Important advice about essential oils
- Aromatherapy is a form of complementary medicine and I advise anyone under medication not to stop their medical treatment without taking prior advice from their doctor.
- Always consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis of any symptoms, particularly as they may be indicative of a more serious underlying cause.
- Be cautious when using essential oils on children under twelve years old.
- Likewise, take advice before using essential oils during pregnancy. Consult an expert.
- Essential oils should never be taken internally. Never use bought essential oils in cooking, whether to add flavour or for therapeutic benefit. Oils are extremely strong, and unfortunately many oils commonly used these days are chemically based, so they could do untold harm. Manufacturers occasionally use essential oils in certain foods, which I do not recommend, but they at least work to very carefully estimated proportions. On your very much smaller scale you could get the proportions wrong, turning what is essentially a benefit into a virtual poison.
- You should carry out a skin test before using essential oils. It is particularly important if you suffer from hayfever or allergies of any kind and should always be done before using the oils in treatments for children and the elderly. Put one drop of the oil on a cotton bud and use it to just touch the inside of the elbow, the back of the wrist or under the arm. Cover the area with a plaster and leave unwashed for 24 hours. If there is itching, redness or any other type of reaction, don’t use that oil on that person.
- Do not exceed the quantities quoted as essential oils are very potent.
- Aromatherapy has been, and always should be, effective, with a part to play in modern medicine, health, beauty and life – but I do urge you to take care.