Essential Oils: Safety Guidelines

Essential Oil Safety

It is important to remember that essential oils are very concentrated and potent, and care should be taken with the way you store and use them. Here is a simple list of guidelines to follow in order to use your essential oils safely and effectively - according to Annie.

Always Study an Essential Oil Before Using It

Just like with herbs, I would suggest starting with one essential oil and studying all about it. Learn about the properties of that oil, what it has traditionally been used for, how it can safely be used, whether it needs to be diluted, and what cautions come with it such as sun sensitivity, pregnancy, children, medications or other health concerns.

Once you study the oil, get familiar with the aroma and begin using it appropriately. Then you can slowly add another oil and continue learning about both.

This is the baby-step method, and I think it takes away a lot of the frustration and feeling overwhelmed when first getting started with these amazing gifts from God.

May I suggest starting with lavender? It one of the more gentle and versatile oils, but remember that even gentle oils are not automatically safe for everyone or for every method of use.

Use Extra Caution With Infants and Children

After applying the first guideline you should know if the essential oil you are using is safe to use on infants and children. Their skin and bodies are different and more permeable than adults. When using essential oils on infants and young children ALWAYS use a carrier even if the oil states it can be used neat (without a carrier).

I would also avoid assuming that an oil is safe for a child simply because it is considered a “gentle” oil. Always study the individual oil, the age and constitution of the child, and always use the spirit to guide. In many situations, inhalation or simply using the herb itself may be a better choice for young children than applying a concentrated essential oil.

I start with 1 drop of essential oil in about a tablespoon of carrier oil for applying to bottoms of feet or massaging into the belly for upset tummies or colic. Adding to a salve is also a good carrier for skin issues. Lavender is one of my favorites to use with children for its versatility.

Keep Essential Oils Out of the Reach of Children

I learned this lesson the hard way.

I thought my essential oils were safely out of the way in the dark linen closet towards the back of one of the shelves. My then 3-year-old always saw Mommy applying oils to his owies and decided he could do it himself. He climbed up the shelf, pulled out a random bottle and dumped the entire bottle onto his leg.

Besides the fact that the entire house had to be fumigated, his leg was bright red and very irritated. I doused his leg with carrier oil and we all spent the rest of the day outdoors while the house aired out. After that I moved my oils to the highest shelf completely out of sight and reach.

Again, these oils are very potent and should be treated as concentrated substances and stored securely. Children should never be allowed to apply them to themselves, and bottles should be kept where young children cannot reach them. Accidental ingestion can cause serious poisoning with some essential oils.

Dilute Essential Oils for Topical Use

For most topical applications, dilution with a carrier oil is a wise safety practice. I fill my palm with a carrier oil and add 1-3 drops of essential oil - though when dealing with respiratory conditions I usually use a blend and apply neat to the chest for deeper penetration. Always use the spirit as your guide keeping in mind the constitution of the body it will be applied to.

Some oils are much more irritating than others and require considerably greater caution. Cinnamon, clove, oregano and some other “hot” oils, for example, can cause significant skin irritation and need very different dilution guidelines than a gentler oil. Go back to rule number one of studying the oil first.

Patch Test an Oil Before Use

I will be honest in saying that I have not always patch tested my oils before using them. However, essential oils can cause irritation or allergic reactions even in people who have never had a problem before.

To do this, apply a small amount of carrier and 1 drop of essential oil to the inside part of your arm, wait for an hour or two to see if it turns red or you have any type of reaction. If not, go ahead and use the oil as planned.

Less Is Best

Remember how potent and concentrated essential oils are, 1 drop is the equivalent to about an ounce of plant material so you do not need that much at all.

Start with 1-3 drops of oil. If you experience nausea, feel faint, have a headache, stuffy nose or cold and flu like symptoms they may detox symptoms, irritation, sensitivity, or an adverse reaction. If this happens discontinue the use of the oil and apply a large amount carrier oil to the area to dilute it further.

If you accidentally spill oil or get it into your eyes dilute with a carrier oil to dissipate the effect.

Be Very Cautious If You Choose to Use Oils Internally

This is probably the area where I would encourage the most study and caution.

Essential oils are not simply the same thing as the plants they came from. They are highly concentrated preparations, and some can be toxic when swallowed.

Personally, I use essential oils internally very sparingly, primarily as a flavoring when an oil is specifically appropriate for culinary use.

A Few Things to Remember

• Keep essential oils away from the eyes and mucous membranes.

• Be aware that some citrus oils can cause photosensitivity when applied to the skin before sun exposure.

• Take extra precautions around infants, children, pets, elderly individuals and anyone with particular health conditions.

• If you are pregnant or nursing, study the individual oil carefully

• If you take medications, remember that natural substances can still interact with medications.

• Store essential oils in a cool, dark place with the caps securely closed.

• Keep them away from flames as they are flammable.

• Always use your light of Christ to direct you in your health!