Essential Oil Information: Who Should You Listen To for Advice?
NOTE: This article is about finding GOOD information for how to use your essential oils safely. Not all popular natural health websites provide safe and effective information about essential oil use, even if they proclaim this.
Just because a person is a seller of essential oils or works for a big company, or has written a book, or has a huge following doesn’t mean they understand essential oil safety—and this is a big deal. Many recipes online are downright dangerous (I’ve got an example below), therefore knowing who and where to ask if something’s safe or find your information is absolutely a necessity.
I didn’t actually plan to write this article. But in just the past three days, I’ve stumbled across several remedies and recipes online as well as advice for using essential oils that are just plain unsafe, and in a couple of cases, disturbingly so.
I love that we have our first amendment right to say what we want to say, but then this means that it’s up to us, personally, to VET this information in some way. We have a responsibility to be discerning about where we get information when we are wanting to use substances that are potentially unsafe with incorrect use.
And let me just say: Essential oils and herbs too, for that matter, are generally very safe. They are far safer, in my opinion, than over-the-counter drugs and the toxic chemicals that our modern products are generously laced with. However, there are absolutely some caveats to this, and people need to know what they’re doing with their essential oils, especially.
I’ve been using essential oils for around 15 years now. I have to admit, I haven’t always used them safely or effectively. Primarily, this is because when I first started using them, I didn’t realize that who I obtained my information from mattered significantly. I believed anyone who said they knew how to use essential oils. I believed any remedy I saw online. Like that MLM distributor who slathered the essential oils all over NEAT (without dilution).
How ignorant of me.
I am guilty, like many people who start using essential oils without sourcing safe, effective information first, of doing some dangerous things with my essential oils—-like adding them to drinking water and tea or using them neat on my skin…or using them inappropriately with my pets.
This article isn’t going to be a long treatise on using essential oils safely. Instead—-I’m going to help you know how to recognize if a source is a good source for essential oil information. You can find some detailed essential oil safety information in my book: The Ultimate Essential Oil Reference Guide: Safety and Dilution Information at Your Fingertips.
As a certified professional level aromatherapist with both NAHA and AIA, I’m trained in essential oil therapies and safety, including internal useage and animal aromatherapy.
There are absolute safety guidelines you need to be aware of before using essential oils, especially if you’re a mother of children, are pregnant or nursing, or are working with the elderly and those on medications. Safe use differs between different populations of people as well as with the specific essential oils used.
Today, I want to talk about WHO to listen to when you obtain answers to your essential oil questions.
There are many places you can source information: natural living blogs, health experts, online essential oil company sites, the big MLM distributors (many of whom have their own YouTube channels or blogs as well), books, and online schools. Even homesteaders and some herbalists have gotten into providing advice on essential oils.
One of these folks has even gone from stating that essential oils shouldn’t be used at ALL to now selling his own rebottled and branded essential oil line in his herbal shop….without the training needed to understand essential oils.
IMPORTANT: Another thing to know: buying essential oils from companies who buy in bulk then rebottle the essential oils is DANGEROUS, and you are 99% likely to have an adulterated product. I don’t care how wonderful the person seems….please don’t purchase rebottled essential oils that have been branded for small businesses.
Just. Please. Don’t.
Anyhow, I digress.
Not all of these are good places for getting your information. Many give dangerous advice.
I’ll be honest:
When I first started learning about using essential oils almost 15 years ago, the sole source of my information was the MLM distributor who I signed up under. She told me some crazy things:
It’s ok to use essential oils in your drinking water.
That you can apply essential oils directly onto your skin.
That you can diffuse essential oils safely for hours on end.
And I trusted her to know what she was talking about.
Unfortunately, this is a common mistake for new essential oil users.
I stopped using essential oils for several years after this because I realized that drinking essential oils in my water made my stomach hurt and diffusing certain oils for long periods made me feel sick and gave me a headache.
What was happening to me were reactions to misuse of essential oils.
And I thought about young children and pets….those who are unable to verbalize that the essential oils in their environments aren’t making them feel all that great….what about them? If I was having some reactions, as an adult using the oils, what about those who have no say?
