Safety Guidelines

for Essential Oils

 

Essential oils are highly concentrated substances that are beneficial to use if used correctly. Some are not safe to use at all and are included at the bottom of this list. Please take heed of the following safety guidelines:

**Note: The following cautions and information do not in any way replace medical and professional advice and may not include all cautionary information available. There are many wonderful books we can recommend if you would like more information about aromatherapy, essential oil safety, uses, etc.

Do not take essential oils internally. Essential oils should only be taken internally when prescribed by a qualified Aroma therapist or physician.
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Some oils may cause irritation, sensitization or an allergic reaction. Please perform a skin patch test before use.

How to perform a skin patch:
**Wash and dry your forearm and apply diluted essential oil. Cover with a bandage or sterile gauze and leave for 12 hours. If any irritation occurs, discontinue use and apply vegetable oil to area.

See below for more information on essential oils and skin.

Keep oils away from eyes. If you accidentally get a drop or so of an oil in your eye, put some vegetable oil (i.e. almond oil) into the eye, which will absorb the essential oil and then use a tissue to remove.

Use photosensitizing oils cautiously, avoid before sun exposure or using tanning beds for 12 hours.

Remember to store essential oils away from light and heat and keep cap closed tight. Essential oils are volatile and evaporate readily.
Keep essential oils away from flames. They are highly flammable substances.

More Information about Essential Oils and the Skin:
Dermal Irritation is the most common type of reaction, with inflammation and of course irritation being the direct result. It happens when there are certain irritating components to an oil. It occurs when the oil causes the mast cells of the skin to react, and Histamine gets released as well as other pro-inflammatory substances. The result is usually a rash, hives and in extreme cases, anaphylactic shock.

Contact sensitization involves the immune system and actually gets the macrophages and T-lymphocytes involved. Basically, it is the same thing as an allergic reaction. Once the substance reaches the immune system, every time the oil is used, the same reaction will occur. Oils that are considered potentially sensitizing can affect the non-allergic individual if used at higher dilutions or consistently. So, be sure to treat these oils with special attention and use at lower dilutions (1%), and less frequently. Performing a skin patch test is highly recommended!

Photosensitization occurs when oils with furanocoumarin compounds are applied to the skin and then immediately exposed to sun or ultra violet light. These substances allow the UV rays to penetrate the skin more readily, resulting in abnormal skin pigmentation or mild to severe burns. Remember, it is the UV rays we are talking about so it is even in effect during cloudy days.

These include:
Fig Leaf Absolute (severe), Tagetes, Rue, Bergamot, Verbena, Cumin, Lime (expressed), Angelica Root (Strong), Bitter Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit (Moderate).

It is best to take heed of the recommendation of staying out of the sun or tanning beds for at least 12 hours after applications. However, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of toxicity. Using distilled versions of the citrus oils is one option. Covering any topical application with a strong sunscreen or thick clothing may help as well. And, if these oils are used in preparations that are washed off immediately, such as shower gels, shampoo and soaps, this reduces the risk considerably.

** Please note: There are certain oils to avoid altogether.

This is my list of no-no's:
Bitter almond, Boldo leaf, Calamus, Camphor (yellow), Horseradish, Jaborandi leaf, Mugwort, Mustard, Rue, Sassafras, Savin (Juniperus sabina), Southernwood, Tansy, Thuja, Western Red Cedar (thuja plicata), Wormseed, and Wormwood.