Aromatic Medicine - West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy

Transcription

W C I A
W O R K S H O P
Aromatic Medicine
Guidelines for Self Care
3 Steps to Expand Your Knowledge of Essential Oil Applications
Look at Modern Aromatherapy
Review Modern
Aromatherapy’s
timeline and see how
the different essential
oil methods of
application developed.
Understand the
Legalities of the
different Scopes of
Practice.
Review General Safety.
Essential Oil Chemistry
Review essential oils,
their chemistry, their
properties and the
safety issues around
their effective use.
Biochemical Families
and their actions.
Blending by Chemistry,
plus an exercise to
demonstrate this.
Application Methods
Understand the
different Pathways of
Assimilations
Review the
appropriate
Application Methods:
 Inhalation
 Topical
 Internal
WCIA
AROMATIC MEDICINE WORKSHOP
Disclaimer
The information contained in this workshop is not meant to take the
place of a diagnosis and/or treatment by a qualified medical
practitioner.
Essential oils are to be used at your own discretion.
The author disclaims any liability arising directly or indirectly from
the use or misuse of the essential oils.
Copyright © 2016 Beverley Hawkins
All Rights Reserved
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Table of Contents
History of Aromatherapy, Herbology and Perfumery ................................................................................ 6
Modern Aromatherapy Timeline ............................................................................................................... 7
Industries Using Essential Oils .................................................................................................................. 12
Reference Books ................................................................................................................................... 14
Reference Sites ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Legalities and Scope of Practice ............................................................................................................... 15
Essential Oils – what you should really know .......................................................................................... 16
What are Essential Oils? ....................................................................................................................... 16
What is the function of essential oils in plants? ................................................................................... 17
How is the essential oil extracted from the plant? .............................................................................. 17
General Safety Issues ............................................................................................................................... 18
Skin Reactions ....................................................................................................................................... 19
Baths ..................................................................................................................................................... 19
Cancer ................................................................................................................................................... 19
Cardiac fibrillation ................................................................................................................................ 20
Children................................................................................................................................................. 20
Diabetes ................................................................................................................................................ 20
Drug Interactions .................................................................................................................................. 20
Ears ....................................................................................................................................................... 21
Epilepsy ................................................................................................................................................. 21
Eyes ....................................................................................................................................................... 21
GERD(Gastroesophageal reflux disease) .............................................................................................. 21
High or Low Blood Pressure.................................................................................................................. 21
Inhalation .............................................................................................................................................. 21
Massage ................................................................................................................................................ 22
Oral Dosing ........................................................................................................................................... 22
Patches.................................................................................................................................................. 22
Pregnancy ............................................................................................................................................. 22
Undiluted Essential Oils ........................................................................................................................ 23
Complicated Health Conditions ............................................................................................................ 23
Adverse Reactions to Essential Oils ...................................................................................................... 23
Dr. Daniel Pénoël’s Indispensable Precautions for the Safe Use of Essential Oils ........................... 24
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Poison Centres in Canada ..................................................................................................................... 25
Poison Centres in the USA .................................................................................................................... 25
Poison Centres Elsewhere .................................................................................................................... 25
Essential Oil Chemistry ............................................................................................................................. 26
Biochemical Families Grid..................................................................................................................... 27
Biochemical Families ............................................................................................................................ 27
Monoterpenes.................................................................................................................................. 28
Sesquiterpenes ................................................................................................................................. 28
Phenols ............................................................................................................................................. 28
Alcohols ............................................................................................................................................ 28
Sesquiterpenols ................................................................................................................................ 29
Aldehydes Aliphatic .......................................................................................................................... 29
Aldehydes Aromatic ......................................................................................................................... 29
Ketones............................................................................................................................................. 29
Acids ................................................................................................................................................. 30
Esters ................................................................................................................................................ 30
Lactones and Coumarins .................................................................................................................. 30
Oxides ............................................................................................................................................... 30
Ethers ............................................................................................................................................... 31
Actions of Aromatic Molecules............................................................................................................. 32
Blending by Chemistry .......................................................................................................................... 33
Caddy Chemistry ................................................................................................................................... 34
Biochemical Families Grid Lavender vs Caddy Colour Wheel Lavender. ......................................... 34
Terrain ...................................................................................................................................................... 34
Homeostasis ............................................................................................................................................. 35
Useful Measurements .............................................................................................................................. 36
Methods of Application ............................................................................................................................ 37
Pathways of Assimilation ......................................................................................................................... 38
Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion..................................................................................................... 38
Pathways of Assimilation Map ............................................................................................................. 39
The Respiratory Interface ..................................................................................................................... 40
Methods of Application .................................................................................................................... 40
Diffusers ........................................................................................................................................... 41
Personal Inhalers .............................................................................................................................. 41
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Inhalations ........................................................................................................................................ 41
The Dermal Interface ............................................................................................................................ 43
Massage............................................................................................................................................ 46
General Topical Application ............................................................................................................. 47
Compresses ...................................................................................................................................... 47
Body Wraps ...................................................................................................................................... 48
Frictions ............................................................................................................................................ 49
Hydrotherapy ................................................................................................................................... 51
Baths ................................................................................................................................................. 53
Sitz Baths .......................................................................................................................................... 53
Foot Baths ........................................................................................................................................ 53
Hand Baths ....................................................................................................................................... 54
Showers ............................................................................................................................................ 54
The Digestive Interface ......................................................................................................................... 55
Internal Applications ........................................................................................................................ 55
Oral Ingestion ................................................................................................................................... 56
Rectal Administration ....................................................................................................................... 60
Method of Application ..................................................................................................................... 60
Vaginal Administration ..................................................................................................................... 62
Methods of Use ................................................................................................................................ 62
An Exercise in Blending by Chemistry ...................................................................................................... 63
Suppliers ................................................................................................................................................... 65
Certificate of Completion ......................................................................................................................... 66
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................. 67
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History of Aromatherapy, Herbology and Perfumery
Aromatherapy, Herbology and Perfumery all use aromatics and all share the same roots!
The early history of all three follow the same path because aromatic were used by all the
Ancient Civilizations, the Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs all
the way through to the Middle Ages and more modern times.
The aromatics they used were the same, but the purposes for which they were used were
different.
It has been reported that the first professional perfumers emerged in Rome as early as the
first century. From this early time the use of Aromatics developed in two parallel streams –
Perfumes (and Cosmetics) and Medical uses (Herbology).
In the early 19th Century, when chemical analysis became available, things changed. Chemical
analysis allowed scientists to isolate the active ingredients they were after and the
pharmaceutical industry was born. As time went by the pharmaceutical industry flourished
as traditional herbology declined. In spite of this decline of use, Herbal Medicine and
Herbalists are still recognized as an alternative modality.
Traditionally herbalists used plant material in all its many different forms; including the whole
plant, dried plant material, teas, tinctures, infusions, hydrosols and essential oils and they still
do.
While essential oils are used in herbology, aromatherapy is not a branch of herbology, and in
order to fully appreciate the use of essential oils within the field of Aromatherapy it is
important to understand how Modern Aromatherapy evolved.
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Modern Aromatherapy Timeline
The Modern Aromatherapy Timeline usually begins with Gattefossé burning his hand in 1910 but
doctors, biologists, chemists and biochemists in Europe were studying the action of essential oils or
‘essences’ long before then.
 1881 Robert Koch, a German doctor, was studying the anti-bacterial action of French
turpentine on charcoal spores.
 1887 Chamberland, a French biologist and physicist studied the action of Origanum vulgaris,
Cinnammomum zeylanicum and Eugenia caryophyllata essences on charcoal bacterium.
 1893 G. Bertrand, a French research doctor studied disinfectant powers of Maleuca viridiflora.
 1910 W H Martindale, French doctor showed Origanum vulgare essential oil to be the most
powerful known natural antiseptic.
 1910 Rene-Maurice Gattefossé, chemical engineer from Lyon, burned his hand badly in an
explosion in his laboratory and developed gangrene. It was his use of lavender on the hand
that is often the starting point for the modern history of aromatherapy. He was the person
who coined the word 'aromatherapy' and is considered to be the father of modern
aromatherapy.
 1914 Gattefossé collaborated with other doctors to use essential oils for the treatment of
French soldiers in military hospitals during WWI.
 1918 During the Spanish flu epidemic, Gattefossé experimented in hospitals with an aromatic
disinfectant he made called "Salvol", which contained a mix of essential oils.
 1923 Gattefossé published his preliminary work.
 1937 Gattefossé published his book Aromathérapie (Aromatherapy).
 1939 Albert Couvreur, a pharmacist, published a book on the medicinal properties of essential
oils.
 1940 Marguerita Maury (1895 -1968), nurse and surgical assistant, later biochemist, became
interested in the medical, cosmetic and holistic applications of essential oils. She was not
scientifically or medically qualified, so she focused on the external application of essential oils.
The internal prescription and medical use of essential oils was and still is legally restricted or
prohibited in Europe. M. Maury was responsible for reviving the practice of massage with
aromatic oils.
 1948 Jean Valnet (1920 - 1995), army surgeon, used essential oils to treat war wounds during
the Indochina war from 1948 – 1959.
 1959 Pierre Franchomme, French biochemist and founder of laboratory Pranarom, did detailed
and up to date pharmachological research on the subject of essential oils.
 1959 Marguerite Maury met Micheline Arcier at a beauty therapy conference.
 1960 Maury opened an aromatherapy clinic in London. Daniele Ryman, born in France,
studied as a biochemist, worked beside Maury in London and Paris specializing in the
development of therapeutic, cosmetic and skincare products. She was largely responsible for
continuing Maury's work after Maury died in 1968. Micheline Arcier and Eve Taylor both
students of Maury have concentrated their careers on refining the aesthetic application of
aromatherapy in the UK.
 1961 Maury published her book Le Capital Jeuness.
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1964 Maury published the English version of her book The Secret of Life and Youth.
1964 Valnet published "Aromatherapie". Later published in English in 1980 as "The Practice of
Aromatherapy".
1969 Maurice Girault, a French doctor and gynecologist, developed the 'aromatogram'.
1971 Valnet founded the Association for the Study and Research in Aromatherapy and Herbal
Medicine, the first society of its type in France.
1972 Paul Belaiche, French medical doctor, in conjunction with medical doctors Audhoui,
Bourgeon, P and C Duraffourd, Girault and Lapraz used the aromatogram to study and develop
treatments for a range of infectious diseases.
1973 Valnet transformed AERAP into the French society of Herbal Medicine and
Aromatherapy.
1973 Paul Jellinek published ‘Psychological Basis of Perfumery’.
1975 Franchomme revealed the importance of chemotypes, fine-tuning the choice of essential
oils by looking at their molecular structure in order to understand their impact. Franchomme
was largely responsible for the functional group hypothesis, which attempted to explain and
predict the physiological and biological activities of essential oils. The hypothesis was based
on an electrochemical experiment, where chemical constituents of essential oils were sprayed
between electromagnetic plates. This led to Franchomme and Pénoël developing their
molecular approach to selecting essential oils.
1976 Robert Tisserand published The Art of Aromatherapy.
1979 Paul Belaiche, medical doctor, published Traité de Phytothérapie et d'Aromathérapie.
1980 Valnet abandoned the society altogether and founded the College of Herbal
Aromatherapy and French-speaking Herbal Doctors.
1983 Henri Viaud, French distiller in Provence, published 'Huiles essentielles - Hydrolats:
Distillation, contrôle de la qualité de la pureté, des indications majeures'. The main market for
essential oils was the fragrance industry, but as clinicians in France began to use essential oils
in the medical domain, Viaud developed guidelines for the production and quality of essential
oils destined for therapeutic purposes. He advocated that such oils should be distilled from
specified botanical species and chemotypes, and that the distillation should be slow, using low
pressure. As an aside while there are many essential oil quality standards and grades, there is
no such thing as a therapeutic grade essential oil.
1987 Daniel Pénoël attempted to bring aromatic medicine education to the UK and Michael
Scholes organized the first medical aromatherapy training in London. Although this venture
was largely unsuccessful and fraught with insurance issues it did influence many English
speaking aromatherapists, writers and educators, such as Dr Kurt Schnaubelt, Shirley and Ken
Price, Gabriel Mojay, Marcel Lavabre and Ron Guba to name just a few.
