Essential oil safety

The popularity of using essential oils has grown considerably in recent years and there is much mis-information around the safe use of essential oils, particularly from multi-level marketing (MLM) brands on social media which promote a one size fits all ethos including encouraging the use of undiluted oils on the skin and ingesting essential oils daily.

It can be a playful and creative process making your own aromatherapy blends at home and by having the necessary knowledge of the safe use of essential oils and appropriate dilution, you can make an informed choice about which essential oils to choose, thus avoiding toxicity build-up in the body and potential adverse reactions.

The basic safety rules are:

Do not be use essential oils undiluted on the skin.

Do not ingest/take internally either undiluted or in water, as there is a risk of mouth/ stomach irritation.

Essential oils are natural in origin but it does not mean they all safe to use by everyone all the time. According to Robert Tisserand, ‘the essential oil in a bottle is 50-100 times more concentrated than in the plant and safety issues apply to essential oils that do may not apply to the whole plant or herbal extract’.

Essential oils (E.Os) are highly concentrated aromatic volatile chemicals. They are made up of complex molecular structures which interact with an individual’s own psychological and physiological constitution. Once in the bloodstream the essential oil molecules interact with your own body's chemistry and metabolism. Aromatics must be removed from the blood and exit the body via the liver (renal pathway) and kidneys (hepatic pathway). The detoxification process depends on the health and maturity of these vital organs.

The following groups are more vulnerable to the potent metabolic process of essential oils in the body: Pregnant and breastfeeding mother’s (essential oils can cross the placenta to fetal circulation and are passed through breast milk), very young children (have thin skin and immature liver’s which are more susceptible to toxicity than adults), the elderly (thin skin and weakened liver and kidneys), people with a history of asthma, epilepsy, cancer, as well as the implication of certain pharmaceutical cross-interactions are all factors for careful consideration during the consultation process.

As a clinical aromatherapist with 15 years experience, I believe it is vital to work with the highest integrity and draw on evidence-based research in my aromatherapy practice and consultation process. Please feel free to book a consultation with me to discuss how I can support you with our potent essential oil allies.