Aromatherapy Safety at Home
Essential oils are powerful, concentrated plant medicines — safe and rewarding to use at home when a few simple precautions are followed.
Health & Hygiene
- Sterilise your hands thoroughly before and after touching the person you are treating.
- If treating someone with open wounds, wear gloves.
- Do not contaminate your oil bottle — never touch the person, then touch your oil bottle without washing your hands first.
Always Skin Test First
- Place 1 drop of the essential oil to be tested on the forearm.
- Wait 5 minutes and check for a reaction.
- Any colour change (redness) can indicate an allergy.
- Re-test and wait 10 minutes.
- Some reactions are minor — dilute the oil in a carrier (e.g. olive oil) and wait 30 minutes to check the reaction.
Babies & Young Children
Never use neat (undiluted) essential oils on babies under 3 months old — always dilute in a carrier oil such as organic olive oil. Always skin test before use.
Favourite oils for babies
Frankincense and Lavender.
General dose by age — the younger, the less you need
Don't forget to skin test before using an oil on babies and young children.
Allergy & Skin Irritation
A small proportion of people may experience skin irritation, allergic reactions, or cross-sensitivity to essential oils.
Cross-sensitivity is the potential for an allergic reaction to similar substances — for example, someone allergic to ragweed may also react to chamomile essential oil.
Irritation shows up as rapid-onset redness and pain where the oil touched the skin, and can occur on the very first exposure. The skin generally heals without long-term problems, but avoid reusing an oil that caused irritation.
Adulterated Essential Oils
Some reactions are caused by oils adulterated with synthetic chemicals, or chemically changed by exposure to heat or light over time. If an oil you like seems to cause skin irritation, try a different, higher-quality brand before giving up on it.
Cheap usually means nasty when it comes to essential oils.
Choose organic, sustainably grown essential oils for the best quality — cheap oils are usually adulterated and therefore more likely to cause a reaction.
Known Dermal Irritants
These essential oils are more likely to irritate the skin — use with extra caution, always dilute, and skin test first.
| Essential Oil | Latin Name |
|---|---|
| Bay | Pimento racemosa |
| Cinnamon bark or leaf | Cinnamomum zeylanicumbark is more irritating than leaf |
| Clove bud | Syzygium aromaticum |
| Citronella | Cymbopogon nardus |
| Cumin | Cuminum cyminum |
| Lemongrass | Cymbopogon citratus |
| Lemon verbena | Lippia citriodora |
| Oregano | Origanum vulgare |
| Tagetes | Tagetes minuta |
| Thyme ct. Thymol | Thymus vulgaris |
Never Put Essential Oils in the Eyes
Essential oils are highly concentrated and can cause serious damage if they come into contact with the eyes. Essential oils are not water-soluble, so flushing with water will not remove them and can drive them deeper into the eye. Use a carrier oil instead.
First aid — essential oil in the eye
- Stay calm — do not rub the eye.
- Immediately flush the eye with a generous amount of carrier oil (olive, coconut, or any vegetable oil) to dilute and lift the essential oil off the eye surface.
- Blink several times to help the carrier oil spread and draw out the essential oil.
- Gently wipe away excess oil with a clean tissue — always wiping away from the eye, never towards it.
- Repeat the carrier-oil flush if irritation continues.
- Seek medical attention promptly if pain, redness, or blurred vision persists.
Never use water — it will not dissolve the oil and can spread it further across the eye.
Just How Concentrated Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are extremely concentrated plant extracts — approximately a 5 litre pot of fresh herb yields only about 5 mL of pure essential oil. This is why oils must always be diluted and used sparingly and respectfully.
A Few Essential Oil Basics
Frankincense
Antiseptic, astringent, sedative, anti-inflammatory. Immune — increases leucocytes.
Lavender
Antiseptic, anti-toxic (stings and bites), sedative.
Myrrh
Antiseptic, astringent — in ancient times 1 drop was placed on a newborn's umbilical cord to prevent infection.
Rose Geranium
Analgesic, antiseptic, sedative, astringent, uplifting.
Clary Sage
Anticonvulsive, sedating, euphoric — great when you are stressed.
Sourcing Quality Oils
Search for a reputable wholesale essential oil supplier and choose organic, sustainably grown oils for the best quality and safety. Cheap, unbranded oils are frequently adulterated and carry a much higher risk of skin reactions or chemical burns.
TGA Disclaimer
The information and suggestions provided by Elemental Herbals — including herbal formulas, Bach Flower Remedies, essential oils, and Five Element analysis — are for educational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. They have not been evaluated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Herbal and aromatic products can interact with medications and may be contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation, or certain conditions. Always read the label and follow directions for use. If symptoms persist, consult a qualified registered health practitioner before self-prescribing. Keep all products out of reach of children.
