Therapies... - Aromatherapy - Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings

1. Essential oils are very concentrated, and should be treated with respect at all times. DO NOT USE ESSENTIAL OILS if you suffer from any of the following conditions, unless under guidance by a qualified practitioner: AIDS, cancer, epilepsy, hypertension/high blood pressure, low blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, or pregnancy
2. NEVER take essential oils internally, unless your medical doctor or family physician prescribes them for you. It is illegal in Canada for anyone else to advise you to take them internally. If the oil is accidentally swallowed, seek medical attention immediately.
3. There are an extensive series of guidelines pertaining to women who are pregnant or attempting to conceive. Many essential oils must be avoided during pregnancy. It is best to purchase a book specifically for pregnant women, or to consult a qualified practitioner.
4. Never use essential oils on small children without consulting a qualified practitioner beforehand.
5. With the exception of Lavender and Tea Tree, essential oils should not be applied undiluted to the skin. Blend essential oils with a carrier oil first, unless advised otherwise from a qualified practitioner. If pure oil comes into contact with your skin and results in irritation, wash with soap and water and dilute it further with a carrier oil.
6. While using essential oils, please follow safety guidelines. The most common problem resulting from the application of essential oils is the belief that more drops will work better than less. In the case of aromatherapy, less is more...
7. Though reactions are rare when using high quality oils, people with sensitive skin would be wise to start with a lower dilution of and work their way up.
8. Using herbs over a long period of time (more than twelve weeks) is not recommended. Your body can build a resistance to the herb, making its therapeutic use counter productive. Prolonged, cumulative, exposure to certain natural chemicals may also result in irritation.
9. Take care while using essential oils. They will damage many surfaces if accidentally spilled. If a spill does occur, absorb the oil using paper tissues and remove immediately.
10. Do not apply essential oils around the eye area unless guided by a qualified practitioner -- it does not tickle. If you get oil into your eyes, wash the eyes thoroughly with cold water. Seek medical advice if stinging persists.
11. If oil is accidentally spilled on clothing, wash it immediately in the normal way.
12. Bergamot, Orange, and all other citrus essential oils make the skin more sensitive to ultra-violet light and should not be used before exposure to strong sunlight or tanning beds.
13. The following oils are suspected of being toxic if used incorrectly: Aniseed, Calamus, Cassia, Fennel (Bitter), Mugwort (Armoise), Oreganum, Pennyroyal, Rue, Sage, Sassafras, Savory, Thuja, Wintergreen, Wormseed and Wormwood.
14. When in doubt, please contact a qualified practitioner. Always remember: less is more.