Introduction to Essential Oil Safety

Essential oils are powerful. They can affect us physically and emotionally, and are capable of a wide variety of therapeutic actions on the human body. But are they safe? Here at EOL our answer to this question is yes, with three caveats:

1) Essential oils are safe when used appropriately. When the route of administration (oral, inhalation, etc.) and the application method (diffuser, bath water, etc.) are appropriate for the intended purpose and the individual, essential oils are perfectly safe.

2) Essential oils are safe when selected and used based on the preference and needs of the individual, as well as on the intended purpose of the oil itself. For example, even though eucalyptus oil can help ease breathing, a person who is allergic to eucalyptus oil should not use eucalyptus oil to aid with breathing when suffering from the common cold. 

3) Essential oils are safe when the dilution and application suit an individual's constitution. For example,  tea tree oil can be very effective at treating acne, but very potent. Diluting it appropriately based on the individual's tolerance level will be key; some individuals will be able to apply the oil neat (undiluted) and some will need a higher dilution rate. 

Essential Oil Safety

When essential oils are handled appropriately, they can be wonderful tools for healing. Most commercially available essential oils are safe to use when basic guidelines are adhered to. Below are some factors that influence the safety of essential oils:

Quality

The manufacturing and use of adulterated essential oils is rampant in the commercial market today; when adulterated oils are used therapeutically, it can be a recipe for disaster. It is very important to find unadulterated, quality essential oils that you can trust. 

Note: Using a quality, pure essential oil does not guarantee that you will never experience an adverse reaction to it. Always keep in mind the potency of a pure essential oil, and how it can affect your body. 

Dosage & Dilution

As with anything, excessive use of an essential oil can cause irritation. This is especially so with topical applications. It is important to dilute your essential oils based on their potency, your intended use, and your own level of skin sensitivity. 

Chemical Composition

Essential oils rich with certain natural constituents should always be diluted prior to topical application. For example, an essential oil rich in aldehydes (ex. citrus oils) or phenols (ex. cinnamon) can often cause skin irritation if applied neat to the skin. It is very important to know and understand an essential oil before you use it. 

Method of Application

Essential oils can be inhaled, applied topically to the skin, or taken internally. Typically, inhalation presents a very low risk to the majority of the population, and is the most popular method of use. In any given diffuser or massage oil blend, the concentration of essential oil is unlikely to lead to adverse reactions. It becomes more important to be precise with your dilution and application when using essential oils topically and/or internally. 

Tip: here at EOL we provide dilution charts for each of our essential oils to help make topical use more straight forward. 

Important Note: if you wish to use an essential oil internally, we highly recommend consulting with a trained aromatherapist who is familiar with your health history before diving in. 

General Essential Oil Safety Tips

• Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets
• Avoid the use of essential oils that you are not familiar with - always do your research!
• Avoid using undiluted essential oils topically (on the skin) unless otherwise indicated
• Know and understand the safety data of the essential oils you are using
• Use caution with essential oils while pregnant
• Always perform a patch test before mass topical application
• Refrain from using photosensitive essential oils prior to sun exposure
• Always keep essential oils away from eyes
• Always keep essential oils away from flame
• Do not use essential oils internally unless under the guidance of a trained aromatherapist

Essential oils are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason! They can do a lot of good for our physical and mental health when used safely and appropriately. It is important to understand an essential oil's benign qualities as well as potential adverse reactions that may occur if used inappropriately or in excess. We hope this article has helped empower you to get the most out of your essential oils!