Using Essential Oils - Aromatherapy Safety
By David Webb

Rules to Remember

Do not apply pure essential oils directly onto the skin or take them internally, unless advised by a qualified Aromatherapist.

Skin irritation can occur from contact with undiluted essential oils. Be particularly careful when using aniseed, basil, cinnamon, citronella, clove, fennel, ginger, lemon, lemongrass, lemon myrtle, may chang, pine, sage, tea tree and thyme. These essential oils may irritate or cause sensitisation to the skin in some individuals, more so than other essential oils. Anyone who knows they have sensitive skin should always use a low dilution when applying oils to the skin.

Do not use the same essential oil all of the time.

Use a blend of oils with similar properties to achieve the best result and alternate the essential oils being used every couple of weeks. Some people will find that using the same oils all of the time, are not as effective after a while. Repeated exposure or contact with some oils can even cause or aggravate dermatitis in people with sensitive skin. Aromatherapists and Massage therapists working with essential oils on a daily basis should be particularly mindful to reduce their exposure to some of the oils listed above, as they could cause contact dermatitis over time.

Do not exceed the recommended dosage. Using more essential oil does not increase the effectiveness.

Safe dilutions for making massage oils varies for adults, children and people with sensitive skin. Always dilute the essential oils into a vegetable oil.

• Birth to 2 years old - Avoid applying any essential oils to the skin for the first 6 to 8 weeks, as their liver is not fully functioning and is required to process and eliminate the oils out of the body. Then use 1 drop of essential oil in 10ml of carrier oil.
• 3 years to 5 years old - Use 2 drops of essential oil in 10ml of carrier oil.
• 6 years to 10 years old - Use 3 drops of essential oil in 10ml of carrier oil.
• 11 years and older - Use 5 drops of essential oil in 10ml of carrier oil.
• People with sensitive skin - should always use a lower dilution of 2 drops of essential oil in 10ml of carrier oil.

Epilepsy

Essential oils present virtually no risk to people with epilepsy, as long as the oils are not taken internally. Externally used, essential oils are no more likely to cause a fit than any other fragrance or strong odour. (1)

High Blood Pressure

There is no evidence that essential oils have an adverse effect on the control of blood pressure in humans. We therefore consider that there is no need for contraindication of essential oils in either hypertension or hypotension, by any route of administration. (1)

Photosensitivity

Some essential oils cause photosensitivity or cause the skin to burn more easily when exposed to sunlight. It would be best to avoid using bergamot, lemon and cold pressed lime in a massage oil when you are planning to use a sun bed or working outdoors. The risk of photosensitivity will remain for up to 12 hours, following topical application of these oils. (2)

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, many aromatherapists consider it prudent to avoid the use of aniseed, basil, bay laurel, cedarwood, cinnamon, citronella, clary sage, clove, fennel, hyssop, juniper berry, sweet marjoram, myrrh, nutmeg, parsley, peppermint, rose, rosemary, sage and thyme, because of the belief they may harm the foetus or involve some risk of miscarriage. (3)

The latest research available by Tisserand and Balacs suggests that most of these oils are safe during pregnancy as long as they are not taken orally and the directions for use are followed. A maximum concentration of 2% essential oils for application by aromatherapy massage is recommended. They are of the opinion: ".that the external use of camphor-rich oils such as rosemary are safe in pregnancy." (3)

Tisserand and Balacs recommend that the following oils should not be used throughout pregnancy: Camphor (white), Ho leaf, Hyssop, Indian dill, Parsley, Pennyroyal, Sage, Sassafras and Wormwood.

Balacs also suggests that the use of aniseed and fennel (sweet) should be avoided during pregnancy because of their oestrogenic activity, which may influence the menstrual cycle. (4)

Conclusion

As I mentioned earlier I have worked in the aromatherapy and natural therapies industry for the past seven years. I have also held positions on the National Council of The International Federation of Aromatherapists and during that time I have seen much debate about the contraindications for using aromatherapy with certain health conditions.

I believe in using the latest research available for my clinic work and not just following commonly held beliefs that are based on information that was designed for internal herbal medicine. The concentrations of essential oils that are absorbed through inhalation, massage and compresses is much lower than if you were ingesting the oil.

Using essential oils internally is not often spoken about in Australia because there are very few people qualified in this area. To prescribe essential oils for internal use, a person must be a qualified aromatherapist as well as a naturopath or doctor, or someone with insurance that covers them for prescribing internal medicines such as a herbalist. The practice of using essential oils internally is more common in countries like France and the United Kingdom.

The latest research by Tisserand and Balacs, as published in the book Essential Oil Safety in 1995, has shown that the essential oils available over the counter in most retail stores are safe if they are used in the traditional ways of aromatherapy.

Here's a summary of the rules to remember:

• Do not apply pure essential oils directly onto the skin or take them internally
• Do not use the same essential oil all of the time
• Do not exceed the recommended dosage
• Safe dilutions for making massage oils varies for adults, children and people with sensitive skin
• Photosensitivity - avoid bergamot, lemon and cold pressed lime
• Pregnancy - only use a 2% concentration of essential oils in massage oil
• Pregnancy - avoid aniseed and fennel (sweet), camphor, ho leaf, hyssop, Indian dill, parsley, pennyroyal, sage, sassafras and wormwood.

I find it interesting that several of the oils listed to avoid during pregnancy are even mentioned, because they are listed as essential oils not to be used in aromatherapy at all. These include pennyroyal, sassafras and wormwood. I would also add wintergreen to this list. Even though it is listed as an oil not to be used in aromatherapy at all, it is still widely available. It is also very important that anyone taking warfarin medication should avoid wintergreen essential oil because it has established incompatibilities, even when applied topically. (4)

Using essential oils during pregnancy is one area that people become extremely emotional and paranoid about, however, midwives and aromatherapists have been using aromatherapy very successfully with no reported adverse effects that I am aware of.

Now it's up to you!

I hope you've learned something from this special report. But more importantly, I'd like it to spur you into action - using aromatherapy around your home and workplace to improve the quality of your life.

Can we Help you?

If you'd like to know more, read Essential Man / Essential Woman - a guide to using aromatherapy, www.scentualnrg.com.au It contains over 100 practical ideas and recipes for safely using aromatherapy around the home and office, helping to increase your productivity, performance and peace of mind.

I would also recommend subscribing to our free monthly e-mail newsletter, E-Scentual News. It's free, and full of great advice for staying healthy and using aromatherapy in your everyday life. Feel free to visit our web site at: www.scentualnrg.com.au and get in touch with me.