1989 the French Ministry of Health ceased to reimburse herbal prescriptions. Once patients
had to pay for the prescriptions themselves, their eagerness for the ‘new plant medicines’
waned and doctors found their consulting rooms emptying of patients wanting to explore this
route.
1990 following his research, Franchomme, in collaboration with Dr Daniel Pénoël, published a
reference book 'l'Aromatherapie exactement', that eventually became the seminal work on
medical aromatherapy. Pénoël reinforced the importance of the ‘terrain’ in clinical practice.
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Claude Bernard (1813 – 1878), a physiologist who suggested that it was the condition of the
body and its internal environment that determined the individual’s healing capacity. For
example, an infection could only develop if the conditions were favourable. Pénoël called this
the ‘terrain’, and would treat the terrain in his aromatic interventions – hence developing a
more holistic approach to aromatherapy practice in France, but keeping the biomedical model
as the underpinning rationale.
1990 Essential Oil Resource Consultations Bob Harris and Rhinnon Lewis (formerly Harris) have
provided information, research and education on essential oils and clinical aromatherapy.
1990 Marcel Lavabre published Aromatherapy Workbook.
1994 Philippe Mailhebiau published ‘La Nouvelle aromathérapie’. In it he emphasised the
importance of the terrain in an aromatherapy practice. His concept of the terrain was quite
wide, embracing genetic, physical, physiological and psychological aspects of the individual.
He maintained that if the terrain was not balanced, pathologies could develop.
1995 Philippe Mailhebiau published the English version Portraits in Oils.
1995 Duraffourd and Lapraz published a paper in the British Journal of Phytotherapy where
they postulated that the terrain is governed by the endocrine system. Lapraz disputed the
value of chemotypes, proposing the ‘law of all or nothing’, where the entire essential oil is of
importance, not individual constituents. Duraffourd and Laprax, originally worked on the
aromatogram, but later developed the ‘endobiogenic concept’ where the root causes of the
pathology and the terrain of the patient were addressed in order to establish the optimum
phytotherapeutic treatment.
1998 Daniel Pénoël speaks at a Young Living conference and his book Natural Home Health
Care Using Essential Oils is published with the help of Gary Young.
And so it continues…….
In the Modern Aromatherapy Timeline graphic, all the events above the timeline are those that
happened in Europe and relate to medically and/or scientifically trained people using the essential oils;
all the events below the timeline are those that took place in the non-medical or non-scientific arena
in English speaking countries, mainly the UK but also in North America.
Looking at this is easy to see that aromatherapy developed within a ‘medical framework’ used by
people, who were medically and scientifically trained, working within their legal scope of practice. It
was outside of the scope of practice for non-medically or scientifically trained people to use essential
oils following this model. Marguerite Maury was the first person to take the use of essential oils out
of this ‘medical framework’. In order to make this assessable for non-medically or scientifically trained
people to legally practice, the way in which the oils were used needed to be changed. High percentage
dilutions and internal use of essential oils would legally have to stay within the scope of the ‘medical
framework’, but low percentage dilutions applied topically through massage could legally be accepted
within the scope of practice of non-medically trained people. Inhalation methods would also be
acceptable.
Originally aromatherapy was introduced to the UK through the beauty profession, where it quickly
became an acceptable add-on to the services already offered by estheticians. As time went on and the
number of aromatherapists grew, some aromatherapists chose to practice outside of the beauty
profession and the ‘clinical aromatherapist’ emerged. Although these may not be medically trained
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people, they are well trained for what they do within their scope of practice. This is the model that
provides the scope of practice within which aromatherapists can operate in legally, as well as have
access to Professional Liability Insurance.
More recently a new model has emerged starting in the US but slowly moving world-wide - the
Multilevel Marketing Model. The purpose of this business model appears to be first and foremost to
drive sales. These big companies have spent a lot of time and money on marketing, which they deliver
in a very slick and professional way. Certainly they have brought aromatherapy and the use of
essential oils to the notice of many people who might never have heard of them otherwise.
Unfortunately, in this model, most of the people involved in selling, recommending, and using the
essential oils have very little or no training. Their choice of essential oils and methods of application
are often simply based on what someone in their up-line has told them to do. When this is done
without proper understanding and respect for the power of the essential oils, it can lead to unsafe
practices and it is not surprising that the incidences of adverse reactions caused through the unsafe
use of essential oils is on the rise.
This is not the ‘medical model’ that aromatherapy developed in. In that ‘medical model’ essential oils
are recognized for the very potent substances that they are. In the ‘medical model’ only a limited
number of essential oils are deemed suitable to be used in high dilution applications or internally. This
choice is only made after a properly qualified person has been able to assess the client fully with all the
steps that this requires. Those who are legally allowed to operate in the ‘medical model’ are working
from their well-established knowledge base, within their scope of practice, covered by Professional
Liability Insurance.
With the rise in consumer awareness around aromatherapy and essential oils, and probably due to the
marketing strategies used by the MLM companies, it is interesting to note how many people, think
that essential oils can ‘cure’ everything and that there is ‘simply an oil, or a blend, for every ailment
out there’. Many also think that all they have to do is ask for advice over Social Media and they will
get credible advice that they can use. For some reason they just don’t feel it is necessary to first
understand the complexities of the substances they are working with, nor understand how important
it is to follow safe practices. Perhaps it is partially a result of the marketing, and partially the result of
the strong emotions that often accompany serious health concerns, but it is amazing to see how
normally intelligent people allow themselves to be lulled into suspending their natural common sense,
to blindly follow what someone else tells them to do. They even forget to check whether that person
has the training to be able to give them credible advice. Just because the oils come for nature, doesn’t
mean that they are all safe to use, in any method of application. After all we are all aware that
poisonous plants do exist. Also just because there is an essential oil available, it doesn’t mean that it
can be used in all methods of application, by all people, as often as liked.
For me the bottom line is that anyone who wants to use essential oils on members of the general
public, or recommend their use to others, should always do so from the framework of understanding
the complexities of the individual essential oils, as well as knowing how to choose the most
appropriate method of application, dose and frequency for the individual in question. Working with
the public always means that one should operate within your legal scope of practice and not just hand
out ‘free advice’ and hope it is going to be OK. Of course there are no restrictions as to what we may
choose to do in our own private lives and of course we are responsible for any of our own ‘mistakes’.
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Industries Using Essential Oils
While Aromatherapy is becoming more and more popular, the amount of essential oils actually used
by the whole Aromatherapy Industry is very small. The bulk of essential oils produced today is used by
the Food, Drugs and Cosmetics (including Perfumery) and Pharmaceutical Industries.
The majority of research done on the safety of using essential oils, and their chemical components, on
the skin has been conducted by the cosmetic industry and this has resulted in the implementation of
maximum use levels recommendations for essential oils used in cosmetics and perfumes. There is
usually a difference in the percentages considered to be safe in cosmetics and those considered to be
safe in perfumes.
The food industry uses essential oils for flavouring and the research done by this industry has resulted
in the implementation of Highest Maximum Use Levels for essential oils used in this industry. These
may vary a bit depending on which food product the essential oil is added to, however these
recommendations are always given in parts per million. In other words very, very small amounts of
essential oil are actually used in these products.
The Drug Industry has conducted research on the possible pharmacological activities of different
essential oils and/or one or more of their components. Often with the view to obtaining a patent for
their final product.
Proper Scientific Research is expensive and is usually only conducted by large companies or institutes.
This explains why there is not much research funded purely by the Aromatherapy Industry. Research
is generally only viable when there is some sort of a commercial reward at the end of the process.
According to Ernest Guenther in Volume I of The Essential Oils (6 volume set) essential oils are actually
used in lots of industries such as:
Adhesives: Glues, paper and industrial tapes, pastes, porcelain cements, rubber cements,
scotch tapes, etc.
Animal Feed Industry: Cat foods, dog foods, cattle feeds etc.
Automobile Industry: Automobile finishing supplies, polishes, cleaners, soaps, etc.
Baked Goods Industry: Biscuits, cakes, crackers, doughnuts, fruit cakes, icings, mincemeat,
pies, pretzels, puddings, sandwich fillings, etc.
Canning Industry: Fish, meats, sauces, soups, etc.
Chewing Gum Industry: Chewing gums, coated gums, etc.
Condiment Industry: Catsups, celery and other salts, chili sauces, mayonnaises, mustards,
pickled fish, relishes, salad dressings, table sauces, vinegars, etc.
Confectionery Industry: Chocolates, fondants, gum drops, hard candies, jellies, mints, soft
center candies, etc.
Dental Preparations: Dentists’ preparations, mouth washes, tooth pastes, tooth powders, etc.
Exterminators and Insecticide Supplies: Bedbug sprays, cattle sprays, cockroach powders, fly
sprays, Japanese beetle attractants, mosquito repellents, naphthalene blocks,
paradichlorobenzene blocks, plant sprays, rat baits, rodent odor eliminators, etc.
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Extract Industry: Commercial extracts, home extracts, etc.
Food Industry (General): Cheeses, cornstarch puddings, dehydrated soups, meats and
vegetables, gelatin desserts, mince meats, pie fillers, prepared cake mixes, rennet desserts,
sauerkraut, vegetable oils and fats, etc.
Household Products: Bluings, deodorants, furniture polishes, laundry soaps, room sprays,
starches, vacuum cleaner pads, etc.
Ice Cream Industry: Ice creams, ices, prepared ice cream mixes, sherbets, etc.
Insecticide Industry: Attractants, disinfectants, insecticides, repellents, sprays, etc.
Janitor’s Supplies: Detergents, disinfectants, floor polishes, floor waxes, scrub soaps, sink
cleaners, sweeping compounds etc.
Meat Packing Industry: Bolognas, frankfurters, prepared meats, sausages, etc.
Paint Industry: Bituminous paints, casein paints, enamels, lacquers, paint and varnish
removers, paint diluents, paints, rubber paints, synthetic coatings, varnishes, etc.
Paper and Printing Industry: Carbon papers, crayons, drinking cups, industrial tapes, inking
pads, labels, paper bags and food wrappers, printing and writing inks, printing paper,
typewriter ribbons, writing paper, etc.
Perfume and Toilet Industry: Baby preparations, bath preparations, body deodorants,
colognes, creams, depilatories, eye shadows, facial masks, hair preparations, handkerchief
extracts, incense, lipsticks, lotions, manicure preparations, powders, room and theatre sprays,
rouges, sachets, shaving preparations, suntan preparations, toilet waters, etc.
Petroleum and Chemical Industry: Bluing oils, fuel oils, crease deodorants, greases, lubricating
oils, naphtha solvents, neoprene, organic solvents, petroleum distillates, polishes, sulfonated
oils, tar products, waxes, etc.
Pharmaceutical Industry: Anti acid tablets and powders, cough drops, elixirs, germicides,
hospital sprays, hospital supplies, inhalants, laxatives, ointments, medicinal preparations,
ointments, patent medicines, tonics, vitamin flavor preparations, wholesale druggists’
supplies, etc.
Pickle Packing Industry: Dill pickles, fancy cut pickles, sour pickles, sweet pickles, etc.
Preserve Industry: Fruit butters, jams, jellies.
Rectifying and Alcoholic Beverage Industry: Bitters, cordials, rums, vermouths, whiskies,
wines, etc.
Rubber Industry: Baby pants, gloves, natural and synthetic lattices, shower curtains, surgical
supplies, synthetic rubber products of all kinds, toys, water proofing compounds, etc.
Soap Industry: Cleaning powders, detergents, household soaps, laundry soaps, liquid hand
soaps, scrub soaps, shampoos, sweeping compounds, technical soaps, toilet soaps, etc.
Soft Drink Industry: Carbonated beverages, cola drinks, fountain syrups, ginger ales, root
beers, soda fountain supplies, soft drink powders, sundae toppings, etc.
Textile Processing Products: Artificial leather and fabric coatings, dyes, hosiery sizing,
linoleum, oil cloths, sisal deodorants, textile chemicals, textile oils, upholstery materials, water
proofing materials, etc.
Tobacco Industry: Chewing tobaccos, cigarettes, cigars, smoking tobaccos, snuffs.
Veterinary Supplies: Cattle sprays, deodorants, dog and cat soaps, insect powders, mange
medicines and ointments, etc.
Diversified Industries: Alcohol denaturing compounds, candles, ceramics, cleaners’ products,
embalming fluid deodorants, optical lenses, war gas simulants, etc.
