Risks and Dangers of Essential Oils

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Warning- risks of essential oild and how to use them safely
Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » Risks and Dangers of Essential Oils

Essential oils are all the rage lately, and with good reason. They are, in a sense, a pharmaceutical grade natural remedy with incredible power. But with great power comes great responsibility, and there are many essential oil resources online giving worrisome blanket advice about their use.

Don’t get me wrong. I love oils and I use them daily. Most often, I use them diluted in natural beauty or natural cleaning recipes, but I also use them aromatically and therapeutically at times.

Because of the strength of essential oils, I am cautious of over-using them and want to make sure that my family always uses them safely. Here are some important things to know about essential oils (and of course, check with a certified herbalist, aromatherapist or doctor) before using them.

Essential Oils are Highly Concentrated

Did you know that it takes:

  • 256 pounds of peppermint leaf to make one pound of peppermint essential oil
  • 150 pounds or more of lavender flowers to make one pound of lavender essential oil
  • Thousands of pounds of roses to make 1 pound of rose essential oil

Essential Oils contain very concentrated properties of the herb or plant they are derived from. A very small amount of EOs often has the qualities of many cups of herbal tea from the same plant. For instance, one drop of peppermint essential oil is equivalent to 26-28 cups of peppermint tea. This isn’t to say essential oils should not be used, but they should be used carefully, with proper education and in safe amounts. If you wouldn’t ingest dozens of cups of an herbal tea, you should probably think twice before consuming the equivalent amount of essential oils.

Essential Oils on the Skin

I use essential oils in many of my beauty recipes like lotion bars and herbal face oil but in diluted amounts. The key word is “diluted.”

In most cases, essential oils should not be used undiluted on the skin. There are exceptions, of course, but most of the time, essential oils should only be used undiluted under the care and guidance of a trained medical or aromatherapy practitioner. Due to the small molecular size of essential oils, they can penetrate the skin easily and enter the bloodstream.

As a general rule, essential oils should be diluted in a carrier oil like coconut oil or almond oil in a 3-5% solution. On  practical level this is 3-5 drops of essential oils per teaspoon of carrier oil (and much less if using on a baby or child).

Undiluted use on the skin can cause irritation or an allergic reaction in some people, and I’ve even read cases of someone getting a permanent sensitivity to a certain oil after using it undiluted on broken skin. Some oils, like lavender, rose and chamomile are typically considered safe for undiluted skin use, but I’d still personally dilute them (most of these are expensive oils and would be costly to use undiluted anyway).

I personally test any essential oil, diluted, on my arm before using on a larger part of my body. Some essential oils are considered ok to use undiluted on the skin if an individual isn’t sensitive to them, but again, always check with a qualified practitioner first.

From a personal perspective, I have first hand experience with the potential problems with undiluted skin exposure. I tried a new massage therapist in our small town since she had a special deal for “aromatherapy” massage. I assumed this meant that there would be essential oils in a diffuser during the massage. To my surprise, as the massage began I felt drops on my back. I realized a few seconds later that she was pouring essential oils on my back… a lot of them. I asked her what oils she was using and she assured me that they were safe, but I got a headache soon after.

In all, she probably poured 80+ drops of undiluted essential oils on my back. I had shivers and a headache for the rest of the day and a large red spot on my back (12 inches in diameter) that lasted several days. Certainly, I should have asked her to stop instead of just asking what the oils were, but what shocked me was that she did not ask if she could use essential oils on me, she did not ask if I was pregnant or had a health condition first and I found out after that she was not even a trained massage therapist or aromatherapist but that she had just “invented” the technique as a way to therapeutically use essential oils.

Again, I should have acted differently and probably asked to see her massage license first, but my experience with this amount of essential oils on the skin was not a positive one.

Bottom Line: Exercise caution and do your research before using essential oils on the skin, even undiluted.

Photosensitivity of Certain Oils

I always include a caution on my recipes that include citrus oils that they may make the skin more sensitive to the sun. These oils have certain constituents that can make the skin more sensitive to UV light and can lead to blistering, discoloration of the skin or burning more easily from minor sun exposure.

Though the risk of photosensitivity or phototoxicity varies based on the way the oil was distilled, oils generally considered photosensitive are: orange, lime, lemon, grapefruit, and bergamot.

