**If you're looking for a certain herb or oil, use the find function of your browser by pressing ctrl+ f on windows, or command+f on mac**
We do not recommend the internal use of any Essential Oils or Absolutes.
Never use essential oils as a substitute for necessary medical care. Always consult a qualified health professional.
Only the finest quality pure essential oils should be used in aromatherapy.
Use less rather than more.
Always keep all essential oils out of the reach of children.
Do not use essential oils on or near the eyes.
Do not apply essential oils neat (or undiluted) to the skin or mucus membranes.
If any sort of skin rash develops, discontinue use. Try another oil.
For further information on using essential oils safely, we recommend the following books:
Schnaubelt, Kurt. Advanced Aromatherapy. Healing Arts Press, Rochester, VT, 1998. ISBN: 0-89281-743-7
Sheppard-Hanger, Sylla. The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual. The Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, Tampa FL, 1995. ISBN: 0-9643141-O-X
Tisserand, Robert. Essential Oil Safety. Churchill Livinstone, Edinburgh, 1995. ISBN: 0-443-05260-3
Watt, Martin. Plant Aromatics. The Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, Tampa, FL, 1994.
Definitions
Carcinogenic Producing cancer.
Convulsant Producing or causing convulsions.
Hepatoxic Toxic to liver cells.
Low level Less than 2% (10 drops per 30 ml diluant) dilution.
Neurotoxic Poisonous or destructive to nerve tissue.
Phototoxic A harmful effect produced or promoted by exposure to ultra-violet light. Can cause redness or burning of the skin. Increases the reaction of the skin to sunlight or tanning lights.
Sensitization An immune reaction in response to contact with an allergen. A delayed hypersensitivity escalating with continued use of an oil that can cause areas of the skin (including other than where topically applied) and other parts of the body to react in an adverse way.
Toxic Poison.
The Oils
AMMI VISNAGA
Ammi visnaga
Avoid when pregnant and with blood thinning medications. Not for children. Phototoxic. Potentially hepatoxic at high doses.
ANGELICA
Angelica archangelica
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Somewhat phototoxic. Possible skin irritant, sensitizing. Avoid in pregnancy, epilepsy.
ANISEED
Pimpinella anisum
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Should not be used when pregnant or by children. Possible skin irritant, sensitizing.
BASIL (SWEET)
Ocimum basilicum
Not for small children. Avoid sensitive skin. Possible carcinogenic, hepatoxic.
BAY
Laurus nobilis
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid when pregnant. Possible skin irritant. Potentially sensitizing.
BENZOIN ABSOLUTE
Styrax benzoin
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potential strong sensitizer.
BERGAMOT
Citrus bergamia
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Phototoxic. Possible carcinogenic. Slight possible skin irritant.
BIRCH (YELLOW)
Betula alleghaniensis
Potentially toxic. Use sparingly and highly diluted. Should not be used when pregnant/lactating or by children or babies.
BLACK PEPPER
Piper nigrum
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Possible skin irritant. Large levels may damage kidneys.
CAJEPUT
Melaleuca leucadendron L.
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Possible skin irritant.
CAMPHOR (WHITE FRACTION)
Cinnamomum camphora
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potential toxic reaction. Possible convulsant, neurotoxic. Avoid when pregnant.
CARDAMON
Elettaria cardamomum Maton
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Possible skin irritation.
CARROT
Daucus carota
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid when pregnant.
CAYENNE OLEORESIN
Capsicum annum
No information available. Use with caution.
CEDARWOOD (ATLAS)
Cedrus atlantica
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid when pregnant. Potentially irritating at high levels.
CEDARWOOD (RED)
Juniperus virginiana
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid when pregnant. Possible skin irritant, phototoxic, sensitizing.
CHAMOMILE (GERMAN)
Matricaria recutita (M. chamomilla)
Tested non-toxic at low levels.
CHAMOMILE (ROMAN)
Anthemis noblis L.
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid in early pregnancy.
CHAMOMILE (WILD)
Chamaemelum mixtum (Ormenis m.)
Potentially sensitizing. Should not be used when pregnant or by children.
CINNAMON BARK
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Skin, mucus membrane irritant, sensitizing. Should not be used when pregnant, with ulcers or by children. Use highly diluted.
CINNAMON LEAF
Cinnamomum zeylanicum J. Presl
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potential skin, mucus membrane irritant, sensitizing. Should not be used when pregnant or by children.
CITRONELLA (STANDARDIZED)
Cymbopogon nardus Rendle
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potentially sensitizing.
CLARY SAGE
Salvia sclarea
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid when pregnant, with endometriosis and cancer. Potentially sensitizing. Sedative.
CLOVE
Eugenia caryophyllus
Skin and mucus membrane irritant, Potentially sensitizing. Use only highly diluted. Possible hepatoxic.
CYPRESS
Cupressus sempervirens
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid when pregnant, with high blood pressure and with cancer.
EUCALYPTUS
Eucalyptus globulus
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid with high blood pressure and epilepsy. Not for small children.
FENNEL (SWEET)
Foeniculum dulce
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid in pregnancy, epilepsy. Potentially sensitizing.
FIR (BALSAM)
Abies balsamea
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potential skin irritant.
FRANKINCENSE
Boswellia frereana
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid when pregnant.
