I love using essential oils ,but I also know that they should be used carefully and with caution.
I want to make sure that anyone using essential oils based on my recommendation is also aware of these safety concerns.
You may have heard, "essential oils are pure and natural and totally safe to use". Well, based on that logic, would you feed your family wild mushrooms that you picked out of the woods? Certainly not! We all know that there are mushrooms that can be poisonous. Likewise, many of us take vitamins and give our children vitamins, but we would never take more than the allowed dose, because too much can be a serious health risk.
Essential oils are no different. There are safety issues to be considered and taken seriously.
#1 - Use EXTREME CAUTION or AVOID INGESTION of essential oils.
The National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy NAHA warns -
"Some oils are associated with toxicity problems (e.g. a risk of accumulative effects), and so internal use is not entirely hazard or risk-free."
The International Federation of Aromatherapists Code of Ethics states -
"No aromatherapist shall use essential oils for internal ingestion or internal application nor shall any aromatherapist advocate or promote such use of essential oils unless the practicing aromatherapist has medical, naturopathic, herbalist, or similar qualifications and holds an insurance policy which specifically covers the internal application of essential oils." (IFA code of ethics. Simply Essential, No. 11 December 1993).
Robert Tisserand, one of the world's leading experts in aromatherapy says -
"With ingestion, various risks increase, including gastric irritation, interactions with conventional medications, and fetal damage in pregnancy. And long-term, depending on dose and frequency, there's a risk of accumulation in the body, possibly leading to systemic toxicity." (Interview of Robert Tisserand)
Jennie Harding in The Essential Guide to Oils by Jennie Harding says -
"First and most important: don't ever swallow essential oils. They are concentrated and highly potent substances, and in large amounts they can attack the delicate linings of the mouth and digestive tract. In sufficiently large doses, swallowing essential oil may cause a poisoning reaction in the body."
Linda Halcon, PhD, MPH, RN, RATC states -
"Most essential oils are safe and free of adverse side effects when used properly. However, as with any substance you are introducing into your body, it is important to use them intelligently. We recommend that you never eat or drink essential oils."
Common practice in the aromatherapy, herbalism, and alternative medicine health care is that essential oils are NOT to be taken internally unless under the proper care of qualified care providers. Both major aromatherapy organizations (NAHA and IFA) have in the scope of their practice and ethics that members do not recommend the use of internal essential oils and almost every respected aromatherapy book written by experts in the field advise against internal use of essential oils. The only places that differ with this are some of the major oil manufacturers; their brochures and literature and their blogging followers widely promote internal use of essential oils.
#2 - Keep all essential oils out of the reach of small children.
This is because children have a tendency to put things into their mouths, and swallowing essential oils can be dangerous. If you think a small child has swallowed some essential oil, it is always best to seek medical attention immediately. Take the bottle of oil with you so that the nurse or doctor can advise you appropriately. (The Essential Guide to Oils)
#3 - Check with your doctor before using essential oils if you have any major health issues.
Caution should always be used during pregnancy and for small children. People with epilepsy and anyone on prescription medication should check with their doctor before beginning use of essential oils.
One of my nephews has epilepsy and his mother uses essential oils carefully. She checks all essential oils with his doctor before use.
As with dietary supplements and herbs, it is important to discuss regular essential oil use with your doctor to insure no drug interactions or interference with your necessary medications. (Linda Halcon)
#4 - Essential oils should always be properly diluted. (with very limited exceptions)
Undiluted essential oils can cause skin irritation (an immediate effect such as blotchy redness, often painful), skin sensitization, which is a type of allergic reaction and photosensitivity. (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy)
Proper dilution for topical use is typically 1-2%.
There are a few essential oil companies that propagate falsely that "it is not possible to have an allergic reaction to essential oils because they do not contain protein which is what causes a histamine reaction" and that if you have redness or irritation it is because "your skin is detoxifying". One doctor that is often cited for this misinformation is not a medical doctor at all, but a PhD who is employed by an essential oil company to help sell their brand of oils.
The most respected book in the aromatherapy community, Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand speaks about skin sensitization and essential oils and the need for dilution.
It is important for each of us to do our research to decide the best way to use essential oils to improve the health of ourselves and our families. Reading ONLY information from oil companies is not wise. We don't trust the safety information directly from car manufacturers when looking to buy a new vehicle, we depend on independent safety testing and reporting. We should use the same care to research the essential oils that we are using!
Here are some good books to begin your research:
Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals by Robert Tisserand
The Essential Guide to Oils by Jennie Harding
Aromatherapy: A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils by Valerie Gennari Cooksley
The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless
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