Alright, we gotta talk about toxicity when it comes to essential oil usage. In my post ‘Try Not To Get Carried Away With These Oils’, I had mentioned how some undiluted essential oils can cause 3^rd degree burns on the skin. Although these risks can happen with undiluted oils, not diluting them enough can cause irritation and side effects that you need to become aware of when it comes to using these highly volatile compounds.

Toxicity is what we commonly call ‘poisoning’, and in aromatherapy it’s dependant on the specific method of application. Both oral and dermal (skin) toxicity depends largely on the amount of essential oils used in conjunction with frequency and duration.

 

We have two categories;

Acute; short-term or 1 time use
Chronic; long-term use (weeks/months/years) of toxic essential oil results in organ tissue damage

 

Signs and symptoms can be headaches, loss of appetite, minor skin eruptions, nausea and lethargy. When it comes to dermal toxicity, local inflammation and itchiness are tell-tale signs.

Toxicity in general can occur in several stages;

–   elevated patches

–   general hives with edema (pain and swelling)

–   urticaria (hives) with bronchial asthma

–   urticaria with anaphylactic shock

Essential oils causing these reactions often contain large amounts of aldehydes or phenols such as lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and lemon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora).

You can never be too careful, so it’s always good to consider doing a patch test. Try doing it to the inner arm and wait 5-10 minutes for an immediate reaction.

 

Photosensitization/Phototoxicity

Just as I mentioned in that previous post, signs and symptoms while using UV sensitive oils (citrus) are the above skin reactions, and it can increase if there is more than one oil with phototoxic properties in the same blend. Remember synergy? It’s when there are multiple oils that have similar properties, work together well to enhance that common denominator for therapeutic effects.

Idiosyncratic Sensitization

This occurs when a person has an allergic reaction to an essential oil that is generally not known to be an allergen. This can occur topically or through inhalation, and can be quite severe.

Mucous Membrane Irritation

Occurs with high amount of phenols such as thyme common red or white (Thymus vulgaris thymoliferum) and basil eugenol (Ocimum gratissimum eugenoliferum).

Neurotoxicity

Is defined as having a toxic or destructive effect on nervous tissue. Essential oils that cross the blood/brain barrier that are usually high in esters are lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), clary sage (Salvia sclera) and bergamot (Citrus bergamia).

Psychotropic effects

Alters mood or behaviour, an example is nutmeg (Myristica fragrans–AVOID in pregnancy!) used in high doses.

Hepatotoxicity

Hepat- Greek word for liver, and essential oils containing large amounts of aldehydes like lemon balm, lemongrass and lemon eucalyptus mentioned above, can pose a risk to this organ if used over an extended period of time.

Nephrotoxicity

Nephro- is the Greek prefix for kidney. Only toxic if quantity of oil is excessive or used for too long a period of time (years). Despite this, there have been no evidence that an essential oil can damage healthy kidneys. A diseased kidney is not able to handle large quantities of essential oils, and if using blood thinners, avoid using oils high in eugenol internally such clove (Syzygium aromaticum), cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) as they may result in internal hemorrhaging.

 

I’m not trying to scare the crap out of you, but I just want to emphasize the importance of using essential oils safely because of the amount of misinformation out there, and that you only have one body, so you have to take care of it!

 

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