Internal Use of Essential Oils

This will be a controversial point, but many essential oils are not safe for internal use and others should be used with extreme caution. Since essential oils are the equivalent of 10-50 cups of herbal tea (depending on the herb) or 20x the recommended dose of an herbal tincture of the same herb, they should only be taken internally in situations where they are absolutely needed and with extreme care (and under the guidance of a trained professional).

Here’s the thing- essential oils are extremely potent plant compounds that can have a very dramatic effect on the body. Many online sources tout their “antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal” properties. You know what is teeming with many types of bacteria? Your gut.

Research is emerging constantly about our extremely diverse gut microbiomes, but we do not fully understand them yet. We do know that gut health drastically affects other aspects of health and that imbalances in the gut can cause problems in the skin, brain and other parts of the body. The effects of essential oils on gut bacteria have not been well studied yet and the very real antibacterial properties of essential oils may kill many types of bacteria in the gut (including beneficial and necessary bacteria).

In fact, the studies conducted about the antibacterial properties of essential oils compare them to antibiotics and suggest that they may be an effective alternative to antibiotics (here’s one study).

Antibiotics can be life-saving and necessary in some cases (they saved my husband’s life several years ago) but they should not be used regularly, preventatively or without the oversight of a medical professional. If essential oils can act in the same way as antibiotics, we should exercise the same caution in using them internally.

In most cases, some of the same benefits of an essential oil (taken internally) can be obtained by using the herb itself (fresh or dried) or a tea or tincture of that herb.

Many essential oils are considered “GRAS” or Generally Recognized as Safe for food and cosmetic use. However, most essential oils have not been studied, especially in concentrated internal amounts. Things like vinegar, salt and baking soda also are given this status, but that doesn’t mean they should be consumed regularly or in large amounts. Always do your research first!

Essential Oils During Pregnancy or Nursing

Essential oils can affect hormones, gut bacteria and other aspects of health and extreme care should be used when taking them while pregnant or nursing.

There is evidence that essential oils can cross the placenta and get to the baby. The effects of essential oils can be compounded in utero and extreme care should be taken with essential oil use during pregnancy. Again, I’m not saying they should not be used during pregnancy, but that extreme care should be taken and research done first.

I personally would not take any essential oil internally during pregnancy (or even while nursing). At these times, I stick to aromatherapy and very diluted use of approved essential oils in skin care recipes and baths. I also always re-test an oil in a diluted skin test before using it during pregnancy.

Many oils are considered safe during pregnancy, especially after the first trimester (depending on the source), but again, I’d check with a professional and use caution with any herbs used during pregnancy. Even oils that are considered safe may be harmful to certain women and there is some speculation that the actions of some oils on hormones can cause dangerous hormone imbalances during pregnancy.

Oils Considered NOT Safe During Pregnancy

Aniseed, Angelica, Basil, Black pepper, Camphor, Cinnamon, Chamomile, Clary Sage (often used during labor by midwives safely), clove, fennel, fir, ginger, horseradish (should not be used by anyone), Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Mustard, Mugwart (should not be used by anyone), Myrrh, Nutmeg, Oregano, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Wintergreen.

I would personally recommend checking with a doctor or midwife before taking an essential oils during pregnancy.

Peppermint essential oil may decrease milk supply while nursing, and as such, I avoid it topically while nursing.

Use on Babies and Children

This is one of the things that concerns me the most with a lot of the essential oil recommendations I see online. In my opinion, essential oils should never be given internally to children or used undiluted on the skin. They should be diluted  more than they are for adult application and care should be taken with any essential oils considered “hot” as they may cause damage to the skin.

In general, oils like lavender, chamomile, orange, lemon and frankincense are considered safe for diluted use on children, but I would personally still do a skin test and check with a doctor first.

Some oils have caused seizures in children and extreme caution should be used (this article from a naturopathic pediatrician explains more and gives some case studies– since people have commented, I want to mention that I do think her post is overly alarmist but she makes some good points as well). To clarify- these seizure reactions were rare and most were in people who were predisposed to seizures, but this still isn’t a risk I would take with small children.

Others, like peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus and wintergreen should not be used around young children or babies. These herbs contain menthol and 1,8-cineole. These compounds can slow breathing (or even stop it completely) in very young children or those with respiratory problems. Of course, they should never be used internally or undiluted on the skin for children, but these particular oils warrant caution even for aromatic use. I would not personally ever use these oils on or around babies for this reason.

