5 Tips for using Essential Oils
Before purchasing their first set of oils, my clients often ask questions about safety, “Are essential oils really safe?”
My answer is always ‘yes, and …’
Let me explain.
Essential oils have a long history of safe and effective use. Ancient Egyptians have used aromatic oils as early as 4500 BC in cosmetics and ointments, and although essential oils, or aromatic oils as they were once called, have been used by many cultures around the world for centuries, today, when we use pure essential oils at home, it’s important that you know a few tips to ensure the utmost safety.
Because like anything else you’d use in your home or with your children, there are recommended dosages / amounts to use for them to be applied safely.
Among the many benefits of essential oils, one major advantage is that they offer peace of mind to those who worry about using chemical-ridden products for cleaning, cooking, and other daily tasks. Essential oils are a safe alternative to many of the products you see on grocery store shelves that contain synthetic toxins or chemicals that could be harmful.
Learning about proper use and dosage will allow you to safely use essential oils at home and with your family, while enjoying the benefits of a natural product.
Before you use essential oils, know that not all oils are created equal. Typically, high-quality essential oils go through rounds of rigorous testing to ensure the product is safe to use. Not all companies use thorough testing methods, and many essential oil distributors will use synthetic fillers that alter the efficacy of the oils.
Only use essential oils that have been carefully produced and thoroughly tested to ensure safety for you and your family. For example, doTERRA essential oils (the products I sell in my shop) are put through a meticulous testing process, where they are analysed for potentially harmful contaminants and other substances that could compromise the safety or quality of the oil. It’s important to choose high-quality essential oils that have been tested and cleared for safe use before using them with your family.
When it comes to using essential oils, there are a few safety guidelines you’ll want to abide by. Here are some of the best practices for safe essential oil usage:
Avoid certain areas. Avoid putting oils into your nose, inner ears, eyes, broken skin, or other sensitive areas. Essential Oils should never be applied near the eyes nor in the ear canal.
While applying tropically on your skin, it is advisable to add a few drops of carrier oil to dilute the essential oil. (see below for a safe dilution chart for adults). You can apply essential oils on your neck, temples, wrists, feet, chest and abdomen. I like using a jojoba or fractionated coconut oil. (Dilution chart at the bottom of this post.)
Some essential oils are phototoxic and can cause irritation, inflammation, blistering, redness and/or burning when exposed to UVA rays. (Phototoxicity is a condition in which the skin or eyes become very sensitive to sunlight or other forms of light. It can be caused by taking certain drugs, or rubbing certain essential oils or other topical agents into the skin). Common Photosensitive Essential Oils include:
Angelica root Angelica archangelica (L.) (absolute and CO2 extract): Maximum use level 0.8%
Bergamot peel Citrus aurantium (L.) var. bergamia (note bergaptene-free or furocoumarin-free bergamot is not phototoxic; you see this listed as FCF or BF): Maximum use level 0.4%
Bitter orange peel (expressed) Citrus sinensis (Osbeck): Maximum use level 1.25%
Cumin seed Cuminum cyminum (L.): Maximum use level 0.4%
Grapefruit peel (expressed) Citrus paradisi (Macfad.): Maximum use level 4%
Lemon peel (expressed) Citrus limonum (Risso): Maximum use level 2%
Lime peel (expressed) Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.): Maximum use level 2%
Mandarin leaf (distilled) Citrus reticulata (Blanco) (mandarin leaf has a very low level of furocoumarins and IFRA does not give maximum use levels.)
Rue leaf (essential oil and absolute) Ruta graveolens (L.): Maximum use level 15%
When using photosensitive oils on your skin, avoid direct sunlight or UV light exposure for a minimum of 12 hours. Better yet, do not use these oils at all if there is any chance of being exposed to UV light.
Be sure to use only 100% pure essential oils. Read more here.
Once you understand your needs, you can choose the right method and oil for the results you’re looking for:
Some calm in your life: turn to lavender, geranium, rose, ylang ylang, and vanilla.
That energising vibe: try any citrus, thyme, peppermint, and cinnamon, or even a blend like Motivate.
Diffuser blends are great for changing the mood in your space. Try the Emotional Aromatherapy Kit and pick your blend in alignment with how you want to feel.
