HOW DO I USE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFELY?
HOW DO I USE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFELY?
HOW DO I USE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFELY?
WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?
ESSENTIAL OIL SAFETY
Dosage
Like anything else that you use for promoting health and wellness, essential oils can be used safely when the proper dosage guidelines are observed. Because essential oils are so potent and powerful, only a small amount of oil will be necessary to achieve the desired effect. It is important to be aware of daily dosage recommendations to ensure that you are protecting your body from being overwhelmed with improper amounts of oil. Below is a breakdown of daily dosage recommendations for essential oils.
As you can see, because aromatic application is simply the act of breathing in essential oils, there are no limits to the amount of oil drops you can use. On the rest of the chart, “Internal” application refers to swallowing and ingesting essential oils, “Oral” application refers to placing essential oils in the mouth (for cleansing and freshening), and “Dermal” application refers to topical use on the skin.
Application
When it comes to applying essential oils, there are three basic application methods—aromatic, topical, and internal. Aromatic application refers to experiencing the aroma of essential oils through the air by inhaling or breathing in the oils, or using an essential oil diffuser. Topical application is the use of essential oils on the skin. Internal use of essential oils refers to ingesting essential oils by swallowing a veggie capsule that contains essential oils, applying essential oils directly into the mouth, or adding oils to a beverage and then swallowing.
Before you start using essential oils, make sure that you have a firm understanding of how to apply them, the appropriate dosages and quantities, and which areas to avoid. For example, when applying essential oils topically, it is wise to avoid application to areas like the eyes, ears, or nose, and to avoid putting essential oils on broken or damaged skin. As mentioned in the dosage section above, before using essential oils internally, it is important to understand how much of an essential oil should be used, and more importantly, which essential oils are approved for internal use (not all essential oils are safe to use internally).
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Dilution
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When applying essential oils topically, not only is it important to follow the guidelines listed under the “Dermal” section in the chart above, but it will often be necessary to dilute the essential oil so that it is not too powerful for the skin. Because essential oils are so potent and many essential oils have a strong chemistry, sometimes you will need to dilute the oil before applying topically to ensure that you don’t experience any sensitivity.
The best way to dilute an essential oil is with something called a carrier oil. Carrier oils are typically a pure vegetable oil that will literally “carry” the oil to the skin. While some worry that using a carrier oil will reduce the benefits of essential oils, it will actually help to increase absorption so that the oil stays on the skin for a longer period of time.
If you are looking for a good carrier oil, consider ordering doTERRA Fractionated Coconut oil. The recommended ratio for dilution is typically three drops of the carrier oil per one drop of essential oil.
Storage
When it comes to using essential oils in the home, one major key to keeping your family safe is proper essential oil storage. For obvious reasons, essential oils should not be left out where small children can reach them, and bottles should always be sealed up with their lids after use.
In addition to keeping essential oils in a safe place, it is important to keep the oils out of direct sunlight and away from heat, as light and heat can alter the chemical structure of the oils and lessen their efficacy. By storing your oils in a cool, dry place, you can preserve the delicate yet powerful properties they possess, allowing you to reap as many essential oil benefits as possible.
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Children
Yes, essential oils are safe to use around your family and on children, however, there are a few extra precautions to take when it comes to using essential oils on your little ones. First, as mentioned above, it is important to keep essential oils out of reach of your children. Because kids don’t understand the potency of essential oils, they cannot properly apply them, and could use them improperly.
It is also important to note that children have more delicate and sensitive skin than adults, so it is always necessary to dilute oils before applying them topically on your kids. The dosage chart includes child recommendations for internal usage—just keep in mind that the dosages for children will always be much less than that of an adult because they have smaller, more sensitive and developing bodies and require far less oil.
Make sure to teach your children (and even teenagers) to only use essential oils under your supervision, and always set a good example of proper essential oil usage so that your family understands how important safety guidelines are.
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Personal Considerations
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If you have any specific health conditions or concerns, it is always a good idea to consult your healthcare professional before use. The same goes for your children—if you have any concerns about using essential oils on your children, consider talking to their pediatrician or primary care physician before starting essential oil use with your kids.
It is possible to use essential oils safely in conjunction with healthy eating and exercise in order to promote a healthy lifestyle, but you must consider your own personal health status and any health concerns first. For example, women who are pregnant should always consult with their doctor before using oils.
Now that you understand the basics of how to safely use essential oils, you can experience the benefits of essential oils in your daily life and with your family. If you want more ideas for how to use essential oils aromatically, topically, or internally, take a look at the doTERRA eBooks for more detailed safety guidelines and usage ideas.