When using essential oils in their formulations and products, all of these industries have very
set guidelines within which they operate.
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When we consider all of the above it sort of puts into perspective just how little essential oil is actually
used by the proper Aromatherapy Industry.
Reference Books
Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. Second
Edition, Albert Y. Leung, Steven Foster
Herbal Medicine Expanded Commission E Monographs
Blumenthal/Goldberg/Brinckmann
Essential Oil Safety, second edition
Robert Tisserand/Rodney Young
The Essential Oils: Individual Essential Oils of the Plant Families (6 volume set)
Ernest Guenther
Reference Sites
International Fragrance Organization IFRA http://www.ifraorg.org/
European Federation of Essential Oils EFEO http://efeo-org.org/
Aromatherapy Trade Council http://www.a-t-c.org.uk/safety-matters/essential-oil-safety/
Research Institute of Fragrance Materials RIFR http://www.rifm.org/
Fragrance Material Safety Resource http://fragrancematerialsafetyresource.elsevier.com/
AFNOR http://www.afnor.org/en
BACIS Archives http://www.leffingwell.com/bacis/pom97051.html
International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients
http://www.cirsreach.com/Cosmetic_Inventory/International_Nomenclature_of_Cosmetic_Ingredients_INCI.h
tml
International Standards Association
http://www.iso.org/iso/home.html
Medicines Control Agency UK
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-productsregulatory-agency
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Legalities and Scope of Practice
Europe
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France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia,
Estonia, Greece - Medically qualified Practitioners only. CAM is primarily provided by physicians in Middle and Southern
Europe, the Practice of CAM outside of regulated health care is illegal and violations are considered an offence.
Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland – Medically and non-medically qualified
Practitioners. In Northern Europe anyone may provide CAM whilst only specific medical acts (3.3. treating people for
infectious diseases, performing surgery, administering anaesthetics, prescribing drugs that require a prescription, giving
injections, using X-ray) are restricted to medical doctors with a university degree, although the range of these medical acts
may different from country to country.
In Slovenia and Hungary some CAM modalities are restricted to medical doctors.
UK
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United Kingdom, Ireland - medically and non-medically qualified Practitioners.
In the UK and the English-speaking world, aromatherapy practice ranges from purely aesthetic to holistic, clinical and
olfactory domains.
In the UK aromatherapy was initially embraced within the beauty profession and it was found that estheticians were in a
good position to deliver aromatherapy treatments.
As the numbers of aromatherapy practitioners grew, some aromatherapists began to view the ‘beauty’ aspect as
disadvantageous and diminishing the clinical credentials of the therapy.
Aromatherapy is practised across the UK in salons and spas. Full body aromatherapy massage is commonplace.
The division between ‘esthetic’ and ‘clinical’ aromatherapy has become more significant over the years. Clinical
aromatherapy practitioners do not usually make claims to treat disorders, as this is against their code of conduct.
However, they will often offer therapeutic interventions to ill and compromised client groups, in conjunction with medical
support and/or consent.
More intensive usage of essential oils, often without massage being administered allows practitioners to prepare topical
prescriptions for clients to alleviate a range of symptoms, often using a higher concentration of essential oils, but falling
short of internal use in the for of capsules for ingestion, suppositories and pessaries; these modes of administration are not
currently covered by insurance.
Canada & USA
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Canada and USA – medically and non-qualified Practitioners
The introduction of aromatherapy in Canada and the USA followed similar paths, following the UK lead.
In both these countries aromatherapy self-regulates through the Aromatherapy Associations. On the other hand there is
no requirement for anyone to join an aromatherapy associations. There are those who use essential oils professionally, call
themselves aromatherapists, but don’t belong to any association nor have any Liability Insurance.
Legally the only requirement is to have a valid business license and this is regulated by the individual city, town, municipal
authorities.
Aromatherapists, who choose to join associations and be part of the self-regulation of the profession, will have received
training that meets that association’s core curriculums. They will also be covered by Professional Liability Insurance,
however that Professional Liability Insurance does not cover the internal use of essential oils with clients.
With the explosion of MLM companies like Young Living and doTerra, there are now a large number of people, who are
dispensing ‘medical advice’ and ‘prescribing essential oils and essential oil blends’ to the general public with little or no
training and certainly no Professional Liability Insurance.
It was the MLM companies who introduced the concept of ‘French’, ‘British’, ‘German’ aromatherapy which is just a
marketing tactic. By saying that they follow the ‘French’ method they feel it allows them to encourage others to use the
essential oils both in high concentrations and internally whether it is needed or not. What is really fueling these
recommendations?
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Essential Oils – what you should really know
Over the last few years, aromatherapy and the use of essential oils
has had a real surge in popularity and there has been a large
increase in the number of people using essential oils regularly for
all sorts of things.
A simple Google search will bring up lots of sites and blogs that
share information on essential oils and how they should be used.
Some are very good, but many are not as good. To add to this,
there has been an explosion on Social Media with both information
and misinformation being shared about essential oils and how they
should be used.
These days, we live in a very fast paced world where many of us are dealing with information overload
and having easy access to free, quick, off the cuff recommendations on how to use essential oils for all
sorts of purposes, even serious health conditions, seems to be a time saving way to go. After all
essential oils come from nature, right? Unfortunately it just isn’t that simple. Yes essential oils do
come from nature, but it is important to understand that they are very concentrated, complex
chemical compounds. It is also imperative to keep in mind that people can be quite individualistic as
to how they react and respond when exposed to essential oils. It can never simply be a case of ‘one
size fits all’, or ‘it worked for me so it has to work for you’. There is just so much more to consider.
This is the reason why I always recommend that you know that you can trust that the source you are
getting your information and recommendations from actually does have the training and experience to
back up their information. Of course, in the end only you can make this choice, however I do believe
you owe it to yourself and your precious family to make sure that you have enough knowledge to
make the right choices for yourself and them.
What are Essential Oils?
More than 250,000 different plants have been identified to date. Not all of these contain essential
oils, but those that do, are classified as aromatic plants. Not all aromatic plants contain enough
essential oil to make their extraction commercially viable. Today there are around 450 plants that are
used to produce commercially viable essential oils.
When we look at plants we find that they all undergo primary and secondary metabolism processes.
While the distinction is not always clear, processes generally classified as primary metabolism are
those that have remained relatively unchanged throughout biological evolution. On the other hand
processes belonging to secondary metabolism is according, to Kurt Schnaubelt in Biology of Essential
Oils, “… mostly expendable for the growth and development of the individual plant, yet the plant will
not be able to survive or propagate without it. “
It has been estimated that within the plant kingdom there are somewhere between 50,000 to 100,000
secondary compounds, of which only a small proportion have been identified. Essential oils are the
result of secondary metabolism and are produced to meet certain needs and requirements of that
particular plant. Exactly why essential oils evolve into such complex chemical compounds is unclear.
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However, the fact that variable factors such as, time of day, time of year, maturity of the plant and
others can cause changes in the plant’s essential oil complex chemistry indicates that the plant adapts
and changes the essential oil it produces to meet its needs and requirements at the time.
What is the function of essential oils in plants?
Research indicates that essential oils appear to fulfill two main
functions in the plant. Those of communication and defense.
Once formed in the plant, essential oils are stored in special
structures, such as secretory hairs, secretory cells within the
epidermis, special sacs made from several secretory cells
surrounding an oil-filled space and secretory ducts (tubes lined
with secretory cells). Where the essential oil is stored can
sometimes be an indication of its function. For instance when
essential oils are stored in secretory hairs (which point outwards
from the surface of the leaves and stems of the plant) if
something brushes up against the plant, the essential oil is quickly released into the air, perhaps an
indication that it is there to repel predators. On the other hand when the essential oil is stored in
secretory sacs and ducts (mostly located inside the leaves, heartwood or roots of the plant) the
function appears to be one of protecting the plant against bacteria, fungi and pests. While not the
only component of a plant to attract pollinators, the fact that some essential oil components are to be
found in the essential oil at times that appropriate pollinators are likely to be around, appear to
indicate that the essential oil also plays a role in the success of pollination.
How is the essential oil extracted from the plant?
Purists will tell you that only the end products obtained after subjecting plant material to a steamdistillation, a hydro-distillation, or a combination steam-hydro-distillation are essential oils and
hydrosols also known as hydrolates. Other methods used to obtain these highly aromatic extracts are:
Expression, also known as cold pressing used specifically with citrus fruits; Enfleurage previously used
for delicate flowers and not used very much today; Solvent Extraction and CO2 hypercritical extraction.
How much essential oil there is available to be extracted from any plant will vary depending on the
particular plant. To get an idea of just how concentrated our little bottles of essential oil actually are, I
would ask you to consider the following figures showing the percentage yield of essential oil obtained
from a selection of plants. For instance:
Peppermint yields about 0.3 – 0.4% volatile oil
Spearmint yields about 0.7% volatile oil
Sweet Marjoram yields about 0.2 – 0.8% volatile oil
Rosemary yields about 0.5% volatile oil
Rose yields about 0.02 – 0.03% volatile oil
Petitgrain yields about 0.2% volatile oil
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So what does this really mean?
It means that in order to produce a 30 ml or 1 ounce bottle of peppermint essential oil (yield of 0.3%)
you would have to steam-distil around 10 kg (over 20 lbs) of Peppermint flowering tops. And if you
wanted to produce a 30ml or 1 ounce bottle of rose essential oil (yield 0.02%) you would need to
steam-distill around 150 kg (330 lbs) of rose petals.
Understanding that essential oils are formed as secondary metabolites in plants, as well as gaining a
new perspective of just how much plant material it takes to make just a little bit of essential oil, should
give you a new insight into just how important it is to use essential oils with knowledge and respect,
while at the same time following safety guidelines and appropriate protocols.
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General Safety Issues
Keep in mind that while plants have been used medicinally for
thousands of years, this has traditionally been in the form of the
whole plant. Essential oils extracted from the plant material, on
the other hand, are different to the whole plant. They are:
 Highly concentrated substances
 Chemically different from the whole plant
For instance, not all of the chemical components found in a plant
are able to survive the extraction process; and sometimes new
components are formed during the extraction process.
Therefore one cannot simply ascribe the properties traditionally given to the plant to the essential oil
extracted from that plant. As long as the appropriate attention is paid to the safety data, any potential
contraindications, as well as dosage and protocol, the use of essential oils represents very little risk.
Skin Reactions
Skin reactions to essential oils take three different forms irritation, sensitization and phototoxicity.
 Primary irritants will act on the first exposure, the reaction is rapid and the severity will
depend on the irritant and the concentration of that irritant.
 Skin sensitization is a type of allergic reaction. On the first exposure to a substance, it may or
may not be obvious that there is a potential problem. On subsequent exposures to the
sensitizer (which may be the same substance or a chemically similar substance) a severe
inflammatory reaction, brought about by the cells of the immune system, can be produced.
Sensitization is irreversible. While there are a number of essential oils which are known to
have potential as a skin sensitizer, one can in fact become sensitized to any oil.
 Phototoxicity is a reaction that can take place when, after having been applied topically to the
skin, certain chemicals are exposed to sunlight, or UV rays. In phototoxicity the reaction can
only occur if the sensitizing agent is present and may result in rapid tanning or red spots.
Baths
“Whenever essential oils are ‘mixed’ with water without a dispersing agent, there is a risk of irritation.
Essential oils should first be dispersed in a vegetable oil, or emulsified into an aqueous medium by use
of an emulsifying agent. Full-fat milk helps to disperse essential oils in this way. However the
dispersion is not complete, so this is not a perfect solution for anyone who might be sensitive such as
children or those with a skin disease.” Tisserand and Young 2nd edition Essential Oil Safety.
Cancer
There has been some research carried out recently, which provides evidence that a small group of
essential oil components are potentially carcinogenic. These include brown and yellow camphor,
calamus, sassafras, snakeroot and tarragon. There is some evidence that some phototoxic essential oil
components are also photocarcinogenic. People with moles, large freckle patches, sunburned skin,
senile patches, melanoma, premelanoma or other skin cancers should avoid all phototoxic oils such as
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citrus, calamus, sassafras and turpentine. “Because of possible and unpredictable effects on immune
mechanisms, we recommend that essential oils are avoided from one week before to one month
following a course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy.” Tisserand and Young 2nd edition Essential Oil
Safety.
