Essential Oils: Frequently Asked Questions

Safety first. Essential oils are strong. Do not swallow them. If anyone may have swallowed one, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US); call 911 for collapse, a seizure or trouble breathing. [1] Keep bottles out of the sight and reach of children and pets. [1]

This page answers common questions briefly and points to the longer pages. It is information only. It gives no amounts, blends or schedules, and it is not medical advice.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that keep the natural smell and flavor of their source. They are obtained by mechanical pressing or distillation. [2] Each oil has a unique mix of chemicals, and the mix can vary within the same plant species. [2] See what essential oils are.

Are essential oils the same as aromatherapy?

No. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants as a complementary health approach, most often by inhaling them or applying a diluted form to the skin. [3] The oils are the products; aromatherapy is a practice. See aromatherapy.

Are essential oils safe?

It depends on the oil, how it is used and who is exposed. Poison Control says misuse of essential oils can cause serious poisoning, many oils can cause rashes on skin, and some are poisonous if absorbed through the skin or swallowed. [1] NCI says safety testing shows very few side effects or risks when oils are used as directed, and also that swallowing large amounts is not recommended. [4] Children have thin skin and immature livers, which might make them more susceptible than adults. [1] See the safety quick reference.

Does "natural" mean safe?

No. The FDA says many plants contain materials that are toxic, irritating or likely to cause allergic reactions on the skin, and gives cumin oil as an example: safe in food but able to blister skin. [5] It adds that certain citrus oils used safely in food can be harmful in cosmetics on skin exposed to sun. [5]

Do essential oils work?

For most uses, the research is limited. NCCIH says it does not know whether aromatherapy helps insomnia because little rigorous research has been done. [3] Poison Control says few uses of essential oils have been studied in a scientific way. [1] For lavender, NCCIH says it is unclear whether aromatherapy helps anxiety, stress, depression symptoms, sleep or some types of pain. [6] NCCIH says enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules may improve IBS symptoms in adults, but that is a capsule tested in trials, not a bottle of oil. [7] See essential oils by wellness goal.

Can an essential oil cure or treat a disease?

None of the sources we read for this page says any essential oil cures or prevents a disease. In the US, the FDA treats a product as a drug if it is intended to treat or prevent disease, and claims that it will ease pain, treat depression or anxiety, or help you sleep are drug claims. [5] See essential oil claims checked.

Can I swallow essential oils?

This site does not advise it. Poison Control says swallowed oils can be poisonous, for example pennyroyal oil is highly poisonous to the liver and eucalyptus oil can cause seizures. [1] NCCIH says tea tree oil should not be swallowed and can cause confusion, unsteadiness and coma. [8] If someone swallows an essential oil, Poison Help (1-800-222-1222 in the US) gives free, confidential guidance 24 hours a day. [1] See what poison centers say about swallowing.

What do sources say about oils on skin?

Poison Control says pure essential oils are potent, so diluting them in a carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad reaction from direct skin contact, not all oils are appropriate for the skin, and oils should not be used on damaged skin. [1] It says to stop using an oil immediately if a rash occurs and gently wash it off. [1] This site gives no dilution charts because published charts differ; see why charts differ and patch testing and stopping a reaction.

What about babies and young children?

Be especially careful. NCCIH says menthol in peppermint oil should not be inhaled by or applied to the face of an infant or small child. [7] The EMA says its eucalyptus oil medicines must not be given to children under 30 months, or to children with a history of seizures. [11] A poison-centre review found that camphorated and eucalyptus oils, if swallowed by children, can be harmful and even life-threatening. [12] See essential oils around babies and children.

Are essential oils safe around pets?

Not always. Pet Poison Helpline says higher concentrations of tea tree oil are toxic to pets, and that even a few concentrated drops applied to the skin or swallowed can cause severe poisoning. [13] Poison Control advises keeping oils locked away from children and pets. [1] For a pet, call a veterinarian or an animal poison line straight away. See essential oils and pets.

What if I have asthma or breathing problems?

In a US survey of adults, 64.3% of those with asthma reported adverse health effects from fragranced products, including respiratory problems and asthma attacks. [14] That survey covered fragranced products in general, not essential oils alone, so it shows a risk to ask about rather than a rate for oils. NCCIH says aromatherapy with lavender oil may cause headache or coughing. [6] See essential oils, asthma and breathing problems.

Can essential oils interact with medicines?

Poison Control says essential oils may interact with medications. [1] NCCIH sees theoretical reasons lavender might interact with some sedative drugs or herbs, which matters before surgery. [6] A review says excessive use of topical methyl salicylate products (wintergreen oil's main chemical) in people taking warfarin may cause bleeding. [15] Ask a pharmacist, and tell the surgical team about oils you use. See medication interactions and essential oils and medicines.

Do lavender and tea tree oils affect hormones?

NIEHS says lab studies in human cells found lavender and tea tree oils, and some of their chemicals, showed hormonal activity, and that clinical cases linked skin use of essential oils with breast tissue growth in boys before puberty. [2] Those cases involved skin use, not aromatherapy, and NIEHS says further studies are needed. [2] NCI says applying lavender and tea tree oils to the skin over a long period was linked in one study to breast growth in boys who had not yet reached puberty. [4] See lavender oil, skin reactions and hormone questions.

What do "pure", "therapeutic grade" and "organic" mean?

We found no definition of "therapeutic grade" in the sources we read. The FDA says there is no regulatory definition for "essential oils" and has no regulations defining "natural" or "organic" for cosmetics. [16][5] Poison Control says it can be hard to know exactly what is in a bottle: the plant species, the concentration, or whether there are contaminants. [1] See the "therapeutic grade" claim checked.

Do essential oils go bad?

The chemical compounds in oils can change as they get older, and many oils have no expiration date. [4] NCCIH says a skin reaction to tea tree oil may be more likely if the product is old or exposed to heat, light or air. [8] See storing essential oils and shelf life.

Who should I ask?

A pharmacist or your clinician. NCCIH advises talking with your health care providers about any complementary health approach you use. [7] See talking with a health professional.