Aromatherapy is an alternative healing system that uses essential plant oils to ease the symptoms of conditions such as stress, pain and depression. When inhaled or placed on your skin, most aromatherapy oils generally pose no safety risks. However, you should take certain precautions when using these products, in addition to consulting a trained aromatherapy specialist.
The Facts
Essential oils are extracted and concentrated from the flowers, seeds, roots or leaves of a wide variety of plant species, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). The National Cancer Institute (NCI) lists species used for this purpose that include cedarwood, lemon, bergamot, tea tree, geranium and lavender. You may use aromatherapy oils to ease specific symptoms of a physical ailment, or for more generalized purposes such as relaxation or the sensory enhancement of your daily environment.
General Safety
If you use aromatherapy products as directed, you typically have a low risk of encountering harmful side effects, UMMC reports. In rare circumstances, you may experience harmful effects that include headaches, injury to a developing fetus and nerve or liver damage. In most cases, you will inhale an oil or apply it directly to your skin, although in a small number of cases you may also take an oral preparation. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved certain oils as food-grade ingredients, other oils can kill you if you swallow them, UMMC explains, and you should never take an oil internally without the advice of a trained aromatherapist.
Skin Effects
If you leave aromatherapy oils in contact with your skin for extended amounts of time, you may develop skin irritation or an allergic reaction, NCI notes. Additionally, if you use citrus-based oils before exposing your skin to sunlight, you may develop unusual light sensitivities. Certain oils, including cinnamon, contain high amounts of substances called phenols, which can also irritate your skin. You should not use high-phenol oils near your eyes, and UMMC recommends mixing them with massage oil or water before using them elsewhere on your body.
Hormone Effects
Tea tree and lavender oils can decrease or halt the normal effects of male sex hormones, or androgens, NCI reports. Prepubescent boys who apply these products to their skin for extended periods may experience an abnormal enlargement of breast tissue. Tea tree and lavender can also mimic the effects of the female hormone estrogen. If you have tumors that grow in the presence of estrogen, do not use either of these oils. Additionally, UMMC recommends consulting your doctor before using aromatherapy if you currently receive chemotherapy.
Additional Issues
If you are pregnant, have a history of allergies or have severe asthma, you should not use any form of aromatherapy oil, UMMC notes. If you have high blood pressure, do not use oils that can worsen your condition, including spike lavender and rosemary. If you have seizures, do not use hyssop oil. To locate a trained aromatherapist who can help you choose appropriate products, UMMC recommends contacting the National Association of Holistic Therapy.
Member Comments