According to the pandemic, the already rapidly increasing demand for essential oils has only intensified Business Insights from Fortune. These concentrated liquids, which are plant-derived fragrant compounds, are believed to treat headaches, anxiety, and even heal wounds. In addition to being sold in pure form, the oils have a home with cosmetic companies who add them to laundry detergents and lotions. Some health influencers even suggest drink the oils.
With dozens of popular essential oils on the market, there is evidence that some of them can actually help you manage stress and insomnia, as well as improve sleep and digestion, and improve skin care. Be aware, however, that essential oils also have many potential side effects depending on how you use them.
Ways To Use Essential Oils
Doctors recommend smelling essential oils best, either with a diffuser or an accessory, such as a necklace made from an absorbent material that contains essential oils. The second safest option is to rub them on your skin. Even though some advertisers and influencers suggest drinking or eating them, health professionals warn that you should never ingest the oils as they may contain contaminants. Not only can the oils themselves harm your body, they are also not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which gives the consumer some level of protection.
Side effects of essential oils on your skin
Many oils have antimicrobial effects and can help cleanse and lighten the skin or even heal wounds. However, the oils can also irritate your skin. Also, anything you rub on your skin can be absorbed into your body. Doctors in the New England Journal of Medicine reported several cases of prepubescent boys who used products containing lavender and tea tree oils experienced hormonal imbalances that resulted in enlarged breasts. The chemicals had mimicked estrogen, a hormone that increases in women during puberty.
Certain oils, especially those isolated from citrus fruits like grapefruit, lemon, and orange, can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and cause severe burns.
Annie Gonzalez, MD, a dermatologist in Miami, said the New York Times the The reactions from essential oils are a major cause of allergic contact dermatitis that she sees. The situation worsened during the pandemic, she said, because people stuck at home during the pandemic experiment with essential oil remedies in their spare time.
What you can do:
First, start by diluting an essential oil in coconut oil or another neutral carrier oil so what you rub on your skin is less effective than the original oil. Then apply the mixture to a small area of skin and leave it on for two days. This is called a patch test and it can warn you if your skin is reacting badly to certain oils. If the area of skin turns red or develops a rash or hives, you will know not to apply the oil to other parts of your body.
If you’re using an oil that is known to react with the sun (such as from citrus fruits), use it indoors and at night. Be sure to wash your skin before going outside.
You can be allergic to any oil, but some are more likely to cause a skin reaction than others. These include:
- Tea tree
- nutmeg
- peppermint
- Lemon verbena
- cinammon
- Bergamot
Inhale the scent
Doctors agree that inhaling through a diffuser or smelling accessory is the safest way to use essential oils. Fragrances are known to be particularly evocative strong emotions and memories. The scents of some oils can be calming, and many people find certain scents soothing.
There are still some risks involved in consuming essential oils in this way. First, you can use the evaporated oils irritate your eyes, nose and throat. While some essential oils advertise as a means of relieving asthma symptoms, these chemicals may work in some patients as well Trigger asthma attacks. “Essential oils are fine if used in aromatherapy for no more than 30 minutes because longer periods of time can put stress on the body,” says Mubashar Rehman, Ph.D., a medical writer at HealthCreeds.com. “In addition, some people may experience the smell of certain oils as an allergy trigger, causing eyesores, sneezing and a runny nose. In these cases they are [people] should avoid these oils completely. “
What you can do:
Make sure the area in your home or office where you will be handing oils is well ventilated and that you will not be exposing yourself to the oils for more than 30 minutes at a time.
Drinking or adding oils to foods
“Mix [essential oils] with food or drinks is not proven [to be safe or have benefits] and can even lead to health problems. Pure essential oils are very powerful. Even a small amount can irritate the throat and even the lining of the stomach. ”Says Victoria Swift, MD, at DebilitatingDiseases.net. “It can even lead to second degree burns.”
“The risk of poisoning is so high that the first symptoms can manifest themselves quickly. [in] under 30 minutes. ” Rehman explains that some essential oils, such as eucalyptus and sage, can cause seizures.
Additionally, there is no guarantee that what you drink is pure as there is no government regulation on essential oils. It can contain dangerous Pollutants.
Dosages and dilution
In most cases, you should dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before using them. Knowing your dosage and following the guidelines on the bottle is important.
Some guidelines from Essential Oils Safety, a reference book for healthcare professionals, also suggests that dosages for children are different from those for adults. For example, if you plan to use oils on your child’s skin, the following concentrations are recommended based on their age.
- 3 to 24 months: 0.25% to 0.5%
- 2 to 6 years: 1 to 2%
- 6 to 15 years: 1.5% to 3%
- More than 15 years: 2.5% to 5%
Essential oils can help treat these conditions
There are very few high-performance randomized clinical trials testing the effects of essential oils on specific medical conditions, but some smaller studies suggest that oils can help relieve stress and reduce inflammation related to skin and respiratory problems, and pain to alleviate. A couple of examples are below.
Oils that can reduce stress and anxiety
lavender
rose
valerian
Oils that can treat skin conditions
chamomile
S.andalwood
Oils that can relieve headaches and pain
P.peppermint
B.ergamot
Oils that can relieve constipation or improve breathing problems
P.peppermint
F.incense
Oils that can boost energy or lighten the mood
lemon
rosemary
What you should consider when buying
In the absence of government regulation, here are signs that can help you determine if you are a high quality product. Buy products in dark glass containers as these will protect them from light deterioration. The labels should state whether the oil is 100% pure and the name of the part of the plant from which the oil was isolated. Unfortunately there is no classification or purity standardswhen it comes to essential oils.
Some studies have shown that certain oils have antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal effects. If you are diagnosed with an infection or think you may have one, be sure to discuss the use of oils with your doctor, as some can interfere with the treatments you are prescribed. Never replace medication with essential oils without consulting your doctor.
“My family has essential oils at home and my doctors know them. [The healthcare practitioners] aren’t negative about them, ”says Ian Sells.
Rehman adds, “When used appropriately, essential oils can be safe.” However, since they “are not 100% proven medicinal, they should not be used as a substitute for prescription drugs or consumed. Even topical application without medical supervision can lead to skin damage or even poisoning. “