Cardiac fibrillation
“As a cautionary measure, menthol-rich essential oils are best avoided by people with cardiac
fibrillation.” Tisserand and Young 2nd edition Essential Oil Safety.
Children
 One must be aware that the quantities in which essential oils are generally sold (5 – 15ml)
essential oils can be lethal if drunk by a young child and there have been recorded cases of
fatalities.
 Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children.
 Only keep essential oils on hand which have an insert dropper so that not too much oil comes
out at once.
 In cases of accidental swallowing of essential oils, first establish which essential oil or blend has
been swallowed and approximately how much. Give the child milk to drink. Contact your local
poison centre and if necessary see that the child receives immediate medical attention.
 “Caution is advised for many essential oils in children under 2 years of age. Essential oils high
in 1,8-cineole or methol can cause central nervous system and breathing problems in young
children, and should not be applied to or near their faces. Sweet birch and wintergreen oils
should not be used on or given to children in any amount due to the risk of developing Reye’s
syndrome.” Tisserand and Young, 2nd edition Essential Oil Safety.
Diabetes
“Because of their effect on blood sugar, some essential oils may interact with diabetic medication if
taken in oral doses.” Tisserand and Young 2nd edition Essential Oil Safety.
Drug Interactions
“We caution the use of certain essential oils with specific drugs, either by any route:
 sweet birch, wintergreen, camphor (brown and yellow) sassafras, lemongrass, may chang, honey
myrtle, lemon myrtle, E. citriodora, balsam poplar, blue chamomile (all chemotypes), mugwort
(great), sage, tansy (blue), yarrow (chamazulene ct.) betel
 or only by oral administration (betel, camphor, chamomile mugwort, tansy, yarrow, lemon basil,
bergamot (wild), citronella, finger root, geranium, jamrosa, lemon balm (Australian), lemon leaf,
Melissa, palmarosa, thyme (geraniol ct.), thyme (lemon, verbena (lemon), chamomile (blue),
chaste tree, cypress (blue, jasmine sambac absolute, sandalwood (W. Australian), ho leaf (camphor
ct) sassafras, tansy (blue), ajowan, anise, star anise, araucaria, atractylis, basil (estragole ct), holy
basil, basil (Madagascan), W. Indian bay, betel, birch, cassia, chervil, cinnamon bark, cinnamon
leaf, clove bud, clove leaf, clove stem, corn, fennel *bitter and sweet), garlic, lavandin, leek,
Mexican marigold, marjoram wild (carvacrol ct) myrtle (aniseed), onion, oregano, oregano
(Mexican) patchouli, pimento berry and leaf, pine (ponderosa), ravensara bark, savory, tarragon,
tejpat, thyme (borneol ct), thyme (limonene ct) thyme (spike), thyme (thymol and or carvacrol ct),
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wintergreen, buchu, calamint, pennyroyal, parsley seed, parsnip, pimento berry and leaf, sweet
vernalgrass, tejpat, turmeric.” Tisserand and Young 2nd edition Essential Oil Safety.
Ears
“Undiluted essential oil should not be dripped into the ears, but diluted essential oils may be placed on
a cotton wad for partial insertion.“ Tisserand and Young, 2nd edition, Essential Oil Safety.
Epilepsy
“Some essential oils, If taken orally, can cause convulsions in a vulnerable person. People with
epilepsy who are taking suppressant medication may be no more vulnerable than non-epileptics.
Epileptics who are not on medication are vulnerable, as are people who do not realize they are
epileptics, and also infants and young children.” Tisserand and Young 2nd edition Essential Oil Safety.
Although Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs, in the first edition of Essential Oil Safety, suggest that
essential oils used externally are no more likely to cause a fit than any other fragrance or strong odor I
prefer to err on the side of caution and therefore avoid using those essential oils traditionally
cautioned against in cases of epilepsy. Essential oils to avoid with epilepsy are fennel, hyssop,
rosemary and sage. Essential oils to use with caution camphor, clary sage, peppermint, rue, yarrow,
spike lavender and lavandin.
Eyes
Keep all essential oils away from the eyes. If you do get neat or diluted essential oil in your eye, rinse it
out immediately with lots of water. Put some drops of sweet almond oil in the eye to dilute any
remaining essential oil and to soothe irritation.
GERD(Gastroesophageal reflux disease)
“Sweet birch, cornmint, peppermint and wintergreen should be used with caution orally in patients
with GERD.” Tisserand and Young 2nd edition Essential Oil Safety.
High or Low Blood Pressure
Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs in the first edition of Essential Oil Safety note that: “There is no
evidence that essential oils have an adverse effect on the control of blood pressure in humans, and the
data from animal tests are inconclusive. We therefore consider that there is no need for
contraindication of essential oils in either hypertension or hypotension, by any route of administration.
On the other hand it has been traditionally taught that the very stimulating oils of cypress, clove,
nutmeg, pine, rosemary and sage should be avoided in cases of High Blood Pressure (hypertensives)
and that sweet marjoram should be avoided in cases of Low Blood Pressure (hypotension). Tisserand
and Young 2nd edition Essential Oil Safety suggest that there is currently no compelling evidence that
any essential oils exacerbate hypertension. Many essential oils potentially lower blood pressure,
including araucaria, pungent basil, blue cypress, emerald cypress and jade cypress. However, there is
no evidence that any essential oils exacerbate hypotension.
Inhalation
“A few drops of essential oil in a burner, vaporizer or in a steam inhalation is virtually risk-free.
However, prolonged inhalation (more than about 30 minutes) of concentrated essential oil vapors
(steam inhalation, or direct from a bottle) can lead to headaches, vertigo, nausea and lethargy. In
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certain instances more serious symptoms might be experienced, such as incoherence and double
vision. For children 5 years and less, direct inhalation should be avoided. Direct inhalation includes
inhaling essential oils from the hands, a cotton ball, a nasal inhaler, a bowl of hot water or similar.
Indirect, or ambient inhalation, is safe for young children, and includes any method that vaporizes
essential oils.” Tisserand and Young 2nd edition Essential Oil Safety.
Massage
“Essential oils should be diluted in a suitable vehicle, such as a vegetable oil. For massage over large
areas of skin, it is not advisable to use a concentration greater than 3%” . Tisserand and Young 2nd
edition Essential Oil Safety.
Oral Dosing
“Oral dosing is accompanied by an increased risk of toxic reactions because of the possibility of higher
blood levels and the potential risk of overdosing. Oral dosing increases the risk of interactions with
prescribed drugs or radiotherapy, and of adverse reactions in specific groups, such as those with
porphyria, or in pregnant women.
In order to avoid gastric irritation, orally ingested essential oils should be diluted in a suitable vehicle.
In order to be effective, enterically coated capsules are needed in some cases. It is not recommended
that anyone self-prescribe essential oils orally. Only practitioners permitted to do so according to the
laws of thei country of residence should prescribe essential oils for oral ingestion.
For various safety reasons, the following essential oils should not be taken in oral doses: basil (ct.
estragole), basil (Madagascan), betel, birch tar, buchu (ct. pulegone), cade (rectified), calamint (lesser),
calamus (tetraploid/hexaploid), camphor (yellow), chervil, genipi, hyssop (ct. pinocamphone) Mexican
marigold, pennyroyal, pimento berry, pteronia, ravensara bark, sage (Dalmation), tarragon, thuja,
western red cedar, workwood (ct. β-thujone), wormwood (sea), wormwood (white).” Tisserand and
Young 2nd edition Essential Oil Safety.
Patches
“Essential oil should not be applied to skin on which any medication or drug patches are being use, as
the oils may dramatically increase the bioavailability of the drug.” Tisserand and Young 2nd edition
Essential Oil Safety.
Pregnancy
Tisserand and Young 2nd edition Essential Oil Safety say: “It is likely that most essential oil
constituents cross the placenta to the fetus after use by a pregnant woman. We therefor recommend
that essential oils are only taken orally with great caution throughout pregnancy. Equal caution is
recommended for rectal and vaginal administration, since the amount of essential oil reaching the
fetus could be as high as from oral dosing.
Essential oils to be avoided by any route throughout pregnancy and lactation:
 Anise, anise (star) araucaria, Artemisia vestita, atractylis, birch (sweet), black seed, buchu,
calamint, carrot seed, cassia, chaste tree, cinnamon bark, costus, cypress (blue), dill seed, fennel
(bitter and sweet), feverfew, genipi, hibawood, ho leaf (ct. camphor), hyssop (ct. pinocamphone),
lanyana, lavender (Spanish), mugwort, myrrh, myrtle (aniseed), oregano, parsley leaf, parsleyseed,
pennyroyal, rue, sage (Dalmanation), sage (Spanish), savin, tansy, thuja, Western red cedar,
wintergreen, wormwood, yarrow (green), zedoary.
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Essential oils to be restricted during pregnancy and lactation
 Basil (lemon), Boswellia papyrifera, champaca (orange) absolute, lemon balm (Australian), lemon
leaf, lemongrass, may chang, Melissa, honey myrtle, lemon myrtle, nasturtium absolute, lemonscented tea tree, lemon thyme, lemon verbena.”
Undiluted Essential Oils
“Generally, undiluted essential oils are not used in massage, nor are they applied to eyes, mucous
membranes, diseased and/or broken skin. This is to avoid causing irritation, inflammation and/or
allergic reactions. However there are instances in which benefits may outweigh risks. Such instances
could include: bites and stings, burns, herpes simples, herpes zoster, leg ulcers, malignant ulceration
(fungating carcinomas), mouth ulcers, neutropenic ulceration, pressure sores, tinea, verrucae, warts,
etc. In some of these instances medical supervision is advisable. ” Tisserand and Young 2nd edition
Essential Oil Safety.
Complicated Health Conditions
In cases of complicated Health Conditions you might want to first obtain the consent of the attending
physician before utilizing essential oils.
Adverse Reactions to Essential Oils
Any one experiencing adverse reactions to essential oils should seek immediate medical attention, call
911, Poison Control or your medical doctor.
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Dr. Daniel Pénoël’s Indispensable Precautions for the Safe Use of Essential Oils
1. Never try to dilute essential oils with water. Essential oils do not mix with water. Essential oils
must be diluted with some type of vegetable oil.
2. Never let essential oils come in contact with mucous membranes or sensitive skin.
3. Never add neat essential oils directly to the bath water. Always use a dispersant, or as he
suggests dissolve the oils first in powdered soy milk, egg yolk or even coarse sea salt. Never
try to use more than 10 – 20 drops of essential oil for one bath.
4. Generally people with allergies must be very cautious when using essential oils.
5. Some essential oils are light-sensitizing, so exposure to sun must be avoided after application.
6. Some essential oils have strong caustic characteristics and should be used very cautiously,
generally in a diluted form. This applies to essential oils rich in phenols and aldehydes.
7. Essential oils high in menthol should not be used close to the throat, or neck on children under
30 months of age.
8. Care must be taken to tightly close essential oil bottles after use and to always keep them out
of the reach of children.
9. Taking essential oils orally required oils of impeccable quality and the direction of a qualified
health professional. This basic precaution does not preclude taking them in diluted form in an
appropriate excipient. Even so, problems that arise from taking essential oils internally are
generally due to the fact that they were taken in a concentrated state which leads to rapid
absorption in the stomach and a very quick passage into the bloodstream. Taking one or two
drops of a mild essential oil of high quality, diluted in honey, does not entail any particular risk.
It just requires good common sense.
10. Always keep some vegetable oil readily available when using essential oils.
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Poison Centres in Canada
Accidental poisoning is a common cause of injuries in Canada. A selection of helpful materials on how
to prevent accidental poisonings in your home is available at the site of the Canadian Association of
Poison Control Centres. http://www.capcc.ca/resources/resources.php
ISMP Canada recommends that you confirm the telephone number of the poison centre for your area
and post it in a visible place in your home.