GERANIUM
Pelargonium graveolens
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid in early pregnancy.
GINGER
Zingiber officinale
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potential skin irritant, sensitizing, phototoxic.
GRAPEFRUIT
Citrus paradisi, pink
Potential skin irritant, sensitizing. Possibly mildly phototoxic.
HELICHRYSUM (IMMORTELLE)
Helichrysum italicum
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid with anti-coagulation medication.
HYSSOP
Hyssopus officinale
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid with high blood pressure, epilepsy. Possible neurotoxic. Should not be used when pregnant or by children.
JASMINE ABSOLUTE
Jasminum grandiflorum
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potentially sensitizing.
JUNIPER
Juniperus communis
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid extensive use on delicate skin, in kidney or bladder disease, when pregnant. Potentially sensitizing. Strong diuretic.
LAVENDER
Lavandula angustifolia
Tested non-toxic at low levels.
LEMON
Citrus limonum
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potential skin irritant, sensitizing. Phototoxic.
LEMONGRASS
Cymbopogon citratus
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Should not be used when pregnant or by children. Possible skin irritant, sensitizing.
LEMON VERBENA
Lippia citriodora
Avoid when pregnant. Phototoxic. Skin irritant. Strong sensitizer.
LEMON VERBENA (STANDARDIZED)
Nature Identical
Phototoxic. Skin irritant. Strong sensitizer.
LIME
Citrus latifolia
Should not be used when pregnant or by children. Phototoxic. Possible skin irritation.
MARJORAM
Origanum marjorana, sweet
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid when pregnant, with asthma, low blood pressure, depression. Sedative.
MELISSA
Melissa officinalis
Possible skin irritation. Avoid when pregnant.
MELISSA (STANDARDIZED)
Nature Identical
Possible skin irritation. Avoid when pregnant.
MUGWORT
Artemisia herba alba
Potentially toxic. Should not be used when pregnant, with epilepsy or by children. Possible neurotoxic.
MYRRH
Commiphora myrrha
Avoid when pregnant. Possibly toxic in high levels.
NEROLI
Citrus aurantium var. amara
Tested non-toxic at low levels.
NIAOULI
Melaleuca viridiflora
Should not be used when pregnant or by children.
NUTMEG
Myristica fragrans
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Possible skin irritant. Avoid when pregnant.
OAK MOSS ABSOLUTE
Evernia furfuracea
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potentially sensitizing.
ORANGE
Citrus sinensis
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potentially sensitizing, phototoxic.
OREGANO
Origanum vulgare L.
Should not be used when pregnant or by children. Possible skin, mucus membrane irritant. Possible hepatoxic in large levels.
PALMAROSA
Cymbopogon martini
Tested non-toxic at low levels.
PATCHOULI
Pogostemon patchouli
Tested non-toxic at low levels.
PEPPERMINT
Mentha piperita
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid when pregnant, lactating. Skin irritant. Keep away from infants.
PETITGRAIN
Citrus aurantium
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potentially sensitizing.
PINE
Pinus kessia
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potentially sensitizing. Avoid with allergenic conditions, cancer.
RAVENSARA AROMATICA
Ravensara aromatica
Should not be used when pregnant or by children.
ROSE ABSOLUTE
Rosa damascena
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potentially irritating at high levels.
ROSE OTTO
Rosa damascena
Tested non-toxic at low levels.
ROSEMARY (CINEOLE)
Rosmarinus officinalis
Should not be used when pregnant, with epilepsy or by children. Possible neurotoxic.
ROSEWOOD
Aniba rosaeodora
Tested non-toxic at low levels.
SAGE
Salvia officinalis
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Possibly toxic at high levels. Should not be used when pregnant/lactating or by children. Possible neurotoxic.
SANDALWOOD
Santalum album
Tested non-toxic at low levels.
SPEARMINT
Mentha spicata
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Avoid when pregnant. Potential skin, mucus membrane irritant, sensitizing.
SPIKENARD
Nardostachys jatamansi
Should not be used when pregnant or by children.
SPRUCE (BLACK)
Picea mariana
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potential skin irritant, sensitizing.
TAGETES
Tagetes bipinata
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Phototoxic. Possible neurotoxic. Should not be used when pregnant or by children.
TANACETUM ANNUUM
Tanacetum annuum
Should not be used when pregnant or by children.
TANGERINE
Citrus reticulata
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Phototoxic.
TEA TREE
Melaleuca alternifolia
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Possible skin irritant.
THYME (LINALOL)
Thymus vulgaris L.
Should not be used when pregnant or by children. Possible skin irritant.
THYME (RED THYMOL)
Thymus vulgaris L.
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Skin, mucus membrane irritant. Avoid with high blood pressure, pregnancy. Potential hepatoxic at high levels.
VANILLA
Vanilla planifolia
Should not be used when pregnant or by children.
VETIVERT
Andropogon zizanoides
Tested non-toxic at low levels.
WINTERGREEN
Gaultheria procumbens
Potentially toxic, skin irritant, sensitizing. Should not be used when pregnant or by children.
YARROW
Achillea millefolium
Should not be used when pregnant or by children. Possible neurotoxic.
YLANG YLANG EXTRA
Cananga odorata
Tested non-toxic at low levels. Potentially sensitizing. Do not use on inflamed skin. Excess may cause headache, nausea.