Treat Essential Oils

Treat essential oils like you would any medicine. These are highly concentrated liquids that can be harmful if not used carefully. You need to keep them out of the reach of children, and to follow directions and safety warnings.

There are very few essential oils that can be used undiluted on the skin. So for practicality sake…all essential oils should be diluted with carrier oil, lotion, or water (such as in a bath) before they are used on the skin. Even Lavender and Tea Tree oil, which many say can be used “neat” or undiluted, can cause sensitivity issues and lead to contact dermatitis. The safest rule is to never use any essential oil without diluting it first or doing a skin test.

Make sure to test new oils for sensitivity or allergic reactions. Remember that no two essential oils are the same, and no two people

are the same. The rule is that some essential oils can cause sensitization or allergic reactions in some individuals. This means that you need to do a skin patch test on a small area of skin with the diluted essential oil, before you put it all over your body or bathe with it. Just imagine having an allergic reaction or skin rash if you’ve bathed in the essential oil? Do the skin patch test first - every time you use a new oil.

If you are pregnant or have health conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, or heart conditions, you need to check with your doctor, qualified aromatherapy specialist, or reputable essential oil directory for each and every essential oil you plan to use. There are specific oils that should be avoided if you are pregnant, and some that can effect medications that you might be taking for a health condition. If you have any of these issues it is important to do your research before using any essential oil.

Remember that essential oils are highly concentrated liquids. Less is definitely more. Use the smallest amount of essential oil possible. If one drop works, don’t use two.

Keep all essential oils away from the eyes. Some are irritating to mucous membranes and should be used with caution. If you get some in your eyes then flush with water and see a doctor if you have any symptoms of allergic reaction, redness, or loss of vision.

When treating children with essential oils, use one-third to one-half the adult dosage and select only non-toxic oils. The oils generally used for children are lavender, roman chamomile, mandarin, tangerine, neroli, frankincense, petitgrain, yarrow, eucalyptus, and tea tree.

Keep your essential oils out of the reach of children. They smell good, children will drink the bottle down and this is not a good thing. Treat the essential oils as if they were poisonous medicine and keep out of sight and reach. If you are breastfeeding you need to be careful that essential oil from your body does not come in contact with the child. If a child does drink essential oil, call poison control. Make sure you know what type of oil has been ingested. Follow the treatment outlined.

Some essential oils will greatly increase photosensitivity to the sun. One of the most photosensitizing oils is Bergamot, but any of the citrus oils can cause an allergic reaction to the sun. If you are using photosensitizing oils on your skin, use them at night, stay indoors, or wait at least four hours before going out during the day.

Some essential oils should never be used in aromatherapy. There are also some essential oils that should only be used by qualified aromatherapy practitioners, including:

• Bitter almond
• Camphor
• Horseradish
• Onion
• Pennyroyal
• Rue
• Sassafras
• Wintergreen
• Wormwood

Essential oils should not be taken internally. There are very few essential oils that are safe to swallow. So don’t mess with this unless you have been advised to take something by a trained and qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Do not consume an essential oil internally unless labeled with a Supplement Facts box with specific dietary supplement use, instructions, and warnings.

If essential oil is swallowed, do not induce vomiting.

Have a glass of water or milk. Contact a doctor or hospital.

Discontinue the use of an essential oil if you experience severe skin, stomach, or respiratory irritation or discomfort.

Wash your hands after using essential oils to keep from transferring the oil to someone else.

Essential oils are flammable. Keep them away from fire hazards. This is why when you add the oil to a candle you want to burn you let the candle burn until there is a pool of melted wax. Blow out the flame, and then carefully add drops of oil to the melted wax, avoiding the hot wick. Now relight.

Do not go to sleep with an oil burner candle lit. Always blow out before going to sleep. Furthermore, do not leave an oil burner within reach of children. Do not leave an oil burner near combustible items i.e., curtains, nightwear, etc.

Essential oils have individual characteristics and safety warnings. You should check the warnings for each essential oil you plan to use. If you have questions about the safety of any essential oil consult your physician and/or a qualified and trained aromatherapy practitioner.

Adverse

reactions

There are three main types of reactions that can occur with use of essential oils. These are:

Irritation – may be anything from a mild itch to burns. Wash the area and apply carrier oil. See your doctor if the irritation gets worse or doesn’t go away after a few days.

Sensitization - more serious than irritation, the body becomes sensitized to the essential oil and the reaction can increase in severity from a mild itch to anaphylactic shock. The body will react anytime it comes in contact with the substance. See your doctor if the irritation gets worse or doesn’t go away after a few days. Discontinue use of the essential oil and similar products.

Photosensitization – or sometimes referred to as phototoxicity, this is noted when the skin has a reaction to ultra violet light. This reaction can cause anything from mild brown blotches to severe burning of the skin. This can occur even on very cloudy days. Stay out of the sun for 4 hours after using a photo-toxic essential oil. This includes sun coming through a window.