Unsafe Essential Oil Practices

Many people are using essential oils as an alternative health solution these days. Unfortunately, not everyone is doing it right OR safely. While these are natural substances, there are still important safety considerations to be aware of before using essential oils. Here are a few of the most common unsafe practices we have encountered:

1. Taking essential oils internally. Unless you are a qualified aromatherapist, DON'T take essential oils internally, especially by adding it to a glass of juice or water.
   
   
   • Why? Essential oils do not blend (emulsify) in water. They sit on top of the water or juice. If you try mixing them in, they just separate into smaller particles. These particles are potent and can lead to esophageal burns and damage. There are currently thousands of people suffering with permanent damage from doing this. You may have gotten away with for now, but it only takes one time and your time could be coming! Don’t take that chance. I just read about a woman that used lemon to detox her body. She ended up in the hospital, gravely ill. Essential oils are not the same as the original herbs or fruit they are made from - they are potent and concentrated. Unless you have been trained by a certified aromatherapist, don’t take the chance. Keep in mind, your sales rep may not be certifiedand despite what you hear "other people are doing," it is always best to err on the side of caution.
   
   
   • If you insist on taking them internally, a slightly safer way to ingest essential oils that has been proven to be safer for ingestion is in an oil pull. Take a tablespoon of liquid coconut oil or olive oil, add 1 drop essential oil (more is not better) and mix. Place oil in mouth and swish around for 1-5 minutes. Once done swishing, spit into waste basket, not sink. The lining of your mouth will absorb the essential oil in a much safer way.
   
   
   

1. Using essential oils directly on your skin. Never, ever do this!!! I know that Raindrop therapy is all the rage. That does not mean it is safe. Again, just because you have gotten away with it so far does not mean you should continue to use unsafe practices.
   
   
   • Why: Your body can quickly become overwhelmed from the essential oil. These are highly concentrated oils!
     
     
     • It takes up to 50 lemons to make one tablespoon of lemon essential oil
     
     
     • It takes three pounds of lavender to make one tablespoon of lavender essential oil
     
     
     • 105 pounds of rose petals are needed to make 1 teaspoon of rose oil
     
     
     
   
   
   • I have been using essential oils for over twenty five years. Many of those years, I used essential oils straight on my skin. I am now paying for that. My person story: I love all citrus. I love the scent, I love the flavour, I love it cooked. I never met a citrus fruit that I didn’t like. A few years ago, I was pouring oils and accidentally spilled about a tablespoon on my pants. I was not to concerned as I love the smell but within ten minutes it started to burn my skin. I had to strip down and wash my leg and pants. From that moment on, I have had a sensitivity to one of my favorite oils. I get heart burn, indigestion, acid reflux and more every time I eat or drink or use anything with lemon. I think the years of misusing essential oils caught up with me. I have heard many similar stories over the last few years.
   
   
   • If someone tells you to use essential oils straight on your skin, it is for one of two reasons: they haven’t been trained and/or they are trying to sell you more. The faster you use your oils, the more you buy. A 5 or 15 mL bottle should last you a long time. 1-5% dilution in lotion or carrier oil is all you need.
     
     
     • Properly diluted, add your 5 mL bottle of essential to 100mL - 250mL (1 cup) of base (lotion, carrier oil, massage oil, cleaner, salve, etc.)
     
     
     • Add your 15mL bottle of essential oil to 300mL - 750mL (3 cups) of base.
     
     
     • If you are using on babies, toddlers or young children or seniors, double the amount of carrier oil.
     
     
     
   
   
   

1. Don’t mix essential oils with certain medications. Check before using on people that are taking certain medications as they may have harmful interactions. We have tried to list as many interactions with medication as we know of on each of our essential oil product pages. The National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists (NAHA) has some great information on which essential oils react with medications.
   
   
   • For example, certain blood pressure and cholesterol medications react poorly with grapefruit.
   
   
   

1. Not all essential oils are safe for all ages or all people. There are essential oils that should not be used on children or during pregnancy, animals, etc. Check NAHA's website for excellent information that is always up to date and trustworthy.