Alberta: Poison and Drug Information Services (PADIS) Toll-free 1-800-332-1414
British Columbia: British Columbia Drug and Poison Information Centre Toll-free 1-800-567-8911 (604)
682-5050
Manitoba: Manitoba Poison Control Centre Toll-free 1-855-7POISON (1-855-776-4766)
New Brunswick: 911
Newfoundland and Labrador: Poison Information Centre - Toll-free 1-866-727-1110 (709) 722-1110
Northwest Territories: Poison and Drug Information Services (PADIS) Toll-free 1-800-332-1414
Nova Scotia: IWK Regional Poison Centre Toll-free 1-800-565-8161 (within Nova Scotia and Prince
Edward Island) or call 911 and ask to speak to the Poison Centre
Nanavut Toll-Free 1-800-268-9017
Ontario: Ontario Poison Centre Toll-free 1-800-268-9017 (within Ontario) (416) 813-5900 (Greater
Toronto Area)
Prince Edward Island: IWK Regional Poison Centre Toll-free 1-800-565-8161
Québec: Québec Poison Control Centre (Centre antipoison du Québec ) Toll-free 1-800-463-5060
Saskatchewan: Poison and Drug Information Services (PADIS) Toll-free 1-866-454-1212
Yukon Territory: Yukon Poison Control Centre - Whitehorse General Hospital (867) 393-8700
Poison Centres in the USA
Poison Control 1-800-222-1222 www.poison.org
There are 55 poison centers in the United States of America. Your call will be routed to the center that
serves you, based on your area code and exchange.
Poison Centres Elsewhere
If you live outside of Canada and the USA then source out your local Poison control Centre.
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Essential Oil Chemistry
When choosing the essential oils I am going to work with for any project, I do believe it is important to
consider my choices from a number of different angles. Knowing the History and Folklore of the plant
can be insightful. Traditional Uses for the plant, its various extracts and essential oil and how other
practitioners have used the essential oil, will give me another layer of information. Understanding the
chemical profile of the essential oil will highlight the possible properties and cautions that are
associated with that oil. Of course there are a few more things I will want to consider before coming
up with my final synergy. After all I am not interested in creating or using ‘generic blends’. While
Marguerita Maury was still interested in the medical application of essential oils, her added interest in
the cosmetic and holistic application of essential oils, shifted the focus from ‘pathology’ alone into a
more holistic approach. Even in the strictly medical approach, the introduction of the concept of
‘terrain’ had its impact. Pénoël reinforced the importance of the ‘terrain’ in clinical practice.
Understanding the chemistry of an essential oil, or essential oil synergy, will certainly point to the
possible properties, actions and cautions associated with that oil or synergy. It may not give the whole
picture but it is a good place to start.
The work to determine the polarity of each chemical constituent was begun by L.C. Vincent and J. Mars
and then continued by P. Franchomme. As mentioned in the timeline, Franchomme was largely
responsible for the functional group hypothesis. This was an attempt to explain and predict the
physiological and biological activities of essential oils. The hypothesis was based on an
electrochemical experiment, where chemical constituents of essential oils were sprayed between
electromagnetic plates. The grid charts the reaction of essential oils and their chemical constituents to
electricity and water. Molecules of essential oils are sprayed between two electric plates, one plate is
positively charged and the other plate is negatively charged. The grid shows that esters, aliphatic
aldehydes and ketones are drawn towards the positive plate. This indicates that these chemical
families create negatively charged particles in water. The lactones, coumarins and sesquiterpenes stay
more neutral – not strongly attracted to either of the plates. This indicates that these chemical
families create mainly uncharged particles in water. The oxides, acids, aromatic aldehydes,
monoterpenes, alcohols, phenols and phenolic ethers are drawn towards the negative plate. This
indicates that these chemical families create positively charged particles in water. The grid also shows
the solubility of the molecules in water. The most soluble molecules are the acids and the least
soluble molecules are the sesquiterpenes.
 Nucleophilic – oils with the strongest tendency to give up an electron more readily. These oils
tend to have a calming, relaxing nature.
 Electrophilic – oils with the tendency to take up an electron more readily. These oils tend to
have a powerful, stimulating nature.
 Hydrophilic – Water loving – more dissolvable in water. Many of the hydrosols have a lot of
acids in them. Acids on the other hand don’t appear much in essential oils as they have a
more watery nature.
 Lipophilic – Fat loving – dissolves in fat.
 Quenching – has been well known in the perfume industry, where they turn it to their
advantage by adding quenching components to their perfumes to prevent skin irritations. For
instance they add d-limonene (a monoterpene) to oils like lemongrass (which have a lot of
aldehydes) to quench the skin irritating effect.
 Choosing oils whose Functional Groups are diagonally opposite one another on the grid, can
be helpful in balancing the blend.
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Biochemical Families Grid
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Biochemical Families
Monoterpenes
 Description: Hydrocarbons with 10 carbon and 16 hydrogen atoms; chain or ring structure;
names end in –ene; positive charge+++.
 Properties: Slightly analgesic; air antiseptic+++; antiviral; bactericidal; decongestant++;
expectorant++; stimulating+++; lymphatic tonic+++; good for skin hygiene; good for liver and
gall bladder.
 Precautions: Can be aggressive to mucous tissues; can cause dermal causticity. Internal use
should be kept to short periods in order to avoid renal toxicity.
Sesquiterpenes
 Description: Hydrocarbons with 15 carbon and 24 hydrogen atoms; chain or ring structure;
name usually ends in –ene; on the border between the two polarities.
 Properties: Anti-allergic qualities+++; slightly analgesic; anti-inflammatory++++; antifungal;
anti-spasmodic; antiseptic++; astringent; balancing; bactericidal++; calming; hypotensive;
relaxes cramps; immune stimulating++++; sedative+++.
 Precautions: Well tolerated.
Phenols
 Description: Phenols are formed when a hydroxyl group (an oxygen and hydrogen bonded
together) is joined to a benzene ring (the hydroxyl will attach itself to a carbon in the benzene
ring); name usually ends in –ol; positive charge+++
 Properties: Analgesic; anti-inflammatory; anti-infectious action++++; anti-parasitic++++;
strongly antiseptic; antispasmodic; antiviral; bactericidal++++; immunostimulant+++;
fungicide++++; general stimulant and tonic++++; warming.
 Precautions: Potentially toxic; skin irritant; never use pure or for long periods (no more than 5
days) can be very dermally caustic; possible hepatic toxicity if used for long durations.
Alcohols
 Description: Alcohols are formed when the hydroxyl group is attached to one of its carbons,
regardless whether it is in a ring or chain structure; names end in –ol; positive charge+++.
 Properties: Anti-allergenic; antifungal+++; anti-inflammatory; antiseptic; antiviral+++; strongly
bactericidal+++; balancing; decongestant; diuretic; immunostimulant+++; tonic; uplifting;
general tonic for the organism; neural tonic+++. Good for longer treatments and chronic
illnesses.
 Precautions: Very well supported by the system. Unlike the phenols show no evidence of
dermal or hepatic toxicity. The exception is menthol (in mint oils) which should be used with
care and not on children under 7.
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Sesquiterpenols
 Description: Sesquiterpenenols are formed when the hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon
in a sesquiterpene; name usually ends in –ol; positive charge+.
 Properties: Analgesic (slightly); antifungal; antiseptic; antispasmodic; astringent; balancing;
bactericidal; calming; immunomodulating++++; immunostimulating++++ (even in very small
doses); decongests and regenerates venous and lymphatic systems+++; estrogenic quality
(sclareol, nerolidol and viridiflorol) hormonal system regulators+++
 Precautions: Well tolerated, especially as they occur in small quantities in essential oils. Take
care with hormonal-dependent pathologies.
Aldehydes Aliphatic
 Description: Aldehydes consist of an oxygen atom double bonded to a carbon atom at the end
of the carbon chain. The fourth bond is always a hydrogen bond; name usually ends in –al;
negative charge++++.
 Properties: Local and primary anti-inflammatory action++++; antifungal++; antiseptic when
diffused atmospherically+++; antiviral++; calming to the nervous system+++; hypotensive;
regulate the psycho-neural-endocrine system++; temperature reducing.
 Precautions: Can be a skin irritant; skin tolerance depends very much on the particular
aldehyde (citronnellal is usually well supported whereas citral can be very irritating); possible
sensitizer.
Aldehydes Aromatic
 Description: Aldehydes consist of an oxygen atom double bonded to a carbon atom at the end
of the carbon chain. The fourth bond is always a hydrogen bond; Aromatic Aldehydes always
contain a benzene ring in their structure; name usually ends in –al; negative charge++++.
 Properties: Anti-infectious agent close to that of phenols++++; general stimulant+++.
 Precautions: Can be a skin irritant; skin tolerance depends very much on the particular
aldehyde (cinnamaldehyde is one of the most dermal caustic essential oils); possible sensitizer.
Ketones
 Description: Ketones have an oxygen atom double bonded to a carbon atom, but always on a
carbon atom that is bonded to two other carbon atoms; name usually ends in –one; negative
charge ++++.
 Properties: Analgesic; anticoagulant; antifungal; anti-inflammatory; antiviral especially on
herpes and neurotropic viruses+++; cooling; decongestant; emmenagogue; lipolytic++++;
mucolytic++++; parasiticide+++; scar tissue; sedative; stimulates secretions; wound healing
action on skin (anti-hematoma) and mucus membranes ++++.
 Precautions: Potentially neurotoxic; short term use only; low doses; great care must be taken
when using essential oils containing ketones. Neurotoxic effect that can be accumulated if
used over long periods of time. Abortive in high doses; properties of other oils can increase
with ketones.
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Acids
 Description: Acids in their free state are quite rare in essential oils as they are so soluble in
water; more or less neutral, slightly positive.
 Properties: Anti-inflammatory++++; deodorant; spasmolytic+++.
 Precautions: Well tolerated.
Esters
 Description: Esters will contain a carbon that has a double bond to one oxygen molecule and
a single bond to another oxygen molecule; name usually ends in –yl or –ate ; negative
charge++++.
 Properties: Anti-inflammatory at the primary phase of inflammation+++; neural and muscular
antispasmodic++++; balancing; calming; cell regenerating; effective with skin problems;
fungicidal; regulate cardiac rhythm and hypotensive action+++; sedative; uplifting; vulnerary.
 Precautions: Safe and gentle; very well tolerated by the skin and when used internally.
Lactones and Coumarins
 Description: A chemical compound is called a Lactone if it contains an ester group integrated
into a carbon ring system; Coumarins are a type of lactone; lactones and coumarins only exist
in small amounts in essential oils; Lactones occur mostly in expressed oils; negative charge++
 Properties: Lactones: Anticoagulant; anti-infectious++++; balancing; calming; decongestant;
hepatic stimulant+++; hypotensive; mucolytic and expectorant++++; sedative; reduces
temperature; increases sweating; uplifting; (Only trace elements in essential oils) Coumarins:
calming and sedative++++; anti-coagulant++++; hypotensive+++. (Only trace elements in
essential oils).
 Precautions: Lactones generally well tolerated; neurotoxic in large doses and can cause skin
sensitivity in some people; not recommended for pregnant and breast-feeding women and
young children: Coumarines phototoxic; pyro-coumarins are hepatotoxic in large doses.
Oxides
 Description: If an oxygen links two carbons and at the same time is a member of a ring
structure than it is called an Oxide. This is rare in essential oils with the exception of 1,8
cineole found in up to 27 essential oils; name ends in –ole; positive charge++++.
 Properties: Anti-coagulant; anti-parasite++; anti-viral+++; decongestant; diuretic; expectorant
and decongestant for the respiratory tract++++; immune stimulating; mucolytic; stimulant;
stimulate secretions especially from the pancreas.
 Precautions: Can be a skin irritant; generally well tolerated; use with caution with asthmatics
and children under 3 years of age.
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Ethers
 Description: If oxygen is not integrated into a ring structure but is linked between two
unconnected carbon chains the resulting molecule is called an Ether; positive charge ++.
 Properties: Antibacterial+++; anti-histaminic+++; general tonic+++; mentally stimulating;
spasmolytic++++.
 Precautions: Generally well tolerated externally except for people with sensitive skins; can
irritate skin; do not use in pregnant and breast-feeding women; can have a stupefying effect in
high doses.
