Fwd: [wiseweeds] Using Essential Oils Safely Part I of II

[Guest guest]

Because some readers are working with essential oils, I forwarded this onto

the list. Thanks to wiseweeds for providing the info.

 

Victoria

 

>Catherine Novak <cnovak

>wiseweeds

> " wiseweeds " <wiseweeds >,

> " EdibleWild " <EdibleWild >

>[wiseweeds] Using Essential Oils Safely Part I of II

>Wed, 31 May 2000 14:22:15 +0000

>

>Been seeing a lot of recipes bandied about on the internet.

>These recipes often require a lot of essential oils, much in

>excess of what I've learned to be safe over the years. So, I

>thought I'd share some information and one viewpoint on how

>to incorporate essential oils and aromatherapy safely into our daily

>lives.

>

>The essential oils of herbs contain their concentrated energies.

>An essential oil usually bears the aroma or flavor of a plant,

>although the intensity of the scent may be overwhelming compared

>to what you're used to the plant smelling like.

>

>Just because essential oils are derived from plants does not mean

>they are automatically safe to use. After handling essential oils,

>it is " essential " to wash one's hands carefully with warm water

>and soap. Avoid touching your eyes or putting your fingers in

>your mouth. Many people use disposable surgical gloves to

>protect their hands while working on projects that use

>e.o.

>

>Unlike fixed oils, essential oils are volatile. This means they

>evaporate

>rapidly at room temperature, whereas fixed oils, such as vegetable or

>motor oils, are more stable. Chemically, essential oils consist of a

>complex mixture of 30 to 100 or more compounds. As volatile

>oils, essential oils should be stored in dark, cool places--not only

>to preserve the quality of the e.o. itself, but also to avoid fire

>hazard.

>

>The oils themselves are found in various plant parts. Peppermint,

>patchouli, basil and geranium oils are derived from their leaves and

>stems. Clove oil comes from flower buds. Jasmine, rose and tuberose

>oils are derived from the open flowers. Essential oils are also derived

>

>from the seeds, wood, bark, roots, needles and skins of various plants.

>

>In addition to using essential oils through inhalation of their

>scents--through

>tea-light diffusers, candles, or potpourri pots, electric diffusers, or

>in baths,

>one can also apply diluted essential oils directly on the skin through

>massage.

>Because essential oils are so concentrated, it is usually best to dilute

>(almost

>always) them with a neutral carrier oil, such as sweet almond, jojoba,

>coconut or olive, to avoid irritating the skin.

>

>Even such oils as lavender, tea tree, sandalwood and rose should be

>diluted

>before use on the skin because undiluted use may lead to sensitization

>and

>the inability to get the healing benefits of those oils when they are

>most needed.

>

>Scientific research has shown that traces of essential oils placed

>externally

>on the skin will be found in the kidneys one hour later. However, the

>jury

>is out as to whether or not this occurs because the oils are absorbed

>through

>the skin or inhaled and then enter the bloodstream. Nonetheless,

>essential

>oils have proven to be effective healing agents used in conjunction

>with

>therapeutic massage.

>

>Some people take oils internally, but, because of their strength, need

>to

>be very careful about limiting the intake to one or two drops carefully

>diluted into honey or a neutral carrier oil suitable for ingestion, such

>as

>olive oil. Most practitioners recommend using essential oils ONLY

>EXTERNALLY as this is the safest and possibly most effective way

>to use them. You also must be certain you're using very high-quality

>oils,

>if you decide to use them internally. Some oils are considered toxic if

>taken internally, EVEN in small quantities.

>

>Most of us are already consuming essential oils internally as many

>of them are used as food additives and flavoring ingredients--whether

>in candies, cakes, toothpaste or mouthwash. Much of the research

>conducted on the safe use of essential oils has come from scientific

>studies

>to determine their toxicity levels when used in food, cosmetics and

>perfumes.

>

>Just as some herbs can cause irritation when touched, but can also

>provide healthful ingredients for teas, salves and other uses, so too,

>can

>essential oils irritate the skin if not first diluted into a neutral

>carrier oil,

>such as olive oil, jojoba oil, fractionated coconut, or others.

>

>Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a widely promoted and popular

>essential oil.

>Its medicinal, antiseptic scent and antiseptic properties make it a

>wonderful

>household cleaning ally. However, the myth and lore accompanying this

>useful

>oil would not only have you believing it can cure cancer, but that you

>are perfectly

>safe using it undiluted. Contrary to the mythology, you must dilute tea

>tree

>essential oil before using it. In fact, there's been at least one

>scientific study that

>has indicated tea tree is very effectively used in a mere one percent

>dilution.

>

>Martin Watt has written extensively on the safety considerations of

>using

>essential oils.

>

>Mr. Watt says,

> " Adverse reactions

>The 3 main kinds of adverse reactions that can occur with essential

>oils applied to the skin are:

>

>1.Irritation. This is a process where some substance comes into

>contact with the skin, and causes anything from a mild itch to burns.

>The important thing though it that once the substance is removed and

>healing

>takes place, there should be no more problems.

>

>2.Sensitisation. This is a much more serious situation than irritation.

>Once the substance has been introduced to the skin, it can cause

>permanent changes in the immune system in a similar manner to a

>vaccination. On first use no adverse effects may be seen. However

>the body has been sensitised, and next time the same or a similar

>substance is used, a reaction may occur. The severity can again be just

>a mild

> itch, through to the extreme of severe anaphylactic shock. However,

>the later in aromatherapy is almost unknown. Sensitisation in

>aromatherapy is something to be on constant alert for. If after using

>any essential oil or absolute, an irritating or burning sensation, or

>a blotchy irritable skin rash are noticed, then that particular oil or

>chemically similar ones should not be used again. This type of reaction

>is far more likely to occur with therapists rather than their clients.

>

>3.Photosensitisation (sometimes referred to as phototoxicity).

>This is where a substance coming into contact with the skin can

>react with ultra violet light. This reaction can cause anything from

>mild brown

>blotches through to severe burning of the skin. The condition can be

>very long lasting and any time the skin is exposed to ultra violet light

>the

>condition can recur. It is vital to remember that it is ultra violet

>light which

>causes the problem and this can occur even on relatively dull days.

>Therefore it is not as many aromatherapy authors say caused only by

>bright sunlight. The main essential oil to avoid in this respect is

>expressed bergamot. The grade known as FCF is perfectly safe. "

>

>For more of what Martin Watt has to say (and the source of

>the comments above).

>http://www.fragrant.demon.co.uk/eosafety.html

>

>Cathy, Wise Weeds

>http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/wiseweeds/

>

>

>

>

>------

>Accurate impartial advice on everything from laptops to table saws.

>http://click./1/4634/3/_/553686/_/959796930/

>------

>

>The information in this post should not replace advice given by your

>medical practitioner.

>

 

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