How Essential Oils Are Used: What Sources Describe (and What They Warn Against)
How health agencies and aromatherapy bodies describe breathing in and skin use of essential oils, what they warn against, and why swallowing is not part of the picture.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
Swallowing is not a use these pages describe. The National Cancer Institute (NCI, US) says swallowing large amounts of essential oils is not recommended, and Poison Control describes serious poisonings. [2] See what poison centers say about swallowing.
If someone has swallowed an essential oil, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US) at once. [3] Call 911 for collapse, a seizure or trouble breathing.
Route 1: breathing in the scent
The NCI describes indirect inhalation as using a room diffuser, which spreads the oil through the air, or placing drops on a tissue or piece of cotton nearby. It describes direct inhalation as an individual inhaler made by floating oil drops on hot water. [2]- What a professional body says. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA, a US professional association) says inhalation presents a very low level of risk to most people, with the likely risk being long exposure (perhaps an hour or more) to high levels of vapor. [4]
- Possible effects. NAHA lists headaches, vertigo, nausea and lethargy as the possible result of prolonged high exposure. [4]
- Ventilation and eyes. NAHA advises good ventilation in treatment rooms and keeping oils away from the eyes. [4]
- Vaporizers and reed diffusers. Poison Control says oils made for vaporizers are added in small amounts to a large volume of water and are usually safe when used as directed. It says the liquid in reed diffusers is an essential oil dissolved in rubbing alcohol and must be kept out of children's reach. [3]
- Evidence for benefit. Research findings are separate from this description. For insomnia, NCCIH says it does not know whether aromatherapy helps because little rigorous research has been done. [1] Label: insufficient evidence. See inhalation aromatherapy and diffusers.
Route 2: on the skin
The NCI describes aromatherapy massage as one or more essential oils diluted into a carrier oil and massaged into the skin, and says oils may also be mixed with bath salts and lotions. [2]- Dilution. Poison Control says diluting in a carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad reaction from direct skin contact. [3] NAHA says to avoid undiluted application unless otherwise indicated. [4] How strong a mix sources describe is covered in diluting essential oils.
- Not every oil is for skin. Poison Control says not all essential oils are appropriate for the skin, so product instructions matter. [3]
- Damaged skin. Poison Control says not to use essential oils on damaged skin. [3] NAHA adds that damaged, diseased or inflamed skin is often more permeable and more sensitive to reactions. [4]
- Allergy and irritation. The NCI says allergic reactions and skin irritation may occur with long skin contact. [2] The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says many plants contain materials that are toxic, irritating, or likely to cause allergic reactions when applied to the skin. [5] See patch testing and reactions.
- Sunlight. The NCI says sun sensitivity may occur when citrus or other oils are applied before going out in the sun. [2] NAHA says not to use photosensitizing oils before the sun or a tanning booth. [4]
What the claims on bottles mean
In the US, the NCI says aromatherapy products do not need FDA approval. [2] Poison Control says essential oil products are not well regulated, so it can be hard to know what is in a bottle. [3] The FDA says "natural" and "organic" have no FDA regulatory definitions for cosmetics. [5]Frequently asked questions
How do sources say essential oils are used?
Mainly by breathing in the scent and by applying a diluted form to the skin. [1]
Is breathing in essential oils safe?
NAHA describes inhalation as a very low risk for most people, with prolonged high exposure the likely concern. [4] NCCIH does not know whether aromatherapy helps with insomnia. [1] People with asthma or breathing problems should ask a clinician first.
Should essential oils go straight on the skin?
Poison Control says diluting in a carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad reaction, and NAHA says to avoid undiluted application unless otherwise indicated. [3] [4]
Can I swallow essential oils?
This site does not describe that as a use. The NCI says swallowing large amounts is not recommended, and Poison Control describes serious poisonings. [2] [3] Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 if it happens.
Are essential oils approved by the FDA?
The NCI says aromatherapy products do not need FDA approval. [2] The FDA says how a product is regulated depends mainly on its intended use. [5]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Cautions that apply to everyone
| Group or situation | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Infants and young children | NCCIH says peppermint oil should not be applied to the face of infants or young children. [6] Poison Control says children have thin skin and immature livers, which may make them more susceptible. [3] It also describes camphor poisoning after skin products were used more often than the label said. [3] |
| Medicines | Poison Control says essential oils may interact with medications. [3] Ask a pharmacist; see medication interactions. |
| Fire | NAHA says essential oils are highly flammable and should be kept away from flames. [4] |
| Storage | NAHA says to keep oils out of reach of children and pets. [4] |
| Ageing oils | The NCI says the chemicals in essential oils can change as they get older. [2] |