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Actions of Aromatic Molecules
Properties
Biochemical Family
Anti-allergenic
Analgesic
Anti-bacterial
Sesquiterpenes+++; Alcohols
Monoterpenes (slightly); Sesquiterpenes (slightly); Phenols; Alcohols; Ketones
Monoterpenes+++; Sesquiterpenes++; Phenols++++; Alcohols+++; Sesquiterpenols;
Ethers+++
Ketones; Lactones; Coumarins++++; Oxides
Monoterpenes++; Sesquiterpenes; Phenols+++; Alcohols+++; Sesquiterpenols; Aliphatic
aldehydes; Ketones; esters
Phenols++++; Aromatic Aldehydes+++; Lactones++++
Sesquiterpenes++++; Phenols; Alcohols; Aliphatic Aldehydes++++; Ketones; Acids++++;
Esters+++
Ethers
Monoterpenes+; Phenols++++; Ketones+++; Oxides++
Sesquiterpenes++; Phenols: Alcohols: Sesquiterpenols
Monoterpenes+++; Aliphatic Aldehydes+++
Sesquiterpenes; Phenols; Sesquiterpenols; Acids; Esters++++; Ethers++++
Monoterpenes+++; Phenols++++; Alcohols+++; Aliphatic Aldehydes++; Ketones+++;
Oxides+++
Sesquiterpenes; Sesquiterpenols
Sesquiterpenes; Alcohols: Sesquiterpenols; Esters; Lactones
Sesquiterpenes; Sesquiterpenols; Aliphatic Aldehydes; Esters; Lactones; Coumarins
Ketones
Monoterpenes++; Alcohols; Ketones; Lactones; Oxides++++
Alcohols; Oxides
Monoterpenes++; Lactones++++; Oxides++++
Sesquiterpenols+++
Sesquiterpenols++++
Sesquiterpenes++++; Phenols+++; Alcohols+++; Sesquiterpenols++++
Ketones++++
Monoterpenes; Lactones+++
Monoterpenes+++; Sesquiterpenols+++
Ketones++++; Lactones; Oxides
Ketones; Esters
Sesquiterpenes+++; Ketones; Esters: Lactones: Coumarins++++
Monoterpenes
Monoterpenes+++; Ethers (mentally)
Phenols++++; Aromatic Aldehydes+++; Oxides
Ketones; Oxides (especially from the pancreas)
Lactones
Aliphatic Aldehydes; Lactones
Alcohols; Ethers
Lactones
Phenols
Ketones++++; Esters
Anti-coagulant
Anti-fungal
Anti-infectious
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-histamine
Anti-parasitic
Anti-septic
Anti-septic - Air
Anti-spasmodia
Anti-viral
Astringent
Balancing
Calming
Cooling
Decongestant
Diuretic
Expectorant
Hormone System Regulators
Immunomodulating
Immunostimulating
Lipolytic
Liver/Gall Bladder Support
Lymphatic Tonic
Mucolytic
Scar Tissue
Sedative
Skin Hygiene
Stimulating
Stimulant – General
Stimulates secreations
Sweating Increases
Temperature reducing
Tonic General
Uplifting
Warming
Wound Healing
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Blending by Chemistry
It is important to remember each essential oil is far more than just its chemical components, or its
dominant Biochemical Family. As we know essential oils are complex chemical compounds, and it is
that very complexity that makes them as versatile and profound as they are. The very interaction of
that oils individual chemical compounds can shape the oil far more than just it’s predominate chemical
components or Biochemical Families or Family. Some oils may be made up of a high percentage of one
Biochemical Family, while others have can have an almost even mix of two, three or more Biochemical
Families, and everything else in-between.
While formulating blends based on the individual chemistry of the essential oils, in order to come up
with a synergy that will have a specific pharmacological action, it is important to remember to also
look at the information and profile of the whole oil, before making your final decision. The chemistry
of the oil will give you a good starting point, while the profile of the whole oil will round that
information out in more detail.
Here are some examples of essential oils that have a high percentage of one or more of a particular
Biochemical Family. This is not a complete list but once again a starting place.
Biochemical Family
Monoterpenes
Sesquiterpenes
Phenols
Alcohols
Essential Oils with a high percentage
Black Pepper; Citrus oils; Conifer oils; Caraway seed; Marjoram sweet; Neroli;
Nutmeg; Rosemary; Savory; Tea Tree.
Black Pepper; Cedarwood (atlas); German Chamomile; Ginger; Myrrh;
Patchouli; Yarrow; Ylang Ylang.
Basil Sweet; Cinnamon; Clove Bud; Fennel; Oregano; Savory; Tarragon; Thyme
common;
Sweet Basil; Cedarwood (atlas); Coriander; Geranium; German Chamomile;
Lavandin; Lavender; Lavender spike; Marjoram; Myrrh; Neroli; Palmarosa;
Patchouli; Petitgrain; Rose; Rosewood; Tea Tree; Thyme ct. linalool.
Sesquiterpenols
Patchouli; Sandalwood; Vetiver.
Aldehyde Aliphatic
Lemon Eucalyptus; Lemongrass; Melissa.
Aldehyde Aromatic
Present only in smaller amounts.
Ketones
Camphor; Caraway; Dill; Hyssop; Peppermint; Rosemary; Rosemary ct
verbenone; Sage; Spearmint.
Acids
Only present in traces in essential oils. Present in hydrosols.
Esters
Benzoin; Bergamot; Roman Chamomile; Clary Sage; Jasmine; Lavandin;
Lavender; Petitgrain; Thyme ct. linalool.
Lactones/Coumarins
Present in small amounts in cold pressed citrus oils.
Oxides
Ethers
German Chamomile; Eucalyptus (E.globulus, E.smithii, E. radiate); Lavender
Spike; Niaouli; Ravintsara; Rosemary.
Only present in trace amounts in essential oils often combined with the
phenols.
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Caddy Chemistry
Rosemary Caddy BSc Hons., ARCS, MISPA, graduated from London University with a BSc Honours
Degree in Science. As a Reader and Principal Lecturer in Educational Research at Nottingham
University she was the author of a range of educational materials for students of many disciplines. She
is also a qualified clinical aromatherapist running her own clinic and carrying out a program of research
on the chemistry of essential oils. She has developed her Caddy Profiles as a colourful way of looking at
essential oils. Each functional group is assigned a specific colour and the Caddy Profile views the
essential oil profile as a colourful wheel. Each profile gives an instant visual of the oil’s composition by
showing the proportion of each of the chemical families present in that oils, as well as an
understanding of the properties and possible cautions those chemical families bring. The Caddy
Chemistry Home Study Course offered by the West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy is based on her
work and if you are interested in learning more about the chemistry this might be a viable option for
you. http://www.westcoastaromatherapy.com/aromatherapy-courses/chemistry-courses/
Biochemical Families Grid Lavender vs Caddy Colour Wheel Lavender.
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Terrain
According to The Medical Dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
Terrain (n): the fertile ground for all function (i.e. physical, mental, social and
environmental) of a human being; the environment in which disease may develop.
The concept of terrain originated in France. The word has several uses, however in a medical
connotation it has been used to describe the conditions of the internal cellular environment as a key to
the overall health.
Claude Bernard, a French physiologist proposed that life in multicellular organisms flourishes because
of the relative constancy of the ‘le milieu interieur’ or ‘the internal environment, the interstitial fluid’.
In 1932 Walter B Cannon was the first to describe this internal state of relative constancy as
homeostasis.
The terrain is your biochemical reality, your individual physiologic internal environment and is a
reflection of health. It is not a static state as it is constantly changing and adapting to internal and
external influences. Terrain is characterised by its adaptability and reacts with the subtle biochemical
changes that are taking place all the time.
According to Gérard Guéniot, who taught French homeopathy, the terrain of a human being is made
up of three things:
1. What is inherited (i.e. what he came with)
2. The individual’s personal history (i.e. nutrition, personal events and intoxifications)
3. What suppressive medical therapies he has had (i.e. vaccination, antibiotic therapy or other
ongoing drug treatment)
…terrain is a personal history. It is not simply our parents that gave us our
terrain, but it is our story, everything that happened to us in this life and
perhaps in other lives. It is what we bring as personal baggage, our memory.
Gérard Guéniot
Homeostasis
Homeostasis it the tendency of the body to seek and maintain a
condition of balance or equilibrium within its internal
environment, even when faced with external changes.
Choosing the most appropriate essential oils and methods of
application will help to support both the terrain and
maintenance of homeostasis in the body.
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Useful Measurements
Due to the fact that dropper sizes on essential oil bottles may vary quite considerably these are only
approximate measurements to give you a rule of thumb guide when working with small amounts of
essential oils. When using larger amounts and blending in larger quantities it would be much more
accurate to measure your oils out with a calibrated measuring cylinder or pipette.
These dilutions are based on the rule of thumb that there are 20 drops in 1ml
These dilutions are based on the rule of thumb that there are 30 drops in 1ml
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Methods of Application
There is a time and a place for all the different methods of application, however there are a few things
we should keep in mind:
 It is not appropriate to use all essential oils, in all the methods of application. Always check
the cautions for the oils you are considering to make sure that it is appropriate to use them in
that way.
 The more intense your proposed method of application is, the shorter the time span this
method of application should be used for. More intense methods of application will also often
require shorter treatment durations, and be applied less frequently.
 When formulating your synergy and deciding on your method of application, always try to:
o Use the lowest possible effective dilution for your purpose and use the synergy for the
shortest possible timeframe.
o Higher concentrations are reserved for acute conditions and should be used over a
short space of time. Lower concentrations are for chronic conditions and can be used
over a longer timeframe.
o Always monitor your results.
o If you are getting results see if you can get the same results with a lower dilution or
with less frequent applications.
o If you are not getting results review your synergy and protocol and see if anything
needs to be changed.
o Also make changes as the situation changes. This may mean that you change one or
more of the following: the synergy, the dilution rate of the synergy, the frequency of
application, the duration of application or the method of application.
Daniel Pénoël speaks of Regular Aromatic Care, the daily use of essential oils for general health and
well-being, and Emergency Aromatic Care, which would be the use of essential oils in a ‘first aid type’
response.
He also includes the category of Intensive Aromatic Care when there is a need for a repeated strong
aromatic application over time. He says that this need arises typically in two types of situations:
a) A sudden and severe acute stage, usually a bacterial or viral infections, requiring a quick
counter-attack.
b) A long-standing chronic problem, for which the caregiver has decided to create an aromatic
shock designed to shake up the ‘torpor of life force’ and break a vicious cycle.
Intensive Aromatic Care usually requires the direction of a therapist trained in the tactics and
strategies of aromatic medicines and ideally difficult cases should be treated in Aromatic Care Centers.
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Pathways of Assimilation
Essential oil molecules will enter the body through four different pathways: The Respiratory Interface,
The Dermal Interface, the Digestive Interface and the Genitourinary Interface.
Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion
Irrespective of how the essential oil components are absorbed into the bloodstream, once they are
there they will be transported around the body. Essential oils are lipophilic and are carried to all
organs of the body including the brain. According to Sue Clarke in her book Essential Chemistry for
Safe Aromatherapy:
“It is believed that an essential oil does not stay in the circulation for a long period of time.
Initially it goes to areas of high blood flow such as skeletal muscle and kidney. Eventually it
may become absorbed into the fat (adipose) tissue. The blood flow to the liver is also high, and
the liver itself holds a large volume of blood. The liver is often referred to as ‘the chemical
factory’ of the body and has an important role for regulating the amounts of substances in the
blood, along with a large number of other reactions, including detoxification. Different
components of essential oils will have differing biochemical properties and reactions affecting
certain tissues and organs. Substances produced after being involved in the chemical reactions
of the body (metabolism) are lost by the process of excretion. Materials that pass through the
body without being chemically changed are lost by elimination. The time any drug or
substances stays in the body will vary from chemical to chemical. A quantitative measure of
this is called the biological half-life, the time taken for the drug concentration in the blood to
decrease to half its initial value. This is influenced by a number of factors, including
transportation and metabolism of the drug by the body and its rate of elimination. Both drugs
and essential oils are excreted through the kidneys in urine, exhaled by the lungs, secreted
through the skin or passed out in the faeces. The rate of elimination of a substance from the
body is proportional to its concentration in the bloodstream. It has been shown that most
essential oils, and their breakdown products, are eliminated and excreted through the kidneys,
with smaller amounts breathed out from the lungs. The skin and faeces account for the least
loss.”
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Pathways of Assimilation Map
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The Respiratory Interface
When breathing in essential oils, their components pass over the nasal mucosa and into the lungs. All
along this route there is an opportunity for the molecule to pass through the mucous membrane into
the system and absorption is immediate. In addition to entering the body via the blood stream, the
lipophilic nature of essential oils enhances their chances of being absorbed directly into the lipid rich
tissues of the brain and nervous system. The nasal mucosa is the only location in the body where
there is a direct connection between the Central Nervous System and the external environment.
