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Essential Oil Safety Information
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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. Keep them out of the way
of fire hazards.
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