Are Essential Oil Sprays Safe?

Yes, they’re natural and plant-derived, but it’s worth taking a closer look before popping just any oil into your diffuser. The safety of any essential oil depends largely on the person using it, but like any plant product, these oils can contribute to skin irritation, respiratory symptoms and even hormone-related symptoms.

A: They actually aren’t unhealthy, so the short answer is yes. But I understand why you might be worried. There’s been some controversy over the years, mainly due to ingredients like dimethyl silicone (a de-foaming agent in food processing) and propellant (used in aerosol cans) that were found in commercially available cooking sprays.

The short answer is yes, when used correctly. From stress relief to minor pain management, essential oils have a wide range of uses and benefits that can complement traditional health care. As with any supplement, talk to your doctor before adding essential oils into your health routine.

Final Thoughts on Essential Oil Safety Essential oils are generally safe, but can be irritating or cause problems when used in the wrong ways. To practice essential oil safety it’s important to use oils in the appropriate way.

There are a variety of essential oil combinations you can use for your sprays. Even single oil sprays can be very powerful. I recommend having your favorite oils ready in a spray, you can use them as air fresheners, room sprays, cleaning sprays, body sprays, so many possibilities.

Overall inhalation is considered a very safe method of using oils that poses a low level of risk. It is very unlikely that the concentration of any essential oil will rise to dangerous levels due to vaporization. Do not diffuse oils around newborns, babies, young children, pregnant or nursing women,

Only use 100 percent pure oils, since using adulterated essential oils increases the likelihood of an adverse response. Never use an oil internally that you are allergic too. If you experience any mouth or throat irritation, dilute the oil in liquid or food (honey, applesauce, etc.) before swallowing.

How much essential oil should I use for my skin?

When applying oil to your skin, it’s usually best to dilute about 2 to 3 drops of pure oil with a vegetable oil that serves as a “ carrier oil .”. Mix a small amount of the essential oil with equal parts of coconut oil or jojoba oil and then apply to your skin over the affected area that you’re treating.

Oils that can be less irritating when inhaled include peppermint, lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus and chamomile. ( 4) Use a diffuser for about 30–45 minutes at a time for the most effectiveness. Don’t leave your diffuser plugged in overnight.

Here’s what you need to know about essential oil diffuser safety: Essential oil diffusers are used to vaporize oils, releasing small amounts into the air. The same safety concerns regarding inhaling essential oils also apply to using oils in a diffuser.

Use only very small amounts of oils internally, about 1–2 drops at a time, up to 2–3 times daily. Only use 100 percent pure oils, since using adulterated essential oils increases the likelihood of an adverse response. Never use an oil internally that you are allergic too.

( 7 ) For oils that can increase photosensitivity, do not apply the oil within the 12 hours before spending time directly in the sun. If you have sensitive skin, avoid undiluted application.

( 1) For example, rosemary, peppermint and eucalyptus oil can all help you breath more easily and manage symptoms of respiratory conditions.

Cilantro. Cinnamon Bark — May cause skin sensitivity/irritation and should always be tested first by people with sensitive skin. Clove — Can cause skin irritation and/or have a numbing effect.

How to store essential oils?

In order to ensure safety, place all essential oils in a lockable case and store them in a cupboard out of reach. Alternatively, store them in a high-up cabinet and add a child lock.

After 2 years, certain essential oils can be administered topically and through aromatherapy methods, but at a much weaker concentration than adult dosing. A safe dilution ratio is typically 0.5 to 2.5 percent. Other examples of safety guidelines for children regarding essential oils:

If essential oils get into your eyes, you can do one of two things: Soak a cotton swab in a food-grade fatty oil like sesame or olive.

The benefits of aromatherapy are well-researched. Inhaling certain essential oils, like sweet orange, can help ease. Trusted Source. symptoms of stress and anxiety. Inhaling lavender may improve sleep quality. Trusted Source. . You can reap the benefits of aromatherapy through in halation or diffusion.

Diluting at 1 percent is equivalent to adding 6 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil. Guidelines for safe concentrations vary by age and health condition. You can easily dilute your essential oils by blending a few drops with a carrier oil. Carrier oils are typically vegetable-based.

When it comes to the oil, it’s important to consider: chemical composition and purity. method of use. duration of use. dosage. Read on to learn how to safely use each method, which oils to try and which to avoid, what to do if you experience side effects, and more.

Patch test. Patch tests allow you to see how your skin reacts to a particular oil before you perform a full application. Here are the steps for conducting a patch test: Wash your forearm with unscented soap. Pat dry. Rub a few drops of diluted essential oil into a small patch of your forearm. Wait 24 hours.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of essential oils?

Here are just a few more examples of the benefits and drawbacks of essential oils: Lavender is known to help with sleep and relaxation but , as mentioned above, it could act as an endocrine disruptor. Eucalyptus is soothing but it can cause seizures if ingested.

If you want to use essential oils on your pet, talk to your vet. Stop diffusing essential oils that give you allergy symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing or water eyes. Try a patch test before using an essential oil topically. To perform a patch test, place a diluted drop of oil onto a small portion of your skin.

Romy Block, board-certified endocrinologist and co-founder of Vous Vitamin, says essential oils can act as endocrine disruptors, which means they interfere with the natural production of your hormones. “These chemicals can either lower or raise the normal hormone levels in the body,” Dr.

If you’re contact-sensitive only, it might be possible to use an essential oil diffuser, if you don’t develop respiratory symptoms. Make sure to carefully handle the oils to avoid contact with your skin.

The safety of any essential oil depends largely on the person using it, but like any plant product, these oils can contribute to skin irritation, respiratory symptoms and even hormone-related symptoms.

Lavender and tea tree oil are also thought to lead to a condition called prepubertal gynecomastia ( abnormal breast tissue growth) in boys. Dr. Block advises against diffusing lavender and tea tree oils because of the potential complications, particularly in children and teens.

Peppermint is loved for the cooling effect it has on skin but it’s also known to cause skin rashes, burning and flushing, among other side effects. Again, it’s hard to make a black-and-white list of essential oils to avoid.

How much did essential oils sell in 2015?

In the past year alone, U.S. retail sales of essential oils soared 14% to $133 million — up from $55 million in 2015 — according to market research firm SPINS. That’s not including tens of millions in sales from multilevel marketers who bypass retail shelves and sell directly to people via independent distributors.

How Essential Oils Work. As far back as A.D. 1000, healers used mechanical presses or steam to extract essential oils from fragrant plants. Today, practitioners can rub oil-infused lotions on the skin, where the compounds are absorbed into the bloodstream.

But thanks to a growing number of studies showing how they work, hospitals and clinics now use the oils more and more for stress relief, pain and nausea relief , and even to prevent bedsores.

When a faint rash appeared on her forearm, a salesperson told her it was a normal “detox” reaction and advised her to rub frankincense oil on it. She obliged. But after a few months, raised welts began to creep across her abdomen and up the back of her neck.

Studies also show that tea tree and oregano oils can fight microbes, making them popular treatments for dandruff and toe fungus. Others can be used as an anti-inflammatory. The trouble, say critics (including longtime aromatherapists), is that companies overstate their potential and downplay risk.

What Not to Do. Contrary to what several essential oil companies recommend, the oils generally should not be swallowed, Power says. The body absorbs more this way, boosting the chance that they will interact with medications or cause an allergic or toxic reaction.

Since 2014, the FDA has sent warning letters to a handful of companies for making unsubstantiated claims that their oils could treat everything from herpes to Ebola. The FDA says only manufacturers of drugs that have passed the agency’s rigorous approval process may make such claims.