Is it harmful to apply essential oils directly?

Essential oils are widely used, but people don't pay much attention to how to use them correctly. In fact, essential oils are similar to traditional Chinese medicine and have certain medicinal effects. Therefore, when using essential oils, you need to pay attention to some things to avoid its toxicity or some things that need to be avoided. Let's discuss whether applying essential oils directly is harmful. We need to follow the following principles:

Eight rules for safe use

1. Must be diluted

Essential oils are highly concentrated, so most must be diluted when used. As for the usage of essential oils, using air to diffuse the essential oils is a dilution method, while if they are absorbed directly through the skin, vegetable oils must be added for dilution. In short, remember to dilute them first.

Of course, it is not that essential oils cannot be applied as pure oils. Generally speaking, except for phenols or some essential oils that are more irritating to the skin, using a small amount of 1~2 drops is fine. In an emergency or when it is temporarily inconvenient to mix the oils, you can also use pure oils, but don't make it a habit and don't use too much at one time. 1~2 drops are acceptable. The most suitable pure oils for use are lavender and tea tree. Some aromatherapy experts believe that only these two essential oils can be used as pure oils.

2. Oral use must be directed by an expert or aromatherapist

Essential oils of very good quality can be taken orally, but not all essential oils are suitable for internal use, and the quality of essential oils on the market varies. If you cannot judge the quality of an essential oil, it is best not to take it orally. Some aromatherapy schools even believe that essential oils cannot be taken orally and take a more cautious attitude. Of course, aromatherapists with rich academic and practical experience can recommend oral administration according to actual needs, but unless there is expert guidance, it is better to avoid oral administration!

3. Do not contact eyes

Essential oils are extremely concentrated, so they should not come into contact with eyes. If used around the eyes, the dosage should be adjusted to about 1% and not too close to the eyes. You can also use hydrosols instead of essential oils to avoid accidental contact with your eyes.

4. Do a skin test before use

Some essential oils may cause allergies or irritate the skin, and some people are prone to allergies to essential oils. Therefore, testing before use is important. First, prepare the essential oil at a 3% concentration and apply it to the armpits or chest. You can use this essential oil only if there is no allergic reaction after at least 24 hours. After testing several essential oils and finding no problems, and having a basic understanding of essential oils, you can skip the testing step.

5. When there is a wound on the skin

Essential oils should be avoided from being used on wounds, so do not apply essential oils directly to wounds on your skin. However, if it is a small knife wound or small wound, you can use essential oils to make the skin heal faster!

6. Do not use photosensitive essential oils on areas that will be exposed to the sun.

Some essential oils contain ingredients that can cause photosensitivity. If you use them and then expose them to the sun, your skin will darken and may even cause skin cancer. Photosensitivity can be mild or severe. For mild cases, such as grapefruit, it is fine to use it in low doses at night and expose it to the sun the next day. However, for products like lemon verbena, the photosensitivity may last for a long time, so it is necessary to avoid using it in places where it will be exposed to the sun. Generally speaking, citrus (Rutaceae Citrus) essential oils, including lemon, bergamot, tangerine, sweet orange, lime, etc., are photosensitizing. Angelica root, lemon verbena, coriander, etc. are also photosensitizing essential oils.

7. Single essential oil cannot be used for too long

The same essential oil should not be used continuously for a maximum of 3 weeks. It is necessary to avoid using a single essential oil every day. The reason is that if the same essential oil is used every day, the body will get used to it and the effect will be reduced. Here, if the essential oil used is toxic, it will cause damage to the liver and kidneys over a long period of time. In comparison, compound essential oils are safer than single essential oils. If they are used for conditioning, compound essential oils can be used continuously for about 3 months, and no longer than half a year. However, it is better to consult an expert before use!

8. Do not use too high a dose frequently

When using essential oils, to achieve therapeutic effects, low doses and a period of time are usually required, so that the effect of adjusting body functions is best. High doses are generally only used in emergency situations, such as fever, diarrhea, etc., or as an aid in certain emergencies. For normal use, the concentration should be 3~5%; for more dangerous essential oils, the concentration should not exceed 3%.

[People who cannot use essential oils]

1. Babies

Generally speaking, in addition to the essential oils that are marked as not to be used by infants and young children, such as essential oils containing ketones, phenols and other ingredients, there are still many essential oils that can be used by babies. However, if you don’t understand essential oils, it is generally better to use safer essential oils such as lavender, Roman chamomile, German chamomile, marigold, orange, etc. at home. The dosage should be low and it is best to be taken under the guidance of a specialist.

2. Pregnant women

Pregnant women should avoid using essential oils that have menstrual effects. The reason is that using this type of essential oil can cause menstruation, that is, menstruation. As to whether it will cause miscarriage, there is currently no evidence. Some more dangerous essential oils should also not be used, such as rosemary, myrrh, hyssop, parsley and other essential oils. The country asks for caution. Pregnant women should still be guided by a professional before using essential oils.

3. People with asthma should not use steam inhalation

People with asthma should use the steam method to inhale essential oils, or avoid using too strong steam, because too strong steam can make asthma patients temporarily breathless and create danger.

4. Use with caution in patients with poor liver and kidney function

Some essential oils can cause liver and kidney toxicity. They are fine at low doses, but high doses and used by people with poor liver and kidney function can be harmful. Therefore, it is safer for people with poor liver and kidney function to consult a specialist before use.

5. Patients with epilepsy

Some essential oils can induce epilepsy, so they are not suitable for people with epilepsy, such as essential oils such as hyssop and myrrh.