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Using Aromatherapy Safely
The information in this section comes from
published scientific research and is aimed at providing safety information
on those oils which may cause problems if not correctly used. Some
of the oils mentioned on this page are not freely available : however,
the information is provided as a precautionary measure, should you
encounter them offered for sale. As always, if in doubt, please
seek professional advice.
ESSENTIAL OIL USAGE
The vast majority of essential oils are perfectly safe for home use, provided they are used correctly. They can help to enhance mood, promote relaxation, and relieve some ailments. However, the user must be aware that essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts which can be 99 times stronger than those oils which occur naturally in plant tissue.
This concentration turns the oils into highly potent products, widely used for aromatherapy, perfumes, cosmetics, flavours, medicines and natural based chemicals. In common with most concentrated products, inappropriate use can cause some undesirable side effects.
The common methods of utilising essential oils are as room fragrances, vaporisation, dilution in a bath or dilution in a carrier, such as Almond oil, for massage. Only a medical advisor should consider alternative ways.
AMOUNTS TO USE
In a bath : 6-7 drops, but only 1-2 drops of those oils listed in the section 'Oils which require caution when used in the bath'
In a massage : 1-6 drops in two teaspoons of Almond or other vegetable oil.
Please note the following amounts should not be exceeded :
Babies up to the age of 18 months :
In a massage: 1 drop of essential oils in 5ml of carrier oil
In a bath :1 drop of essential oil in 5ml of carrier oil or full fat milk
Children aged 18 months to 2 years :
In a massage : 1-2 drops of essential oil in carrier oil
In a bath : Maximum 4 drops of essential oil in 10ml carrier oil.
Room Fragrance : Neat oil can be used on oil burners or up to 6 drops placed on a radiator (but NOT on radiator elements). If any sign of irritation occurs, reduce the amounts or increase ventilation.
See list of unsuitable, cautionary or irritating oils.
PRECAUTIONS:
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As with any concentrated substance, you MUST keep essential oils out of the reach of children and NEVER leave a bottle which has no fixed dropper where a child could take off the top and consume the contents. DO NOT, unless otherwise advised by an expert, apply neat essential oils to the skin. Also, NEVER assume that an essential oil has the same properties credited to the whole plant from which it is extracted.
Finally, DO NOT use an oil as a food flavouring without expert guidance. Ingesting any oil should only be undertaken under the supervision of a medical advisor. In any case you must NEVER exceed the stated amount
** Further information can be obtained on each individual oil at the relevant section on our website **
OILS UNSUITABLE FOR HOME USE
Alan Root (Inula), BITTER Almond, Birch (Sweet), Bergamot (expressed only, FCF is safe) Boldo, Cade, Calamus, Camphor (unrectified), Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Colophony, Costus, Croton, Fennel (Bitter), Horseradish, Mugwort, Mustard, Opoponax, Pennyroyal, Peru Balsam, Red Thyme, Rue, Sassafras, Savin, Tansy, Tolu, Terebinth, Turpentine (unrectified), Verbena, Wintergeen, Wormwood and Wormseed
You may like to note that the following oils cannot legally be sold to the public : Croton, Savin and Wormseed. Sassafras is banned in food products in the United States.
POSSIBLE TOXIN OILS - USE WITH CARE
Aniseed, Armoise, Basil, Cedarwood, Cinnamon Leaf, Fennel (Sweet), Hyssop, Lemon, Orange, Nutmeg, Thyme, Sage. Aniseed risks damage to the nervous system if used regularly.
Do not use for more than 2 days at a time.
OILS WHICH REQUIRE CAUTION WHEN USED IN THE BATH
Generally, no more than 1 or 2 drops should be used of the following : Aniseed, Benzoin, Camphor (rectified), Clove, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Juniper, Black Pepper, Pimento, Peppermint, Sage, Savory, Spearmint and Thyme
OILS WHICH MAY CAUSE IRRITATION ON SENSITIVE OR DAMAGED SKIN, OR IF YOU SUFFER FROM PERFUME OR COSMETICS SENSITIVITY OR ALLERGIC SKIN CONDITIONS
Angelica, Aniseed, Basil, Benzoin, Black Pepper, Camphor (rectified), Cinnamon Leaf, Citronella, Clove, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Juniper, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lemon Verbena, Orange Melissa, Nutmeg, Pimento, Peppermint, Sage, Savory, Spearmint and Thyme.
