ESSENTIAL OIL SAFETY
Here are a few safety tips on the use of essential oils. This list is not complete and you are wise to consult your physician, health care practitioner, or aromatherapy practitioner for proper essential oil safety.* 1. Never put undiluted essential oil on your skin. Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil such as almond, olive, or grape seed oil. As an experienced user of essential oils for many years I have found that I can use some essential oils undiluted. I prefer to err on the side of caution with my clients and I encourage you to dilute any essential oils you are using for the first time. I will illustrate the wisdom of this safety measure. I received a call from a person who had applied the essential oil of oregano to the face after taking a shower. The warm water from the shower opened the pores of the skin. Oregano is what is referred to as a "hot" oil due to the high concentration of the chemical thymol and may be very caustic to the skin. The result was the client suffered what amounted to a chemical burn. ( See information below on reactions.) Everything turned out well for the client, after a visit to a medical professional. This person suffered unneccesarily because of lack of education about essential oil safety. 2. Avoid certain oils when pregnant. Most aromatherapy guides use this caution for several essential oils. There is a lot of debate concerning this caution and I feel more research is needed. I do agree that caution should be used when using any herb while pregnant. However total avoidance of essential oils when pregnant is not necessary. The following is a list of essential oils commonly regarded as unsafe during pregnancy. Bitter almond, basil, clary sage, camphor, clove bud, eucalyptus, hyssop, sweet fennel, juniper berry, marjoram, myrrh, peppermint, rose geranium, rosemary, sage, and thyme. Inhalation of the above essential oils is probably not going to cause a serious reaction. Always check on the safety of any essential oil during pregnancy. Nursing mothers will also want to exercise care that essential oils are not transferred to the baby when nursing. 3. Keep Essential oils out of the reach of children. 4. Essential oils may cause sensitization or allergic reactions in some individuals. The following are common reactions to be aware of. Irritation This is a process where some substance comes into Sensitization This is a much more serious situation than irritation. Photosensitization (photo toxicity). There is a very important safety measure to follow. I have always used the skin patch test when trying an essential oil for the first time. Place a small amount of the diluted essential oil (remember never use essential oils undiluted on the skin) on the inside of your elbow and apply a bandage. Wait 24 hours to see if there is any form of reaction. A reaction would be redness, swelling, rash, or pain. Discontinue use if you have any reaction. Specific Oils that are known to irritate: Aniseed, Sweet Basil, Black Pepper, Cajeput, White Camphor, Virginian Cedarwood, Cinnamon Leaf, Clove Bud, Eucalyptus Blue Gum, Ginger, Juniper, Lemon, Lemongrass, Parsley Seed, Peppermint, Pine Needle, oregano, Cinnamon Bark, and Thyme. Always use diluted and in small quantities. Avoid the following oils before exposure to sunlight or tanning beds: Angelica Root, Bergamot, Lime, Bitter Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, Sweet Orange, and Tangerine. 5. Essential oils not suitable for use in aromatherapy Wormwood, pennyroyal, onion, camphor, horseradish, wintergreen, rue, bitter almond and sassafras are some of the essential oils that should only be used by qualified aromatherapy practitioners, if ever at all. I do use wintergreen in my practice, but always skin test first and diluted. 6. Some Essential oils should not be taken internally Essential oils should only be taken internally after receiving a detailed consultation and prescription from a trained and qualified aromatherapy practitioner. I use some essential oils internally on a regular basis. They are lemon, grapefruit, peppermint, ginger, basil, and nutmeg. The FDA has a complete list of essential oils that are considered food grade, having the designation of GRAS. (Generally regarded as safe) I always dilute the essential oil in an oil soluble liquid; remember oil and water don't mix. I use honey, vegetable oil, soy milk or rice milk. 1 drop of essential oil in 1 teaspoon or more of liquid. 7. Essential oils are flammable Please keep them out of the way of fire hazards. 8. Other Essential Oil Safety precautions People with epilepsy should avoid eucalyptus, fennel, hyssop, sage, pennyroyal, juniper, tansy, thuja, turpentine, and rosemary, as these oils may cause seizures. People with high blood pressure should avoid rosemary, sage and thyme. Those with low blood pressure should avoid Garlic. Keep oils stored in a cool, dark place or in the fridge. Those who have certain types of cancer should use caution with essential oils and be sure to check with an aromatherapy professional for advice. Avoid getting essential oils in your eyes. This is a very painful experience. If you do accidentally get the oils in your eyes do not use water to flush out the oil. Use a vegetable oil such as olive oil or milk to flush the eye, only a few drops are usually needed. Check for any interaction between medication and essential oils, since some essential oils can interfere with certain prescription medication. It is also unwise to drink alcohol when using essential oils. The above essential oil safety guidelines are for your protection. I have implemented these safety measures in my practice and in my life, and I am happy to say that I have had no adverse reactions and neither have the clients I personally consult with. Enjoy the beautiful and amazing world of Aromatherapy! 
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The above is not meant to treat, cure, prescribe or diagnose any condition. Always seek the advice of a health practitioner before starting any treatment. I have included the following article from Dr. Mercola. |
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