Necessary Safety Measures to Consider When Using Essential Oils
Essential oils are powerful tools. They have to ability to interact with your body at a cellular level. It's no doubt the internet would quickly fill with controversy.
On the one hand, you have skeptics who don't believe in the power of essential oils and will stand behind the practice of science to try to prove it. On the other hand, you have the very same skeptics using the very same practice of science to claim that essential oils are dangerous (due to their extremely therapeutic properties) and can cause serious harm if used inappropriately.
Hmm. Am I the only person who sees the irony in those claims?
In any case, you are here.
Maybe you are here because you have a personal story or experience with essential oils. Maybe you are here because you’ve heard all the craze about essential oils and want to learn more. Maybe you are here because you have researched and you’re intrigued. Whatever the reason, ultimatelty you are here because you have accepted and respected all perceptions of aromatherapy and still have chosen to integrate them into your life in a responsible, safe, and effective manner.
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life." - Immanual Kant
It's true, essential oils are powerful compounds that drive the health of plants all over the world. The greater the potency of an oil, the greater the purity of an oil and the stronger the oil. This is the reason safety measures always need to be considered - as the skeptics are right and these powerful tools are capable of causing some serious damage if not used responsibly. The potency + purity of an essential oil creates a powerful tool that should be used with caution.
Essential oil education is imperative for beginners to learn the ins and outs of safe essential oil usage starting with some of the following guidelines:
dilute with a carrier oil especially for young children, seniors, and pregnant women
dilute with a carrier oils for everyone when using "hot" oils
avoid direct UV rays within 24 hours of using citrus oils
do not apply essential oils near or in the eyes and ears
read the label carefully and follow directions as stated on the bottle
if burning or redness occurs, dilute skin with carrier oil - do not add water (oils are not water soluble)
less is more; pure essential oils only take a few drops for optimal effectiveness
follow dilution guidelines for use on babies, toddlers, young children, people with skin sensitivities, pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, and pets - research and learn essential oils that should be avoided
attend essential oil education classes and follow along essential oil educators to learn more
While navigating essential oil usage, experiment with your essential oils while keeping the above safety measures in mind.