedarwood, litsea, frankincense, and rose.
STEADY (grounding blend) contains amyris, balsam fir, coriander, magnolia.
TAMER (digestive blend) contains spearmint, Japanese peppermint, ginger, black pepper, and parsley.
All these blends are in a base of fractionated coconut oil so they can be applied topically with safety in mind. Although designed for children, adults can use any of these blends just as well. Thinker blend sits right at my desk and I personally use it daily.
Tips for integrating essential oils into your routines
Once we get our hands on these amazing essential oils, we need to put them to use. The best way to begin is to place them in areas that you will give you access to them easily. For example, we set up a small “health station” in our kitchen for the kids. We have a pretty oil holder that holds a few roller bottle blends and oils. We place oils like On Guard Touch and Stronger (immune support) there so that before the kids are out the door for school, I can easily roll the blends behind their neck (and mine!). Also, oils for emotions like Brave, Steady, or Thinker (focus blend) are great oils to use before the kids go off to school. With these oils I also keep the kids A to Z vitamins and probiotics. This serves as a great reminder for the kids to have their vitamins at breakfast and to get into a routine of daily use of the oils.
For teachers, a routine may start at home similar to above (especially if you have young kids at your home), but also with your own supplements (Lifelong Vitality is what we take). Once you get to your classroom, get the diffuser going with some OnGuard (maybe even with a drop of peppermint!) to cleanse the air and freshen up the room. Whether you diffuse with students present or just during times you are solo in the classroom is a personal preference. Either way, daily use of diffusing has many benefits. You may even wish to keep a few roller blends right at your desk to support mood and relaxation. Again, the kids rollers are great for adults, too, but doTERRA has a wide variety of blends to put to use based on your preferences. Right next to any essential oils would be the OnGuard sanitizing spray. This is perfect for hands, surfaces, pillows, and to de-germ all the things.
At home, get your diffuser running with OnGuard or a calming blend like Adaptiv. When the kids are doing schoolwork at home, Thinker is a great oil to help them focus and concentrate better on their work. If you have a “homework station” or area set aside where the kids do their reading/schoolwork, place a diffuser and few oils and blends that can easily used during this time.
The more you place your oils where you see them and can access them quickly, the more you will use them. There are some really nice carrying cases to keep your oils in so that they travel right along with you. So many times I passed around a roller blend for the kids to use right before they walk into the school building! These oils are a wonderful support for so many areas and to every single one of us.
Wishing you the happiest + healthiest school year!