Most teachers have some sort of air freshener, candles, febreeze or any number of fragrance assistance circulating their classroom during the day. While most of these can be successful in creating a pleasing aroma (or covering up an unpleasant one), you might be rather surprised at the dangers they pose to the health of our children and even more surprised that there is a very healthy alternative!
Most air fresheners contain a compound called phthalates. According to a study conducted by the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC), 86% of air fresheners tested contained phthalates. Phthalates, which are also found in many plastics, aerosol sprays, paints, pesticides, cosmetics, and fragrances, are notoriously disruptive to our health. As the NRDC reported in their research, “Most phthalates are well known to interfere with production of the male hormone testosterone, and have been associated with reproductive abnormalities”. In California, Phthalates have been listed among toxic substances “known to cause birth defects or reproductive harm”. The NRDC also warns that airborne phthalates can cause allergic symptoms and asthma. Even trace amounts of phthalates can accumulate to cause these harmful side-effects.
Another concern is the use of formaldehyde in many air fresheners. In case you weren’t familiar with this one, it is a well-known human carcinogen that has been definitively linked to cancers of the nose and throat along with causing ongoing irritation of the throat and airways.
So, what are we to do? Here’s where your natural alternatives come in handy! Enter Essential Oils!
Essential oils not only provide a pleasing aromatic alternative, but they can provide very real health benefits as well! For a very comparable price, you can invest in a small diffuser and 2 or 3 essential oils that can then be diffused throughout the classroom for both aromatic and immune support! The ability to influence moods and emotions is one of the most scientifically validated properties of essential oils. They can be used to calm or uplift, focus or ground, comfort or invigorate. The benefits are real!
Here are a few suggestions to get you started. Test time can be one of the most stressful periods for any student (and teacher!). Helping students be alert and focused is imperative. Essential oils with high concentrations of sesquiterpenes, such as Black Pepper and Vetiver, are effective at promoting alertness and focus. In one study, participants exhibited improved focus while completing a visual display terminal after inhalation of Vetiver and Black Pepper.
Taking the edge off of a very energetic classroom can help everyone become more able to focus and provide an environment much more conducive to learning. The uplifting effects of Peppermint when inhaled were found to decrease feelings that intense tasks were mentally and physically taxing.Basil and Rosemary were also found to be effective when completing tasks that required mental focus. DoTERRA’s Motivate Encouraging Blend combines Peppermint, Basil, Rosemary and Citrus oils in a perfect blend for promoting alertness and focus.
If your class is feeling particularly down or fatigued, combining Peppermint and Wild Orange is a great way to boost immune support, encourage alertness and lift the overall mood of the room.
Not only will diffusing essential oils provide the aromatic relief you are looking for in your classroom, but they will also provide very real health benefits for you and your students! So ditch the toxic compounds and get those diffusers going! Your health and your students will thank you!
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