This great piece appeared on WebMD and was reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on October 22, 2019. I've taken some snippets from their post however for full disclosure and transparency - the entire WebMD article can be viewed by clicking the link at the bottom of this blog.
Always speak with a certified aromatherapist before using oils and/or speak with your medical provider.
What Are Essential Oils?
They're made from parts of certain plants like leaves, herbs, barks, and rinds. Makers use different methods to concentrate them into oils. You may add them to vegetable oils, creams, or bath gels. Or you might smell them, rub them on your skin, or put them in your bath. Some research shows that they can be helpful, if you know how to use them the right way.
Are you anxious?
Who doesn't face obstacles and have stress in their lives at one time or another? Lavender, chamomile, and rosewater are among the most popular smells and may help keep you calm. You can breathe in or rub diluted versions of these oils on your skin. Scientists think they work by sending chemical messages to parts of the brain that affect mood and emotion. Although these scents alone won’t take all your stress away, the aroma may help you relax.
Don't rub them everywhere
It's essential (pardon the pun) that you work with, and seek out advice from experts in essential oils, there are huge differences between oils and what they can be used for. If you use watered down ones they will be ineffective, if you use them in the wrong way, the results will be disappointing and potentially harmful. Follow the instructions carefully.
Try Essential Oils, sample many of them
Used the right way, they can help you feel better with few side effects. For example, you may feel less nauseated from chemotherapy cancer treatment if you breathe in ginger vapors. You may be able to fight certain bacterial or fungal infections, including the dangerous MRSA bacteria, with tea tree oil. In one study, tea tree oil was as effective as a prescription antifungal cream in easing symptoms of a fungal foot infection.
Be wary
Like anything else you put on your skin, it’s best to test a little bit on a small area and see how your skin responds. Pure and natural substances can be irritating, toxic, or cause allergic reactions.
Quality is important
Look for a trusted producer that makes pure oils (#essentialoils) without anything added. You’re more likely to have an allergic reaction to oils that have other ingredients
Old Oils
Throw away old oils, they will be ineffective and will likely cause more damage than good. If you have essential oils sitting in your cupboard or on a shelf for more than a couple of years, its probably a good time to discard them.
Don't put edible oils on your skin
Cumin oil, which is safe to use in your food, can cause blisters if you put it on your skin.
Citrus oils that are safe in your food may be bad for your skin, especially if you go out into the sun.
If you're on heavy duty drugs then certainly speak with your doctor. Daily as a registered nurse before administering medications from pharmaceutical companies, we are trained to check their interactions. There are way too many possible interactions between FDA approved drugs to list here, which is why there are so many drug interaction software programs and books available as a guide. Nurses are the last line of defense for a patient and we are 100% responsible for what we give you, even though your physician SHOULD be doing this before prescribing something. With this in mind, if you're concerned about using a particular oil then, check with your physician.
Damaged Skin
Maybe stating the obvious here but... In the same way you wouldn't put a pharmaceutical grade or over the counter cream etc on damaged skin, you should not put essential oils on it either.
Reactions
If you apply an essential oil to perfectly intact skin but you get a reaction, just stop, gently wash it off and ask your certified aromatherapist for another option that may work for you. Remember just like pharmaceuticals, essential oils may work differently with people. Don't get discouraged, just find another oil that you enjoy and that works. MrsNurse will always send you samples to try and enjoy.
Storage
Quality, pure essential oils are strong, strong, strong!! They must be stored away safely, and certainly away from the reach of little hands. Lock them away, especially if you have to store them in cupboards that are low to the ground. Even those cheap nasty oils from the supermarket will do harm if ingested.
Pregnant or wanting to conceive?
Did you know MrsNurse is an experienced IVF nurse and worked in one of the largest mother baby hospitals in the USA? We have botanicals that are perfectly crafted and safe to use during pregnancy. Try our latest pregnancy blend. Check out the blog on oils during pregnancy, and details of the blend.
There are some oils you should NOT take if you're pregnant, There are many that are considered safe and effective.
Wanting to conceive?
Lavender is one of the world’s top healing oils and it may help lower cortisol levels and help you calm yourself.
The cup-and-inhale method offers immediate destressing effects. Some people love the wild orange essential oil when they’re feeling low. It may help with anxiety, insomnia, and fear.
A mixture of Frankincense, spruce leaf, blue tansy, and blue chamomile can be considered an emotional support oil, bringing harmony to the heart and body and offering a grounding effect for your emotions.
Do you know?
It takes 45 lemons to make just one 5 mL bottle of essential oil
I hope you enjoyed this post... Please connect with us for samples and advice regarding essential oils
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