It’s natural. We’ve all heard it said, in fact we may have said it ourselves, but the truth is that while Essential Oils ARE natural, they aren’t always safe.
As a Clinical Aromatherapist, my desire is to ‘do no harm’. I know the value of Essential Oils and I want to share both the benefits of the oils and their necessary safety protocols with my clients, friends, and family and, well, basically anyone who will listen. I believe it is that important.
So, if Essential Oils are natural, then why aren’t they automatically safe?
Beyond the ‘art’ part of blending different Essential Oils for a customized use experience, is the ‘science’ part that looks at the many factors regarding safe use of the Essential Oil.
There seems to be a prevailing misconception that the unrestricted use of Essential Oils is okay, without consideration for the possible dangerous outcomes when safe practices are not adhered to. I would like to believe those advocating the naturalness of Essential Oils while bypassing the safety concerns are doing so unintentionally, out of ignorance and are willing to learn the safe way to use these powerful oils. Alas, I fear that may not always be the case.
Yes, the plant life that Essential Oils are extracted from is natural and the resulting oils are natural, assuming all safe, hygienic distillation processes are followed, contaminants and pesticides are not included during the distillation process and no additives are added to the natural oils.
Every drop of every Essential Oil contains chemical compounds that creates a reaction. Without delving into a chemistry lesson, it is enough to know that the chemical properties within the oils can have negative reactions or interactions. An example of this would be Essential Oils high in the functional group of Phenols. While the oils themselves have many therapeutic benefits such as being antiseptic or bactericidal, they also are more irritating to the mucus membrane and high in probability of causing contact dermatitis. Cinnamon, Clove Bud, Oregano and Thyme are oils high in phenols. It doesn’t mean these ‘hot’ oils shouldn’t be used, just that there are necessary safety factors to consider before using.
The age of a person, medical conditions, both acute and chronic, they may have, pharmaceuticals or over-the-counter supplements they use, life stage or lifestyle, and the safety of the oil itself such as dermal dilution rates, photosensitivity, hot or warm oils are all factors that must be considered before the safe use of Essential Oils is employed.
Unfortunately, these critical factors are not always addressed by those who promote the ‘it’s natural so it’s safe’ approach.
There are those who suggest taking Essential Oils by mouth, but unless you are trained in the safe internal use of Essential Oils you should neither advocate for nor practice on your own. There is a level of Aromatherapist training that specifically works on the safe use of ingesting oils but most Aromatherapists, including myself, do not have that advanced training.
Both ends of the age spectrum require extra care when using Essential Oils. Infants and young children have sensitive skin and smaller bodies so don’t require strong blends or as much of it. Elders have frail skin, easily bruising and tender so a soft touch is required. Often carrier oils alone or a hydrolat is gentler for tender skin yet can contain the same benefits as the Essential Oil.
Many medical conditions warrant a patient working with both their medical practitioner and their Aromatherapist to ensure they can use the oil safely with the condition(s) they have, still providing benefit without adverse side effects.
Over-the-counter supplements can add a unique challenge when using Essential Oils as not as much is known about the interaction between supplements and Essential Oils therefore additional safety is necessary.
Different stages of life or lifestyles can also impact how safe using an Essential Oil is. Lifestyle choices such as drinking alcohol, using recreational marijuana or smoking cigarettes can influence how an Essential Oil reacts in your body. The season of life you are in such as childbearing years, being pregnant, childbirth and breastfeeding, going through menopause or andropause means extra care is required to ensure you are receiving the most appropriate and beneficial treatment considering all factors of your life.
Regardless of health level or life seasons, some Essential Oils themselves have required safety limits. Dermal maximums, or how much of a particular Essential Oil is safe to use, must be followed to avoid skin reactions, burns, sensitivity, headaches, nausea or even toxicity. Diluting the correct amount of Essential Oil in a quality vegetable or nut carrier oil provides the same benefits, in a safe way. Less is more and applying oils ‘neat’ (straight from the bottle without being diluted) is never recommended.
Though not an exhaustive list, here are just a few things to consider when unleashing the power of Essential Oils:
- Is the oil safe during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding? Many are not. Some Essential Oils that would NOT be safe (Cinnamon Leaf, Myrrh, Palmarosa)
- Will the Essential Oils cause photosensitivity? Some that may cause photosensitivity are (Bergamot, Lemon, Grapefruit).
- Photosensitivity means that if you apply these oils to your skin, then expose your skin to direct sunlight or other UV sources such as a tanning bed, a rash may appear on your skin where the oil was applied, or the skin may take on a darker pigmentation.
- Is the oil psychotropic, meaning able to alter a mood or person’s mental state or negatively increase the high feeling after consuming drugs or alcohol? Two that are: (Nutmeg, Clary Sage).
- Will the Essential Oil interact with medications the person is taking? Examples (Sweet Fennel – diabetic medication, Oregano – anticoagulant medication)
- Is the oil safe for children? Some that wouldn’t be (Cajeput, Clove Bud, Wintergreen)
Beware of those, hopefully well-meaning, people who suggest internal use of Essential Oils, applying them ‘neat’ on your skin, using too much, too often, recommending use on your pets or who claim that all Essential Oils are safe for everyone because they are natural.
An additional note on pets and Essential Oils. While oils can be used on our pet family, it does require additional Aromatherapist training, and it is not recommended you treat Rover and Fluffy unless you are specifically trained in Veterinary Aromatherapy.
Safety is certainly one of the heavier topics in the fun world of Aromatherapy and I share this to inform you, not scare you. To maximize the powerful healing properties in Essential Oils and protect the health of those using them, we must all advocate for and promote a safety-first approach.
Essential Oils are powerful, and beneficial for so many situations that can help us live more natural, holistic lives and the best version of ourselves.
Join me next time as I share about the ‘Mother of Essential Oils’ – Lavender.
Until then, be well, be beautiful.
Elaine