As a member of a few facebook
aromatherapy sites, I keep seeing posts by exasperated American
aromatherapists. This advice is being given by marketing companies
about ingestion of oils and the neat application of many essential
oils.
What's the Problem?
While I'm an aromatologist and so
qualified in advising about internal routes, I would certainly not
suggest some of the oils and some of the quantities being made in the
pictures I'm seeing. I would also never suggest giving neat essential
oils to babies or children.
Essential oils are natural and can be
synthesised by the body, but quantities and routes into the body are
important. If essential oils are placed on the skin they are
processed in a different way to the internal route; ingested
essential oils go through the liver to be processed.
Essential oils should never be placed
directly on a tongue or in water for ingesting, as this can cause
irritations in the mouth or throat. Ingested oils should always be
monitored carefully, as under correct supervision they can be helpful
for several health complaints. Incorrect long term internal use of
essential oils, however, could cause internal damage, such as
cirrhosis of the liver, kidney issues, stomach or intestine
irritations.
If you're taking an essential oil
internally you really should be listening to a suitably qualified
aromatherapist, not a post you've seen on the internet. Things an
aromatologist will consider are: is the internal route the best
option for what you want to deal with, what chemicals are in the oil,
what is the LD50 of the essential oils, how are the oils going to be
ingested? All of these are important, as the chemicals may affect the
blend, dosage, frequency, length of time, and how they are going to
be applied.
So, if you see a post saying the
essential oils are of purest quality and can be taken internally,
please, please don't take their word for it. In the UK, there are
strict advertising regulations on what can and can't be said, however
in America the advertising laws seem to be different, and of course,
with the internet this information is now available globally.
Please remember these companies are
marketing their products and selling their goods. If they're
recommending an internal route, please take professional advice or do
your research - look for background information, check the facts and
make sure what is being recommended really is safe. Don't just look
at the company who is saying it, look for people who don't have
anything to gain from you buying the oils and who are suitably
qualified.
