Essential Oil Safety

Essential oils are amazing and have many uses. I think everyone can benefit from using these in their lives. However, just because they are natural does not mean we should use them willy nilly. They most definitely deserve the respect of proper education.

Oil Brands: Finding the best quality oils

Today you can purchase essential oils in a lot of places. But not every bottle of lavender oil is made equal. Just because an oil has the word “natural” attached to it doesn’t mean it is a good quality oil. Adulterated and mislabeled oils may present many dangers to consumers. Adulterated oils are mixed with synthetic compounds that can cause rashes and burns and other irritations, along with being devoid of any therapeutic effects.

Do not assume that just because an oil is “100 percent pure” that it is a high quality oil. In the U.S. you are only required to have 5% essential oil in the bottle to label it pure. Look for quality over quantity. And check the price tag…

I know you probably don’t want to hear this… but higher is better. Check the price tag. You get what you pay for. Companies can charge less because it’s not the best quality. It doesn’t cost them as much to produce.

Here is a little agriculture lesson: When a company grows and harvests them correctly, a lot of factors go into the price of plant products. The time it takes for them to grow naturally and in their original habitat (food products are not the only thing they alter to produce more and grow faster), the amount of good quality plants harvested, the process used to produce the oils, and perhaps the biggest factor of all…the amount of each plant it takes to create a single drop of essential oil.

To produce a 15ml bottle of their essential oils, it takes 75 lemons, 27 square feet of lavender AND 65 pounds of rose petals! High quality essential oils are certainly pricey, but it is the best, most pure option and a little goes a long way so a small bottle can last a long time. But when it comes to your health, settling for second best or just okay is not a good option.

So if your oils are of the highest quality, and don’t contain and fillers or carrier oils to make up the difference in the bottle, the price is naturally going to be higher. Remember, that is a good thing!

Ok, moving on! Now that we know how to look for good quality, how do we use them safely?

How Do I Use Them?

Everyone’s body is different and not all oils are perfectly safe to apply straight on the skin. Some oils can cause skin irritations to some people. I highly suggest testing new oils on a small patch of skin to see how it reacts to the oil.

Dilution

It is also a good idea to dilute the oils (especially the hot oils, such as oregano, cinnamon, and some citrus oils), using a carrier oil. A carrier oil is a fatty oil whose molecules are much larger than essential oil molecules. Using these slows down the body’s absorption of essential oils… and it helps make it a little more gentle on the skin 🙂 . Dilute essential oils with some vegetable oil (olive, coconut, V-6 or almond oil) until you know how it effects your skin. Watch out for redness or irritations, and be sure and dilute oils on children. Their skin is more sensitive and it absorbs the oils more quickly.

Oils and sunlight

Certain oils are photosensitive, so you don’t want to go outside right after applying them. These oils are mostly citrus oils. Avoid applying these to skin that will be exposed to sunlight within 24 hours.

Apply NOT everywhere

Though essential oils are beneficial to just about every part of your body, this DOES NOT mean you can apply them to every part of your body. They should not be applied to your eyes or your ear canal. Be careful when applying them topically to near your eyes. Some strong oils (such as peppermint and oregano) can cause a burning sensation. If you are applying oils near your eyes try using a Q-tip. You are much less likely to cause yourself unnecessary harm. 😛

Internally

What about using them internally? I have discovered two groups of people: Those who are all for using essential oils internally, and those who are completely against it.

The French have been safely using some essential oils internally for a long time. There are certain oils that are GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe). I don’t believe it is really about whether you should or you shouldn’t. It’s about being responsible and knowing about your oils. Some oils should not be taken for very long or in large amounts (such as clove and oregano), as they are very strong and can start causing harm after a while if you are not careful; and there are some oils that should not be taken internally at all (like birch and other tree oils).

Summing Up

All right! To sum it up in a nutshell, here is what you should remember:

-Keep oils away from eyes and ear canals and private areas

-Patch test and watch for irritation or rashes

-Dilute if you are ever in doubt, and especially with young children

-Make sure your oils are of the highest grade…and DON’T skimp on the price!

-It is always important to check with your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or taking medications, as the oils can interfere