Essential Oil Safety

There are a few important rules to remember when you are using essential oils. They include:

• Before you begin using it, read about and fully understand the benefits, risks and recommended usage guidelines for the essential oil you have chosen.
   
• Maintain drop-by-drop control of the essential oil by always leaving the bottle's orifice reducer in place (or add one if the bottle doesn't have one).
   
• Never take essential oils internally, unless specifically directed to do so by a fully qualified aromatherapy practitioner.
   
  
• Always dilute an essential oil if it is going to be used on the skin (see below for more detail).
   
• Do not use essential oils on infants.
   
• Dilute and/or disperse essential oils before adding to bath water (use a solubilizer such as Alchemilla's Aromatherapy Solubilizer, or add it to an unscented shampoo or liquid soap first).
   
• Immediately remove essential oil spills from the skin by rubbing plenty of vegetable oil (olive, sunflower etc.) onto it, then washing it off with soap and warm water. Repeat if necessary.
   
• Keep essential oils away from the eyes and mouth.
   
• Essential oils are flammable. Keep them away from source of ignition or open flame.
   
• Keep essential oils out of childrens' reach.

Essential oils are very concentrated and, except in a rare few cases, almost always too strong to be applied to the skin in an undiluted form.

Handle and use essential oils sparingly, and with extreme care - their power to evoke changes within the body and mind should not be underestimated.

Never consume essential oils internally unless specifically instructed to do so by a qualified health and/or aromatherapy practitioner.

Some essential oils can be toxic if ingested, or can cause irritation in their neat form. Always keep them out of the reach of children.

When using essential oils topically (on the skin - such as in massage or skin healing blends), a carrier oil should be used to dilute it first. A patch test is strongly recommended, particularly for those with sensitive skin. If you spill neat essential oil on your skin, dilute it first with vegetable oil and wash it off with soap and warm water.

There are essential oils that should be avoided in specific circumstances and health conditions, whilst others will be perfectly appropriate. Always be sure to research contraindications of any essential oil you are considering using, especially if you have a health concern or are pregnant.

Essential oils are volatile - they evaporate quickly. They should be stored in a cool dark, placed in a tightly closed bottle with stopper cap.

If in doubt, always consult a qualified aromatherapist or the essential oil distributor, before using it.

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