If you’re going to use essential oils, you have a responsibility to those in your household and immediate environment to do so safely.
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An Example of a Dangerous Essential Oil Recipe I Found Online
This is an ACTUAL recipe I came across recently from a popular blogger in the lifestyle online space. This recipe is an example of WHY you need to be very discerning about where you source your essential oil recipes and information and also why you need to have some safety background or at least know where to go to ask questions and get accurate answers.
I’m sure the blogger who wrote this recipe has no idea she’s giving some very unsafe information, and I know she’s a good person. However, she’s obviously not trained in aromatherapy.
The recipe calls for 20 drops of orange essential oil, 20 drops of lemon essential oil, and 15 drops of grapefruit essential oil in a 10 mL roller bottle.
I’m sure this smells wonderful. However, I would never put this on my skin, especially if exposed to sunlight. I would DEFINITELY not put it on a young person’s skin. This recipe is a disaster waiting to happen…..
Here’s why the recipe above is potentially very dangerous:
1) The use of phototoxic oils
Both lemon (cold-pressed) and grapefruit essential oils are phototoxic. This means that when used on the skin and exposed to sunlight or UV light (like in a tanning bed, for example), you run the risk of severe skin damage, irritations, and sensitivities.
When you apply phototoxic essential oils to the skin, even diluted (unless diluted under the topical maximum for that specific essential oil), you can possibly have a reaction ranging from mild to severe, including rashes, blisters, and scarring.
2) The dilution percentage
Dilution is a BIG deal when you’re creating topical preparations for the skin. Most therapeutic dilutions are between 1% to 3%, depending on the situation and person. For more acute needs, a dilution of 5% to 10% may be ok for short term use, once again, depending on the situation and person.
And for perfumes, where you’re going for scent only and not therapeutic use, a 10% dilution with safe essential oils is fairly standard. The thing is, perfumes are dabbed onto very small areas, so a higher dilution may be ok. However, with phototoxic oils, you still need to consider placement as well as the total dilution for each specific essential oil.
Grapefruit essential oil has a dilution maximum of 4%. The recipe above is very dangerous JUST with the grapefruit essential oil, not even considering the other essential oils, which are also phototoxic.
The recipe above is for a total whopping approximate 23% dilution! This is craziness and simply goes to show once again WHY you need to source information from a person who is grounded in safe use of essential oils.
This recipe is just one single example among others I see all the time of remedies and recipes that could be harmful. Sadly, this recipe could potentially hurt the people who follow this blogger, who actually happens to be a home designer, and NOT an aromatherapist.
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More and more bloggers like the person who wrote the above recipe were beginning to write about essential oil use a couple years after I began my intrigue with natural health due to the explosion of the multi-level marketing companies, and like many unaware people, I started turning to their websites for information. Little did I realize they often knew less than I did!
Since that time I decided to start studying safe essential oil use. First, from books like Dr. Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young’s exceptional book on Essential Oil Safety, and NOT those published by the big multi-level marketing (MLM) companies.
I turned to those sources authored by legitimate, educated aromatherapists steeped in the science and data behind the essential oils who don’t have some kind of financial gain to be had. These are far more trustworthy sources than those published by the very institutions trying to make a buck (or a lot of bucks).
Then, I decided to obtain my actual aromatherapy certifications on top of my herbal certifications and educations from various schools and studies. After all, if I’m going to be sharing information about essential oils (and herbs), I’d better know what I’m talking about.
It was at this point as I began my studies from legitimate and reputable online schools that I realized how and why the chemistry of the essential oils is such a BIG deal. It’s also when I realized that safe use of essential oils is on a continuum based on the person’s needs as well as the specific oils chosen (just like herbs are).
Not all essential oils are ok for all people. Not all application methods are fine for everyone.
Levels of Aromatherapy Certification
After taking courses and obtaining certifications from three different aromatherapy schools as of the time I write this article, I’ve also realized there is a wide range of acceptable conservative vs. liberal use of essential oils even among certified aromatherapists.
At this point, I can tell where they are on this continuum of liberal to conservative use and make my own decisions accordingly.
There are different levels of certification and education in the aromatherapy world as well. There’s Level 1, which gives the aromatherapist very basic safety knowledge and information about chemistry, with just 50 hours of study.
