SAFETY INFORMATION FOR USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS and DILUTIONS This is a guide only and for detailed information please contact either myself or a qualified aromatherapist.
Whilst there are warnings about the use of essential oils there is actually little research to back these up. However, care should be taken when using essential oils as they are highly concentrated. When using an oil for the first time it is wise to over dilute it to check that you do not have a reaction.
Primarily the advice is given relating to use on the skin but consider the information too if using as a room fragrance or for magical purposes. Many oils are also used in commercial products such as toothpaste, sweets and so on. You may find that you react to something on your skin but not when eating it and vice versa. It is not recommended to consume essential oils without specific knowledge of the topic so please read these advice notes as relating to use on the skin or in magic. If you are using the oils for magical workings remember that you may well get the oil on your hands to take the warning advice into account.
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ESSENTIAL OILS
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Basil
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DO NOT USE DURING PREGNANCY
May be a skin irritant.
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Bay
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No negative responses noted.
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Bergamot
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Do not apply to the skin before going outdoors as it may cause photosensitivity.
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Black Pepper
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May be a skin irritant.
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Cajeput
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A stimulant and irritant use with care.
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White Camphor
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Use very sparingly.
AVOID COMPLETELY if you suffer from epilepsy or are pregnant.
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Carnation
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Can irritate sensitive skin use sparingly.
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Cassia
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Very irritating to the skin and can cause an allergic reaction.
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Cedarwood (Atlas)
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No negative responses noted.
DO NOT CONFUSE WITH VIRGINIA CEDARWOOD WHICH IS A FORM OF JUNIPER AND SHOULD BE USED VERY SPARINGLY DURING PREGNANCY.
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Chamomile
Roman
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No negative responses noted.
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Chamomile
Moroc (Sauvage)
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No negative responses noted.
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Cinnamon
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May cause skin irritation. Mild dermal toxicity.
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Citronella
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No negative responses noted.
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Clary Sage
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DO NOT USE DURING PREGNANCY
Do not drink alcohol or drive
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Clove
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DO NOT USE DURING PREGNANCY
Very irritating to the skin use carefully.
Use 1/2 dilution or less.
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Coriander
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Slightly toxic so always use sparingly.
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Cumin
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May be a slight irritant also may be slightly photo-sensitising.
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Cypress
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Unlike most essential oils this oil is FLAMMABLE.
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Elemi
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No negative responses noted.
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Eucalyptus
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No negative responses noted.
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Fennel
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Slight dermal toxicity use 1/2 dilution or less
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Frankincense
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No negative responses noted.
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Geranium
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No negative responses noted.
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Ginger
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No negative responses noted.
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Grapefruit
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Do not use on the skin in direct sunlight.
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Hyssop
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Very strong oil. Do not use when pregnant or if you have epilepsy or high blood pressure.
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Jasmine
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No negative responses noted.
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Juniperberry
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FLAMMABLE.
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Lavender
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No negative responses noted.
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Lemon
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Do not use on the skin in direct sunlight.
Dilute to 1% and use no more than 3 drops in a bath as may be a skin irritant.
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Lemongrass
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Dilute to 1% and use no more than 3 drops in a bath as may be a skin irritant.
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Lime
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Do not use direct on the skin in sunlight as may be phototoxic. (Does not apply to distilled oil)
Dilute to 1% and use more than 3 drops in a bath a may be a skin irritant.
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Mandarin
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Do not use on the skin in direct sunlight.
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Marjoram
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Do not use if pregnant.
Use sparingly SEDATIVE.
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Melissa
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Do not use on the skin in direct sunlight.
Dilute to 1% and use no more than 3 drops in a bath as may be a skin irritant.
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Myrrh
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If pregnant use only sparingly.
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Myrtle
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No negative responses noted.
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Neroli
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No negative responses noted.
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Niaouli
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No negative responses noted.
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Nutmeg
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TOXIC in large amounts and can be stupefying.
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Orange (Sweet)
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Do not use on the skin in direct sunlight.
Dilute to 2% and use no more than 4 to 5 drops in a bath as may be skin irritant.
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Palmarosa
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No negative responses noted.
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Patchouli
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No negative responses noted.
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Peppermint
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Do not use if pregnant.
Dilute to 1% and use no more than 3 drops in the bath as may be a skin irritant.
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Petitgrain
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No negative responses noted.
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Pine
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Dilute and use with care as may be a skin irritant.
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Ravensara
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No negative responses noted.
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Rose Absolute
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Avoid using during the first 4 months of pregnancy.
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Rose Otto
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Avoid using during the first 4 months of pregnancy.
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Rosemary
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Do not use if pregnant or if you have epilepsy or high blood pressure.
May be a skin irritant.
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Rosewood
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No negative responses noted.
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Sage
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Do not use if pregnant or have epilepsy.
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Sandalwood
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No negative responses noted.
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Spikenard
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No negative responses noted.
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Tea Tree
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Whilst you can use Tea Tree undiluted on the skin always check as it may cause skin irritation. Use diluted first to check your tolerance.
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Thyme (sweet)
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Do not use if pregnant or have high blood pressure. Dilute to 2% may be an irritant to sensitive skin.
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Vetivert
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No negative responses noted.
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Violet
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No negative responses noted.
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Ylang Ylang
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No negative responses noted.
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Quantities and dilutions
The amount of essential oil is the TOTAL amount but you can make up this amount by using a number of different oils so for instance 5 drops could be all the same oil or 1 drop each of 5 different ones.
The quantities are given in mls but 1 ml equates to 1 cc or 1 g and you may regard these as interchangeable
1 ml = 20 drops
5 ml = 1 tsp
30 ml = 1 fl. oz
500 ml = 1 pint
1,000 ml = 1 litre
Massage oils
For all massage oils, whether for face or body, use a dilution of 2½%. This translates as ONE DROP OF ESSENCE TO EVERY 2 ml OF VEGETABLE OIL.
For example, this is a typical blend –
% ml
Essential oil 2½% 1.25 = 25 drops
Almond oil 97½% 48.75
100% 50 ml
So you see that there are 25 drops of essential oil to every 50 ml of vegetable oil. As a quick way to calculate the amount of essential oil needed take the number of mls in total and divide the total number by 2. This will give you the number of drops per bottle. So for a 30 ml amount divide this by 2 and this gives you 15 drops.
Ointments
When making up ointments use twice the concentration of essential oil i.e. 5%. This is an easier calculation – the number of drops is the same as the total amount in mls. E.g.
% ml
Essential oil 5 1.5 = 30 drops
Almond oil 75 22.5
Beeswax 20 6g
100% 30 ml
Inhalations
8 – 12 drops for bowl of hot water
4 – 6 drops for facial steamer
Baths
3 – 5 drops of essential oil
Compresses
2 drops of essential oil to 1 pint of warm water.