WHAT ARE THERAPEUTIC GRADE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Essential Oils are highly concentrated natural plant extracts; a drop or two can produce significant results. They are unadulterated, not greasy and do not clog the pores.
Storage
Keep essential oils bottles tightly closed, in a cool place and out of the sunlight.
Essential Oils Safety – As a general rule, the children, elderly, ill and allergic individuals should use only diluted essential oils and should be observed by a qualified professional. The allergic person reacts to doses that are too small to bother most people.
Before You Start-Skin Sensitivity Test
Always skin-test an essential oil before use. Place one drop of the essential oil on the skin of the forearm and cover with a band aid. Wait for 20 minutes, remove the band aid and check for redness, swelling, and itching. If none of these are present proceed with the use of the essential oil application. On rare occasions a delayed hypersensitivity reaction may occur up to 48 hours.
Generally, people with allergies must be very cautious with essential oils. The least sensitive area is the sole of the foot.
Before using essential oils, consult a physician if you are pregnant, ill or undergoing drug therapy.
Keep Essential Oils away from children.
Essential Oils do not dissolve in water and must be diluted with a carrier or vegetable oil.
Avoid contact with the eyes, or sensitive skin areas. Milk can be used to flush the eye should contact occur.
Never add undiluted essential oils to bath water. Add the essential oils to Epsom or Sea Salt, milk, egg or bath gel and then add to the bath water.
Citrus oils can cause skin sensitization when the skin is exposed to the sun after application. Avoid exposure to the sun or tanning beds for 24 hours after application.
Some oils have very strong caustic characteristics and should be used very cautiously, generally in diluted form (oregano, cinnamon).
Essential oils rich in menthol (peppermint) should not be used near the neck or throat of children under 30 months of age.
Avoid Rosemary, Tansy, Wintergreen, Birch, Fennel, Hyssop, Sage, Nutmeg, Tarragon, Essential oil in case of epilepsy; Avoid Rosemary and thyme in case of high blood pressure.
Avoid warm bath with Epsom or other bath salts in case of low blood pressure.
Always have a good quality vegetable oil handy when using essential oils. Use it to dilute essential oils before use or to rinse an irritated skin area.
Periodically take a break from using essential oils. Use for six days and rest for one day, or use for three weeks and rest for one week.
DO NOT INGEST.