Essential Oil Safety
There are a multitude of ways you can use essential oils in your life. Oils can be used Aromatically, Topically as well as Internally. I will dive into each individually below, but please note that my personal preference is to NOT use essential oils internally unless you are working with a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist who is also a licensed medical professional. More on that below.
Aromatic Use
Using oils aromatically is simply breathing in the oil either directly from the bottle, or through use of a diffuser or nebulizer.
Aromatherapy is all about Olfaction. Olfaction is the scientific term for “smelling.” So how does smelling an oil give us the therapeutic benefits we keep hearing about? Like any other odor you may be familiar with, the aroma of an oil is made up of molecules invisible to the eye, but ever present to the nose. These molecules enter the olfactory membrane through inhalation. The olfactory membrane is much like sticky paper that catches these molecules and instantly sends a signal to both the Limbic and Cerebral Cortex regions of your brain.
What is more interesting here is that these parts of the brain are directly correlated with memory, discernment, recognition, emotion, motivation, drive, feelings and more. So it is easy to see how maybe the smell of coffee could evoke a specific response from you, e.g. “I love coffee!” or “Yuk, coffee is not my thing.” Knowing this, you start to get the idea how the aroma (i.e. molecular make up) of essential oils can easily be interpreted by your brain, and in turn produce specific feelings, physical reactions and more.
My instructor at The Aromahead Institute said it beautifully: “The cortex gives us the ability to use our minds and bodies with great skill in uniquely “human” ways, while the limbic system gives us the motivation and desire to do so.” Our sense of smell greatly influences these areas of our brain, and as a result, our experiences and emotions.
Additionally it is important to note that using oils aromatically is the FASTEST way to get oils into the body. Inhaling oils sends them directly to the respiratory system, and in to the bloodstream. This is one reason certain essential oils can help treat respiratory conditions!
Summary
Benefits of Aromatic Use/Inhalation
Very quick absorption in to the blood stream.
Direct effect on infection within the respiratory system. Direct effect on congestion within the respiratory system. Direct effect on the Central Nervous System (CNS).
Safety Considerations
Not all oils are safe for inhalation. Some can be irritating. Some oils can be contraindicated to those with asthma and serious allergies. Be careful with dosage. Too much of some oils can cause headaches, dizziness and irritate the membranes of the nose and lungs. Please note that not all oils are appropriate for all people. It is important to factor in the type and amount of oil used when dealing with children and the elderly. Typically they need less than your average adult.
Topical Use
Applying essential oils to the skin directly affects the skin and is another way of allowing the oils to enter the bloodstream. Through topical use, it does take the oils longer to enter your system because it must be readily absorbed through the layers of skin. Unlike the thin structure of your mucous membranes in your olfactory system and lungs, the skin has a thicker more protective make up and therefore a wider variety of oils can be used.
Different parts of the body offer more porous sections of skin. For example, the palms and feet both have an extra layer of skin and will absorb oils more slowly. Absorption of essential oils depends on their lipid solubility and molecular weight. But even molecularly “heavy” oils will penetrate the skin over a 24hr period. Once the oils have made it through the skin they are then dispersed throughout the body through the bloodstream.
Summary
Benefits of Topical Use
-Can be healing for the skin itself, while simultaneously addressing other concerns.
-Excellent for local inflammation or tissue healing from an injury.
-Can have strong analgesic (pain killing) effects.
-Allows for slow, continuous absorption over a period of time, especially if applied during a therapeutic massage.
-Can be applied directly over the area of concern.
-Easy to use on a daily basis, and easy to carry around with you.
-Essential oils are easily absorbed by the skin thanks to low molecular weight and due to being lipid soluble.
-Areas with thin skin, lots of hair, and mucous membranes absorb more readily.
-Palms and the soles of feet absorb the least amounts of oil.
Safety Considerations
When using oils topically it is important to note that babies and elderly people have a lower threshold for irritation depending on skin type and condition. I ALWAYS recommend diluting oils used on the skin. There is also the option of simply using a healing carrier oil or hydrosol in these cases.
Irritation of the Skin: This is the most common reaction, if any. Signs of irritation are localized redness, itchiness and dryness. A way to avoid this is diluting essential oils with a carrier oil such as jojoba, coconut, argan, avocado etc.
Sensitization of the Skin: Similar to irritation, however these symptoms can show up elsewhere on the body, such as a rash, bumpy skin and even a headache.
Phototoxicity: Finally, worth noting, is some essential oils’ ability to cause phototoxicity. If one applies a potentially phototoxic oil and then goes out in to direct sunlight for an extended period of time, these oils have a molecular ability to absorb UV light, store it and allow it to burst in the skin causing a burn and/or blisters. This of course can be avoided by the appropriate dilution of the oil, the length of time the oil has been on the skin and, of course, by avoiding the sun after application.
Common (Cold Pressed) Oils that are Phototoxic
Bergamot
Lime
Lemon
Bitter Orange
Grapefruit
Safe use of phototoxic oils:
Bergamot: 1 drop per 1 ounce (30 ml) of carrier
Lime (cold pressed): 4 drops per 1 ounce (30 ml)
Bitter Orange (cold pressed): 8 drops per 1 ounce (30 ml)
Lemon (cold pressed): 12 drops per 1 ounce (30 ml)
Grapefruit (cold pressed): 24 drops per 1 ounce (30 ml)
Internal Use
First let me say that there are a lot of positives to internal use of essential oils. There are a couple important distinctions to make. There is a difference between sublingual (under the tongue) use, and ingestion. When you ingest something you are effectively engaging your organs, stomach, liver etc., in a very direct way. When you place an oil under the tongue, it is absorbed through those membranes and enters the systemic circulatory directly. This means that they are able to be circulated through their body, having a chance to deliver their benefits before the liver gets involved. A qualified medical practitioner who is able to diagnose and treat would make this distinction based on what specifically they are trying to treat.
That being said, I am simply not comfortable recommending such use because it is not within the scope of my practice. Aromatherapy is not a licensed profession and I am not otherwise a licensed medical professional. I therefore am ethically unable to recommend internal usage because it is an avenue I do not yet fully understand. While my education (a BS in Kinesiology), and certification in Aromatherapy is very in-depth, it doesn’t cover internal usage of medicinal essential oil use.
Essential oils can affect different people in different ways. It is important to be aware of each individual’s health, medications and overall wellness. It is easy to assume that because oils are natural, they are safe. It is important to remember that essential oils are extremely potent, and I would rather be safe than sorry. Also, there is the potential for oils to interact with different medications through oral/internal use. Knowing which oils can have effects on which types of medication is a must.
You can still reap the benefits of essential oils through the mediums listed above. If you’re looking to use oils internally I recommend working with an aromatherapist who is trained in pharmacodynamics (the chemical actions of an oil on a given bodily process), pharmacokinetics (how an oil is metabolized/eliminated once ingested) and toxicology or an otherwise qualified medical professional. A great starting point would be the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) and/or the Aromahead Institute.
Finally, your health is truly important to me. Reach out to me if you have any questions.
Blessings.
