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Simple Safety Data For Use Of Pure Essential Oils
Less Is Best
Pure essential oils are concentrated and very little is needed to achieve desired affects. Remember that less is best and using more can actually bring opposite affects. Essential oils can be an investment and should be thought of as such. Always measure by the drop.
Storage
Store them well away from heat, light, and air in well sealed, full, dark glass, dropper top, bottles with proper labeling. They should be stored well away from children and homeopathic remedies. Use only high quality carrier oils to blend your products and mix them only as needed to prevent oxidation. The scent of rancid carrier oil is not pleasent and will cling to towels, sheets, and clothing.
Dilution
The common dilution is between 1-3% essential oil to carrier oil. 1-3 drops essential oil to 100 drops carrier. Approx. 1 drop essential to 2 mls carrier oil = 2 1/2. 1% is used for facial oils and for children over two years . use with babies should be researched throughly before implementing. Up to 3% is common for massage therapy and body oils for older children (7-14) and adults. always use an eyedropper or dropper top bottle to dispense.
Skin Sensitivity
Resist the urge to use more. Pure essential oils are very seldom used 'neat' or undiluted on the skin, with the exeption of tea tree and lavender. I have used other oils 'neat' but this is also subject to individual skin sensitivity. A patch test can be done on the inside of the arm. pure essential oils like cinnamon, clove, juniper, and some citrus oils can be very irritating. Caution with sun exposure with Bergamot, and other citrus oils.
Internal Use
Internal use of essential oils is absolutely NOT recommended under any circumstances! Although this is being done in France and England it is still controversial issue in america and it is best left to proffesional aromatherapists with intese proper training or doctors and other health care professionals.
Pregnancy
Pure essential oils must be used with caution during pregnancy. Some may be used in the last two trimesters and during birth. It is suggested you obtain some good books for guidelines. The following essential oils are best avoided.
Basil, myrrh, thyme, sweet marjoram, clary sage, rosemary, jasmine, cypress, juniper, lemon grass, peppermint, rose, cinnamon, pennyroyal, clove, hyssop, cedarwood, parsely, fennel.
Avoid lavender, chamomile, geranium, sage, and melissa during the first three months and then use with caution.
Never Use
Toxicity can occur with regular use. Pennyroyal, wintergreen, wormwood, mugwort, calamus, thuja, tansy, sassafras, cassia (cinnamon leaf), bitter almond, thyme, cinnamon, clove.
Throughly research any and all essential oil before use!
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