Can aromatherapy oils be dangerous for your health?

[Rachel]

On the last question I asked, a user left me this comment below. All I've heard was good things about aromatherapy and was wondering if this is true.

"Volatile aromatics increase the quantity of particulates in indoor air. These particles travel deep into the lungs and are transported by macrophages into the blood stream. It's not sure how these particles then react (probably due to metallic particles adsorbed on their surface) but they increase blood pressure and induce heart attacks in susceptible individuals.

Upshot? You really don't want these things anywhere near your nose for hours at a time, spare your fellow workers the risk."

Thanks.

 

[sophia]

Well, i don't think they are actually dangerous.... Aromatherapists use oils every day in their work obviously its not doing them any harm, Though my alternative therapist did say to me yesterday (as I had a Treatment) that as he has to work with oils all day he does not use them for his personal use at home. I suppose certain oils, used extensively can be over powering but i wouldn't say dangerous.

 

[janie]

well I never heard that before but I do know that essential oils can be toxic if ingested by mouth and if doing so check out the individual kind and generally do not use more than a few drops.

One wants to dilute most essential oil (one exception being lavender which can be applied neat) with alcohol or a carrier oil if using as a perfume or in a massage etc. as they can burn the skin.

I once put a combination on my 20 something son who was starting to lose his hair on his head not knowing this and he screamed so loud and suffered as it burned him very bad, He never tried anything I ever recommended again after that. I felt like crap.

Those are just highly concentrated essences made from things like cinnamon and other spices, flowers like rose or jasmine, foods like lemon and orange etc and I would think them safe. It takes a very large amount of say petals to make an essential oil but I think other than water nothing else is added, so it should be as safe as breathing a huge room of flowers like at a florist shop or something or oranges in a supermarket.

One could use a air filter if concerned about particulates in the air I would think.

I do know that by breathing essential oils, they are transferred from the lungs into the body where they have medicinal properties associated with the particular plant/food essence you are using

Eating animal protein and especially animal fats would put one at way greater risk of heart attacks and hypertension than using essentials oils ever would ..Most people eat things like meat and cheese every day without a thought and don't use essential oils daily, so I would not let this stop you from using them.

People are always worried about natural substances like will 5 cups of peppermint tea hurt me but have no problem drinking a 6 pack a day, smoking 2 packs of cigarettes, taking several medical drugs, and not exercising, eating right etc and never give that a thought and then fear stop them from doing the one good thing they may be doing for their health.

Don't let this guy stop you is my opinion.

 

[Tesco - very little help]

You're not supposed to use Rosemary Oil if you have high blood pressure and Sage if you're pregnant. I don't know about any others though.