Essential oil safety advice & precautions

Essential oil safety: cautions, contra-indications & dilutions

17/04/2019 Christine Fisk MSc 7837 All Blog Articles General Christine Fisk Articles

While many essential oils and carrier oils can be used safely to promote good health and wellbeing, some should not be used at all in Aromatherapy and others should not be used in some circumstances. A comprehensive list of cautions and contra-indications are shown below in respect to the more popular essential oils and carrier oils used in Aromatherapy. It is recommended that only qualified aromatherapists use Cinnamon Leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) and Sage (Salvia officinalis).

Tisserand & Balacs (1995) and Davis (1988) suggest that the essential oils shown in the table below should not be used in Aromatherapy as they are potentially hazardous.

Essential oils that present risks of toxicity or skin irritation

A-I	J - R	S - Z
Almond, bitter	Jaborandi leaf	Sage (Dalmation)*
Armoise (Mugwort)	Lanyana	Sassafras
Basil with high estragole	Mugwort (Armoise)	Sassafras (Brazilian)
Birch*	Mustard	Savin
Boldo leaf	Origanum	Savory (Summer)
Cade (unrectified)	Origanum (Spanish)	Savory (Winter)
Calamus	Pennyroyal (European)	Snakeroot
Camphor (brown and yellow)	Pennyroyal (North American)	Southernwood
Cassia	Pine (dwarf)	Tansy
Cinnamon bark	Rue	Tarragon
Clove leaf		Tea
Costus		Thuja
Elecampane		Verbena
Fennel, bitter		Wintergreen*
Fig leaf		Wormseed
Horseradish		Wormwood

*Should only be used in moderation by qualified practitioners who know how to use them safely and responsibly.

Cautions and contra-indications

In some circumstances an individual may have a contra-indication in which certain essential oils and/or carrier oils should be avoided. This is because using the essential oil or carrier oil may increase a symptom or problem that may already exist or create other problems. Examples of contra-indications include high blood pressure, diabetes, open wounds etc. Some essential oils and carrier oils may be used but with caution, for example, oils that are known skin irritants. Table 2 provides a list of common essential oils and carrier oils together with associated cautions and contra-indications.

Essential oil / carrier oil	Cautions / Contra-indications
Sweet Almond	Avoid with nut allergies.
Angelica	Photo-sensitivity - avoid exposure to direct sunlight and sunbeds after application.
Arnica	Only use on unbroken skin.
Basil	Do not use during pregnancy. Only Basil with methyl chavicol of 5% or less should be used in aromatherapy. Avoid using Basil with high content of methyl cinnamate.
Bergamot	Photo-sensitivity - avoid exposure to direct sunlight and sunbeds after application.
Black Pepper	May over stimulate the kidneys
Cajuput	May irritate the skin.
Cedarwood Atlas	Do not use during pregnancy.
Roman Chamomile	Do not use if allergic to Roman Chamomile and other compositaes.
Cinnamon Leaf	Severe dermal irritant and sensitiser - use with care. Do not use Cinnamon bark.
Clary Sage	Do not use during pregnancy. Do not use if alcohol has been consumed. Avoid in cases of hormone related cancers.
Clove Bud	Potential skin irritant and sensitising agent.
Eucalyptus	Do not use during pregnancy. Do not use on babies and children under the age of 3.
Fennel	Do not use during pregnancy. Avoid with epilepsy.
Geranium	Cases of dermatitis have been reported in hypersensitive individuals.
Ginger	May cause sensitisation in some individuals.
Hazelnut	Hazelnuts may cause immunological contact urticaria and possibly anaphylaxis.
St John's Wort (Hypericum)	Photo-sensitivity - avoid exposure to direct sunlight and sunbeds after application.
Hyssop	Do not use during pregnancy. Avoid with epilepsy.
Juniperberry	Do not use during pregnancy. Do not use if kidneys are inflamed.
Lemon	Photo-sensitivity - avoid exposure to direct sunlight and sunbeds after application. May cause sensitisation in some individuals.
Lemongrass	Irritating and sensitising in some individuals.
Lime	The expressed oil is phototoxic - avoid exposure to direct sunlight and sunbeds after application.
Sweet Marjoram	Do not use during pregnancy.
Melissa	Possible skin irritant. Best avoided in pregnancy.
Myrrh	Do not use during pregnancy.
Nutmeg	Do not use during pregnancy. Use with care as the myristicin can cause hallucinations.
Olive	Dandruff is made worse if olive oil is applied to a dry scalp. The oil may cause an allergic reaction.
Peppermint	May occasionally be sensitising. Do not use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Do not use on children under the age of 3.
Pine	Potential dermal irritant in some individuals (especially dwarf pine)
Rosemary	Do not use during pregnancy, or if suffering with epilepsy or high blood pressure.
Spearmint	Do not use during pregnancy. Avoid with young children.
Tagetes	Possible skin irritant.
Tea Tree	Possibly sensitising to some individuals.
Thyme	Possibly sensitising to some individuals.
Wheatgerm	Avoid with wheat flour allergies
Ylang Ylang	Excessive use may cause nausea or headaches.

Safe dilution rates

In order to use essential oils safely and effectively, it is important to ensure they are diluted in a suitable carrier, for example, carrier oils, base creams or lotions. This helps to minimise any adverse skin reactions and systemic toxicity. Essential oils should never be used neat on the skin or taken internally.

The chart below provides basic guidelines on safe dilution rates for use at home.

Age range	Recommended dilution
Babies 0-12 months	1 drop of essential oil in 15ml of carrier. Only use Lavender or Roman Chamomile.
Infants 1-6 years*	1-2 drops of essential oil in 15ml of carrier.
Children 7-12 years*	1 drop of essential oil in 4ml of carrier.
Children 12+ years*	2 drops of essential oil in 4ml of carrier.
Adults	2 drops of essential oil in 4ml of carrier.
During pregnancy or with the elderly, frail or infirm	1 drop of essential oil in 4ml of carrier.