What should you watch out for with essential oils?

What should you watch out for with essential oils?

Essential oils are a good servant but a bad master. When using them we must follow not only basic rules of dilution and application, but also take into account possible contraindications. At first glance these seem trivial, but suddenly they can become a serious problem. Natural essential oils are extra strong substances, highly concentrated, and even a small amount can represent a significant risk. And what must we pay attention to when selecting and using essential oils? Read on...

1. Blood dilution

Some molecules contained in essential oils act as anticoagulants and therefore these essential oils are not suitable during anticoagulant treatment. They are also not suitable for use shortly before medical procedures such as surgery, tooth extraction, etc.

Sweet birch (Betula lenta), Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia or Cinnamomum aromaticum), cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum zeylanicum), clove (Syzygium aromaticum or Eugenia caryophyllata and Eugenia aromatica), bitter fennel (Foeniculum vulgare subspecies Capillaceum), sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), garlic (Allium sativum), lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia or Lavandula hybrida, possibly Lavandula hortensis), marjoram carvacrol CT (Origanum marjorana, Marjorana hortensis or Origanum dubium), oregano (Origanum smyrnaeum, Origanum vulgare, Origanum compactum, Origanum hurum), thyme (Thymbra capitata, Thymus capitatus), wintergreen (Gaultheria fragrantissima), dill (Anethum graveolens), angelica (Angelica archangelica), lime (Citrus aurantifolia), Italian helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), khella (Ammi visnaga), bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), sandalwood, and care is needed also with types of lavenders.

2. Photosensitivity

Photosensitization is a skin reaction after interaction of ultraviolet rays with a substance applied to the dermis or taken internally (for example St John's wort tea). After applying essential oil to the skin and exposing it to direct sunlight, a reaction may occur causing skin irritation, rash, redness or even burns, fluctuations in skin pigmentation. Mainly essential oils from the Apiaceae family and pressed citrus oils belong here. After using these essential oils it is not suitable to go tanning or to a solarium; it is best to choose evening application, the duration of phototoxicity varies (8-16 hours). Phototoxicity is caused by the aromatic molecules furanocoumarins and pyrocoumarins.

Dill (Anethum graveolens), angelica (Angelica archangelica), hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium), celery (Apium gravolens), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), ammi (Ammi visnaga), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), parsley (Petroselinum sativum), lovage (Levisticum officinale), caraway (Carum carvi), carrot seed (Daucus carota sativa), bergamot (Citrus bergamia), lemon (Citrus limonum), citron (Citrus medica), lime (Citrus aurantifolia), fagara - Zanthoxylum schinifolium (Fagara schinifolia), bitter orange (Citrus aurantium), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), clementine (Citrus nobilis), kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix), rue (Ruta graveolens), white dittany (Dictamus albus), St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora), marigolds (Tagetes glandulifera or Tagetes minuta), cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum).

Not phototoxic: neroli, petitgrain, yuzu, red mandarin, citrus oils without bergapten (in our offer you will find Bergamot bio essential oil without bergapten by Armina).

Two other contraindications that may be associated with the use of essential oils are hormonal effects and possible neurotoxicity. Therefore, age limits are used as a benchmark for recommended use of each type of essential oil.

3. Hormonal effects (cortisol, estrogen)

Essential oils contain aromatic molecules that activate glands responsible for hormone production or may mimic their action in the human body. Most often we encounter those that have effects similar to estrogen or cortisone hormones. Oils similar to cortisone hormone are not recommended for use up to six years of age; estrogen-like ones are not recommended until ten to twelve years old (for example oregano or sage). They are also not recommended during hormonal disorders, mastopathy, and oncological diseases (breast, uterus, prostate cancer). They are unsuitable during pregnancy and breastfeeding. When considering age limits, it is important to also remember whether an essential oil is simultaneously neurotoxic, nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic. That is, whether it can adversely affect the nervous system, liver or kidneys.

Essential oils with effects similar to cortisone hormone are: Angelica (Angelica archangelica), Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Caraway (Carum carvi), Lemon (Citrus limon), Rockrose (Cistus ladaniferum), Black pepper (Piper nigrum), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus smithii, Galbanum (Ferula galbaniflua), Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), Italian Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), Madagascan Helichrysum (Helichrysum gymnocephalum), German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Moroccan chamomile (Tanacetum annuum L.), Frankincense (Boswellia carterii), Cajeput (Melaleuca leucadendra), Dill (Anethum graveolens), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Balsam fir (Abies balsamea), Siberian fir (Abies sibirica), Canadian hemlock (Tsuga), Lovage (Levisticum officinale).

Additionally: Marjoram (Origanum majorana), Green mandarin (Citrus reticulata blanco), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Thyme (Thymus capitatus L.), Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum), Common myrtle (Myrtus communis cineoliferum), Neroli (Citrus × aurantium L. ssp amara), Oregano (Origanum vulgare), Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum), Rosemary camphor (Rosmarinus officinalis L. Camphoriferum), Rosemary cineole (Rosmarinus officinalis L. Cineoliferum), Rosemary verbenone (Rosmarinus officinalis L. Verbenoniferum), Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus L.), Mountain savory (Satureja montana), Saro (Cinnamosma fragrans Baillon), Black spruce (Picea mariana), Lavender sage (Salvia lavandulifolia), Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Thyme thymol (Thymus vulgaris L. Thujanoliferum), Goldenrod (Solidago).

Essential oils similar to estrogen hormone are:

Juniperus oxycedrus, Clove (Eugenia caryophyllus), Anise (Pimpinella anisum), Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Niaouli (Melaleuca viridiflora), Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica), Moroccan chamomile (Ormenis mixta var. multicaulis L.), German chamomile (Matricaria recutita (L.) Rauschert), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Madagascan Helichrysum (Helichrysum bracteiferum), Spearmint (Mentha viridis L.), Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi), Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), Common sage (Salvia officinalis), Clary sage (Salvia sclarea), Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum), Thyme verbenol (Thymus vulgaris var. Verbenol), Hop (Humulus lupulus), Star anise (Illicium verum), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), White sandalwood (Santalum album).

Note: German chamomile can be applied from the age of six years, low dosage must be observed.