GUIDELINES FOR SAFE USE OF YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS
-
1.Always keep a bottle of V-6 Vegetable
Mixing Oil, or any pure vegetable oil handy when using essential oils. Vegetable oils dilute essential oils if there is any discomfort or skin irritation, or if you accidentally get a drop of essential oil in the eye. V-6 is a blend from Young Living, or you can use a food-grade organic oil such as olive oil, apricot, jojoba, avocado etc.
If you accidentally get a drop of essential oil in the eye, simply put some pure vegetable oil on the tip of your little finger and touch it to the outer corner of the eyeball. I accidentally got a drop of essential oil in my eye, and did exactly that. It brought immediate relief. Even I wear contact lenses and had no problem. Washing with water on the skin or eyes will not help, as the essential oils are fat soluble, not water soluble. Water will actually drive the oil in more as the oil will attempt to separate from the water. You can use Young Living’s V-6 vegetable oil, or any pure vegetable oil (even olive oil will do). Avoid handling contact lenses or rubbing eyes with essential oils on fingertips. Oils with high phenol content – oregano, helichrysum, cinnamon, thyme, clove, Lemongrass, bergamot, Thieves and ImmuPower – may damage contacts and irritate eyes.
2. Keep bottles of essential oils tightly closed and store them in a cool location away from light. If stored properly, essential oils will maintain their potency for many years. Essential oils will evaporate if the top of the bottle is left off!
3. Keep essential oils out of reach of children. Treat them as you would any product for therapeutic use.
4. Do not use essential oils rich in menthol (such as peppermint) on the throat or neck area of children under 18 months of age - the oil evaporates very rapidly and can feel like its getting in the eyes. Be cautious when using peppermint on the forehead or close to your eyes - you may need to close the eyes for several minutes. When using oils on small children, it is great to put them on their feet or on their back, as they are unlikely to get the oils onto their fingers and accidentally rub it into their eyes.
5. Direct sunlight and essential oils: Lemon, bergamot, orange, grapefruit, tangerine, White Angelica and other citrus oils may cause a rash or darker pigmentation if applied to skin exposed to direct or intense sunlight or UV rays within 24 hours of use. Some people’s skin may be sensitive to citrus oils, and it may be wise to dilute with vegetable oil. The skin of the axilla (armpit) is more sensitive than other parts of the skin, so dilution is advisable, especially with lemon and bergamot, and especially after shaving when the skin is in a sensitive condition. Try Frankincense instead.
-
6.Keep essential oils away from eye area and do not put into ears. NEVER put
them directly into the ear canal, as they could permanently damage the delicate hearing apparatus. It is fine to use near and around the ear, even on the outer edge of the ear, but taking care not to get any drops of essential oils into the ear canal itself.
7. Pregnant women should consult their health care professional before using essential oils containing constituents with hormone-like activity, such as clary sage, sage, Idaho tansy, juniper and fennel. Essential oils are wonderful to use during the pregnancy and birth process; though there are some that should be avoided during the pregnancy itself. Please consult Essential Oils Desk Reference (see Resources).
8. Epileptics and those with high blood pressure should consult their health care professional before using essential oils. Avoid using hyssop, fennel and Idaho tansy oils and possibly Rosemary.
9. People with allergies should test a small amount of oil on a small area of sensitive skin, such as the inside of the forearm, before applying the oil on other areas. The bottom of the feet is one of the safest, most effective places to use essential oils. Remember that essential oils can always be used diluted with vegetable oil for those with sensitive skin, or for use on babies and children. There are no actual allergies to essential oils - read the following article: Sensitivities to Essential Oils by David Stewart.doc, but care should be taken for those who have been using personal care products containing petrochemicals (almost all products in the general marketplace) or who know they have skin sensitivities.
-
10.Before taking GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) essential oils internally, it may be advisable to dilute with an oil-soluble liquid like honey, olive oil or rice/soy milk. Once you are acquainted with the oils you will know which one you may do that with and which ones would be too hot!) Educate yourself or take classes before taking them internally. Young Living offers some supplements infused with essential oils.
-
11. Use a Bath Gel Base as a dispersing agent for oils in the bath. This will allow the essential oils to disperse in the water and will avoid any irritation from un-dispersed oils sitting on top of the water, as essential oils and water do not readily mix. If the essential oil is not dispersed in the bath water, the droplets sit on top of the water and could irritate sensitive areas of the body. Epsom salts or sea salt can also be used as a dispersing agent - simply add the essential oils the the salts, then dissolve the salts in the water.
VISIT THE ‘HOW TO USE’ PAGE AT YOUNG LIVING :
YOUNG LIVING’S GUIDELINES FOR USE.
WELLNESS, PURPOSE AND ABUNDANCE
