What is lavender cloud dough?
A sensory activity to reduce anxiety and stress in children. It is therapeutic and super simple to make and store.
What does the research tell us?
Lavender is used to treat neurological disorders such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Research has shown that lavender aromatherapy decreased depression by 32.7% in individuals suffering from PTSD (Uehleke et al. 2012). Another study found that lavender essential oil reduced anxiety, sleep disturbance and depression when taken as a supplement (Kasper, 2013).
How do I make it?
8 cups plain flour (all purpose)
1 cup vegetable/ olive or baby oil (avoid baby oil if your child likes to taste things)
2 tablespoons purple powder paint
5 drops lavender essential oil from Young Living
Encourage your child to mix the ingredients with their hands. Once it has a wet sand consistency the dough is ready to be molded. Let the fun begin!
References
Kasper S. (2013) An orally administered lavandula oil preparation (Silexan) for anxiety disorder and related conditions: an evidence based review. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract; 17 Suppl 1:15-22.
Uehleke, B., et al. (2012) Phase II trial on the effects of Silexan in patients with neurasthenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or somatization disorder. Phytomedicine; 19(8-9):665-71.
