SAFETY SECRETS
A vegetable carrier oil (like V-6) used to dilute your EO will:
+ Slow evaporation to allow more time for the oils to penetrate the skin.
+ Maintain the lipid barrier of the skin because most essential oils will tend to dry the skin
+ Enhance the effect of the essential oils because many oils work well synergistically in a vegetable oil.
While researching essential oils, it is important to know and understand the differences between the French and English models of aromatherapy. Young Living essential oils have been produced specifically for the French model of aromatherapy. And the conflicting differences between the two models can often cause confusion.
The British approach to aromatherapy is usually used in massage. The essential oils they use are "aromatherapy grade" and are 95-98% carrier oil. The other 2-5% is essential oil and can be food or fragrance grade to still fulfill the requirements in the UK to be called "aromatherapy grade". This can be very misleading since "aromatherapy grade" essential oils can be adulterated or diluted.
British aromatherapists do not apply essential oils neat to the skin because they know their oils are not true "therapeutic grade". In fact, most essential oils in the UK are by-products of the food and fragrance industry, which does not have therapeutic properties. If such oils are used neat, it is feared that they may be toxic. Although, when used in small amounts as perfume or diluted for massage, there are no known toxic reactions.
The French approach to aromatherpay uses undiluted essential oil on the skin, sometimes multiple times a day. In fact, French physicians also provide their patients with capsules containing essential oils and a carrier oil to be taken orally. This is unheard of in British aromatherpy because the quality of the essential oil is different. In France, essential oils are used in a medical setting, unlike the UK. There is a greater chance of toxicity from taking too much essential oil orally, although there have been virtually no cases recorded.
+ O I L S recommends keeping your essential oils out of reach of children. Common sense tells us that using an entire bottle at one time or drinking an entire bottle is NOT smart to do. Wintergreen (along with Raven and PanAway which contain Wintergreen) have child-proof caps on the bottle to avoid any chance of a child drinking the entire bottle.
NOTE ON STUDIES:
Many cautions or lists to avoid are based on research of a specific and often synthetic compound, not the whole, pure, therapeutic essential oils. Young Living essential oils are NOT toxic. Any reaction you get may simply be the body bringing up an underlying issue you need to address with your healthcare provider.
Resources:
Safety Tips:
+ Avoid contact with sensitive areas such as eyes, ears, genitals, and mucous membranes.
+ If you accidentally apply it to a sensitive area, flush with a carrier oil, not water
+ Use common sense.
+ If skin sensitivity occurs (while using hot EOs like Thieves or Oregano), then layer a carrier oil on the skin.
+ Citrus oils are photosensitive. Avoid sun exposure.
+ Read the product label.