Essential oils can be used for beauty products and for health products, and here we list the uses and possible side effects. For products using some of these oils please take a look at our Beauty Page and our Health Page
Essential oils are natural plant oils typically obtained by distillation and having the characteristic odour of the plant or other source from which it is extracted.
Unique aromatic compounds give each essential oil its characteristic essence. Essential oils are not meant to be swallowed. The chemicals in essential oils can interact with your body in several ways. When applied to your skin, some plant chemicals are absorbed. Essential oils can be inhaled or diluted and applied to the skin. They may stimulate your sense of smell or have medicinal effects when absorbed.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
Concentrated essential oils should always be diluted with carrier oils, with a maximum of 8 drops per 25ml carrier oil of choice.
Avoid using essential oils during pregnancy
Do not use essential oils on babies, other than Lavender,, Roman Camomile, Sandalwood. Dilute 2 drops to 25ml.
If suffering from epilepsy, avoid using:
Fennel
Rosemary
Hyssop
Sage
Essential oils which are photoxic. i.e. do not expose skin to direct sunlight after applying:
Bergamot
Mandarin, Orange, Lime, Tangerine, Lemon
Cumin
Verbena
Do not use these essential oils at all:
Bitter Almond : contains 42 times higher amounts of cyanide than the trace levels found in sweet almonds.
Pennyroyal : Pennyroyal oil is highly toxic, and its use has resulted in severe illness, liver failure, and death.There is no antidote for pennyroyal oil poisoning.
Boldo Leaf : Boldo leaf contains ascaridole , a volatile oil (also called an essential oil) that is toxic to the liver.
Rue : Exposure to common rue, or herbal preparations derived from it, can cause severe phytophotodermatitis which results in burn-like blisters on the skin.
Calamus : Calamus essential oil smells like warm, spicy wood. It is a carcinogen and should not be used in aromatherapy.
Sassafras : The FDA banned sassafras use in 1979 following research that showed it caused cancer in rats.
Brown or yellow Camphor : Contain high amounts of safrole. This makes them toxic and cancer-causing. Most products you find will only use white camphor oil.
Tansy : Tansy is unsafe when ingested. It contains a poisonous chemical called thujone. When applied to the skin. It can cause a severe skin reaction.
Mugwort : Can cause strong allergic reactions. Dangerous to use during pregnancy.
Mustard :
Wormseed :
Wormwood :
BOTANICAL NAMES OF ESSENTIAL OILS
Aloe barbadensis : Aloe Vera
Capsicum Annuum : Cayenne Pepper
Cinnamomum Verum : Cinnamon
Citrus Limon : Lemon oil
Cymbopogon Nardus : Citronella Oil
Eucalyptus Globulus : Eucalyptus
Gaultheria Procumbens : Wintergreen
Lavandula Angustifolia : Lavender
Linum Usitatissimum : Flax seed oil
Melalueca Alternifolia : Tea Tree
Mentha Piperita : Peppermint
Mentha Piperita : Peppermint
Pelargonium Graveolens : Geranium
Ricinus communis : Castor Oil
Rosmarinus officinalis : Rosemary
Salvia Sclarea : Sage
Syzygium aromaticum : Clove
Vitus Vinifera : Grapeseed oil
Zingiber Officinale : Ginger
Prior to using Essential Oils, a skin test is recommended. This can be done by diluting 1 drop of the Essential Oil in 4 drops of a Carrier Oil and applying a dime-size amount of this blend to a small area of skin that is not sensitive.
Propolis
Propolis or bee glue is a resinous mixture that honey bees produce by mixing saliva and beeswax with exudate gathered from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources. It is used as a sealant for unwanted open spaces in the hive.
USED FOR :
Propolis has a special compound called pinocembrin, a flavonoid that acts as an antifungal.
Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make propolis helpful in woundhealing. One study found that propolis can help people who
have had traumatic burns heal faster by speeding up new healthy cell growth.
SIDE EFFECTS :
Allergic reactions (skin or respiratory symptoms), particularly in people who are allergic to bees or bee products
Irritation and mouth ulcers if ingested e.g. lozenges.
Benzoin
Benzoin is the sap (gum resin) of trees that belong to the Styrax species. Don't confuse benzoin with Siam benzoin (Styrax tonkinensis), which is used only in manufacturing and not as a medicine. People take benzoin by mouth for swelling (inflammation) of the throat and breathing passages. Benzoin is also used on canker sores in and around the mouth to protect them so they can heal. Benzoin is also used to help relieve and soothe minor irritation of the nose, throat, and airways (e.g., laryngitis, croup) when it is mixed with hot water and the steam is inhaled.
USED FOR :
Coughs, Itching, Arthritis, Colds, Sedative
SIDE EFFECTS : Mild
Mild irritation, burning, or redness of the skin may occur as your body adjusts to this product.
Black Pepper
Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit, known as a peppercorn, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. When fresh and fully mature, the fruit is about 5 mm (0.20 in) in diameter and dark red, and contains a single seed. Black pepper is rich in a potent antioxidant called piperine, which may help prevent free radical damage to your cells.
SIDE EFFECTS : Black pepper oil typically does not cause side effects.
Chamomile Roman & Camomile German
Chamomile oil is derived from the chamomile plant.and is actually related to daisies. Chamomile oil is made from the flowers of the plant. There are two different varieties of chamomile you may come across: Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Anthemis nobilis) German chamomile (Matricaria recutita or Chamomilla recutita) The two plants are slightly different in appearance. In addition, the chemical composition of their active ingredients differs slightly. Research has been done on both strains. The active ingredient most researched is chamazulene, and it’s higher in German chamomile.
It can also cause an allergic reaction in people sensitive to ragweed, marigolds, daisies, or similar herbs.
Avoid using during pregnanancy and during breast-feeding. Not enough is known about how it might affect the nursing infant.
Cinnamon Leaf
Cinnamon is a spice that is made from the inner bark of trees scientifically known as Cinnamomum. It has been used as an ingredient throughout history, dating back as far as Ancient Egypt. It used to be rare and valuable and was regarded as a gift fit for kings.
Iitching, skin irritation or sensitization, rashes, burning, contact dermatitis .
Citronella
Citronella oil is an essential oil that's made from the distillation of the Asian grass plant in the Cymbopogon genus. This fragrant grass got its name from the French word meaning “lemon balm,” due to its floral, citrus-like aroma.
USED FOR :
Insecticide, Deodorant, Tonic, Stimulant
SIDE EFFECTS :Possible
It might cause skin reactions or irritation in some people.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is an evergreen tree that’s widely used for its medicinal properties. The leaves can be made into essential oil for topical use or inhalation. It has a gum-infused bark, long stems, and circular leaves which can be made into a tea that’s safe for consumption.
Pregnant women and young children should avoid using it because it can affect estrogen levels.
People with epilepsy should not use fennel essential oil because it may induce nausea and vomiting.
Frankincence
Frankincense (also known as olibanum) is an aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes, obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae. The word is from Old French franc encens ('high-quality incense'). The resin is hand-sorted for quality. Frankincense is used in perfumery and aromatherapy. It is also an ingredient that is sometimes used in skincare. The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the dry resin.
ESSENTIAL OILS
