The best and safest way to enjoy your essential oils is to follow some simple guidelines:

·         Change up your essential oils!  Find a few favorites and rotate their use.  Using different essential oils on a rotating basis will help keep you from becoming sensitized to a particular oil.

·         When we become "sensitized" to any particular oil, our bodies respond with an immune system reaction.  At first, this reaction could be mild, but with everyday use, reactions could become severe and potentially even dangerous.  

·         Always dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil.  Using oils "neat", or without diluting in a carrier oil, can also lead to sensitization.  

·         Know which oils are phototoxic and avoid sun exposure after applying.  Phototoxic essential oils can be extremely safe and beneficial as long as we avoid exposing our skin where we've applied these oils for at least 24 hours. Even better, stay out of the sun and away from U/V lights for 48 hours to prevent a reaction of the skin with these oils and the sun.  You can also protect your skin by covering the applied oil with clothing.  Phototoxic oils include:

o     Angelica Root, Bergamot, Cumin, distilled or cold-pressed Grapefruit, cold-pressed Lemon, cold-pressed Lime, Bitter Orange, and Rue.

·         Keep essential oils away from the sensitive tissue of the eyes.  If you do get Essential Oils in your eyes, flush the eyes with a fatty carrier oil such as olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, or grapeseed oil. Carefully wipe the closed eye with a cloth dipped in one of these carrier oils.  Afterward, flush the eye with cool water.

·         Oral Use:  So many people use essential oils internally these days.  Please, please proceed with caution here.  Essential oils used internally come into contact with the delicate tissues of the digestive tract.  All oils can irritate the delicate lining of our digestive system. Some oils have very strong chemical constituents and can burn the digestive tract.  Internal use of essential oils should only be used at the recommendation of a trained aromatherapist.

·         Internal Use:  As with oral use internal use vaginally or rectally could irritate the mucous membranes.  Internal use of essential oils should only be used under the guidance of trained aromatherapists.

·         Store essential oils in the refrigerator or in a cool place, away from heat and the sun, to prevent oxidation of the oils.

·         Go "low and slow" when starting with essential oils.  Less really is more and not just a cute quote.  Just a little bit is more powerful than you may realize.

For Children:  Topical use of essential oils is not recommended until the age of 2.  Diffusion of essential oils can be used safely around infants from between ages 4 to 6 months.  Diffusing oils in another room is so much safer for babies than having them exposed directly.  For topical use, a dilution rate of 0.5% may be used in older children.

Elderly:  Dilution rates of 1% are recommended for the elderly and infirm.  

Epileptics: Avoid the use of Western Red Cedar, Wormwood, Genipi, Hyssop, Sage, Thuja, Pennyroyal, Buchu, Calamint, Tansy, Mugwort, Lanyana, Ho Leaf (ct camphor), Boldo, Wintergreen, Birch, Rosemary, Yarrow, Lavandin, Feverfew, and Spike Lavender.

Pregnancy:  Avoid using essential oils during the first trimester.  Dilution rates of 1% should be used by pregnant women and should be considered for those who are nursing.  Many oils should be avoided during pregnancy.  Some can be used in moderation or with restrictions.  Please consult the book "Essential Oil Safety" by Tisserand and Young or a trained aromatherapist.

Healthy Adults:  Dilution rates of 2% can be used.  Please be sure to check the maximal dermal dose of each essential oil before using and when blending.

Targeted areas like muscle or joint pain in Healthy Adults:  Dilution rates of up to 5% can be safely used.  Please be sure to check the maximal dermal dose of each essential oil before using and when blending.