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Essential Oil Cautions

Pure essential oils are a representation of nature in one of its most powerful forms. Natural does NOT mean harmless. Harnessed, essential oils offer a world of possibilities to the knowledgeable user, but along with these possibilities comes a great responsibility. This is educational information and any opinions expressed here do not replace professional medical advice. If you are ill, see a suitably qualified medical practioner.

• Always use the best-quality essential oils, purchased from a reputable company.
• Do not apply essential oils directly to skin, with the exception of tea tree* and lavender (on localized areas only) - but these can also create sensitivity if used over prolonged periods.
• Do not use essential oils if you are taking Homeopathic remedies without consulting your Homeopathic doctor first.
• Do not use the same essential oil exclusively over a long period of time. You can become sensitive to the oil.
• Blend essential oils in a well-ventilated room.
• Do not take essential oils internally.
• Always follow suggested amounts - use less rather than more if you are unsure.
• Keep essential oils out of reach of children.
• Keep essential oils away from the eyes.
• When adding essential oil to the bath, drop directly under running water to avoid high concentration and skin sensitivity.
• Essential oils are flammable and should not be stored by any open flame.

*Note: If you've had your tea tree oil for more than 12 months, it may become a skin
irritant.

First aid measures

If essential oil is ingested, rinse mouth out with water. Drink a large glass of milk. Seek medical advice immediately. If essential oil gets into eyes, flush with large quantity of water immediately. Seek medical advice immediately. If essential oils are splashed onto the skin directly and irritation results, apply carrier oil to the area to dilute.

Direct applications

The following cautions apply only to direct application of essential oils to the skin in a carrier oil. They do not apply to diffusing essential oil, perfume oil and soapmaking.

• Babies - Children from 9 to 18 months: use maximum 1 drop of essential oil to 20 ml of carrier oil or lotion. Children from 18 months to 2 years: use maximum 1 drop essential oil per 10 ml of carrier oil or lotion. Chamomile or lavender are recommended.

• Children - 2 to 10 years: use a maximum dilution of 2 drops of essential oil per 10 ml of carrier. Ravensara, chamomile, lavender and mandarin essential oils are good oils to use on children in the recommended doses. It is vital to note that essential oils should ALWAYS be stored well out of reach of children, as direct ingestion can cause illness and possibly death.

• Pregnancy - avoid all essential oils in the first trimester. During pregnancy, use essential oils with great caution, especially if there is a history of miscarriage. Research the safety data for each oil you plan to use while you are pregnant and consult a qualified aromatherapist. Low dilutions are best. When blending oils with carrier oils, mix 1 drop of essential oil to 10 ml of carrier oil. Oils that are safe to use during pregnancy (in the above mentioned dilution), according to Robert Tisserand (Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London: Harcourt Publishers, 1999), are cardamom, chamomile (Roman and German), geranium, ginger, lavender, neroli, palmarosa, patchouli, petitgrain, rose and sandalwood. Oils to absolutely avoid are camphor, parsley seed and sage (Spanish). If you are unsure, avoid use or talk to a qualified aromatherapist. It is beyond the scope of this blog/article to cover all pregnancy concerns. Please read a book on Aromatherapy and Pregnancy.

• Clary sage should not be used if you have consumed alcohol, as it can have a narcotic effect, including hallucinations and nightmares.

• High blood pressure - avoid cypress, nutmeg, pine, rosemary, sage and thyme.

• Low blood pressure - avoid marjoram and ylang ylang (as it lowers blood pressure).

• Asthma - do not use peppermint or any essential oil that is classed as a top note, as they could irritate sensitive bronchi.

• Cardiac fibrillation - do not use peppermint.

• Epilepsy - avoid camphor, fennel, hyssop, rosemary and sage.

• Estrogen patch wearer - it is best to avoid geranium and vitex.

• Insomnia - avoid basil, lemon, peppermint, rosemary and verbena.

• Skin irritants - use a maximum of 3 drops when using the following oils in a bath: basil, fennel, lemon, lemon grass, nutmeg, peppermint and thyme.

• Sun exposure - before going into the sun or using tanning beds, avoid bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin and orange. Tagete is extremely phototoxic.
  

Common Ailments & Essential Oils

Anxiety: use bergamot, chamomille, clary sage, geranium, lavender, melissa, neroli, rose or ylang ylang. Apply the oils in massage, baths or diffuser.