Inhalation provides three possible routes for the essential oil components to enter the body: across
the olfactory neurons; through the supporting cells of the mucosa and surrounding capillary bed;
directly into the cerebrospinal fluid.
By simple virtue of the nature of essential oils, all methods of application will to some degree include
the inhalation of essential oil molecules.
You would use essential oils via the Respiratory Interface in order to treat or prevent upper and lower
respiratory tract conditions. The essential oil molecules are immediately absorbed into the respiratory
system and are able to help bring relief to that system. It is an excellent way to both deodorize and
disinfect the atmosphere.
Using the oils via this interface has the advantage of being easy to administer, and is generally very
enjoyable. It can bring rapid relief to the respiratory system and is an effect way of preventing the
development of germs in the environment.
It has the disadvantage that not all essential oils can be used, and that people’s aroma preferences can
be quite different and unique to the individual. It is generally contraindicated for those who are
asthmatic or those with respiratory allergies.
When creating your formula it is important to consider the aroma. It needs to be pleasant to those
who will be smelling it. For this method of application you want to ensure that you include oils that
have a good volatility and are discernable in the air. It is best to avoid the more caustic oils.
There are a number of different ways to use essential oils that fall under the heading inhalation.
These would include:
 Steam inhalations.
 Humidifies.
 A drop of essential oil or blend on a tissue/Q- tip/handkerchief, cotton wool ball or pillowcase.
 Essential oils added to a sauna’s heat source.
 Aroma lamps and diffusers.
 Essential oils added to the bath can be classified under both essential oils used on the skin and
inhalation.
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Inhalation methods carry the least amount of risk. However, while Inhalation presents a very low level
of risk for most people, there are occasions when prolonged exposure to relatively high levels of
undiluted essential oil vapors could lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea and lethargy.
These symptoms will generally clear when one removes the source and is able to breathe in fresh air.
Drinking water helps too.
People who suffer from asthma should avoid using essential oils in steam inhalations as this could
irritate the passages and trigger an attack.
Diffusers
Whether you use a vaporizer, diffuser, aroma lamp, perfume
lantern, electric diffuser, nebulizer, or simply a bowl with hot
water, liberating the essential oil molecules into the air is a
great way to protect and change the environment. In addition
to eliminating any unpleasant odours, they can revitalize the air
you are breathing. Most essential oils have antiseptic
properties which is an added advantage. If you need to keep
germs at bay to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, add
essential oils with strong anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.
Dosage & Method: this will depend on the diffusing method that you are using, as well as the size of
your room. Some use water, some don’t. Generally 1 – 10 drops is recommended.
Caution: Don’t have nebulizers and diffusers running all the time. 15 – 30 minutes followed by a
period of rest is usually enough time.
Use this method of application for: environmental air purification, natural fragrancing, healing the
respiratory tract and regulating and balancing moods and emotions.
Personal Inhalers
These fit nicely into your pocket and can be used as needed.
Dosage & Method: Add 10 – 15 drops to the cotton wick.
Use this method of application for: Personal blends created for
emotional concerns; Synergies to help with respiratory conditions.
Cautions: Generally safe to use provided the correct oils are chosen.
If you don’t have a personal inhaler that you can use, a drop or two on a tissue, cotton ball, or hanky
can be used instead.
Inhalations
Steam inhalation is an effective way to breathe in warm vapour saturated with essential oil molecules.
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Dosage & Method: Fill bowl with hot water add 2 – 3 drops of your essential oil or essential oil
synergy. Cover head with a towel and breathe in.
Use this method of application for: mainly respiratory and pulmonary infections, although some
migraines and headaches may also benefit.
Cautions: Don’t use this method with asthmatics.
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The Dermal Interface
The skin is a living organ with complex structural and biological functions.
The major physical barrier to topical products and transdermal delivery is the stratum corneum of the
skin, the horny layer of the epidermis that protects the lower layers from hostile external
environments, water loss and noxious physical, chemical and biological influences. The stratum
corneum directly influences the rate at which a substance can penetrate and be absorbed. If this
barrier is overcome it appears that the rest of the epidermal layers and the dermis don’t present much
of a physical barrier to most substances.
Once applied to the skin, the components in a topical formula partition between the carrier base and
the stratum corneum. The progress of these components will depend on their molecular size and their
ability to interact with the stratum corneum. Initially, in addition to acting as a barrier, the stratum
corneum will act as a potential reservoir and the components will be released slowly into the lower
layers. A topically applied product may be absorbed over a prolonged period of time and this is largely
dependent of the type of carrier used. Movement of substances through the stratum corneum has
two potential major routes: the Transcellular route, where substances cross the corneocytes and
intercellular spaces by diffusion; and the Intercellular route, where substances cross via the lipid
domain, permeating via the lipid bilayers and their pores. This second route is the most probable
route for the passage of essential oil components.
The presence of hair follicles and sebaceous glands can also serve as quick routes of entry, largely
bypassing the stratum corneum. Called the ‘shunt’ pathway it is not thought to have any major
significance as they only cover about 1% of the total surface area of the skin. On the other hand,
where there is a high density of hair and sebaceous glands, this shunt pathway becomes important.
The relative permeability of the skin on different parts of the body would be:
HIGH
Genitals
LOW
Skin Folds
Head (especially forehead & scalp)
Trunk
Limbs
Palms and Soles
Factors that will influence skin absorption include: heat; thickness of the stratum corneum; pH of the
applied substance; lipid solubility; other components of the product; dose applied; method of
application; integrity and health of the skin; ambient humidity; degree of blood flow in the dermis; site
of the application/surface area covered; molecular size; metabolism by skin flora; body temperature;
presence of hair, sweat glands; carrier it is applied in; occlusion; age of recipient; skin hydration;
general health of recipient.
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The type of carrier used in the formula will also influence the speed in which the substance will
penetrate the stratum corneum.
SLOW
FAST
Emulsions
Solutions
(oil/water) such as lotions
Suspensions and gels
Physical mixtures
wax based ointments
The choice of carrier (ointment, paste, cream, lotion, gel, etc.) needs to be adapted for the purpose of
the application. The carrier has three purposes:
1. To provide a means of carrying the essential oil to the skin for a specific effect.
2. To provide skin hydration and give an emollient effect.
3. To give a degree of protection from the environment to the injured areas in order to allow
rejuvenation of the skin.
You would use essential oils via the dermal interface in order to treat localized conditions, as well as
underlying muscles and organs. Once absorbed it will be able to achieve system penetration via the
blood and/or lymph. It is an excellent way to treat the terrain, and if you are using massage you will
have the added benefits of the psychophysiological effects of touch.
The advantages of using this method of application are that initially it will avoid the enterohepatic
circulation. Also the essential oil molecules will also have a longer retention time in the body. This
method of application allows for constant and prolonged plasma component levels to be maintained.
This is a method that is generally well tolerated and has little risk of toxicity.
The disadvantages of using this method of application are that high blood levels cannot be achieved;
there is a great risk of contact dermatitis and the rate of absorption is highly variable.
When you formulate for the dermal interface the carrier that you choose if very important. You will
also need to ensure that the formula will not irritate the skin and that the dose is appropriate for your
purpose. It is also always preferable to ensure that the aroma is pleasant to ensure that one wants to
use the final product.
The safe application of essential oils topically will depend on the specific oil and its components, as
well as the dosage, frequency and length of time used. Essential oils are volatile substances and some
of the essential oil synergy applied topically could evaporate off before any of the essential oil
components have an opportunity to enter into the bloodstream. The amount of time it takes for
essential oil components to be absorbed into the bloodstream will vary depending on the components,
however it is generally accepted that this will be slower for dermal applications than for oral
applications. The concentrations are also less likely to build up to high levels as the oil components are
being continually metabolized and removed from the body. Absorption only takes place once the
essential oil components enter the cutaneous capillaries and bloodstream.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Keep in mind:
 Essential oils should always be diluted before being used topically on the skin.
 Safe dilutions for topical application range from 1% to a maximum of 3%.
 Essential oils applied to the face, young children, the frail and elderly and pregnant women
should not exceed a 1% dilution.
 Dilutions for essential oils applied topically to a small problem area (tennis elbow, or a sprain),
for a short period of time, could go up to 5%.
 If you are using the blend on a chronic condition keep the dilution at 2 - 3%.
 When using essential oils on a regular or daily basis, it is generally considered to be a good idea
to regularly change the oils in the synergy that you are using on a regular basis
There are a number of factors that can increase the permeability of the skin:
 Damaged or diseased skin is more permeable than normal healthy skin.
 Temperature of the skin can be raised through exercise, warm hands of a therapist, warm bath
water, a warm room. A sauna or steam bath will raise the temperature of the skin, but there
will also be a period of time when the skin is eliminating and this would decrease the
permeability of the skin.
 When the skin has been soaked in water (e.g. in a bath) it will become more hydrated and
therefore more permeable.
 Soaps, detergents and solvents have been found to increase the skin’s permeability.
 Occlusion. If the skin is covered after application of the synergy, the area available for
evaporation is reduced and raises the possibility of the absorption of the essential oils in the
synergy.
When deciding on how frequently to use an essential oil or synergy of essential oils consider the
following:


Any safety precautions for the individual oils
How large an area of skin is to be covered. The larger the area of skin, the more opportunity
the components of the essential oils have to enter into the body; the lower the percentage
dilution of the synergy should be; and it should be used less frequently.
45
© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Massage
Essential oils that are applied topically in massage is a particularly beneficial and pleasant method of
application. The combination of the healing powers of touch and the healing powers of the essential
oils is extremely effective. Applied in this way the essential oils are available to be slowly absorbed by
the body in a relaxing way.
A professional massage can help to relax and rejuvenate, ease stress and muscle aches and pains. It
soothes the nervous system, stimulates blood and lymph circulation, relaxes muscles, diminishes
swelling and just feels great.
Massaging yourself on a regular basis, is a great way to apply your essential oil synergies, good for your
skin, it relaxes the muscles and works out tension knots.
Creating a unique essential oil synergy for yourself, or the person receiving the massage, takes the
whole experience to a whole new level.
Essential oils and essential oil synergies applied in the form of massage are generally diluted to a 1 –
5% dilution. The dilution percentage chosen will very much depend on: the focus of your synergy; the
essential oils chosen; how much of the body is being covered; and the health and focus of the person
receiving the massage.
As a rule of thumb essential oils are diluted as follows:
 Face massage at 1 % or less
 According to Tisserand and Young in Essential Oils Safety 2nd Edition, recommended dilutions
of essential oils applied in massage: Children Up to 3 months at 0.1 to 0.2%: 3 to 24 months at
0.25 to 0.5%; 2 to 6 years at 1 to 2%; 6 to 15 years 1.5 to 3 %; 15 years and over at 2.5% to 5%.
The do also recommend that the percentage dilution for a Full Body massage should not be
more than 3%.
 Most aromatherapists will blend a 2 – 3% dilution for a full body massage.
 They will increase the percentage dilution for a problem area of up to 5% but generally that is
not applied over the full body but rather reserved for problem areas.
 A vegetable carrier oil is usually the medium within which the essential oil synergy is diluted
and then used for topical application.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Cathy Skipper suggests that the dilutions used in massage should vary depending on the essential oils
being used, the pathology being addressed and the individual themselves. Her guideline for dilutions
are:
 Less than 3% for sensitive mucous membranes and nasal solutions
 Between 2 to 5% dilutions for an action on the nervous system
 7% for an action on the venous and lymphatic systems
 10% for an action on tendons, muscles, articulations etc.
Any potentially dermal caustic essential oils, such as those having higher concentrations of phenols
and aldehydes, should form NO MORE THAN 20% of the Total Essential Oil Blend, before it is diluted
again in a carrier.
To address a local, non-systemic action, an anti-parasitic action, worms etc. dilutions of up to 30%
may be appropriate.
She is also clear in saying: These dilutions are reserved for use in clinical aromatherapy and not
intended for cosmetic use. Preparations for cosmetic use are destined to be used daily, over long
periods and so should therefore not exceed a 1% concentration.
General Topical Application
Problem areas can be handled effectively by diluting your essential oils in the most effective carriers.
