Chamomile Aromatherapy Baths for Anxiety and Insomnia in Children

Children, when sick, teething, or under stress, often experience severe difficulty sleeping. When my daughter, less than a year old, started getting her thirteenth and fourteenth teeth, she began waking every half-hour. All the cuddles, hugs, and bedtime stories in the world couldn't help her to relax, and my own nerves were shot by sleep deprivation.. Fortunately, I found the perfect solution-- an aromatherapy bath in chamomile tea-- to calm and help relax young children.

Chamomile is a very popular herbal remedy for children, and it has been clinically shown to be safe as a tea or supplement, even for babies and toddlers. Still, because it may have some negative side-effects and interactions in people of all ages, some parents might prefer to play it safe and avoid giving chamomile supplements or chamomile tea internally. A warm aromatherapy bath can be the perfect answer, and it may be equally effective for naturally treating pediatric insomnia and anxiety.

There are two basic methods for giving your child an aromatherapy bath with chamomile tea.

Method One: Kettle Method (Easy)

This method produces the strongest, most effective form of aromatherapy chamomile bath.

Boil two quarts of water, over high heat, in a kettle or teapot. When the water is boiling, remove it from heat and place a large tea ball or two tea bags, filled with whole-flower German chamomile, in the kettle. Allow it to steep for ten minutes. The tea water should turn a rich, golden-brown and will have an aromatherapy odor similar to honey or apples.

Run a bath slightly cooler than the ordinary temperature you would use for your baby, toddler, or child, and pour the tea mixture directly into the tub. Because it will still be at near-boiling temperature when you pour it, do not put your child into the tub until after the tea has been poured and the water temperature is evenly moderate. Allow your child to soak and relax in his aromatherapy bath, and he will quickly become relaxed and perhaps a bit drowsy.

Method Two: Direct Bath Method (Easier)

Although this method is less effective than the previous, it is quicker and easier, especially when you're dealing with a cranky baby or toddler.

Before putting the child in the bath tub, turn the water temperature to full heat: the hottest setting, without running and cold water. Place three to five tea bags filled with German chamomile flowers in the bath tub, directly under the faucet, and allow the hot water to run over the tea bags until the tub is filled halfway to the desired point.

Allow the aromatherapy tea blend to steep in the bath tub for a few minutes, until it has noticeably altered the color of the water. Then, fill the tub with cool or tepid water until it has reached the desired depth and temperature. After checking the temperature carefully, allow your child to bathe in the aromatherapy bath tea until he feels adequately relaxed.

Some children may, rarely, have mild allergic reactions to a chamomile bath, which may result in a mild rash or skin irritation. If your child begins to feel itchy or uncomfortable, end the aromatherapy bath and rinse his skin with cool, plain water. As always, contact your doctor if you suspect that your child is sick, and do not use chamomile baths as a substitute for professional medical help.