Then there’s a Level 2 certification, which allows the aromatherapist to start professionally practicing work on clients and involves hundreds of hours of study and knowledge of anatomy & physiology as well as chemistry.
Finally, there’s a Level 3 certification, which is clinical aromatherapy. This level comes with even more hours of study of anatomy & physiology as well as deeper understanding of the chemistry of the oils.
At this point, as I get ready to dive into my clinical studies at the Level 3 certification level, it disturbs me greatly to see materials advising the lay person on how to use essential oils written by MLM distributors, bloggers, natural mamas, homesteaders, uneducated herbalists, and those not certified at any level in actual aromatherapy.
Essential oils are much stronger than herbs and can be far more dangerous if used incorrectly. There’s far more risk of essential oil injury than there is with using more gentle herbs. There’s more chance for toxicity, even in diffusing.
With all this said, once again, essential oils are generally VERY safe to use, as long as basic safety is understood. And…they’re a wonderful natural therapy to use in your home.
We’re so fortunate in our country that our government is rather hands-off in the realm of natural health. This is because as citizens, we’re allowed a wide range of natural health freedoms in most states. However, this also means there’s a high level of “buyer beware” and responsibility for triple-checking information for the average lay person.
This doesn’t mean you should be afraid to use them….it simply means you need to be getting information from knowledgeable and experienced sources. Get your recipes from those who know how to create one safely.
NOTE: I want to mention that not ALL uncertified aromatherapy educators online are shelling out unsafe information. I know of several uncertified natural living bloggers who are crazily detailed when it comes to safety information and turn to sources such as Dr. Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young (more below) for information they share. Please be sure to check into credentials and where they are sourcing information.
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As you integrate essential oils into your daily life and into your family’s wellness, I hope you’ll be sure to look into the qualifications of the person you’re choosing to obtain your information from.
There are no laws about who can say what—-only the typical FDA disclaimer I’m sure you’re used to seeing from all natural health and wellness providers, which you can read below, at the end of this article.
Find quality books, like the ones I’ve listed below, which are some of my favorite sources for excellent, safe information. Find some good online aromatherapists who are certified at a minimum Level 1, but better at the Level 2 and/or 3, if possible. And if you can find people who have a background in herbalism as well, you’ll be getting some very well-rounded information about botanical plant wellness.
If you have a favorite blogger you follow, and you’re convinced that person is extremely careful with their use of essential oils, this person and others like this, can be great sources as well (even if they are not certified aromatherapists). But this is where double- and triple-checking recipes for safety and dilution is necessary.
My Favorite Aromatherapy Books
I have a LOT of aromatherapy books, and literally hundreds of herbal books at this point. Not all of them are good. Some are amazing! I’ve vetted the list below for you in terms of quality aromatherapy books to purchase for your own aromatherapy library. There are many other really wonderful books out there, but these are my favorites at this time:
1) The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless. I use this book quite a lot, and I love it. Julia is clear in her writing and provides plenty of information about each essential oil. I like that she errs more on the conservative side in use, too. She has a great reputation in the aromatherapy world.
2) Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young. Dr. Tisserand is probably the most well-known aromatherapist with scientific and data based safety information backing his claims. This book is rather expensive, but if you’re planning to use essential oils extensively, it’s a good one to have on your shelf. Or, you can find an aromatherapist who uses this book as one of the foundations for their own suggestions who you can get answers from.
3) The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness by Nerys Purchon and Lora Cantele. This is a well-written book that contains a good Materia Aromatica as well as lots of great recipes for everyday living. It’s easy to read with many practical uses.
4) The Heart of Aromatherapy by Andrea Butje. Andrea has decades of essential oil use behind her, and she is very conservative in her teachings on appropriate essential oil use. She relays information on essential oil profiles in a fun, relaxed, and conversational way. She also provides plenty of recipes for everyday living.
5) The Ultimate Essential Oil Reference Guide: Safety and Dilution Information at Your Fingertips by Heidi Villegas. Yes, this book is written by me. After purchasing several different essential oil safety guides, I decided to write my own, for my own use, so that as I work with my own clients, I have something to turn to where I’m not second-guessing myself.
