general knowledge essential oils

8/13/2019 General Knowledge Essential Oils

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Aromatherapists competence to prescribe internal use

I can say with a fair amount of knowledge on this sub)ect, that few aromathera*ists are what I would

consider ade0uately trained in *athology and diagnosis. Those sub)ects are critically im*ortant,

because if do not know how to differentiate between someone having a sim*le stomach u*set, or a

ma)or gastrointestinal tract disease, then giving oils internally is *laying with fire. Even on those

courses that teach the internal use of oils, the sub)ect of clinical diagnosis is a**allingly inade0uate.

In addition, on most such courses, the use of essential oils is taught on which there is no safety data

available and on which there is scant evidence of thera*eutic efficacy. I have here evidence on such

matters from so called /leaders in the field/. %or euba

In the wide variety of &romathera*y books and *eriodicals available today, we find many

recommendations regarding the safe, thera*eutic use of essential oils, often contradictory and seldom

su**orted by either references, research or actual clinical e


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2*oisons scheduling2 of various essential oils by the &ustralian $ational rugs and Doisons

"cheduling 9ommittee.

Why is there such a diversity of opinion regarding essential oil toxicity?

Three reasons a**ear to me outstanding 5 that of 2*hiloso*hical2 differences, the lack of knowledgeamongst *ractitioners and authors and the fear of *ublic misuse.

/hilosophical 0ifferences

!tilising r. aniel DnFel/s conce*t of the 2&romatic Try*tic2 3+4, we can characterise 2Holistic2

&romathera*y as fundamentally 2energetic2 in nature. Encouraged by the work of Maugerite Maury in

%rance during the +6?-/s 3G4, this a**roach has become the dominant form of &romathera*y *racticed

in English5s*eaking countries.

Em*loying relatively low dosages of essential oils 3generally G.;7 or less in massage a**lications4,

the ma)ority of thera*eutic effects noted a**ear to be *rimarily of a secondary 2energetic2 or 2terrain2

nature, as in the case of acu*uncture or homeo*athy, for e


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To err on the side on caution may be considered laudable. However, we can notice that such

e


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It is often difficult to determine )ust how much of an essential oil 3or any *roduct4 a young child has

ingested. If to


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In terms of the most common uses of essential oils in &romathera*y, it is the acute ';- dose that is

most relevant in this consideration. This is considering thera*ists using essential oils on their clients

and *re*aring formulations for the client to use outside of visits.

&nimal ';- values can be a useful guide to *otential essential oil to


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The following chart details the *otential to


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#nly u* to ;-7 of a to*ically a**lied dose is absorbed.

Hence, in the Wintergreen oil e


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#ne can reasonably suggest that the effective /banning/ of a herb such as 9alamus, is indeed a case of

/overkill/ by regulatory agencies.

Two other com*ounds found in essential oils, estragole 3or methylchavicol4 and methyleugenol have

been demonstrated to have weak genoto


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3nternal useIn Euro*e, some *eo*le use essential oils internally@ They mi< them with an oil5

soluble li0uid such as honey, olive oil, or soy milk. #$'( use +--7 *ure essential oils that

have been a**roved for internal use 3such as lemon, orange, *e**ermint, gra*efruit, etc. 5

consult the >1&" list4, and only one dro* at at time at first, unless you are used to taking

more. Taking too many essential oils internally can cause intense healing reactions and can be

E1( uncomfortable. However, one dro* of *e**ermint, orange, lemon or gra*efuit added

to a glass of water can be very refreshing and healing. It is rarely necessary to use more than

this internally.

"tart slo&land add oils on gradually

Ta%e intestinal herbs first if $er ill3ibrant 9olon %ormulaand 9olon eto< 9a*s4 or

other colonAintestinal re)uvenation routine. Essential oils are very *owerful substances. They

can create too much healing at once if the intestines are not first cleansed. The more ill a

*erson is, usually the more to


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"kin irritation can occur from contact with undiluted essential oils. Be *articularly careful when using

aniseed, basil, cinnamon, citronella, clove, fennel, ginger, lemon, lemongrass, lemon myrtle, may

chang, *ine, 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. &nyone who knows they have sensitive skin

should always use a low dilution when a**lying oils to the skin.

0o not use the same essential oil all of the time.

!se a blend of oils with similar *ro*erties to achieve the best result and alternate the essential oils

being used every cou*le of weeks. "ome *eo*le will find that using the same oils all of the time, are

not as effective after a while. 1e*eated e


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uring *regnancy, many aromathera*ists consider it *rudent to avoid the use of aniseed, basil, bay

laurel, cedarwood, cinnamon, citronella, clary sage, clove, fennel, hysso*, )uni*er berry, sweet

mar)oram, myrrh, nutmeg, *arsley, *e**ermint, rose, rosemary, sage and thyme, because of the belief

they may harm the foetus or involve some risk of miscarriage. 3?4

The latest research available by Tisserand and Balacs suggests that most of these oils are safe during

*regnancy as long as they are not taken orally and the directions for use are followed. & ma


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*ennyroyal, sassafras and wormwood. I would also add wintergreen to this list. Even though it is listed

as an oil not to be used in aromathera*y at all, it is still widely available. It is also very im*ortant that

anyone taking warfarin medication should avoid wintergreen essential oil because it has established

incom*atibilities, even when a**lied to*ically. 3:4

!sing essential oils during *regnancy is one area that *eo*le become e

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