Using Essential Oils Safely

Generally, essential oils are antiseptic and bactericidal. Knowing when to use caution can make your aromatherapy excursions much more enjoyable. Essential oils are very concentrated as a result of the distillation process. In many cases, the weaker the dilution, the more effective the treatment. Certain essential oils should be avoided without the guidance of a knowledgeable practitioner and others need to be used with attention to specific effects. Most of the literature recommends never to use essential oils neat or internally. This rule of thumb should be followed except in cases where you are under the guidance of a knowledgeable practitioner. Problems using aromatherapy are rare and usually not harmful.

Most essential oils are very safe. Some of the most versatile and harmless essential oils include lavender, clary sage, ylang ylang, geranium, myrtle, cardamom, petitgrain, palmarosa, rose, spikenard, thyme linalol, tea tree, cajeput, naiouli (MQV), sweet marjoram, cypress, myrhh, frankincense, vetiver, patchouli, carrot seed, sandalwood, German chamomile, and Roman chamomile.

Dilution refers to the amount of essential oil that is suspended in a carrier or base. A carrier might be a vegetable or nut oil, water, soap, lotion or cream. “Neat” means undiluted 100% essential oil. You might use undiluted essential oils in a diffuser or applied to a cotton ball for inhalation. For topical use, essential oils should be diluted. Initial users should consider using very weak dilutions and build up gradually. In some instances, like diffusion via nebulizer, you want to dilute thicker or more expensive essential oils with another essential oil.

Concentrations of dilution for topical application range from 0.5-10%. Shoot for about 2%, depending on which essential oils you are using and the goal of your treatment. For full body massage use 2%, for treating a small area of chronic muscle tension you can use a stronger dilution. Two percent translates to 2 milliliters (ml) per 100 ml of carrier or base (approximately 4 ounces). The spring 2001 issue of The International Journal of Aromatherapy tested the general idea that 1 ml of essential oil translates to 20 drops. Depending on the weight and viscosity of the essential oil and upon the type of dropper used, 20 drops consistently measures less than 1 ml of essential oil. Conservatively, one can assume that there are 20 to 25 drops of essential oil per ml; the more viscous essential oils have less drops per ml. There are 29.5 ml in one ounce (oz). A 2% dilution then equals 4 to 5 drops per 10 ml (approximately 1/3 oz) of base, or 12 to 15 drops per oz of carrier. Children under 12 will use weaker dilutions (one third an adult dilution), the younger the child the weaker the dilution.

It is safe to inhale any essential oil. For prolonged inhalations such as when using a diffuser, use care with oregano, thyme (although the linalol chemotype is very safe), pine, spruce, and clove. Several essential oils are safe to use neat on the skin, though this is only recommended if you absolutely know what you are doing. Materials often used to dilute essential oils (called a carrier or base) include water (baths, compresses, steam inhalations or facials), cold pressed vegetable oils, soaps, and candles. In some instances like diffusion, you want to dilute thicker or more expensive essential oils with another essential oil. Palmarosa is an excellent choice. I like to use sweet almond oil as a carrier; other favorites are grapeseed, practionated coconut, hazelnut, jojoba (a liquid wax) and rose hip seed. Lotion, cream or gel are other options. Be sure to use a pure carrier (sometimes called base) that has not gone rancid; essential oils will pull the carrier through your skin so you want to be sure that it is free of toxins. Sensitization potential increases with both the strength of dilution and the frequency of use.

Incidentally, the term “essential oil” is rather misleading because very few essential oils are oily like a cold pressed vegetable or nut oil; most of them are alcohols and are very light and volatile in character. Kurt Schnaubelt, Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy, says that as with any substance ingested into the body, there is a possibility of allergic reaction (sensitization) to essential oils. Because they are processed through the body in four to six hours, this reaction should not last. People with hypersensitive skin or who suffer from eczema, psoriasis or asthma may be more prone to allergic sensitization with essential oils. If you are concerned about a skin reaction, you can patch test a small amount of diluted essential oil on the inside of your elbow and wait 24 hours. Use a dilution that is twice as strong as the one for which you are testing. Watch for redness, itching or swelling. If you are hypersensitive or suspect allergic sensitivity, repeat this test by applying the oil again and wait another 24 hours.

Certain essential oils are more likely to cause an allergic sensitization. Those in the terpene hydrocarbon and sesquiterpene lactone chemical groups are suspect: lemon, orange, lime, mandarin (tangerine), grapefruit, pine or terpentine, spruce, fir, elecampane, and costus. Most often they will pose a problem because the essential oil has oxidized in its bottle, so older or poorly stored essential oils from these groups are more likely to cause sensitization. Essential oils that are high in citral content can also be more likely to cause sensitization. They include angelica, West Indian bay (bayberry or St. Thomas bay), bay laurel (can use sparingly on lymph nodes to promote drainage), inula graveolens, yarrow, lemongrass, eucalyptus citriodora, melissa, citronella, lemon verbena, litsea cubeba (may chang), Peru balsam, tea tree, tolu balsam, khella, and turmeric. You may choose to perform a patch test described above. If you notice any allergic reaction to these essential oils, cease using them topically immediately and avoid topical use thereafter. Anyone who has had an allergic reaction to one of these essential oils should proceed with caution when using the others mentioned in this paragraph. Avoid using the citral group mentioned above in topical applications on a frequent basis. Any essential oil can cause sensitization with topical overuse..

Phototoxicity is another potential problem; essential oils containing courmarins make your skin absorb UV rays much faster than it is able, causing sunburn. These include bergamot, tagetes, laserwort, angelica, lemon, orange, mandarin (tangerine), celery, cumin, parsley, tarragon, grapefruit, lime, and (to a slight extent) lavender. All essential oils sold on this site that have phototoxic actions are identified in their descriptions. Studies have shown that use in conjunction with UV-protection is safe. Keep in mind that essential oils process completely through the body in four to six hours.

Essential oils in the phenol and phenyl propane chemical groups are skin and mucous membrane irritants. However, they can be very useful for muscle spasm and they are the strongest anti-bacterials. Do not use these oils on the face, nipples or genitalia. Use with extreme caution on those with sensitive skin reactions such as eczema and on young children. Essential oils in these groups include oregano, savory, thyme (linalol and citriodora chemotypes are milder), allspice, cinnamon bark or leaf, cassia, ajowan and clove bud.

Other than brief inhalation, the following essential oils are best avoided by non-practitioners due to their toxicity: bitter almond, boldo, calamus, camphor, goosefoot, horseradish, mugwort, mustard, parsley seed (leaf oil may be used in small doses), pennyroyal, rue, sassafras, tansy, thuja, wintergreen, and wormwood. Never use wintergreen or sweet birch in conjuction with anticoagulant drugs. Those who have heart disease with cardiac fibrillation should never use peppermint, spearmint or the isolate menthol. Pregnant women should especially avoid sage and savin.

If you get some essential oil in your eye, flush with oil or cold milk. You can also do this if you spill some essential oil on your skin or experience discomfort on your skin. Then blot with a towel or wash with soap and water.

For specific diagnoses (asthma, epilepsy, skin cancer, pregnancy or breast feeding, chronic kidney or liver conditions) refer to the literature or consult health care practitioners prior to essential oil use. Generally, infrequent use in the proper dilution will preclude adverse effects. Use your common sense when working with essential oils. Keep them stored in dark glass at temperatures not exceeding 85 degrees F. Make sure 100% essential oils are stored in sealed glass bottles equipped with orifice reducers and keep them out of the reach of children.