Essential Oil Safety

Essential oils can support wellness, invigorate your shower, nourish your skin, and uplift your day. Aromatic blends freshen the home and body. There are many uses for essential oils, from daily use to household cleaning products. It is important to remember that these oils are chemical compounds, and although the status of “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) is granted by the FDA if used incorrectly, essential oils can cause harm, especially to children. The following guidelines will have you safely enjoying essential oils and essential oil products:

Perform a Patch/Spot Test before using your new product. How to Perform a Patch Test Before Use:

1. Clean the area of the skin where you will perform the patch test.

2. Apply a dime-sized amount of your product behind your ear or on the inside of your arm, near your elbow.

3. Monitor this skin area for 24 hours, and if you notice any sign of an adverse reaction (like redness, itching, or irritation) during this period, do not use the product.

If a skin reaction occurs, discontinue use and follow these steps:

1.     Remove the essential oils from the skin using baking soda or oils like vegetable, olive, coconut, or dawn dish soap. Wash the area with plenty of water. If a reaction occurs while diffusing, stop the diffuser and go outside into fresh air.

2.     The application of a mild scent-free lotion can soothe irritation. Oatmeal baths and antihistamines like Benadryl and Zyrtec can be helpful in reducing discomfort and itching. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. If breathing becomes difficult or the person affected becomes unconscious, call Emergency Services (911) for help.

Storage

      Store in a dark container, in a cool, dark place, away from light. Refrigerate for the best shelf life. Over time essential oils break down, which can increase the risk of reaction. Expired products should not be used on the skin but are safe for use in household cleaning products.

Neat Oils

      The use of Neat or Undiluted essential oils can lead to sensitization and painful skin reactions. Use of undiluted essential oils is not recommended. It is important to dilute essential oils in a carrier (jojoba oil, coconut oil, etc.) before use. Dilution rates of 1-3% are recommended to reduce the instances of adverse skin reactions. Remember that essential oils float on water, so dropping undiluted oils into bath water can also result in skin irritation as the oil floats on top. Dilute bath time products into a carrier oil and Epsom salt. All products at Gaia’s Apothecary intended for topical or bath time use are prediluted for safety. Undiluted blends are intended for diffusing and inhaler use only.

Ingestion

Oral use of essential oils is a growing area of use in the essential oil space; however, there is minimal literature and research on the safety, efficacy, and effects of using essential oils orally. Therefore, currently, it is not recommended to ingest any essential oil or product. If accidental ingestion occurs and the person is conscious, call Poison Control or Emergency Services (911). If the person is unconscious, call Emergency Services (911). Keep the product with you so you can tell the medical professionals what was ingested.

National Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222

Children/Infants

Do not apply undiluted oils to children or their bathwater. Children should not ingest essential oils. Do not allow children to use essential oils without supervision. Do not apply essential oils to a child’s face or directly into their nose. Inhalation is ok. Children under 5 years of age and infants should not be exposed to strong-smelling essential oils. The following oils should not be used with children under 5 years old and used with caution in children 5-10 years of age:

Basil, bay, birch, camphor, cardamom, cinnamon leaf, cinnamon bark, citronella, clove bud, cumin, eucalyptus, fennel, lemongrass, oregano, peppermint, rosemary, sage, tagetes, tarragon, thyme, and wintergreen oils.

If accidental ingestion occurs with any type of essential oil, and the child is conscious, call Poison Control or Emergency Services (911). If the child is unconscious, call Emergency Services (911). Keep the product with you so you can tell the medical professionals what was ingested.

National Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222

Pregnancy

Essential oils can be helpful during pregnancy, and most are relatively safe; however, the following essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy:

Anise, araucaria, artemisia vestia, atractylis, birch, black seed, buchu, calamint, carrot seed, cassia, chaste tree, cinnamon bark, costus, cypress, dill seed, fennel, feverfew, genipi, hibawood, ho leaf, hyssop, lanyana, Spanish lavender, mugwort, myrrh, myrtle, oregano, parsley leaf, parsley seed, pennyroyal, rue, sage savin, tansy, thuja, western red cedar, wintergreen, wormwood, and yarrow oil.

Additionally, the following essential oils should be avoided when breastfeeding:

Basil, boswella papyrifera, champaca, lemon balm, lemon leaf, lemon grass, may chang, melissa, myrtle, nasturtium absolute, tea tree, thyme, and verbena oil.

Prescribed Medications

Essential oils can affect the ability of certain medications to work properly, increasing side effects, damaging the liver, and in some cases interrupting the intended action of the medication. If you are prescribed any of the following medications, speak with your doctor and a certified aromatherapist before use:

Beta-blockers (carvedilol, propranolol, etc.), narcotics (oxycodone, codeine, methadone, etc.), antiarrhythmics (lidocaine, amiodarone, flecainide, etc.), anesthetics (general anesthesia medications), anti-seizure medications (valproate), chemotherapy agents, anticoagulants or “blood thinners” (aspirin, coumadin, warfarin, effient, plavix, etc.), antidepressants (MAOI’s, SSRI’s, Tricyclics, etc.), antipsychotics (haldol, thorazine, risperidone, etc.), anti-nausea (metoclopramide, ondansetron, promethazine, etc.), tamoxifen, and antiretroviral medications.

Pets

The use of essential oils in and around pets has been gaining popularity, but with little literature surrounding their efficacy and safety, we do not recommend using essential oils on your pets. If you are diffusing in a room with animals, make sure they can leave the area and have appropriate ventilation. Drooling, lethargy, seizures, and vomiting can be signs your pet is reacting poorly to essential oils, and you should seek emergency veterinary care.

At Gaia’s Apothecary, we do not have veterinary training and do not make products for pets. Please seek out the advice of a veterinarian before using essential oils on your pet. For more information on essential oils and pets, see the links below.

ASPCA - https://www.aspca.org/news/essentials-essential-oils-around-pets

24Pet Watch - https://www.24petwatch.com/blog/are-essential-oils-safe-for-dogs-and-cats

References

Buckle, Jane. (2015). Clinical aromatherapy: Essential oils in healthcare. Elsevier.

Butje, Andrea. (2017). The heart of aromatherapy. Hay House.

Price, S., & Price, L. (Eds.). (2012). Aromatherapy for health professionals. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential oil safety. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

Resources

 Aromahead Institute – www.aromahead.com

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) - https://www.aspca.org/news/essentials-essential-oils-around-pets

International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA)- https://ifparoma.org/

 National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) – https://www.naha.org

Pet Watch - https://www.24petwatch.com/blog/are-essential-oils-safe-for-dogs-and-cats

 Poison Control Centers of America - https://www.poison.org/

Tisserand Institute - https://tisserandinstitute.org/