PLEASE NOTE: The information below is true for essential oils used 'straight from the bottle'.
However the oils used in our products are at a safe dilution.
If you are not sure if a certain product can be used by you, please feel free to contact us first for advice.

In general, those essential oils which are commonly available, are safe to use for aromatherapy or household purposes. However, due to their high concentration and potency, it is necessary to be aware of the following safety measures and take some precautions into account.

The Safety Data - always check the specific safety data before using a new oil (see individual oils here).
Internal Use - never take any essential oil internally. This rule is in accordance with the guidelines of safety recommended by the International Federation of Aromatherapy. Essential oils do not mix with water, and in an undiluted form they can damage the lining of the digestive tract. In addition, some essential oils are toxic if taken internally.
Storage - store essential oils in dark glass bottles, away from light and heat, and well out of the reach of children and animals.

Babies and Children
Always increase the dilution for babies and infants to at least half the recommended amount. For babies, avoid the possibly toxic and irritant oils altogether.

Babies 0-12 months - use only 1 drop of lavender, rose or chamomile (German or Roman) diluted in 1 tsp of carrier oil for massage or bathing.
Infants 1-5 years - use only 2-3 drops of the 'safe' oils, i.e. those which are non-toxic and non-irritant, diluted in 1 tsp of carrier oil for massage or bathing.
Children 6-12 years - use as for adults but in half the stated concentration.
Children over 12 years - use as directed for adults.

Hazardous Oils
Some essential oils can be hazardous, especially in inexperienced hands, either due to their high toxicity levels or because they can cause severe dermal irritation. The oils which should be avoided in this case are: Bitter almond, arnica, boldo, broom, buchu, calamus, camphor (brown and yellow), cassia, chervil, cinnamon (bark), deertongue, fennel (bitter), horseradish, jaborandi, melilotus, mugwort, mustard, oregano, pennyroyal, pine (dwarf), rue, sage (common), santolina, sassafras, savine, savory, tansy, thuja, thyme (red), tonka, wintergreen, wormseed, wormwood.

These oils should not be used at all therapeutically.

Toxicity
Essential oils which should be used in moderation (only in dilution and for a maximum of two weeks at a time) because of their toxicity levels are: Ajowan, anise star, aniseed, basil (exotic), bay laurel, bay (West Indian), calamintha, camphor (white), cascarrilla bark, cassie, cedarwood (Virginian), cinnamon (leaf), clove (bud), coriander, eucalyptus, fennel (sweet), hops, hyssop, juniper, nutmeg, parsley, pepper (black), sage (Spanish), tagetes, tarragon, thyme (white), tuberose, turmeric, turpentine, valerian.

Neat Application
In general, essential oils should not be applied neat the skin, always dilute them in a carrier oil or cream first. There are exceptions to this rule, such as the use of neat lavender for cuts, spots, burns, etc... Certain non-irritant oils may be applied neat to the skin as a perfume, such as ylang ylang or sandalwood. Always do a patch test first (by placing a drop or two onto a plaster and sticking it to your forearm) and if there is no irritation you should be fine.

Dermal/Skin Irritation
Oils which may irritate the skin, especially if used in a high concentration are: Ajowan, allspice, aniseed, basil (sweet), black pepper, borneol, cajeput, caraway, cedarwood (Virginian), cinnamon (leaf), clove (bud), cornmint, eucalyptus, garlic, ginger, lemon, parsley, peppermint, pine needle (Scotch and longleaf), thyme (white), turmeric.

These oils should be used in half the usual recommended dilutions. Always mix them first in a base oil, cream or gel before applying to the skin and do not use more than 3 drops in the bath.

Sensitization
Some oils may cause skin irritation only in those people with very sensitive skin or can cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. Even some very common oils, such as tea tree or jasmine, have been known to cause sensitization in a few cases. It is important for those with sensitive skin to do a patch test before using a new oil to check for individual sensitization. Oils which may cause sensitization include: Basil (French), bay laurel, benzoin, cade, cananga, cedarwood (Virginian), chamomile (German and Roman), citronella, garlic, geranium, ginger, hops, jasmine, lemon, lemongrass, lemon balm (melissa), litsea cubeba, lovage, mastic, mint, orange, Peru balsam, pine (Scotch and longleaf), styrax, tea tree, thyme (white), Tolu balsam, turmeric, turpentine, valerian, vanilla, verbena, violet, yarrow, ylang ylang.

Photo-toxicity
Some oils are phototoxic i.e. they cause skin pigmentation if exposed to direct sunlight. Do not use the following oils, either neat or in dilution, on the skin if the area will be exposed to the sun for at least 3 hours after application: Angelica root, bergamot (except bergapten-free types), cumin, ginger, lemon, lime, lovage, mandarin, orange, verbena.

Pregnancy
During pregnancy, use essential oils in half the usual started amount, because of the sensitivity of the growing child. Oils which are potentially toxic or have emmenagogue properties (i.e. they stimulate the uterine muscles), are contra-indicated.

The following oils should be avoided altogether: Ajowan, angelica, anise star, aniseed, basil, bay laurel, calamintha, cedarwood (all types), celery seed, cinnamon leaf, citronella, clary sage, clove, cumin, fennel (sweet), hyssop, juniper, labdanum, lovage, marjoram, myrrh, nutmeg, parsley, snakeroot, Spanish sage, tarragon, thyme (white).

These oils are best avoided during the first 4 months of pregnancy: Peppermint, rose and rosemary.

High Blood Pressure
Avoid the following oils in all cases of high-hypertension: Hyssop, rosemary, sage (Spanish and common), thyme.

Epilepsy
Avoid the following oils in cases of epilepsy, due to their powerful action on the nervous system: Fennel (sweet), hyssop, rosemary, sage (all types).

Diabetes
Avoid these oils in all cases of diabetes: Angelica.

Homeopathy
Homeopathic treatment is not compatible with the following oils: Black pepper, camphor, eucalyptus, peppermint.