For example, essential oils have been used for stress relief and as mood boosters.
Understanding how to use essential oils safely can help provide some wonderful health benefits.
megaflopp / Getty Images
1.
megaflopp / Getty Images
A diffuser creates scented vapor from the essential oil you put into it.
Be sure to check the instructions before using your diffuser.
see to it the space you use the diffuser in is well ventilated.
Long periods of exposure to high concentrations of essential oils can lead to heart and lung issues.
The steam method is not recommended for children under 7 years old.
Those over age 7 should wear eye protection, such as swimming goggles, when around the steam.
Applying essential oils directly to your skin can cause irritation, as they are highly concentrated.
Therefore, not all the ingredients may be listed on the bottle, making them generally unsafe to consume.
Moreover, the high concentration of essential oils can make them toxic when swallowed.
Ingesting essential oils should only be done under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider or aromatherapist.
Who Should Avoid Them?
Certain groups of people may experience more risk than benefit from using essential oils.
Children, for example, are more likely to have an adverse reaction to essential oils than adults.
Parents should be more cautious about using them in children.
People withallergiesor sensitivities to certain scents or ingredients in essential oils should also avoid using essential oils.
Always check the quality of an essential oil before using it in your home or on your body.
Never ingest essential oils unless a healthcare provider recommends it and directly supervises you.
Children and people with respiratory problems could experience adverse effects from using essential oils.
Always check the quality of the oil before using it.
American Lung Association.Essential oils: more harmful than helpful?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Aromatherapy: do essential oils really work?
Ohio State University.How and why to use essential oils.
University of Minnesota.How to use essential oils.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Are essential oils safe for children?