This article from the University of Minnesota cautions about the use of peppermint and similar oils in children under six, because: “Menthol-one of the major chemicals in peppermint oil-has caused breathing to stop in young children, and has caused severe jaundice in babies with G6PD deficiency (a common genetic enzyme deficiency) (Price & Price, 1999).”

Since the effects of essential oils are more concentrated on children, it is prudent to exercise extra caution when using essential oils on them. Personally, I stick to using safe essential oils in a diffuser or in very diluted amounts in beauty and cleaning products.

Important note to add: pets can be just as vulnerable.

Essential Oils in Plastics

Another thing that is not often mentioned is that essential oils should never be stored in plastic containers, especially in concentrated forms. Many essential oils can eat through plastics when undiluted, and even when diluted, they can degrade plastics over time.

I make homemade cleaners with essential oils in glass bottles for this reason (even though they are very diluted) and store homemade beauty products in glass whenever possible.

This caution also extends to other surfaces in the house, which I found out the hard way. A bottle of wild orange oil was left on a piece of homemade furniture in our house and when I picked it up the next day, it had stuck to the piece, pulling off the finish and stain when I picked it up. Apparently, there was a little bit of the oil still on the bottom of the bottle (likely from my hand when pouring it). Be extremely careful about leaving any oils, especially citrus oils, on wood or other stained surfaces.

The Good News

Though there are a lot of warnings about safe use of essential oils, they are wonderful natural remedies when used correctly. I hope that this post doesn’t discourage anyone from using essential oils, but rather encourages proper research and safety first.

I use essential oils almost daily, but I make sure to research each oil and its proper use first. It can also be really helpful to find a trained aromatherapist, herbalist or naturopathic doctor to ask specific questions about essential oils. It is also important to make sure any essential oils you use are organic and very high quality.

Safe Ways to Use Essential Oils:

At the end of the day, essential oils can be a great and safe natural remedy, if used safely. The main ways I use essential oils are:

I reserve undiluted skin use and internal use for times of real need when the benefits outweigh the risk and I avoid using essential oils in this way on babies/children or when I am pregnant.

What essential oils do you use? Have you ever had any negative effects from their use?

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

498 responses to “Risks and Dangers of Essential Oils”

  1. Carman Avatar

    Thank you for this well rounded, fair article. It is very informative. I was trying to find out if lime EO is acidic because I have been putting it in my drinks and it turns out I have “dry mouth”. I need to stay away from acidi drinks.

    As far as what appears to be an argument on this thread, I will say that googling someone is not always the answer because it isn’t always accurate. I have no idea if what some are saying is true or not, and to be honest, they probably don’t know it as a fact either. I believe they do believe it fine true.

    What is a fact is YL and DoTERRA reps (maybe pushed by the companies) are at odds. Because of this, I don’t know who to believe and will take any articles I read with a grain of salt. I know 4-5 people selling DoTERRA and 4-5 (mostly teachers) selling YL.

    I personally use DoTERRA, only because that is the brand I was first introduced to and I have good experiences with the oils. I also use that brand because it is family members I am supporting when I buy it. I have nothing against YL. My friends really believe in it, so I’m assuming it is high quality.

    Just my two cents. Thanks again for the article.

  2. Lisa Avatar

    Hi, I came to this page because I’m pregnant and was trying to find what essential oils I need to avoid to find a bug mosquito and tick repellent spray. All my natural brands have citronella in them which j heard j should stay away from. I’ve used burts bees and the honest company in the past. Any suggestions? Thanks!

