Essential Oils Safety Information
Essential Oils are natural products that are used for powerful benefits.
In most cases they are safe. However they must be handled responsibly.
When using essential oils remember to:
-Store in a cool/dark place away from light and heat.
-Keep them in lidded, dark-glass bottles or in aluminum containers.
-Ensure the top of each bottle is secure so you don't spill.
-Keep out of reach from kids and pets.
-Wash hands thoroughly before and after each use.
- Avoid contact with eyes,up the nose, in the ears or genital areas. If eyes are exposed, wash thoroughly and seek medical help.
-If a large amount of undiluted essential oil is ingested, drink milk or other fatty substance and seek a poison unit for help.
-Don't apply undiluted essential oil over large areas of the body, unless under direct supervision of a professional therapist.
-Conduct a skin test if sensitivities or allergic to fragrance ingredients.
Essential oils have certain traits to watch out for:
Skin irritation:
Some can cause skin irritation in people who can have skin reactions or allergic reactions to fragrances. If one has sensitive skin, carry a patch test before using essential oils.
Also test to see if you are sensitive by diluting the essential oil in a small amount of carrier oil and applying it to the inner elbow area leave for 24 hours. Wait and see if there is a reaction. Try to buy essential oils with carrier oils and use them together to maximize safety.
Essential Oils that are commonly used but can cause skin irritation in susceptible people include: basil, basil tulsi, bay laurel, sweet birch, white camphor, clove bud, lemon verbena, melissa, opopanax, bitter orange, oregano, peru balsam, pimento leaf, tagetes, tea tree, thyme and wintergreen. However any essential oil or fragrance ingredient can cause skin irritation depending on the person, the essential oil used, and manufacturing conditions.
Allergic Reaction:
When you are blending essential oils for someone else, always ask if they have allergies. If they do, look at your ingredients to make sure they will be safe.
Photosensitivity:
Essential oils with a percentage of furocoumarins such as bergapten may cause photosensitivity if applied to the skin before exposure to direct sunlight. Other oils can cause sunlight related problems as well. If using bergamot, grapefruit, angelica root, targetes, lemon verbvena, or citrus in a body oil or spray make sure to cover up the area where the oil had been applied before going out in the sun. Be wary for 12 hours. Avoid using photo-sensitizing essential oils in face preparations used in the day.
Flammability:
Most essential oils are flammable, so keep them from heat sources. Keep them in a cool dark place to preserve their quality and increase safety . Diffuses have safety features in place to make sure everything is safe.
Phytoestrogens:
Some essential oils have phytoestrogenic properties, meaning they can affect the body like estrogen. Essential oils with that trait include sweet fennel, sage, and clary sage. If sensitive to estrogen heed caution using those oils.
Pregnancy and Lactation:
When pregnant unless directed by a profession, use minimum quantities of essential oils during pregnancy and do not use any during first trimester. When lactating seek profession assistance if wanting to use Essential Oils.
Always Avoid:
The cosmetic industry have deemed this list "best avoided"
Boldo Leaf, Buchu, Cade, Calamus, Camphor (yellow,brown), Cassia, Cinnamon bark, Costus, Croton, Elecampane, Fennel (biter), Fig leaf, Horseradish, Huon pine, Jaborandi leaf, Lavender sage, Mugwort, Mustard, Oakmoss, Pennyroyal, Pine (dwarf), Pumilio, Rue, Sassafras, Savin , Southernwood, Tansy , Thuja, Wormseed , Wormwood.