Dangers of Essential Oil That We Need To Know
People rave about the healthful properties of essential oils, and for a good reason. Essential oils from peppermint, lavender or clary sage (to name a few) can provide incredible curative powers to menstrual pain, digestive problems, mood swings, depression, insomnia, acne and more. Essential oils are potent extracts of particular flowers and plants and can be used in aromatherapy, massage, and sometimes upon ingestion.
But there are some common mistakes some people make when it comes to purchasing and utilizing essential oils. But don’t worry! Essential oils are still incredibly good for your health, but you need to make sure you use them correctly. Here are five common mistakes made when using essential oils, and what you can do to fix them.
5 Big Essential Oil Mistakes
1. Skipping the research
Skipping research usually occurs when you hear about a particular type of oil through word of mouth. A friend may tell you oregano oil will soothe your sore throat, and instead of researching how to use it, you dab it on your throat. Chances are, you won’t feel too good afterward, in fact, it can cause lots of pain. Its high-phenol content and potency will worsen your sore throat.
Remember that many, if not most, essential oils will need you to use a carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil alongside it. This will allow your body to absorb the benefits of pure oil without experiencing the discomforts of its potency.
2. Applying near your eyes
There is a rumor circulating the Internet that lavender oil will stimulate the growth of your eyelashes. DO NOT attempt to put lavender oil on your eye. The same goes for peppermint essential oil. The oils will be tough to get out of your eye since oil and water do not mix, and it will cause you lots of pain.
If you do happen to get essential oil in your eye, get a substance that is safe to put in your eyes that will emulsify the oil. Then you can use water to flush it away.
3. Diffusing oils around pets
There are have been many reports of cats and dogs dying from essential oils. Tea tree oil, for example, has shown to be toxic to dogs, who come to the vet with tremors, lack of coordination, weakness, vomiting, and depression.
Pennyroyal is also known to be used as flea control but is also considered to be toxic to liver and kidneys. Cats can also contain a large build-up of toxins from these oils, which can result in the slow onset of organ failure. The chemical constituents of the oils, from terpenes, ketones to phenols, these can have similar effects to your pet breathing in second-hand cigarette smoke.
4. Overuse of essential oil
Essential oils are highly concentrated substances; to make one pound of their respective essential oils, it takes 150 pounds of lavender flowers, 250 pounds of peppermint leaves, and at least 4,000 pounds of Bulgarian rose!
While essential oils are a great natural alternative to synthetic medication, everybody will respond to its chemistry differently, and the amount of essential oil used will vary. Treat an essential oil like you would any other drug, in moderation and only when needed.
5. Choosing an oil based off of the scent
The fact that essential oils make an aromatic, natural perfume, does not mean you should choose or use an essential oil based on how it smells. This takes us back to the first point: do your research first!
Lavender and peppermint oil are known for smelling lovely, but they shouldn’t be used because of their scent, but peppermint is a great energy booster, so maybe don’t inhale its aroma before bedtime. Lavender oil, conversely, is a known sedative, so inhaling it first thing in the morning could spawn adverse side effects.
6. Forgetting to pay attention to quality
Cheapest is not always best. High-quality oils are 100% and are usually on the pricier side, but don’t be fooled by expensive oil that isn’t pure. Poor quality means oils have been distilled from poor crops, improperly handled, or have expired.
Most oil vendors sell quality oils in sizes of 4 oz. or smaller. The bottle should be glass and dark-colored with an eyedropper bulb. If there are words on the labels like “fragrance,” “nature identical,” or “perfume,”- stay away, as it is not pure.
Conclusion
You shouldn’t be afraid or overwhelmed by essential oils. Yes, there are thousands of varieties, and they all have so many different properties for almost all health maladies. But there is plenty of information on each essential oil. It’s important to listen to aromatherapists and certified professionals whenever using these oils.