  3. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    I have to say I’m very confused & kind of terrified to use essential oils now! I love your site & find it very informative but am a little frustrated that you’d would write something like this & then not bother to answer many of the questions posed in the comments section-since you have become a trusted source of information on this topic. I have found it almost impossible to find accurate or untainted information out there when attempting to do research on EO brands & effects. Even approaching a doctor or aromatherapist isn’t always accurate or unbiased. Many doctors don’t believe in natural remedies & even if they do, they’re not often trained in the field. Any info I find is either biased or contradictory to the next lot of information I read! Apparently, according to one comment even clinical trials can’t be trusted to be accurate, which is highly disturbing! I find that some of this information is contradictory to some of the recipes I find on this site. It’s impossible! I tend to trust you more so than others as you are a mother like me, with no bias or affiliations to any companies or brands. Could you possibly list some trusted but affordable brands, distributors etc? Also, are companies allowed to claim “organic”, “100% pure”, “therapeutic grade” etc if they are not? In Australia there are often strict guidelines on this type of thing (though I don’t know the guidelines for EO’s) but it’s expensive to buy oils in Australia. Is it safe to buy oils from sites like Etsy or can any fool bottle some smelly liquid & call it “pure, organic essential oil”? This topic seems to be a minefield of inaccurate information with a complete lack of trustworthy, responsible people in charge of guidelines & research! Any advice on where to safely buy affordable oils & brands you have used would be greatly appreciated, along with any info on what people/companies are allowed to claim in regards to purity etc. I’m new to all of this & have a hard time knowing what to believe now! Cheers.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      You are right, there is so much conflicting information out there and so much mis-information. From what I understand there is no regulatory safety agency that monitors terms like “therapeutic grade” or “pure” or “natural,” though “organic” is regulated like it would be in other products. Most of these companies that claim this have actually just made up these terms and trademarked them, which is what they are referring to when they say “registered” therapeutic grade. I’m not familiar with any companies in Australia. I’ve personally purchased organic oils from Mountain Rose Herbs and from Rocky Mountain Oils, as well as from Plant Therapy. I would just look for organic brands (that are not part of an MLM) that you can verify sourcing of. Good luck! Essential oils can be amazing and helpful and I certainly don’t mean to scare you away from using them, I just hope you’ll do your own research as well and use them carefully!

  4. Mackenzie Avatar
    Mackenzie

    Hi Namadhira,

    No, you shouldn’t be using plastic. Here’s a link to a glass spray bottle that has UV protection for the oils: https://www.amazon.com/Empty-Blue-Glass-Spray-Bottle/dp/B00O1CLTMG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=wellnessmama-20&linkId=81aae8dc9338cbea242ceb005e26f892&language=en_US

    Also, you should be using only Certified Organic essential oils, such as the ones found here:

    https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/catalog/aromatherapy/essential-oils

    or here:

    https://www.purifyskintherapy.com/essential-oil-singles-s/110.htm

    Here’s a link to a great recipe from Wellness Mama that may help your acne as well:

    https://wellnessmama.com/13344/homemade-honey-face-wash/

    Remember that healthy skin comes from the inside out, so it’s more important to focus on what you eat and drink every day. Wellness Mama’s site is full of wonderful information on proper nutrition to give your body what it needs to stay healthy and have beautiful skin! : )

    Take care and God bless you!

  5. Namadhira Enkara Avatar
    Namadhira Enkara

    Hi. I am a female suffering from hormonal acne. I use BON Natural oils. I believe as from your posts it’s not good to use as it’s packaged in a plastic spray container or can I still use it and I also make a toner of AVC that is naturally fermented diluted with about 5-7 drops of BON esstenial oils, 5-7 drops of lemon and the same quantity of distilled water as the ACV. I put this mixture in a spray plastic bottle as I need to spray my back also. Is it also fine or should I not be using the plastic bottle and if not what spray bottle can should I use? Thanks

  6. Carol K. Avatar
    Carol K.

    I am fairly new to using oils and I am noticing that when I have used peppermint oil for a headache or arnica on a sore knee that I actually taste the oil in my mouth. Am I imagining this?

  7. Monica Avatar

    I always have an allergic reaction when i add lavender (only one I’ve tried) in diy beauty products. But im ok adding to my temples or bath. It has to be the lavender as im not allergic to coconut oil, jojoba, shae or castor. Any thoughts?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      That is really strange…. so you react to the in combination, but not on their own? I haven’t heard of that, but definitely leave out the lavender if you think it is causing the reaction!

  8. Leon Avatar

    Wow, quite the hoopla. I’m in Canada and my favourite brand is Divine Essence. They are organic and Extra Grade, which is the highest grade of organic oils in Canada, I believe. I find the smell of their oils superior to many others, and the Lemon EO is fantastic. I don’t work for them, sell them, related to them in anyway.

  9. Amanda Avatar

    Is there any problem with ingesting oregano caplets, after all they are made to swallow? Inly on a short term basis of course?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      I have seen oregano used in gut protocols for a short time with the purpose of killing pathogenic bacteria, but I wouldn’t use it without the oversight of a trained practitioner.

  10. Felicia Avatar

    Does anyone know anything about the essential oils from the brand Itworks?

