Essential Oil Safety Tips: How to Use Essential Oils Safely
Using essential oils in your daily life can offer many benefits. However, you do need to keep in mind that there are some essential oil safety tips you need to follow. Below are some tips to keep you and your family safe.
As we age, skin sensitivity increases and some health conditions become more common, making it even more important to use essential oils safely and thoughtfully.
9 Essential Oil Safety Tips
- Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children. If your child drinks a large amount of essential oils (several spoonfuls) contact poison control.
- It is best to be cautious when using essential oils with children under the age of 10, especially under the age of 5. Special dilution rates do apply.
- It is best practice to ensure that ALL essential oils are diluted before being used topically. Undiluted essential oils can cause skin irritation. Please be aware that essential oils do not dissolve in water and should be mixed with a carrier oil like olive, almond, or jojoba. You may also dilute essential oils in bath salts, salves, or soaps. It is recommended for individuals with sensitive skin to always patch test a small area of the skin before applying oils in large quantities to the body.
- Avoid prolonged use of the same essential oil or essential oil blends. It is best to let your body take a break on a routine basis.
- Essential oils should not be taken internally. Even though essential oils are used internally in many countries throughout the globe, it doesn’t mean they are safe to be taken internally by everyone. Using essential oils internally requires a proper understanding of what is appropriate and what best suits the individual in need. If you take them internally, ensure you are working with a trained aromatherapist in this area. Knowing the chemistry of essential oils and an individual’s anatomy and physiology is vital in understanding which oils are safe for them.
- Avoid using essential oils during pregnancy and nursing unless you know their safety and specific precautions. Some essential oils may be too stimulating and can be transferred to breast milk.
- Many essential oils are photosensitive. If you use them on your skin, avoid exposure to direct sunlight or tanning beds for 24 hours.
- If you have serious health conditions or are asthmatic, use caution when using essential oils unless you are familiar with the safety and precautions for that particular oil.
- If you get essential oils in your eyes, flush your eyes immediately with a fatty oil or milk.
Many individuals are curious about using essential oils with their animals. Here is a link to an article on the NAHA website discussing Animal Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Use.
Ready to get started? Browse our essential oils and aromatherapy products, or explore our companion articles on Essential Oil Properties and Carrier Oils to build your knowledge before you begin
References: Jennifer Hochell; Aromatherapy for Body Mind and Soul by Larissa Jones; Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand