If you want to harness the healing power of plants, adding essential oils to your wellness routine is a great start. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts made by steaming or pressing plant parts to capture those unique compounds and scents. Besides the potent aromas from essential oils, the plant compounds in these oils offer unique health properties. However, if you want to reap those benefits, there are some tricks to using essential oils safely and effectively.
You can use various essential oils to address various ailments in the body. Some essential oils are great for your hair and skin, while others can help relieve muscle soreness, joint pain, or even ease depression. You don’t have to use essential oils topically, either. Adding them to a diffuser or a warm bath is a common practice in aromatherapy. The following tips will help you be safe with essential oils, all while reaping their health benefits.
Do Dilute Your Essential Oils
One of the most important rules of essential oil use is that you have to dilute them in a carrier oil prior to topical application. The vast majority of pure essential oils are too concentrated to apply directly to the skin. Some essential oils, such as tea tree, eucalyptus, or cinnamon bark, can cause serious irritation. Great carrier oils to use are sweet almond, jojoba, olive, grapeseed, or borage. The general rule of thumb is to mix 8-10 drops of an essential oil in one ounce of carrier oil.
Don’t Assume All Essential Oils Are Created Equally
Because essential oils aren’t regulated in the United States, their quality can vary. Some essential oils contain synthetic ingredients instead of 100% plant material. They may smell like the plant, but they don’t have the same beneficial compounds that are responsible for the health benefits you’re after. Even if the essential oil is made from plants, a few factors can impact quality. The use of pesticides, packaging and handling errors, and improper storage can affect quality. WATCH OUT FOR THE WORD “FRAGRANCE” ON LABELS! Always do your research to ensure the quality of the oils you choose to buy.
Do Store Them in A Cool, Dry Place
Like most natural beauty and healthcare products, essential oils have an expiration date. Most essential oils tend to last six months to a year, with citrus essential oils having the shortest shelf lives. Floral oils like chamomile and lavender, for example, have longer shelf lives. Heat exposure, however, will make the essential oils break down faster in sunlight, so store them in a cool, dry place to prolong their shelf life.
Don’t Use Certain Oils While Pregnant
Safety is always key when it comes to essential oils. Do not use certain essential oils topically while pregnant, especially during the first trimester. Several studies concluded that the following oils should be avoided in any form, whether topical, diffused, or in hydrotherapy, during pregnancy:
- Basil essential oil
- Cinnamon essential oil
- Bitter almond essential oil
- Sage essential oil
- Cedarwood essential oil
- Peppermint essential oil
- Marjoram essential oil
- Fennel essential oil
- Juniper essential oil
- Geranium essential oil
- Clary sage essential oil
- Wintergreen essential oil
- Rosemary essential oil
- Myrrh essential oil
Do A Patch Test Always
The limbic brain anchors past experiences with associated aromas. Although personal preferences vary, smelling an essential oil’s aroma can determine your affinity for it. A negative emotional reaction to a smell can hinder any possible therapeutic benefits. Applying essential oils topically, even diluted in a carrier oil, can still cause a reaction, which is why you should always do a patch test to determine sensitivity. After applying the oil, wait 24 hours to see if you have a reaction or not.
Don’t Ingest Essential Oils
Do not ingest essential oils. Many essential oils are toxic when taken internally, and an attempt to ingest essential oils should only occur under the direct care and advice of a highly competent and experienced aromatherapist with medical training. Ingesting essential oils as you please can result in serious health problems.
