Safety with Essential Oils : Is Ingesting Essential Oils Safe?

by Sharon Sherbina, NYR Organic

Poison Awareness Month Post #2

As a consultant working for a company that sells essential oils, I feel morally obligated to provide information to people that may not be provided to them by the general public or other EO companies. March is Poison Awareness Month and it's the perfect time to address essential oils as a potential hazard if not used with care and best practices.

Are you under a doctor's care? Do you have children? Do you have pets? These are all important questions that should be answered and researched before "diving in" to essential oils. Essential Oils can STILL be a wonderful part of your health journey, but unsafe practices, primarily the daily ingestion of oils, is not considered safe, and should only be done under the care of a highly qualified practitioner.

In 2010, over 10,000 cases of essential oils poisoning was reported to poison control centers. The majority of these were children UNDER AGE FIVE. This number has increased EVERY year. To look at the actual statistics, including deaths that occurred, access the data system with the American Association of Poison Control Centers' Annual Reports of National Poison Data Systems (NPDS). This issue is not one to be taken lightly.

One of my favorite oils right now is Niaouli, and when used appropriately, has many health benefits:

1. Clears congestion in respiratory system
2. Reduces body temperature during fever
3. Stimulates growth and strengthens immunity
4. Helps stimulate circulation of blood and lymph
5. Gives relief from rheumatism, arthritis, and gout
6. Diminishes scars and after marks left by acne and pimples
7. Protects wound against bacterial growth, sepsis and tetanus

Pregnant women should not use this one. It should also not be used near your mucous membranes, or ingested orally.

Essential oils are wonderful, but let's use them with best practices to ensure that we will be able to freely use them for a long time to come!

Author Bio:

I’m opposed to author bios, for much the same reason that I’m opposed to framing artwork. Intellectually we know that art goes beyond the frame, and that the frame is an artificial construct.  My husband says that I “sure am a piece of work”, but he has never, (nor has anyone else) ever referred to me as a piece of art… 

So, right now I am bouncing back and forth between the beautiful and troubled island paradise of Oahu, and our home base in deep rural Missouri.  Subjects of interest for contemplation and writing include nature, sustainability, primitive skills and traditions, kindness, unconditional positive regard, all the big whys and hows, movement disorders, the juxtaposition of science and religion, education, second language acquisition, holistic skin care, and cats.  I fail to practice much of what I preach, and greet each day as a challenge, and consider each night before I go to bed an exercise in self-grace.