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Photosensitivity
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Photosensitization is the process in which ultraviolet (UV) radiation combines with a particular substance and causes chemical or biological changes. Some essential oils contain furocoumarins, a special class of constituent that can cause photosensitization of the skin. The most commonly found furocoumarins in essential oils are bergapten and oxypeucedanin. The chemical structure of these molecules (and their metabolites) allows them to form cross-links with skin cell DNA, in turn making the skin especially susceptible to UV radiation. During the process, free radicals and singlet oxygen are also formed and can inflict damage on cellular membranes, organelles, and proteins. If exposed to sunlight (which gives off UV radiation) after topical application of a photosensitive oil, the skin may become temporarily darkly pigmented, red, or irritated.
Photosensitivity and phototoxicity apply to topical use of essential oils only and do not pose the same risks when used internally. When using a photosensitive essential oil topically, avoidance of sunlight is recommended for up to 12 hours after use.
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Essential Oils that May Cause Phototoxic or Photosensitive Reactions:
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Bergamot
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Grapefruit
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Lemon
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Lime
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Bitter Orange
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Cumin
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Hot Oils
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Perhaps you’ve heard of the “hot” oils sometimes referred to at doTERRA. These are the oils we label as “dilute” or sometimes as “sensitive.” But the term “hot” oil comes from the sensation they give if used topically. These so-named hot oils can give you a burning sensation when used on the skin, or a spicy burning sensation when taken internally. In alphabetical order, these oils are:
Special care should be taken with each of these oils. Alternately, doTERRA also categorizes other oils as “sensitive” but you may have also heard them referred to as “warm” oils. This includes oils like Black Pepper, Lemongrass, Wintergreen, and Peppermint. Oils like these can still be overwhelming for sensitive groups (i.e. children and elderly) if not diluted.
Diluting the hot category of oils is the recommendation for all people, regardless of their individual sensitivity level. In this way such oils can safely be used and added to your essential oil repertoire.
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Do and Do Not
Let us be clear: there is no need to fear using hot oils in spite of the need to dilute. You only need to use an extra dose of caution to safely and effectively use them. Here’s how:
Safely apply hot oils topically by diluting them. For hot or dilute category oils, we recommend that adults dilute one drop of oil to 10 drops carrier oil. For sensitive oils, we recommend diluting one drop of oil in five drops carrier oil. For children, additional dilution is needed. (Neat category oils can be applied without dilution if you are familiar with the oil, but dilution is never a bad thing. It doesn’t hurt the efficacy of the oil and may help avoid unexpected skin irritation.)
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Do not add hot oils or even sensitive oils to bath water. A favorite method of topical use, the best oils to use in your bath are classified as “neat.” Always mix oils you are adding to your bath with Epsom salts or soap first to make sure the oil does not simply float on top of the water.
Use veggie capsules or oils in food. When using hot oils internally, do not place them directly on the tongue or directly in the mouth and swallow. This is due to their individual chemical design and how it affects the body; these oils are merely too strong to be taken directly without altering the application method. But, these oils can be taken internally by adding one or two drops to a veggie capsule and then taking them with food, or by adding them to a recipe.
Safely diffuse any hot oil. You can safely diffuse the hot oils into the air.
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Figuring Out Sensitivity Level
To determine if you are sensitive to an oil or not, perform a patch test. Apply one to two drops of oil (always with five to ten drops of carrier oil for hot oils) to a patch of skin on your forearm. Observe that area of skin for one hour for any noticeable reaction, but you’re most likely to have a reaction within 10 minutes.
You will know if you are sensitive to a particular oil based on responses in the skin, digestive system, respiratory system, or other areas of the body. Some of the signs of sensitivity to an oil include pain, swelling, or tenderness in the skin, skin irritation, difficulty breathing, and upset stomach.
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What to Do If You Have a Reaction
If you experience a sensitivity reaction to essential oils in the digestive system, immediately discontinue use of that oil. If a large amount of oil was consumed, contact poison control. But, if only a small amount of the oil was consumed, you can help subside the sensitivity by drinking plenty of fluids. If a skin reaction occurs, apply Fractionated Coconut Oil to the area every few minutes until the reaction is neutralized.
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The Takeaway
Essential oils are potent, and some have stronger reactions than others. But, this in no way means that the hot oils should never be used. Their benefits when using internally or topically are worth the necessary precautions.
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