Essential oils are natural extracts from certain parts of plants. They’re typically diluted with carrier oils and can be used in aromatherapy, for skin care or in cooking.
There isn’t enough evidence about whether essential oils treat specific health conditions. More research is needed. Before you use them, talk with your healthcare provider.
How to Use
The most common way to use essential oils is inhaling the scent, which can be done directly out of the bottle or using a diffuser. They can also be applied topically, mixed into a carrier oil and applied to the skin for things like pain relief or sleep aids, or added to food or drinks.
When you breathe in an essential oil, the aroma molecules travel from your olfactory nerves into your brain, where they interact with the limbic system to help regulate emotions and memories, says Davila. They can also be absorbed through the skin, where they distribute throughout the bloodstream to potentially enhance different aspects of overall health, she adds.
Always dilute essential oils before applying them to your skin, as they are strong and may cause irritation or an allergic reaction. A good guideline is three to 12 drops of oil per ounce of carrier or fatty oil.
Safety
Essential oils are highly concentrated and can be toxic if ingested in large amounts. Ingestion can cause a wide variety of symptoms from stomach upset to breathing difficulties in susceptible people. For this reason, they should only be inhaled or applied topically and never swallowed directly. They can also be dangerous for pets, so it is important to keep them out of reach and use pet-safe oils if using around your pet.
When using essential oils for the first time, it is important to start with a high-quality oil that has gone through extensive purity testing. Always dilute when applying to children, especially infants and toddlers. Additionally, some essential oils may interfere with medications, so it is important to check the label and consult a medical professional before trying any new product with your child’s medication. For example, anise (Pimpinella anisum) has been shown to decrease the effectiveness of antidepressants and fir Abies balsamea has been found to inhibit certain metabolic pathways in the liver that regulate blood glucose levels in some diabetes patients.
Side Effects
As with any herbal supplement, there’s limited research on essential oils and their impact on human health. In general, though, most are considered safe with proper dilution and application methods.
They’re often used to treat symptoms like headaches and stress. They can be applied topically, added to shampoo or diffused at home. Some even make an appearance in beauty products, from perfume to face masks.
But not all are created equal. Some may cause a skin reaction, especially in sensitive individuals. And if you’re taking prescription medications, consult your doctor before using essential oils. They can interfere with some treatments, including anti-seizure drugs and antidepressants. And some oils — like thyme, oregano and citrus — increase sun sensitivity and can lead to burns when applied directly to the skin. They can also trigger asthma in some people and cause respiratory irritation when inhaled. There’s also concern that some of the compounds found in these oils can be endocrine disruptors, causing changes to hormone levels.
Precautions
One of the most hazardous mistakes is using essential oils without proper precautions. Regardless of their benefits, essential oils are highly concentrated and must be treated with care and respect.
For instance, if you apply an essential oil directly to your skin, it should be diluted with a carrier oil like sweet almond or olive oil. This is because undiluted essential oils may irritate your skin.
Inhaling essential oils can also cause respiratory irritation. This can result in symptoms like coughing, nose and throat irritation or shortness of breath, especially in individuals with preexisting respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
In addition, it’s important to avoid photosensitive essential oils like birch and wintergreen when applying them topically. These oils contain furocoumarins that increase the risk of sunburns when used in undiluted form on the skin. The best way to prevent this is to only use diluted essential oils on the skin or add them into a lotion that will stay on the skin longer, such as body lotions or creams.
