Safety with Essential Oils

The following are basic guidelines for safety with essential oils. Some people question, "Are essential oils safe?" Yes - if used properly. Well, think about it... not knowing enough information about anything can be harmful. Please use common sense when using essential oils. Start out small and go one step at a time.

Before moving on I must add that the following guidelines are ONLY for use with Young Living essential oils. Using essential oils that are not pure can be very dangerous. It is important to practice safety with essential oils. If you want to use essential oils for consumption, aromatherapy, diffusing, cooking, or applying to your skin, you will want to use pure, genuine essential oils, like those made by Young Living.


*Please Note: The information on this page is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please see our full disclaimer. Any essential oil benefits that you receive are your responsibility. ;)


The Basics to ensure your
safety with essential oils include:


Storage
Rancidity
Dilution
Consumption

Allergies
Flammability
Bathing
Eyes 

Ears
Touching
Children
Photo sensitivity


Also, please see the Usage Chart.


STORAGE

If the following three guidelines are followed, Young Living Essential Oils will last for many, many years. Store your essential oils:

  • Out of the reach of Children
  • Tightly ClosedIn a Cool Place
  • Away from Light, both natural & artificial

RANCIDITY

Some Young Living Essential Oil Blends have a carrier oil. These oil blends will last a couple of years when stored properly.

  • Vegetable oils will go rancid after a long period of time. If it's been several years since you used a particular blend make sure it is still in good condition by simply taking a quick sniff - you'll know if it needs to be replaced. (I've had oils longer than the 2-3 year mark and they have always still been fresh and delicious smelling!)
  • Please note: oils that are not genuine and 100% pure essential oils will go rancid within 3-6 months. Be safe - use YLEO's.

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DILUTION

Some essential oils should always be diluted (especially for sensitive skin). Please see the usage chart for the dilution ratios. Only High Quality Vegetable Oils should be used to dilute essential oils. You will want to always have a bottle of pure vegetable oil available when using essential oils.

  • Recommended vegetable oils to use for dilution include: V-6 Complex (2-year shelf life!!), Fractionated Coconut Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, and Tamanu Oil.
  • Essential Oils highly recommended for dilution: Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Cumin, Hyssop, Lemongrass, Mountain Savory, Oregano, Peppermint, Thyme, and Tsuga. And these blends should also be diluted: Exodus II, ImmuPower, Legacy, Longevity and Thieves.
  • Many other oils could result in skin irritation, so you may want to dilute them prior to use. If you have sensitive skin, it is recommended. Please see the usage chart to know which ones.
  • Essential oils are oil-soluble. Do NOT use water!! If you use an oil and your skin gets irritated, add vegetable oil to it. Water will make it worse. Think: safety with essential oils. And remember - it is better to dilute an essential oil with regular old Canola oil from the kitchen than do nothing when it's needed.

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CONSUMPTION

Many essential oils may be taken internally - see the chart. Before consuming, dilute the essential oil with vegetable oil or one teaspoon of blue agave or rice milk. Consult a physician if you want to consume more than a few drops of diluted essential oil per day. Remember: Safety with Essential Oils - Do it right the first time.

ALLERGIES

People with skin allergies should do a test before extensive topical use of an oil. A good way is to put a small diluted amount on the inner side of the upper arm. The safest place to put essential oils is always the bottom of the feet.

FLAMMABILITY

Some essential oils are flammable. Keep all essential oils away from fires, open flames, sparks, and electricity. Always remember to think of safety with essential oils.

BATHING

All essential oils to be used in bath water should be mixed with a bath gel base or Epsom salts. Do not add them directly to the water. They will float on top of the water and this may cause skin irritation. Always Keep safety in mind.

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EYES

All essential oils need to be kept away from the eyes. Do not even touch contact lenses. Be careful to not rub or touch your eyes when you have oils on your fingers. Essential oils will not do permanent damage to your eyes but will cause irritation - some may cause SEVERE irritation. (If essential oil does get in your eye, adding milk or a vegetable oil will help dilute it.) Please be careful when using Essential Oil's.

EARS

Do not drip essential oils into ears. Be very cautious when applying oils on the ear that they do not drip or run into the ear. Essential oils may safely be used on the exterior of the ear using the Auricular Probe Technique.

TOUCHING

After using an essential oil, it will take approximately 20 minutes before all of the oil is absorbed into your skin. Please be careful with what you touch. You won't want to touch children, your face or other sensitive area, or go to the bathroom (especially MEN) within that time frame. Also be careful when touching objects - paint can be removed with essential oils and some plastics can begin to decompose. Just think about safety with essential oils first.

CHILDREN

Some essential oils should never be used on children 18 months and younger. And some shouldn't be used on children under 5 years! Remember, the safest place to put any essential oil is the bottom of the feet. There can be exceptions, but only those with training know appropriate times to "bend" the rules. So, don't break the rules - Think: Safety with Essential Oils!

  • Do NOT use on children under 18 months of age: Basil, Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Citrus Hystrix (Combava or Limette), Lemongrass, Mountain Savory, Mugwort, Thyme.
  • Do NOT use on children under 5 years of age: Bergamot, Birch, Calamus, Idaho Tansy, Nutmeg, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Spearmint, Tarragon, Wintergreen.

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PHOTO SENSITIVITY

Some essential oils are photosensitive, which means sensitive to sunlight. When these oils are applied to the skin they can cause a rash or burn when exposed to sunlight. It is recommended that you simply stay out of the sun (or UV rays) for a few days. If you apply these oils to your feet or somewhere under clothing, you will be fine. Be extra safe - If you have very fair skin and usually burn in the sun you may want to double these times.

  • Avoid sun exposure for 12 hours: Cumin, Tangerine, ImmuPower
  • Avoid sun exposure for for 24 hours: Angelica, Citrus Hystrix (Combava or Limette), Ginger, Grapefruit, Lemon, Mandarin, Orange, Abundance, Christmas Spirit, Citrus Fresh, Di-Gize, Dragon Time, Envision, GLF, Grounding, Inner Child, Into the Future, Live with Passion, Longevity, Magnify Your Purpose, Peace & Calming, Raven, SARA, Surrender, Thieves, Transformation, Trauma Life.
  • Avoid sun exposure for 48 hours: Bergamot, Awaken, Chivalry, Clarity, Dream Catcher, Forgiveness, Gentle Baby, Harmony, Joy, Legacy, White Angelica.
  • Avoid sun exposure for 72 hours: Lime.

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Well, now you know enough to start using essential oils. Remember to always practice safety with essential oils.

Okay - go get started!


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