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Home Page
> Aromatherapy Article Archive > Essential
Oil Safety Information
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| Adding essential
oil, drop by drop, to a tablespoon of carrier oil. |
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Essential oils are highly concentrated
liquids that can be harmful if not used carefully. Implementing aromatherapy
into your lifestyle shouldn't cause paranoia or undue worry. By treating
essential oils as medicines and following the steps outlined below, you
will be well on your way to safely enjoying the many benefits that aromatherapy
can offer.
These safety guidelines are not a complete safety reference
for the proper use of essential oils. When in doubt, consult your physician
and/or a qualified and trained aromatherapy practitioner.
- Essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin.
There are instances when experienced aromatherapy users and practitioners
make exceptions to this precaution, but only once significant essential
oil knowledge is gained should you ever attempt to apply an undiluted
oil on the skin. Lavender and tea tree are listed by a large number
of aromatherapy sources as being oils that can be used undiluted. Undiluted
use of lavender and tea tree, however, should be avoided as severe sensitivity
still could occur in some individuals. Again, the safest rule of thumb
is to never use any essential oil undiluted.
I wrote the above paragraph several years ago. Recently, while reading
Marge Clark's book Essential Oils and
Aromatics, I read her personal experiences and her unfortunate
long term consequences for having used lavender essential oil neat:
"One of my mentors reminds me 'sensitization is forever.' And
I know she is right. Years ago I read the books saying that lavender
oil could be used neat (undiluted). I very unwisely used undiluted lavender
on broken skin, and consequently set up a sensitivity reaction. Today,
almost two decades later, if I come in contact with lavender in any
form, I will immediately start a new round of contact dermatitis that
can take months to heal." [Marge
Clark, Essential Oils and Aromatics
(Sandy, UT: Silverleaf Press, 2008), 32.]
- Some oils can cause sensitization or allergic reactions in some
individuals. When using a new oil for the first time, do a skin
patch on a small area of skin. Place a small amount of the diluted essential
oil (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. Even if a particular essential oil is not known to
cause irritation, this step should not be ignored. Even if an oil does
not irritate you, it still can irritate someone else. It is important
that you always keep that in mind.
- Some essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy or by those
with asthma, epilepsy, or with other health conditions.
- Less IS More. When using essential oils, use the smallest
amount of essential oils that will get the job done. If one drop will
get the job done, for example, don't use two drops.
- Not all essential oils are suitable for use in aromatherapy.
Wormood, 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.
- Never let children use essential oils without the presence of an
adult knowledgeable about their use. Most essential oils smell wonderful
and many essential oils such as citrus oils can smell like they are
safe to drink. Keep your essential oils away from children. Treat the
oils like medicines that are poison in unknowing hands.
- 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.
- Essential oils are flammable. Please keep them out of the way
of fire hazards.
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