Arthritis: use anti-inflammatory oils such as black pepper, chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, marjoram or rosemary. Apply the oils in baths, compresses and massage.

Colds: use antibacterial oils such as eucalyptus, lavender, manuka, pine, rosemary or tea tree. Apply the oils in baths, inhalations, diffuser or massage.

Depression: use bergamot, geranium, melissa, neroli, rose, sandalwood or ylang ylang. Apply the oils in massage, baths, inhalations or diffuser.

Flu: use anti-inflammatory oils such as eucalyptus, radiata, lavender, rosemary or tea tree. Apply the oils in massage, baths, inhalations or diffuser.

Headaches: use lavender or peppermint. Massage the oils, mixed with carrier oil, to the temples or back of the neck. You can also inhale or diffuse.

Insomnia: use chamomile, clary sage, lavender, margoram or neroli. Apply the oils in massage, baths, diffuser, or put on a cotton ball in your pillowcase.

Menopausal symptoms: use bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, fennel, geranium, rose and/or vitex. Apply toe oils in massage, baths or diffuser.

Muscular aches: use chamomile, eucalyptus, ginger, lavender, marjoram, or rosemary. Apply the oils in massage, baths, inhalations or localized massage.

Premenstrual syndrome: use bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, ginger, rose or vitex. Apply the oils in baths, inhalation or localized massage, or relax with a full body massage.

Sunburns: use anti-inflammatory oils such as chamomile and lavender. Apply the oils in baths, compresses, lotions or aloe vera.

Tension and stress: use bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, jasmine, lavender, neroli, rose or ylang ylang. Apply the oils in massage, baths, inhalations, vaporizations or body creams, or on a tissue to carry with you.

Note: Always read the cautions and contraindications before using any essential oil. Educational information and any opinions expressed here do not replace professional medical advice. If you are ill, see a suitably qualified medical practitioner.

Ways to Use Essential Oils

In the bedroom...before bed, place 5 drops of lavender on a cotton ball and place it inside your pillowcase.

In the kitchen...use a drop of clove in a simmering pan to help with cooking odours. Place 5 drops of lemon or tea tree oil on your dishcloth as you wipe down your counter.

In the bathroom...place 5 drops of a citrus essential oil on a tissue and place it inside your toilet roll.

In a vacuum cleaner...add a few drops of essential oil to your vacuum bag to give the whole house a nice aroma while you do your housework.

Air freshening...place cotton balls, with any favourite essential oil on them, inconspicuously arouond the house. You can freshen up your silk or dried flower arrangements and potpourri with a drop or two of your favourite oil.

Selling your home...use a spicy oil such as clove, cinnamon or nutmeg to create a homey feeling.

Letter writing...place your stationery in a resealable plastic bag with a drop of essential oil on a tissue. Use oils such as lavender, lemon, peppermint or rose.

Repel insects...by adding 5 drops of tea tree oil to a cloth before cleaning any surfaces around the house - the antiseptic qualities will repel house flies. Note: citronella is marketed as the best insect repellant. According to our research, Eucalyptus citriodora is even more effective.

How Essential Oils Enter the Body

Massage and inhalation are the most effective methods of introducing these wonderful holistic gifts from nature into the human body.

Through the skin

Skin is the largest organ in the human body. Because the molecular structure of essential oils is so small, the molecules are absorbed through the skin and then the bloodstream. A modern application of this principle is known as "the patch." To quit smoking, or to raise estrogen levels in menopausal women, medication is introduced at a gentle and consistent level into the body through the skin.

Massage is a good way to introduce essential oils to the body. Essential oils take approximately half an hour to be absorbed. A good-quality carrier oil, lotion, cream or salve is used to deliver the essential oils into the body.

Through inhalation

The olfactory system (nose and nasal passages) sends a message to the limbic system of the brain. The message is telegraphed to the central nervous system and to the glands, which control how the body functions. Methods of use are: baths, diffusers, humidifiers, hot tubs, steams, or on a handkerchief or pillow. It takes only seconds for the message to be received by the brain.

Ingesting

Ingesting is never recommended by a Certified Aromatherapist unless he or she is a qualified Doctor. Essential oils may react with the other materials in the digestive tract, and are often toxic.