Essential Oil Safety Guidelines

1. Always have vegetable oil or carrier oil close by when applying essential oils. This is to dilute and remove the oil if necessary. Do not try and dilute the essential oils with water, it will spread the oil and make it worse.

2. Do a skin test of the essential oil if you are using it on a person for the first time. The soles of the feet are the safest and one of the most effective places to use and test oils, especially for children and those with respiratory sensitivity.

3. People with respiratory sensitivities need to be extra cautious when using essential oils.

4. Certain oils should always be diluted. They can burn and irritate the skin if not diluted. We call them the “Hot” oils. These are essential oils high in phenols, citrals and cinnamic aldehyde, such as thyme, oregano, clove and savory (phenols), lemongrass (citrols), cinnamon bark and leaf (cinnamic aldehyde).

5. Always use a dispersing agent, such as bath gel base, Epsom salts, or baking soda when adding essential oils to bath water. Never add undiluted essential oils to bath water as they can injure or burn the skin.

6. Do not apply essential oils to parts of the body that are hot, dry, tender, damaged or affected by burns. Do not put them into the ears and take caution not to get essential oils into eyes. Certain oils may sting the eyes and other sensitive areas. Essential oil residue on the fingers may damage contact lenses or cause eye discomfort.

7.) Pure citrus oils may compound the effects of sun exposure. Limit prolonged exposure to direct sunlight for up to 12 hours (up to 24 hours for lime; up to 48 hours for bergamot) after applying these undiluted essential oils to the skin.

8) Check with a health professional before using essential oils if you have a serious medical condition or are pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant. DO NOT use clary sage or wintergreen during pregnancy.