Essential Oils Guide: Safety

As you can see, because aromatic application is simply the act of breathing in essential oils, there are no limits to the amount of oil drops you can use. On the rest of the chart, “Internal” application refers to swallowing and ingesting essential oils, “Oral” application refers to placing essential oils in the mouth (for cleansing and freshening), and “Dermal” application refers to topical use on the skin.

When it comes to applying essential oils, there are three basic application methods—aromatic, topical, and internal. Aromatic application refers to experiencing the aroma of essential oils through the air by inhaling or breathing in the oils, or using an essential oil diffuser. Topical application is the use of essential oils on the skin. Internal use of essential oils refers to ingesting essential oils by swallowing a veggie capsule that contains essential oils, applying essential oils directly into the mouth, or adding oils to a beverage and then swallowing.

Before you start using essential oils, make sure that you have a firm understanding of how to apply them, the appropriate dosages and quantities, and which areas to avoid. For example, when applying essential oils topically, it is wise to avoid application to areas like the eyes, ears, or nose, and to avoid putting essential oils on broken or damaged skin. As mentioned in the dosage section above, before using essential oils internally, it is important to understand how much of an essential oil should be used, and more importantly, which essential oils are approved for internal use (not all essential oils are safe to use internally).

When applying essential oils topically, not only is it important to follow the guidelines listed under the “Dermal” section in the chart above, but it will often be necessary to dilute the essential oil so that it is not too powerful for the skin. Because essential oils are so potent and many essential oils have a strong chemistry, sometimes you will need to dilute the oil before applying topically to ensure that you don’t experience any sensitivity.

The best way to dilute an essential oil is with something called a carrier oil. Carrier oils are typically a pure vegetable oil that will literally “carry” the oil to the skin. While some worry that using a carrier oil will reduce the benefits of essential oils, it will actually help to increase absorption so that the oil stays on the skin for a longer period of time.

If you are looking for a good carrier oil, consider ordering doTERRA Fractionated Coconut oil. The recommended ratio for dilution is typically three drops of the carrier oil per one drop of essential oil.

When it comes to using essential oils in the home, one major key to keeping your family safe is proper essential oil storage. For obvious reasons, essential oils should not be left out where small children can reach them, and bottles should always be sealed up with their lids after use.

In addition to keeping essential oils in a safe place, it is important to keep the oils out of direct sunlight and away from heat, as light and heat can alter the chemical structure of the oils and lessen their efficacy. By storing your oils in a cool, dry place, you can preserve the delicate yet powerful properties they possess, allowing you to reap as many essential oil benefits as possible.

Yes, essential oils are safe to use around your family and on children, however, there are a few extra precautions to take when it comes to using essential oils on your little ones. First, as mentioned above, it is important to keep essential oils out of reach of your children. Because kids don’t understand the potency of essential oils, they cannot properly apply them, and could use them improperly.

It is also important to note that children have more delicate and sensitive skin than adults, so it is always necessary to dilute oils before applying them topically on your kids. The dosage chart includes child recommendations for internal usage—just keep in mind that the dosages for children will always be much less than that of an adult because they have smaller, more sensitive and developing bodies and require far less oil.

Make sure to teach your children (and even teenagers) to only use essential oils under your supervision, and always set a good example of proper essential oil usage so that your family understands how important safety guidelines are.

If you have any specific health conditions or concerns, it is always a good idea to consult your healthcare professional before use. The same goes for your children—if you have any concerns about using essential oils on your children, consider talking to their pediatrician or primary care physician before starting essential oil use with your kids.

It is possible to use essential oils safely in conjunction with healthy eating and exercise in order to promote a healthy lifestyle, but you must consider your own personal health status and any health concerns first. For example, women who are pregnant should always consult with their doctor before using oils.

Now that you understand the basics of how to safely use essential oils, you can experience the benefits of essential oils in your daily life and with your family. If you want more ideas for how to use essential oils aromatically, topically, or internally, take a look at the doTERRA eBooks for more detailed safety guidelines and usage ideas.