NOTE : Some of the oils listed below may only cause irritation in some sensitive people if used regularly at high levels. You may find that you can tolerate some of the oils if you use just enough to provide a gentle fragrance : Bay, Cardamon, Citronellla, Clary Sage, Fennel, Hyacinth, Jasmine, Juniper, Lemon, Litsea Cubeba, Lovage, Momosa, Orange, Pine, Rose, Spearmint, Tolu and Ylang Ylang
OILS WHICH MAY CAUSE SEVERE IRRITATION OR EVEN BURNING IF APPLIED TO THE SKIN UNDILUTED
Birch, Boldo, Camphor, Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Ginger, Juniper, Peppermint, Black Pepper, Pimento, Thyme and Turpentine
OILS WHICH MAY NOT BE USED PRIOR TO SUN BED TREATMENT OR EXPOSURE TO STRONG SUNLIGHT
Angelica Root, Bergamot (expressed), Caraway, Cassia, Cedarwood, Cinnamon Bark, Citronella, Cumin, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime (expressed), Mandarin, Orange (expressed), Patchouli Rue, Tangerine and Verbena
OILS WHICH IF TAKEN UNDILUTED INTERNALLY, MAY CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE DELICATE LINING OF THE MOUTH AND INTESTINAL TRACT
Birch, Camphor, Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Cinnamon Leaf, Clove, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Juniper, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Spearmint, Tansy, Thyme and Turpentine
CERTAIN OILS SHOULD NOT BE USED REGULARLY ON MOLES, EXTENSIVE AREAS OF FRECKLES, SUNBURNT SKIN, SENILE PATCHES, MELANOMA OR OTHER SKIN CANCERS :
Citrus fruit oils, Calamus, Sassafras and Turpentine
ACCIDENTS WITH ESSENTIAL OILS
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All essential oils, even when diluted, will cause stinging if they get into the eyes. If this happens when using essential oils in your bath, flush the eyes with CLEAN, WARM WATER
If neat oil is splashed in the eyes, then immediately flush the eyes with MILK (ideally full fat milk) or CLEAN, WARM WATER. If this treatment does not alleviate the stinging, and irritation, then seek MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
NEAT oil on your fingers should be removed by gently scrubbing with a strong solution of washing up liquid. You must not rub your eyes if you have an essential oil on your fingers. Common oils which tend to persist on the fingers for a long time and can cause eye irritation are Cinnamon and Peppermint.
If NEAT oils are not removed from the fingers, they can easily be transferred to other delicate parts of the body and cause stinging and inflammation. If this occurs, wash the affected area with warm, soapy water, dry thoroughly and if necessary, apply hand cream, medicated cream, or if nothing else is available, a small amount of butter, margarine or vegetable cooking oil.
ACCIDENTAL EXCESS CONSUMPTION OF ESSENTIAL OILS
If this occurs, you must seek immediate medical assistance. NB if a person shows signs of illness after consuming a few drops of essential oil, this is probably a rare allergic reaction, similar to a bee sting allergy, and immediate medical treatment should be sought.
PREGNANCY AND ESSENTIAL OILS
All concentrated products, including essential oils, are best avoided during the first 4 months of pregnancy. After the third or fourth months, there are many oils which can be used in aromatherapy treatments and some which are particularly effective for relaxation.
OILS WHICH ARE NOT TO BE USED DURING PREGNANCY
Angelica, Aniseed, Basil, Birch, Camphor, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Citronella, Clary Sage, Clove, Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Nutmeg, Marjoram, Myrrh, Peppermint, Oregano, Parsley, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon, Thyme, Yarrow. Clary Sage can be the cause of hallucination in some people.
Oils which are safe and which may be used
diluted in baths, for massage or as room fragrancers are : Chamomiles,
Geranium, Jasmine (very diluted), Lavender (very diluted), NEROLI,
Patchouli, ROSE, SANDALWOOD, and YLANG YLANG. Those in capitals
are preferable.
There are several other oils which may be used but we recommend that professional guidance is taken. One of the benefits of essential oils in pregnancy is because they help to promote relaxation, they may enable the user to reduce or remove the need for alcohol and tobacco products, which have been shown to harm the unborn child.
NB In all cases, it is advisable to regulate the frequency with which you use essential oils. For example, if used daily over a three week period, we recommend that a week's grace is given before recommencing treatment.
OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND ESSENTIAL OILS
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OILS NOT TO BE USED BY EPILEPTICS
Clary Sage, Fennel (Sweet), Hyssop, Sage, Wormwood, Rosemary
OILS NOT TO BE USED IF SUFFERING FROM HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Basil, Hyssop, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme. These oils are stimulants and can raise the blood pressure.
AVOID IF SUFFERING FROM ASTHMA
Camphor fumes
AVOID IF BEING TREATED BY A HOMEOPATH
Black Pepper, Camphor, Eucalyptus and Peppermint
AVOID IF SUFFERING FROM DIABETES
Angelica
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