  11. Lauren Avatar

    Hi Katie – I am making your squeezable toothpaste recipe and am wondering about adding the oils you recommended. I am pregnant/nursing. This article on safety of oils seems to contradict the toothpaste recipe as far as cinnamon and peppermint oil, at least while pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Do you have a different recipe you use when nursing or pregnant? Or do you just leave the oils out? Is it still effective? Thanks.

  12. Kara Avatar

    As I learn more about EOs, I am realizing that a blend that an EO rep suggested I use on my then 2 year old (she is now 4) contained oils that shouldn’t be used for that age(rosemary, clove). She had extensive eczema and I was desperate for anything to help. We used it daily, diluted in coconut oil for months before I finally gave up. I haven’t used any oils on her since and now I am worried about longterm damage (liver, kidney, etc). Should I be concerned? I am a worried momma 🙁

  13. Liz Avatar

    I so appreciate this site! I am new at using eos and just bought a diffuser. I am so distressed hearing that using the diffuser at night where my cats also sleep might be harmful to them. Is this true ? Will using the diffuser harm them? What about using cleaners and insect repellant eo based products? Thank you for your help!

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      In most amounts, they are safe to diffuse and use in the air in recommended amounts and it is more concentrated uses like internally and topically that tend to have more potential for harm. I’d check with a vet and an aromatherapist to make sure any specific oils you are using are safe for your pets, but I generally feel safe diffusing gentle oils around my pets and kids in diluted amounts.

  14. Jill Avatar

    Hi, so I was thinking of making a hair oil blend for a five year old who is sufferin from hair loss in certain spots due to too much braiding; I was thinking of adding a couple drops of rosemary extract; is this not a good idea?

  15. Meg Avatar

    Thank you for this article! I received an EO diffuser as a gift. Everyone in my house had sniffles/cough at the time, so I followed instructions on diffuser and added a “few drops” of Eucalyptus to the small reservoir. (What’s a few? 3?5?12????) So I put in 7-8 drops and let the thing run for hours. With my then 2mo old and 3 yr old playing near it.all.day. It wasn’t until I started looking up benefits of other oils that I realized eucalyptus isn’t safe around kids. I WAS MAD!!!! Nowhere on the EO bottle or diffuser did it say unsafe for small children. How many other moms out there are doing this and have no idea it is unsafe!?

    I was also told to soak a cotton swab with peppermint EO to keep mice away. I left the soaked swabs everywhere and my house smelled of peppermint for weeks… I used no precaution to my then 2 year old and I was pregnant at the time. Since I wasn’t using it therapeutically, I didn’t even think of doing my research! I just thought it was so much better than inhumanely catching mice!

    So, thank you! I will continue to spread awareness on this topic and set my EOs aside until my littles aren’t so little.

  16. kari wood Avatar
    kari wood

    I’ve been treating myself for underactive thyroid/anemia for 2 years with EO herbal teas,tinctures and many supplements. I am not a clinician but have worked in healthcare for 25 years and both parents are physicians…have learned a lot along the way and read a tremendous amount on TCM,Ayurveda and myriad alternative therapies.

    About a year ago? i came across a blog where the individual tested many of the big name EO companies for purity,efficacy etc ( based on protocols,references cited and oversight by industry leaders pappas?) I recall feeling it was legit and passed my bs detector. Aura Cacia and Now fared respectably in every category.

    I use the above, simplers botanicals, uncle harry’s, and others. An earlier post said “we can all agree” now products as well as aura cacia are “the worst” or something very close. The amount of $ that i spend (even while not working) is staggering on all of these things…not to mention organic food, bla,bla,bla.

    Does anyone have anything to add to support the claims that now and ac are substandard? Dont know how i could possibly buy Yl or Doterra for EVERY OIL i use……uggghhhh researching all this has become much harder, and i just dont have the time presently…..thank you for any edification/clarification.

    kari w.

  17. Mirandah Rowe Avatar
    Mirandah Rowe

    Do you think it is healthy to diffuse lavendar essential oils around an infant?

  18. Ena Avatar

    I just found this wonderful web site. I would like to know if it is considered safe to inhale essential oils using a nasal inhaler. This type:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y-q8IK2DOw

    The reason I am asking is that I am a very nervous flying, and I am considering using clary sage and nutmeg essential oils (may mixed together, perhaps with adding bergamot and frankincense), in order to reduce my fear of flying. I realize that ingesting essential oils is controversial and I’d rather not do that. I’d rather avoid anti-anxiety drugs, which might be habit-forming, even used occasionally when you have to travel.

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