Essential Oils General Precautions

Essential oils are very concentrated. Their safe use requires they be treated with care and respect. The user should be knowledgeable about their properties and actions before any use. Always consult with your doctor especially if pregnant or nursing. The information presented on these is not intended to replace your Doctors advice.

Always read and follow all label warnings and cautions. Most personal applications require drops rather than ounces. Keep oils tightly closed and out of the reach of children. Never ingest essential oils. Don't use undiluted oils on your skin (Dilute with vegetable oils, known as "carrier oils," such as sweet almond oil or grape seed oil).

Skin test oils before using. Dilute a small amount and apply to the skin on your inner arm. Do not use if redness or irritation occurs. Keep oils away from eyes and mucous membranes.

Avoid use of these oils during pregnancy: bitter almond, basil, clary sage, clove bud, hyssop, sweet fennel, juniper berry, marjoram, myrrh, peppermint, rose, rosemary, sage, thyme and wintergreen.

These oils can be especially irritating to the skin: allspice, bitter almond, basil, cinnamon leaf, cinnamon bark, clove bud, sweet fennel, fir needle, lemon, lemongrass, mellissa, peppermint, tea tree and wintergreen.

Angelica and all citrus oils make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light. Do not go out into the sun with these oils on your skin. Sweet fennel, hyssop, sage and rosemary should not be used by anyone with epilepsy. People with high blood pressure should avoid hyssop, rosemary, sage and thyme.