Which Essential Oils Are Toxic To Humans?
Certain constituents of essential oils are very toxic, particularly to vulnerable people like the old, the very young, and pregnant women. On the whole, this toxicity of essential oils applies to an oil when taken internally, which is something I am passionately against.
Toxic essential oils. Although essential oils can be used to the great benefit of your general health, it must always be kept in mind that they are potent compounds. There are also some that should not be used on the body in massage therapy nor ever ingested because of their high oral and dermal toxicity.
- Pain intensity
- Light sensitivity (photophobia)
- Sensitivity to loud sounds (phonophobia)
Popular essential oils that can be diffused without any potential risks to children or pets:
- cedarwood
- fir
- grapefruit
- lavender
- lemon
- spearmint
- tangerine
- Talk to your doctor before use if you’re pregnant or have any medical conditions.
- 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.
Thieves oil has several health benefits that users have reported. However, science does not fully support these. Still, some evidence exists that indicates thieves oil may help with fighting infections. It may also help boost the immune system. People use thieves oil for a variety of different ailments.
What essential oils are poisonous to the liver?
Peppermint is used for gastrointestinal discomfort. It’s important to choose the correct species of mint, as some types are poisonous; for example, pennyroyal oil is very poisonous to the liver. Wintergreen is used in some over-the-counter skin preparations to relieve pain.
The Full Story. Essential oils are derived from plant parts. Because they have a scent, essential oils are often used in homemade and commercial perfumes, cosmetics, and room fresheners. Some are used, in minute amounts, in food preparations. Some are present in pesticides.
Because they have a scent, essential oils are often used in perfumes, cosmetics, room fresheners, and flavorings. Many have a history of medicinal use, too. Misuse of essential oils can cause serious poisoning.
If someone swallows an essential oil, or a product containing essential oils, use the web POISON CONTROL ® online tool for guidance or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Control will help you figure out if this could be dangerous and will tell you exactly what to do.
Many essential oils can cause rashes if used on the skin. Many can be poisonous if absorbed through the skin or swallowed. Few have been tested like medicines have, even though people put them in their mouths, on their skin, and in their children’s vaporizers.
Do not swallow a product unless the label says to do so. Don’t use a product on the skin unless the label says to do so. Don’t use a product as a pesticide unless the label says to do so.
Children, with their thin skin and immature livers, might be more susceptible to toxic effects than adults. There could be interactions with other drugs, too. Depending on how the essential oil is prepared, there could be toxicity from other ingredients; these preparations often contain other oils or alcohol.
What is the best oil for acne?
5) Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a very commonly used remedy for multiple woes, including acne (yes, I tried it as a teen!) or even head lice. Traditionally in Australia, where the tree grows, the oil has been used to treat burns, insect bites, and numerous other skin conditions including eczema.
4) Juniper oil . Juniper oil is supposed to help relieve hemorrhoids when used in your bathwater, regulate women’s menstruation when swallowed, and get rid of dandruff when used on your scalp. When used over a long period of time or in large amounts, though, the oil may cause seizures and kidney malfunction.
10) Pennyroyal oil. Touted as an antiseptic, pennyroyal has been used for thousands of years for multiple reasons. It can be lethal when swallowed. Women have used it to induce abortion, risking death for themselves.
People use wintergreen oil for everything from bad gas to aching joints. Small amounts found in medicines or foods are perfectly safe. Swallowing the oil by itself, though, can lead to intense nausea, diarrhea, headaches (one of the problems wintergreen is supposed to be able to fix), and mental confusion.
In Conclusion: Although essential oils can be soothing scents in your home, or can help with minor woes (for example, I use a few drops of peppermint on my forehead when I have a headache), they are powerful and should be used with care. These 10 most toxic essential oils should definitely be kept away from children!
Wormwood oil that contains a high concentration of thujone is potentially fatal. If you don’t die after consuming it, you can expect to have seizures, kidney failure or stomach cramps, paralysis, nightmares, vomiting, muscle breakdown, or other distasteful symptoms.
It is my least favorite element of the common cough drop, but I am still alive after sucking on probably hundreds of cough drops in my lifetime. Undiluted eucalyptus oil, on the other hand, is a different animal. Vomiting and diarrhea are possible side effects, among others.
What is the best oil for fungus?
Tea Tree Oil. Spike Mafford/Photodisc/Getty Images. Tea tree oil is known for its woody, earthy, medicinal smell, and has been traditionally used for its antiseptic and antifungal properties. Tea tree oil might be effective in treating fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and nail infections, MedlinePlus reports.
Rosemary Oil. Elena Gaak/iStock/Getty Images. Rosemary essential oil is used in products which stimulate hair growth, and is a remedy for indigestion, muscle and joint pain, and alopecia, a type of hair disease.
The University of Maryland Medical Center, however, points out that peppermint oil should never be used on an infant or small child; if applied facially, peppermint oil can cause life-threatening breathing problems in infants. Peppermint oil should be used with care by those taking medications such as cyclosporine, drugs that treat diabetes, or drugs used to treat high blood pressure.
Despite its multitude of uses, eucalyptus oil should never be ingested by children , and it should be avoided by pregnant or lactating women. The University of Maryland Medical Center points out that eucalyptus oil can trigger an asthma attack, so it should be used with caution by asthmatics. Eucalyptus oil should be avoided if you are taking 5-fluorouracil.
Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative treatments for their healing properties. Some essential oils, however, can be harmful and even toxic, especially when consumed orally or applied directly to the skin.
Additionally, cases of blistering rashes have been reported after tea tree oil has made contact with the skin, especially in people with skin conditions such as eczema.
The University of Maryland Medical Center advises that rosemary can have interactions with antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs, ACE inhibitors, diuretics and lithium, and can interfere with certain diabetes medications as well.
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.