Essential Oil Safety

Essential oils are highly concentrated, chemically complex plant liquids that contain hundreds if not thousands constituents. Therapeutic-grade essential oils are almost always aromatically pleasing, therapeutic, and need to be used mindfully.

Young Living essential oils are vastly different than others, as such different safety guidelines should be applied. In general though, the thing you must first know is that these essential oils are much more potent and powerful. Please take a minute and get to know what some of these differences are to help you have the best experience.

General Recommendations

Topical

Always dilute your Young Living essential oil with a high quality carrier oil, such as V-6 Massage Oil.

Dilution for Body Massage – 15 drops essential oil with 1 ounce carrier oil.
Dilution for Face, Neck, Scalp Massage: 3-6 drops to 1 ounce carrier oil.*

* Note: some essential oils are considered ‘hot’ (spicy) and are never recommended for use on the face or other sensitive areas, they are: Clove, Cinnamon, Thyme, Oregano, Thieves, Black Pepper, and Marjoram.

Inhalation / Diffusing

Inhaling therapeutic-grade essential oils directly from the bottle or through diffusing can be beneficial to most.

Generally speaking, you do not want to hold a bottle, or be breathing from a diffuser, right up by your nose.

Diffusing or inhaling therapeutic-grade essential oils can provide emotional and congestion benefits.

Diffusing can help to eliminate odors and kill unwanted airborne bacteria.

Internal / Cooking

Using a therapeutic-grade essential oil as a supplement or in cooking is common when you’re using superior quality. Care must be taken when doing so as this type of essential oil is extremely potent – usually one drop is plenty to flavor food (more could over-flavor a dish and make it unpalatable), and a couple drops as a supplement is usually plenty for an adult (essential oil supplementation is not recommended for children). Learn more about Cooking with Essential Oils for guidelines, tips and recipes.

Not all essential oils can be used in cooking or as supplements. The Young Living essential oils which can be used in cooking or as supplements do state on the label if the oil is for dietary purposes.

An example of the label (image shown right) with “Supplement Facts” clearly featured. Any Young Living essential oil that can be used in cooking or as a supplement will have this labeling.

Aromatherapy Bath

This is a popular method of application to ease stress and discomforts. There are two basic things you should know:

Always use a dispersing agent to help your essential oil stay more equally suspended in bath water. In a small dish or container: Add 4-8 drops of your chosen Yung Living essential oil to 1 cup of Epsom Salts or Sea Salt or whole milk, mix well, add to running bath water. Soak for 15-20 minutes.
And second, do not use Peppermint, Clove, Cinnamon, Thyme, Oregano, Thieves, Black Pepper, or Marjoram. They are considered ‘hot’ essential oils and would be too intense as an aromatherapy bath. These would be suitable for a foot bath though.

Household and Air Freshening

All Young Living essential oils can be used in household cleaning, some are better suited for specific tasks than others. More on cleaning and air freshening.

General Cautions

Keep essential oils away from eye area – dilute with whole milk or vegetable oil if any should get into eyes. Do NOT dilute with water.
Avoid contact with mucus membranes.
Do not put essential oils into the ear canal for any purpose.
If pregnant, consult with your physician before using essential oils. Avoid: Basil, Wintergreen, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Cypress, Geranium, Fennel, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme, Hyssop.
Avoid with Epilepsy or history of Seizures: Fennel, Sage, Hyssop, Basil.
High blood pressure: Pine, Hyssop, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme.
Consult your physician if on blood thinner medication.
As a general rule, if you are on medication always consult your physician and/or pharmacist before using essential oils.
Do not take any species of Eucalyptus essential oils internally without the guidance of a practitioner.
Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children.
Keep in mind there are different guidelines for each essential oil and for persons who are pregnant or have various health conditions.
When using essential oils for the first time it is always best to do a skin test to make sure there are no sensitivities.
If redness or skin irritation should occur; dilute area with more V-6 Massage Oil and discontinue use.
All citrus oils (lemon, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, etc.), Bergamot, and any blend containing those essential oils are photosensitizing, avoid sun or tanning bed exposure for 12 hours after applying these essential oils.
Do not use these essential oils in a bath or with a hot compress: Peppermint, Clove, Cinnamon, Thyme, Oregano, Thieves, Black Pepper, or Marjoram.
Avoid with Homeopathic Remedies: Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Peppermint.
Avoid with history of Estrogen-Dependent Cancer: Basil, Wintergreen, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Cypress, Geranium, Fennel, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Hyssop.
Always read the label prior to use to avoid using your essential oil in ways not recommended.

A Special Note

Not all essential oils are healthy, adulteration is rampant in the industry. Thus, it is very important to choose your brand of essential oil wisely. The labeling “Pure” or “Organic” does not represent quality at all, both are terms that are abused. Furthermore, an essential oil from a plant grown organically can be completely ruined in the distillation processed used and can also be adulterated during bottling.

Only 2 percent of all essential oils in the world are of superior quality. Young Living makes up most of that percentage. This explains why Young Living sets the world standard in essential oil quality.

Young Living essential oils are used differently than aromatherapy oils sold in stores. Do NOT use gobs of Young Living oils like you would other brands – use them by the drop.

A 15ml bottle contains about 250 drops; that means you will be getting a lot for your money. Learn more about pricing here.

We only use and recommend the Young Living brand. Our stories, tips and recipes only apply to Young Living Essential Oils.

Select one of us to answer any further questions you have, or to place an order.