Essential Oils for Teenage Emotions

The pre-teen and teenage years can feel like completely unchartered territory, not only for them, but for us as parents, grandparents, and caretakers as well. The hormones are making their emotions run rampant, peer pressure is stifling, homework and extracurricular stressors are weighing on them, and let’s be honest: they haven’t quite figured out how to positively respond to all of these things yet.

Our daughter is 11 (going on 20!) and our son is 13 – sometimes it feels like their emotional state runs the house!

What can we do to help them? And just as importantly, what can we do to help US have a more peaceful relationship with them?

HORMONES

One of the most impactful issues for pre-teens and teenagers is hormones. They’re all over the place, sometimes up and sometimes down. Some essential oils that are known as adaptogens have been shown to be helpful in balancing these out. These are:

🌱Lavender
🌱Lemon
🌱Rose
🌱Frankincense
🌱Lemongrass
🌱Sandalwood
🌱Clary sage
🌱Geranium

Ways to use: diffuse any of these alone or in combinations each night. Blends with Sandalwood and Lavender would be best for a restful night’s sleep.

These can also be used topically and would benefit teens if they used them both morning and night. For girls, I read you can make a roller bottle with 10 drops each Clary Sage, Frankincense, and Lavender, top with a carrier oil, and roll onto wrists and throat regularly. Anyone got suggestions for the boys?

FOCUS

Another big issue amongst teens is focus. Between schoolwork, friends, sometimes jobs, and those pesky hormones again, it can be difficult for them to concentrate. Try using one or a combination of the following essential oils:

✨Frankincense
✨Ylang ylang
✨Sandalwood
✨Lime
✨Peppermint
✨Rosemary

Ways to use: mix with carrier oils and apply to the bottoms of the feet and wrists, or diffuse somewhere nearby, especially during times of study. A great combination is Frankincense, Ylang ylang, and Peppermint. Rosemary is particularly helpful with memory and content retention when studying for an exam.

TEEN ANGST

We all know those kids who are moody and grumpy and generally unsociable with anyone outside their own circle. At times, we recognize there can be more to it and therapy could be required. However, natural remedies are a great place to start.

Some of our favorite mood busters are:

😄Ylang ylang
😄Bergamot
😄Roman Chamomile
😄Frankincense
😄Lavender
😄Geranium
😄Orange
😄Lemon
😄Valor (for fear)
😄Cypress (for confidence)

Ways to use: diffuse any of these or any combination pretty much around the clock, or as often as your teen is near a diffuser. Diffusing these overnight is especially helpful. You can also apply these topically, morning and night.

A great combination is equal parts Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, and Lavender. Wonderful for moods and will also aid in a restful night’s sleep – because not getting enough sleep won’t help the crankiness! My son loves Valerian and Cedarwood with a touch of Lavender at night.

Do you have teens in your home? What oils have you found to be helpful? Which oils are your teen’s favorites?