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

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Thanks again to wiseweeds.

 

Victoria

 

>Catherine Novak <cnovak

>wiseweeds

> " wiseweeds " <wiseweeds >,

> " EdibleWild " <EdibleWild >

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

>Wed, 31 May 2000 14:22:32 +0000

>

>Okay, now that you never want to go near essential oils again

>;*)

>

>Actually, as Sylla Sheppard-Hanger says in her well-regarded

> " The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual, "

> " The vast majority of essential oils have low toxicity when

>compared to other potent, readily available medicines such

>as aspirin. In most cases, an adult would have to drink

>a large amount (cupful) of essential oil for death to

>occur and the over-the-counter medications are far

>more toxic and damaging to the body on a weight-for-weight

>basis, than most essential oils. "

>

>The reason I'm presenting all these cautions is, too many

>people consider more is less with essential oils. Not only is

>that costly, but also it is foolish, with respect to safe use.

>

>Some Basic Safety Tips

>

>--Always keep out of reach of children.

>--Avoid using directly or near the eyes or mucous membranes. Use whole

>milk or

>vegetable oil to help flush out any e.o. that might have splashed into

>the eye. Remember, essential oils are NOT soluble in water, so water is

>not the best medium for removing them. If problems persist, seek medical

>assistance as soon as possible.

>--Do not use the same e.o. every time, whether for skin application or

>inhalation. Rotate your e.o. to avoid becoming sensitized and to avoid

>overexposure to any one

>e.o.

>--Remember, just because an e.o. is derived from a plant, it cannot be

>used in the same way as the plant. (Herbalists will note similarities

>with the use of many e.o. as to traditional uses of herbs, but e.o. and

>the herbs themselves are NOT interchangeable.)

>--If you develop a skin rash, stop using it right away.

>--When working with e.o., make sure you have adequate ventilation. Open

>up the windows, put on the exhaust fan.

>

>PROPORTIONS FOR BLENDING

>

>Pick up several different aromatherapy books, and you'll

>find several different recommendations on how to blend

>e.o. for use. If you're an internet " surfer, " you have probably

>come across recipes requiring percentages of e.o. in a blend.

>Quite frankly, that's great for the sellers of e.o., not so good

>for the actual end-users. Why use more when less will do?

>

>As an experienced herbalist, perfume and aromatherapy oils

>blender, I find that Julia Lawless's suggestions in " The Illustrated

>Encyclopedia of Essential Oils " work fairly well. She says,

> " The essential oil content in a blend should usually be between

>1 and 3 per cent depending on the type of disorder; physical

>ailments demand a stronger concentration than the more emotional

>or nervous conditions. "

>

>If making a one-ounce massage oil blend, rember the following:

>1 oz. equals approximately 30 ml

>1 teaspoon equals about 5 ml

>1 tablespoon equals about 15 ml or 1/2 ounce

>

>One percent e.o. in a one-ounce blend would

>be about 10 drops. Three percent would be about

>30 drops.

>

>In Julia Lawless's " The Complete Illustrated Guide to

>Aromatherapy, " she suggests using 1/2 to 1 percent e.o.

>for facial blends. This is also a good guide for massage oils

>for pregnant women, although you also have to ensure that

>the e.o. being used are considered safe for use in pregnancy.

>

>Hope this all helps. Believe it or not, I've barely touched on

>the topic, but this does give you a decent base from which

>to work.

>

>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/_/959796942/

>------

>

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

>medical practitioner.

>

 

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