Essential oils are concentrated, potent plant extracts and should be used with reasonable care. Essential oils are very effective and safe when used appropriately. It takes a small amount to induce a powerful therapeutic benefit.
Never apply oils directly to the eyes or ear canals. After applying essential oils, avoid eye contact or the touching of sensitive areas. If essential oils enter the eyes, place a drop of carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil or olive oil, in the eye and blind until the oils clear. Never use water, as oils and water don;t mix or help with dilution.
Some oils are "warm", creating a heat-like sensation on the skin, and should be diluted with a carrier oil when used topically. These oils ca include birch, cassia, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, ginger, lemongrass, oregano, peppermint, thyme, and wintergreen. With babies, children, and those with sensitive skin or compromised health, it is particularly important to exercise caution or avoidance with these same oils, as they can be a temporary irritant or overly potent to delicate skin. When using these oils internally, it is best to consume in a gelatin or vegetable capsule.
Some oils contain furocoumarins, a constituent that can cause skin to be photosensitive. Photosensitive oils react to sources of UV rays. The higher the concentration of furamoids, the greater the sensitivity. Oils with concentrated amounts of furamoids include any cold pressed citrus oil such as bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, and lime, with lesser amounts in wild orange. Internal use of these oils is typically not a problem. It is best to wait a minimum of twelve hours after topical application of photosensitive oils before being exposed to UV rays.
Most essential oils applied topically and used reasonably are safe to be used during pregnancy and nursing. Some individuals prefer to avoid internal use during pregnancy and some use essential oils only aromatically during the first trimester. Several oils may be helpful during and after delivery. Internal use of peppermint essential oil should be avoided while nursing as it may reduce milk supply.
Persons with critical health conditions should consult a healthcare professional or qualified aromatherapist before using essential oils and may want to research individual oils prior to use them. In general, those with low seizure thresholds should be cautious in using or avoid altogether fennel, basil, rosemary, birch, and any digestive blend that contains fennel. Those with high blood pressure should be cautious with or avoid thyme and rosemary essential oils.
On occasion a person may experience a cleansing reaction, which takes place when the body is trying to rid itself of toxins faster than it is able. When this happens, increase water intake and decrease application of essential oils, or change the area of application.
The compounds in essential oils are best preserved when stored and kept from light, heat, air, and moisture. Long exposure to oxygen begins to break down and change the chemical makeup of an essential oil. This process is called oxidation, and the oil is said to have "oxidative breakdown". This process is slow but can, over time, promote skin sensitivity with some oils. Citrus oils and blue tinted oils are especially prone to this breakdown. For optimum storage of these types of oils for longer than a year, refrigeration is best. A carrier oil may be added to slow the oxidation process. It's also good practice to keep air space in essential oil bottles to a minimum. The oxidative process for oils that are opened and kept for a long period of time can be slowed by transferring the oils to smaller bottles. Some oils with bigger compounds, such as sesquiterpene compounds (myrrh and sandalwood) actually get better with age. Essential oils can be flammable and should be kept clear of open flame, spark, or fire hazards.
Safety tips:
- Avoid eyes, ears, and nose
- Avoid exposing area of application to sunlight for 12 hours after using citrus oils topically
- Dilute oils for children and sensitive skin with fractionated coconut oil
- Refer to the specific oil safety and usage guide
