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. NO LONGER AVAILABLE. For other information, visit www.aromamedical.org/
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
|
Common Name |
Latin Name |
Safety Cautions |
|
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 |
|
Common Name |
Latin Name |
Safety Cautions |
|
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 zeylanicurr 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) |
Feoniculum 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. |
|
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. |
|
Common Name |
Latin Name |
Safety Cautions |
|
Lavender |
Lavendula 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 majorana, 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 |
Melaluca viridiflora |
Should not be used when pregnant or by children. |
|
Nutmeg |
Myristica frangrans |
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. |
|
Common Name |
Latin Name |
Safety Cautions |
|
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 altemifolia |
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. |
|
Common Name |
Latin Name |
Safety Cautions |
|
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 |
Achilea 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. |