You see, there’s a lot of contradictory information out there, and a very wide range of liberal to conservative use practices. I err to the conservative side, but also like to see results. This book contains a master dilution chart, as well as special dilution charts for special populations including children and babies, the elderly, and pregnant or nursing women. There’s also a pet section.
Favorite Sources for Essential Oil Information Online
At this point, I generally turn to the online study materials I received from the schools I’ve attended, as well as NAHA (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy), a professional organization and AIA (an international professional organization).
When I purchase an online course these days, I make sure I’ll have access to the information forever (or as long as the internet exists) because course materials are one of the most important resources you can have later on to refer back to. These are only available by actually taking a course, however.
And remember: You don’t have to take courses like I did to be able to share information and make suggestions about essential oils. But you should be responsible with your words and suggestions.
I’ve included information about courses I’ve taken (and offer) as well as other online sources I enjoy:
1) The Confident Herbalist Tribe
The Confident Herbalist Tribe is my membership community. With over 50+ herbal and aromatic masterclasses plus a crazy helpful student community, THIS is the most powerful way to learn. I personally show up live every week for our Question and Answer chats so students have a place to talk to an actual herbalist and aroma
2) Aromahead Institute:
This is a school founded by Andrea Butje, and it’s one of my favorites. I’ve taken around six long and short courses there, and I love the support I got when I was working on client intakes and creating formulas. They are closely related to Aromatics International, an essential oil company, and this company is also a great source of information for safety and the chemistry of the essential oils. Her partner, Cindy Black, is a naturopathic doctor and teaches the Anatomy and Physiology requirements for the courses. Andrea does a fabulous job making the chemistry of essential oils simpler (chemistry is never simple) and actually enjoyable. The courses here are based on English aromatherapy.
NOTE: Aromahead is now directed and run by Karen Williams and her daughter, Jenny Williams. They are both excellent teachers.
3) Aromatic Studies:
Jade Shutes is the main teacher at Aromatic Studies and is who presented most of the lessons in my course of study at NYIAS. I’ve taken many courses at Jade’s school, and it’s where I received my Level 1 certification. I’ve just finished a certification course for the Internal Use of Essential Oils here, and am working on a certification in neuroendocrinology as well as my clinical level 3 studies.
Jade has a gentle, sweet way of teaching, yet her knowledge is soundly based in scientific research and decades of experience. Her focus is on French aromatherapy.
Final Thoughts on Where to Get Trustworthy Essential Oil Information
The internet is a big place, and it’s hard to find information you can trust. I hope this article helps you with some ideas!
If you’re an essential oil distributor, finding a place for safe information from a certified aromatherapist or else sourcing your information very wisely is so important if you’re planning to give people suggestions on how to use the essential oils.
If you’re a mom with children, you need to be sourcing your information well and make sure it’s relevant for babies and very young kids. If you’re on medications or have health issues, you need to get your essential oil answers from a certified aromatherapist. For pets, it’s a good idea to find a certified aromatherapist who is knowledgeable about working with essential oils AND animals.
You might enjoy these related articles:
How to Choose an Affordable, High Quality Essential Oil Company
Types of Diffusers and Which Kind is Best
Essential Oils to Help You Get in a GREAT Mood Fast!
An Essential Oil Blend I Use to Support Healthy Blood Pressure and Combat Anxiety (YouTube)
Homemade Deodorant Recipe with Essential Oils
And there are many more on the website and on my YouTube Channel!
Hugs, Health, and Self-Reliance,
Heidi
P.S. I hope you’ll sign up for the newsletter and never miss a thing! Each week I share herbal, essential oil, and traditional skills (gardening, cooking from scratch, etc.) tips and tricks, along with a fun recipe or essential oil blend. I hope you’ll join the community! Click HERE to get FREE access to the Resource Library, which is filled with useful printables for your natural living journey.
FDA Disclaimer: I’m a certified aromatherapist and herbalist. I am not, however, a medical doctor. No statement is meant or implied to treat, cure, diagnose, or prevent any disease or illness. Please be sure to seek advice from your medical doctor before using herbs and essential oils, especially if pregnant, nursing, or on medications.