Essential Oil Safety & Precautions

educational purposes only. The traditional and suggested uses listed
here are for reference only and under no circumstances should they be
taken as recommendations for cures or treatments for diseases or medical
conditions. Therapeutic oils are used to support natural body functions
and work in harmony with our body’s physiology. The information on this
website should not be used as a substitute for medical counselling with
a health professional.

Always refer to an Aromatherapist or health care professional before
using any essential oils to treat any medical conditions. Some essential
oils should be diluted when necessary before applying to skin.
Essential oils are highly concentrated and only a small amount is
required. If too much essential oil has been applied to the skin and
irritation occurs, please use a carrier or vegetable oil rather than
water to dilute the area and remove the oil with a tissue. Do not digest
essential oils without the advice of a fully qualified Medicinal
Aromatherapist. It is illegal in Australia for aromatherapists to
prescribe the ingestion of essential oils. If ingested please consult a
health specialist. This website will not be responsible for any harm or
damages caused by incorrect usage of any essential oils purchased
through us. Always keep out of reach with children and consult a medical
practitioner before use during pregnancy or on children. The essential
oils that we sell are safe if used as directed.

A consultation
service with a certified aromatherapist is unavailable at this time due to being on maternity leave. Please consult a health care
professional before purchasing if you have questions.

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ESSENTIAL OIL PRECAUTIONS TO CONSIDER

Essential oils are approximately 70 times stronger
than the plant that they came from, and it doesn’t automatically make
them safe because they are natural. Essential oils pose little or no
risk if used correctly. Always consult a health care professional before
using to treat medical conditions. The information on this page is for educational purposes only.

Below is a list of some general essential oil precautions to take into consideration.

Primary variables to consider :

• The method of application
• How much of the essential oil is to be used for treatment
• The person being treated
• The potential toxicity of the essential oil and any drug interactions
• The purity and freshness of the essential oil.

STORAGE – Keep in tightly sealed dark bottles, away
from heat, sunlight, children and pets. Some oils are more flammable
than others and should be kept away from open flames.

GENERAL USAGE – For external use only. Keep away
from eyes and other mucous membranes ( mouth, vagina and rectum) . Specialised suppositories may be prescribed and created by a certified aromatherapist only. Do
not operate equipment or vehicles after use of relaxation or sleep
inducing oils and vary prolonged or constant use of the same essential
oil. Some essential oils used for sleep may do the opposite if used in
excess.

DO NOT INGEST – It is against the law in Australia for
aromatherapists to recommend or prescribe the ingestion of essential
oils. This level of knowledge should only be available from those who
have studied Advanced Aromatic Medicine. Related Article : Should I ingest essential oils?

VENTILATION – Essential oils are concentrated, and
exposure to excess or concentrated essential oils can cause headaches or
other symptoms. Use with caution and adequate ventilation.

PATCH TEST – Put a few drops of any new or suspect
oil on the back of your wrist or inside forearm, cover with a bandage
and leave on for up to a day. If irritation, itching or redness occur,
use a plain cream or vegetable oil to dilute and help remove the
essential oil, then wash in warm soapy water. Discontinue use or reduce
the concentration level used.

NEAT APPLICATION – Essential oils should not be
applied directly to the skin unless advised by a qualified
aromatherapist. Related Article : Essential Oil Topical Dilutions

PHOTOTOXICITY – These oils can cause skin
pigmentation and irritation if exposed to direct sunlight. These oils
include angelica root, bergamot, cumin, ginger, grapefruit, lemon, lime,
lovage, mandarin, orange and verbena. Skin should not be exposed to
sunlight for approximately 48 hours after using these oils.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE – hypertense individuals should avoid hyssop, rosemary, Spanish and common sage and thyme.

EPILEPSY – Due to their powerful action on the
nervous system avoid camphor, sweet fennel, hyssop, rosemary and all
types of sage. Other essential oils with powerful smells might initiate
such attacks.

DIABETES – Avoid angelica.

PREGNANCY – Because of uterine stimulation or
possible toxicity, during pregnancy use a maximum of 2% dilution of
essential oils in a cream or carrier oil and avoid : ajowan, angelica,
star anise, aniseed, basil, bay laurel, calamintha, all types of
cedarwood, celery seed, cinnamon leaf, citronella, clary sage, clove,
cumin, sweet fennel, hyssop, juniper, labdanum, lovage, marjoram, myrrh,
nutmeg, parsley, peppermint, rose, rosemary, Spanish sage, snakeroot,
spearmint, tarragon and white thyme. Related Article : Essential oils for pregnancy, breastfeeding & baby

SKIN SENSITISATION – For individuals with very
sensitive skin or allergic sensitivity some oils my cause a reaction.
Test patch for individual sensitization French basil, bay laurel,
benzoin, cade, cananga, coriander, cubeba, Virginian cedarwood, Roman
and German chamomile, citronella, geranium, ginger, hops, jasmine,
lemon, lemongrass, lemon balm, litsea, lovage, mastic, mint, orange,
Peru balsam, Scotch and long leaf pine needle, styrax, tea tree, white
thyme, tolu balsam, turmeric, turpentine pine, valerian, vanilla,
verbena, violet, yarrow and ylang ylang. Reduce the chances of acquiring
a sensitivity reaction from constant use of the same oil over several
years by varying your choices.

DERMAL IRRITATION – Some oils may irritate the skin,
especially for sensitive individuals or in high concentrations. Dilute
these oils in half the usual strength and don’t use more than three
drops when bathing. These oils include ajowan, allspice, aniseed, sweet
basil, borneol, cajeput, caraway, Virginian cedarwood, cinnamon, clove
bud, cornmint, eucalyptus, ginger, lemon, lemongrass, parsley,
peppermint, Scotch and long leaf pine needle, white thyme and turmeric.

TOXICITY – Some oils should be limited to use for
not longer than two week intervals and used in moderation because of
toxicity levels and include ajowan, star anise, aniseed, exotic basil,
bay laurel, West Indian calamintha, white camphor, cascarrilla bark,
cassie, Virginian cedarwood, cinnamon, clove bud, coriander, eucalyptus,
sweet fennel, hops, hyssop, juniper, nutmeg, parsley, Spanish sage,
tagetes, tarragon, white thyme, tuberose, turmeric, turpentine pine and
valerian.

HAZARDOUS OILS – You should consult an
aromatherapist for specific information about these types of essential
oils because they are considered to be hazardous in inexperienced hands
or can cause severe dermal irritation. These oils include bitter almond,
arnica, boldo, broom, buchu, calamus, brown and yellow camphor, cassia,
chervil, cinnamon bark, costus, deertongue, elecampane, bitter fennel,
horseradish, jaborandi, melilotus, mugwort, mustard, oregano,
pennyroyal, dwarf pine, rue, common sage, santolina, sassafras, savine,
savory, tansy, thuja, red thyme, tonka, wintergreen, wormseed and
wormwood.

MEDICAL ATTENTION – Discontinue use if redness,
burning, irritation or itching occur. Follow warnings, precautions and
seek medical attention for any problems. 

Please always consult with a health care practitioner such as a certified aromatherapist if you have any questions.
 

A great book on essential oil safety information is : 
‘Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals’  
by Robert Tisserand