Aromatherapy Safety
Essential Oils are amazing when used correctly. Understanding how to use them correctly is vital to achieving the desired results. We help consult you on the proper use of essential oils and how to source the best oils for you and your family.
AROMATHERAPY SAFETY GUIDELINES
Essential oils are renowned for their immune-supporting and emotion-balancing qualities. When used safely, Aromatherapy is a simple and delightful way to support health. (Referenced: Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young’s book, Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (second edition).
In order to ensure safe use of essential oils, please take note of the following precautions:
- Photo-toxic oils: Bergamot (0.4%), Lemon (2%), cold pressed Lime (0.7%), Grapefruit (4%), Bitter Orange (1.25%), Mandarin Leaf (0.17%), Cumin (0.4%), Angelica Root (0.8%), Laurel Leaf absolute (2%), Rue (0.15%), and Taget (0.01%). Sunlight or tanning bed rays must be avoided for up to 18 hours after application if any of these oils are used at levels higher than indicated. These oils applied to the skin at over the photo-toxic safety level will increase the chance of severe burns from ultraviolet light. (Tisserand and Young p.659).
- We DO NOT recommend using essential oils directly on the fur or skin of SMALL ANIMALS. Small animals can have toxic reactions to essential oils being applied to their fur or skin. We recommend consulting a Certified Animal Aromatherapist or a Veterinarian who is knowledgeable in using essential oils on animals before using essential oils with animals.
- Birch or Wintergreen SHOULD NOT be used on or given to CHILDRENin any amount due to the possible risk of developing REYE’S SYNDROME and its known connection with salicylates. (Tisserand and Young p.656).
Do not put essential oils in or around the eyes, ears, or other orifices. If an essential oil does contact your eye, immediately wash your hands with soap and water and then put some carrier oil on a paper towel and gently wipe your eye. You may need to do this a few times. You can also flush with saline solution. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.
- We typically recommend diluting essential oils in carrier oilsbefore applying them to the skin. For general use, we recommend a total of 5–18 drops of essential oil in 1 oz (30 ml) of carrier oil. If an essential oil or blend causes irritation on your skin, immediately wash it off with soap and water, and then apply carrier oil to the affected area.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: Tisserand and Young state that there is no evidence to support the contraindication of topical use of essential oils. (Tisserand and Young p.658)
The following essential oils are potentially convulsant for anyone who might be vulnerable to EPILEPTIC SEIZURES: Birch, Bolda, Buchu, Calamint, Ho Leaf (ct camphor), Hyssop (ct pinocamphone), Feverfew, Genipi, Lanyana, Mugwort, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Sage, Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas), Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia), Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), Thuja, Western Red Cedar, Wintergreen, Wormwood and Yarrow, (Tisserand and Young p.134, table 10.2)
People with ASTHMA and seasonal or skin allergies should proceed cautiously with essential oils.
People with multiple chemical sensitivities or who have had an allergic reaction to perfumes should proceed cautiously with essential oils. (Tisserand and Young p.658).
CANCER treatment: Because of possible and unpredictable effects on immune mechanisms, Robert Tisserand recommends that essential oils are avoided from one week before to one month following a course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. (Tisserand and Young p.656). Please consult with your personal medical professional prior to use.
Keep all essential oils out of the reach of CHILDREN. They can be poisonous if swallowed.
Essential oils may be safely used internally if you have appropriate medical guidance from a trained clinical Aromatherapist who understands pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, appropriate formulation techniques, and the safety issues related to each route of application.
Aromatherapy Safety Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Essential oils should be used very cautiously during PREGNANCY and while BREASTFEEDING. Evolutional Health, LLC’s approach is to keep our dilutions low during these times. We recommend a 1% dilution. We also advise pregnant women to use essential oils under the guidance of an Aromatherapist and Medical Professional knowledgeable about essential oils. There are approximately 50 essential oils that are contraindicated during pregnancy and another 15 that should be restricted during pregnancy and lactation. (Tisserand and Young charts p.152–153 and p.156)
These are some of the most commonly used oils that are contraindicated during PREGNANCY: Anise, Birch, Black Seed, Blue Cypress (Callitris intratropica), Carrot Seed, Cinnamon bark, Fennel, Ho leaf (Cinnamomum camphora ct. camphor), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis ct. pinocamphone), Myrrh, Oregano, Sage (Salvia officinalis, Salvia lavandulifolia), Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas), and Wintergreen.
Aromatherapy Safety for Children, Elderly, Those with serious health conditions
For CHILDREN, who are 5–12 years old, ELDERS on multiple medications, PREGNANT women, and those with SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS, it makes sense to begin with a low dilution. Essential oils can be diluted at 1% (a total of 5–6 drops of essential oil for every 1 oz/30 ml of carrier oil).
- There are various opinions about the best age to start using oils for babies and kids. BABIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN tend to be very sensitive, so Evolutional Health, LLC ‘s approach leans toward the cautious side. In most cases, rather than using essential oil, we recommend you use hydrosols, aloe vera gel, butters, and carrier oils for kids under five years old (when doing a topical application). Hydrosols, carriers, and carrier oils can often give a child the necessary nudge toward rebalancing their health.
- Diffusing gentle essential oils around babies and younger children is a good option. Ambient inhalation (inhaling oils that are diffused into the air and away from the face) is generally safe. You can diffuse intermittently for 10–15 minutes, then stop for an hour, making sure the room is well-ventilated.
For more information about sourcing essential oils, please click on the link below to schedule a consultation.
