Safety guidelines for using essential oils / aromatherapy products
It is very important to know how to use essential oils safely to avoid any allergic reactions for example.
Below i have provided some safety guidelines for you to follow.
To avoid degradation, it is important to store the oils correctly.
Keep out of reach of children, pets and anyone who has special needs.
Always ensure the integral dropper is in place as this acts as a guard against over use and will prevent any spillages when the lid is off.
Keep products away from the eye area. If an essential oil gets into the eye, flush the eye out with cold full fat milk or vegetable oil to dilute.
Keep essential oil products away from plastic or polished surfaces as well as naked flames or any sources that could ignite and cause a fire hazard.
Do not take essential oils internally unless under strict medical supervision or with an aromatherapist qualified to consult their clients to ingest.
Never use an undiluted essential oil directly on the skin. Always dilute in a suitable base product such as a grapeseed oil or other skin oil, cream or lotion.
If you have a medical condition such as epilepsy, high blood pressure, or are pregnant, please seek medical advice before using any aromatherapy products.
Caution must be taken with citrus oils and other phototoxic oils before exposure to direct sunlight as skin irritation could occur.
When adding essential oils to bath water dilute the oil first in a small amount of full fat milk or dispersing bath oil base. If neither is available be sure to agitate the water after adding the oil so it does not settle on the top of the water and cause irritation.
Always mix the oil with water before burning in an oil burner. Never use undiluted!
Try to regulate the use of any essential oil as constant use over time may in isolated cases cause sensitisation, nausea or headaches.
Certain oils may cause skin sensitivity or adverse reaction in some individuals. Discontinue use immediately if this occurs. If susceptible to this kind of reaction it is always best to do a skin patch test before use on a larger area.
Do not use machinery or drive a motor vehicle immediately following a relaxation treatment especially after using soporific oils, e.g. Clary Sage.
Always work in a well-ventilated area.
In between using essential oils, especially in a diffuser or oil burner, air the room and allow yourself a break in between using different oils / blends.
Always check the precautions of each essential oils before use to ensure that oil is suitable for you, especially if you have a medical condition, i.e., high blood pressure or are pregnant, as certain oils are not suitable for some conditions. It is advisable to seek professional advice.
Avoid prolonged use of the same essential oil.
If you have hypersensitive skin, it may be advisable to test a little of the product onto a small area of your skin before using the product for the first time in case of allergic reaction.
Never use an essential oil with which you are not familiar with, seek professional advice where possible.
Essential oils should be stored in dark amber glass bottles in normal to cool temperatures (approx. 65 Fahrenheit / 18 centigrade) with lids secured tightly to prevent evaporation.
Wash hands thoroughly in between using aromatherapy products to remove as much of the excess product as possible.
Store essential oils / aromatherapy products away from direct sunlight
Store them for the correct storage period – check manufacturers recommendations
Only use the essential oils for their correct use and dilution
Ensure, when purchasing, that your products have undergone quality testing and constituent testing, this should be listed on the suppliers website
If an accident occurs with diluted oil flush with clean warm water. If stinging is still present seek immediate medical advice.
Karen x
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