Essential Oil Safety
A Family Guide

Essential Oil Safety is a guide for the whole family, including infants, children, and pets. Follow these, simple “safety guidelines” to enjoy the health benefits of therapeutic aromatherapy.

1. The first rule in Essential Oil Safety is to store the oils out of the reach of children. They are very curious!

2. The second rule is to close the bottles tightly after each use.

In case of emergency

If an infant or child, accidentally drinks or swallows essential oils…

1. Do not panic, remain calm.

2. Immediately have them drink milk, soymilk, rice milk, yogurt, or cream to dilute the swallowed oils. Honey can be used if the child is 12 months of age or older.

3. Call your poison control center and/or seek emergency medical help.

Eyes

If essential oils accidentally get into the eyes…

4. Immediately dilute and remove the oil by gently dabbing your eye with a cotton ball, washcloth, or tissue that has vegetable or carrier oil on it.

5. Do not flush the eyes with water! It can increase irritation and spread the oils.

6. If this does not provide relief, contact a health care professional.

Skin

Irritation or burning…

7. Generously dilute the area with vegetable or carrier oil and wipe off. Repeat as needed. You may need to dilute and wipe the oil off several times.

8. Do not use water! It spreads the oils and may cause the oil to penetrate more quickly.

9. If this does not provide relief, contact a health care professional.

Essential Oil Safety Precautions

Essential oil safety for the whole family:

1. Skin Test: Each person has unique body chemistry. Test the essential oil on the skin before use to check for sensitivity, redness or burning. This allows you to see how their body will respond. Always ask about allergies.

2. Testing the oil on the soles of the feet is the safest place. Test here for babies and children and for those with allergies. Another location is on the inside of the arm just above the elbow. 10-15 minutes is usually sufficient.

3. Always have vegetable or carrier oil within reach to dilute essential oils. Apply with a washcloth, cotton ball or square, to dilute and remove the oil.

4. Never use water to dilute or remove essential oils. This spreads the oils.

5. Keep essential oils away from the eyes.

6. Do not rub your eyes or handle contact lenses with essential oils on your fingers.

7. Do not put essential oils into the ears. Apply them around the outside of the ear.

8. Do not apply essential oils on mucous membranes unless diluted.

9. Some citrus oils are light sensitizing. Avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds 12 -24 hours to avoid rash and dark pigmentation. Single oils and blends that contain citrus include lemon, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, bergamot, white angelica, citrus fresh, and joy.

10. Certain oils should always be diluted. They are considered hot oils and can burn the skin. These include thyme, oregano, clove, savory, lemongrass, cinnamon bark and leaf.

11. Bath: Never add essential oils directly to bath water as they can burn the skin. Use a dispersing agent, such as a bath gel base, bath salts, etc., when adding essential oils to bath water.

12. Do not apply undiluted or “neat” essential oils to parts of the body that are hot, dry or tender. Instead, use a compress that has been soaked in cold water filled with dispersed essential oils.

13. Use only therapeutic grade essential oils and oil blends. Many oils contain chemicals that may be dangerous and toxic. Find a trustworthy source.

14. Before taking “GRAS” (generally regarded as safe) essential oils internally, always dilute in a capsule filled with vegetable oil or mix it with a teaspoon of honey, agave, or olive oil. You can also mix a drop in with rice, soy or almond milk.

Essential Oil Safety for Babies and Children

1. It is highly important to keep essential oils out of the reach of children. Close each bottle tightly after each use. Double check the bottles before putting away.

2. Premature Babies: Because their skin is so thin and likely highly sensitive, it is recommended not to use essential oils until they are older.

3. Do a skin test prior to using oils.

4. Always check the bottle or a reliable source to make sure the essential oil, or essential oil blend, is safe for use on infants and children.

5. The bottom of the feet is highly effective and is the safest place to use essential oils on infants and children.

6. Recommended dilutions:

Infants and small children-Dilute 1-3 drops of essential oil with 1 tablespoon (tbsp.) of carrier or vegetable oil

Children 2-5 years Old - Dilute 1-3 drops of essential oil with 1 teaspoon (tsp.) of carrier or vegetable oil

7. If a child or infant should accidentally swallow some essential oil, immediately have them drink an oil soluble liquid such as milk, soymilk, rice milk, cream or yogurt. Honey can be used if the child is over the age of 12 months.
Call your poison control center and/or seek immediate medical emergency help.

8. Do not use peppermint or any essential oil that is rich in menthol on or near the throat and chest area of infants, babies or children that are younger than 30 months. This could potentially cause laryngeal spasms.

Essential Oil Safety for those with "Allergies"

1. Do a skin test of the essential oil if you are using it on a person for the first time. The soles of the feet are the safest place to test, especially if the person has known allergies or sensitivities. Inside of arm above the elbow is another place.

2. Allergic reactions can happen with oils just as they do with food. Those with asthma, hives, or eczema, have a greater chance for an allergic reaction. This does not mean that oils should not be used but to proceed slower and with greater caution.

3. A person with respiratory allergies should not breathe in the air that is released up close to the diffuser. Maintain a safe but reasonable distance.

4. Do not apply oils topically to the nose, throat or chest area of a person with allergies. Use oils topically on the bottom of the feet only. Slow, cautious, exposure is recommended.

Essential Oil Safety if "Pregnant or Nursing"

1. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult with your health care professional before using essential oils. Be especially mindful to avoid oils with hormone-like activity, such as clary sage, sage, Idaho tansy, and fennel. Many oils are safe to use.

Essential Oil Safety for "Epileptics and High Blood Pressure"
*Consult with a health care profession before using essential oils

1. Many oils are safe to use but avoid sage, rosemary, hyssop, and fennel.

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