When deciding which one to use, consider how quickly you need the essential oils to get into the
system. For pain relief in a specific area, adding your synergy to a gel carrier will deliver the essential
oils to their target in a more rapid way than when you dilute them in a vegetable oil.
Compresses
Compresses are a great way to help relieve both chronic and acute conditions. They can help to
relieve pain and reduce inflammation and swelling.
Hot compresses will relax the muscles, reduce stiffness and
ease aches and pains. Their warmth will help to dilate the
blood vessels and increase circulation to the area being
treated. You can use hot compresses for chronic conditions,
abscesses, backaches, chills, earaches, toothaches, as well as
arthritis and rheumatism.
Cold compresses help to reduce swelling and inflammation. They will cause the blood vessels to
contract and this decreases circulation to the area treated. You can use cold compresses for acute
conditions and fevers, headaches, inflamed and swollen conditions, and as a first aid for sprains and
other joint injuries.
 Fill your bowl with water, (warm for arthritic pain, Fibrositis, lower back pain etc. cold for
sprains, headache or a cooling effect), add 4 – 6 drops of your essential oil or blend.
 Wipe cloth over the surface of the water, wring out any excess and then apply to the required
area. Repeat as the cloth changes temperature.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
 Hot and cold compresses may also be used alternately when there is a flare up of
inflammation and swelling in joints. Repeat cycle of hot, then cold two to three time, each
compress should be applied for 2 — 3 minutes. Always end with a cold compress.
You could also consider using the right hydrosol for your compress.
Body Wraps
In addition to hydrotherapy, Sebastian Kneipp, was also well known
for his herbal wrap treatment. He used layers of hot, herbal-scented
towels to wrap his patients. This developed into quite a routine in
Spas in Europe, where a special wrap technique was perfected, often
using complex blends of essential oils, seaweed extracts, floral and
mineral waters and herbs. They may also have an exercise program
and a specific eating plan attached.
While doing this at home will never be that complicated, an
Aromatic Body Warp can be another relaxing way to apply essential
oils to the skin and allow them to slowly absorb through it while you are relaxing.
You will need a large plastic or vinyl waterproof sheet; a blanket; a large beach towel and a 250 – 360
ml (8 – 12 ounces) spray bottle.
Fill the spray bottle with hot water and add 10 – 15 drops of your essential oil synergy. It is also
helpful to add a dispersant as this will help to emulsify the blend into the water better.
Lay the blanket out, place the plastic sheet on top of the blanket and your towel on top of the plastic
sheet. Shake your bottle well and spray the mixture on the towel. Shake often to make sure the water
and essential oils mix. Now lie, face up, on the towel and wrap it around your body, then wrap the
plastic around the towel, this will keep the moisture in and finally wrap the blanket around you to
keep in the warmth. You could even consider adding a hot water bottle or a heating pad under the
blanket to help keep it warm as the water can cool quite quickly. Close your eyes and relax for around
30 – 60 minutes.
Aromatic wraps help to encourage your body to detoxify by increasing perspiration, stimulating
circulation and promoting lymphatic drainage. After you are done, remember to drink lots of water
over the next 24 hours.
The essential oil blend you use would be customized according to your needs: for detoxifying or anticellulite, for relaxation, or to bring balance to the body.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Frictions
According to Nelly Grosjean, Aromatherapy from Provence:
A friction with essential oils harmonizes, re-balances, tones, relaxes and re-assures: it is our
protection just as the fragrance of a flower is its protective envelope.
A friction with essential oil brings a new energy to our body, which is continuously being
depleted by life’s battles. You will appreciate a friction morning or evening, on the solar plexus,
nape of the neck, spine and soles of the feet.
Protection, harmony, vitality, regeneration.
The following is based on her recommendations.
General Precautions:
 Avoid mucous membranes and genitalia.
 Never use frictions on infants 6 months or younger.
 There are very few essential oils that can be used undiluted on the skin.
 Not everyone’s skin reacts to essential oils in the same way.
 When mixing up your frictions don’t mix more than 3 oils together.
 Make up your bottle of friction oil at a 50% dilution or less.
 According to Nelly Grosjean frictions are used in small regular doses and the treatment period
lasts 3 – 6 weeks.
[Personally I am very sensitive to the effects of essential oils and I blend all essential oils for my
frictions. While the 50% dilutions is considered a place to start, I generally don’t use more than a
5 – 10% dilution for myself. As with all methods of use with essential oils it is always important
to monitor and assess the situation. Also always keeping in mind what your focus is and
whether or not you are achieving your purpose.]
Friction Dosage
 Body frictions – 30 drops
 Stomach and abdomen frictions – 10 to 20 drops.
 Pain frictions – 4 to 10 drops.
 Leg frictions – 10 to 20 drops.
 Foot frictions – 10 drops.
 Hair frictions – 50 to 100 drops.
 Face frictions – 5 to 7 drops.
 Chest and back frictions.
 For children all frictions should be well mixed with an identical amount of carrier, like sweet
almond or olive oil.
When to use the Frictions.
Morning tonics – in the morning between 6 am and noon.
Evening relaxation – in the evening between 6 pm and midnight.
Aphrodisiac – in the evening between 5 pm and going to bed.
Circulatory – At 10 am, 5 pm and before going to bed.
Digestive – after meals.
Respiratory and pain relief – morning and evening.
Feet – morning and evening.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
How to apply Frictions.
Method 1
1. Put the drops of your chosen blend in your hand.
2. Rub your hands together, then spread this on the area to be treated, massaging and rubbing in
a clockwise direction.
Method 2
1. Put the drops of the chosen blend on the area to be treated.
2. Spread the blend on the area and massage and rub in a clockwise direction.
Where to use Frictions.
 On the chest, neck, spine, arms, legs, soles of the feet and solar plexus as a tonic, relaxant and
aphrodisiac.
 On the chest, neck, back and solar plexus for the respiratory system.
 On the stomach, abdomen and solar plexus for the digestive system.
 Any painful area and solar plexus as an analgesic.
 Feet, legs up to the hips for the circulatory system.
 Feet only for foot conditions.
 Scalp for hair care.
 Face only for facial care.
 Feet, scalp and face are considered to be more of a cosmetic application.
Daniel Pénoël has slightly different recommendations for frictions.
 In the morning, for invigoration: After your shower, drop 5 drops of your undiluted synergy
into the palm of your hand and spread them quickly onto the chest and extremities, while the
skin is still warm. If you prefer, these 5 drops could also be applied to the soles of the feet
instead.
 In the evening, for relaxation: dilute 2 to 3 drops of your relaxation synergy in 15 ml of a good
vegetable carrier oil and apply this to the body in a relaxing massage starting at the occipital
processes and going down the cervical vertebrae and out to the shoulders.
Once again the proper care in choosing which oils are going to be added to your synergy are
important.
THE WAY TO HEALTH IS TO
HAVE AN AROMATIC BATH AND
SCENTED MASSAGE EVERY DAY.
Hippocrates
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy will affect both the dermal and the respiratory interfaces.
The origin of Hydrotherapy, as a medical tool, is usually traced back to Germany where in 1826,
Vincent Priessnitz opened the Hydropathic Institute of Gräfenberg, offering all kinds of therapeutic
water treatments. Some sources, however, suggest that two English books on the medical uses of
water had been translated into German in the century preceding the rise of the movement under
Priessnitz. One of these was by Sir John Floyer, a physician of Lichfield, who, struck by the remedial use
of certain springs by the neighboring peasantry, investigated the history of cold bathing and published
a book on the subject in 1702. The other work was a 1797 publication by Dr James Currie of Liverpool
on the use of hot and cold water in the treatment of fever and other illness, with a fourth edition
published in 1805, not long before his death.
Sebastian Kneipp, who is often associated with hydrotherapy, used fresh water treatments to restore
his own health in the 1850’s. This led to his doctrine of health known as the Kneipp Kur, which is still
practiced and studied today. Hydropathy (as it was then known) was introduced into the United States
in 1843.
Today hydrotherapy (literally meaning water treatment) can be found as a staple of many spas, and it
continues to be a viable tool for healing and the maintenance of health. It can often be enhanced by
adding essential oils.
Hydrotherapy can be as simple as using hot and/or cold baths or showers at home, to more
sophisticated protocols in a spa or therapy practice.
Valerie Gennarie Cooksley, in her book Healing Home Spa tells us that: “By manipulating
temperatures and using various techniques, hydrotherapy can stimulate every organ in the
body. It can help equalize blood circulation, increase muscle tone and nerve strength, improve
digestion, alleviate congestion, stimulate perspiration glands, and aid in the elimination of
toxins and waste via the skin.”
Anne Roebuck, in her book, Aroma-Spa Therapy, says that: “All hydrotherapy treatments have
an effect on the hypothalamus, as it is the body’s heat regulation center. The hypothalamus
therefore responds to any stimulus that increases or decreases the body’s temperature, by
maintaining homeostasis in the body.”
In order to get the desired effect, accurate water temperature is therefore very important.
According to Valerie Gennarie Cooksley; it is generally not advisable to use water therapy
within one hour of eating and it should be discontinued if one feels discomfort, extreme skin
sensitivity, faintness, headache, nausea, shivering or palpitations.
According to Anne Roebuck; Contraindications to hot water treatments include circulatory
impairment, especially arterial disease, hemophilia and use of steroid medications, because of
capillary fragility.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Temperature
Duration
Healing Action
Conditions
Cautions
Hot
36.5 - 40 C
98 - 104 F
2 - 20
minutes
A rise in the temperature of the
skin leads to an increase in the
metabolic rate. This increases the
demand for oxygen and the
production of carbon dioxide,
resulting in increased respiration.
Vasodilation can improve the
skin's condition as extra nutrients
and oxygen are supplied by the
increase of blood. The warmth of
the water helps relieve pain by
reducing the sensitivity of the
sensory nerve endings. Muscle
spasms are reduced and relaxation
occurs. Sweat and sebaceous
glands become increasingly active,
which helps reduce the
discomforting fluid retention
which can occur during caffeine or
alcohol withdrawal.
A rest period following heat
treatment is important.
Rejuvenating; cooling; antiinflammatory
Arthritis;
Muscle spasms
Only use with
professional
supervision.
Not
recommended
for those with
abnormal blood
pressure, heart
problems, the
elderly or
obese.
Heart rate can
increase by as
much as four
times the
normal rate the
first 5 minutes
and will then
normalize.
Follow with cool
water.
Neutral to
Warm
33 - 36.5 C
92 - 98 F
Tepid
27 - 33 C
80 - 92 F
15 - 20
minutes
20 - 60
minutes
Cool
18 - 27
65 - 80 F
Several
minutes or
less
Cold
13 - 18 C
55 - 65 F
Several
seconds or
less
Cold water applications to the skin
produces 2 responses:
Vasoconstriction of the skin and
the subsequent increase of blood
flow to the internal organs.
Shivering occurs stimulating the
hypothalamus to cause a release
of thyroxine, which increases the
body's metabolism and heat
production. The respiratory rate
increases as does the blood
pressure. Pain, if present, is
decreased.
Derivation, occurs 5 - 8 minutes
later. This occurs as the
hypothalamus now responds to
the cold and reverses the reaction.
The blood flow to the skin
increases, bringing more oxygen
and nutrients to the area and
causing the muscles to relax and
the skin to become warm.
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Insomnia;
circulation
problems; pain;
toxic build up;
Hyperactivity;
Stress;
irritability
Inflammatory
conditions such
as hives, itching,
sunburn,
swellings and
rashes
Debilitation;
sluggishness;
fatigue; fever
Acute joint
pain; bursitis;
sprains; and
other first aid
treatment
None known
Use for short
duration only.
Do not allow
yourself to
become chilled
or
uncomfortable
Only use with
professional
supervision.
Not
recommended
for those with
abnormal blood
pressure, heart
problems, the
elderly or
obese.
Some Essential Oils
Suggestions
Calming and
Relaxing
Chamomile, Roman
Lavender
Neroli
Petitgrain
Rose
Vetiver
Improve circulation
Black pepper
Cypress
Geranium
Ginger
Juniper
Lemon Grass
Rosemary
Muscles/joints
Cajeput
Chamomile, Roman
Clary Sage
Lemon
Juniper
Rosemary
Helps Detoxification
Carrot seed
Cypress
Ginger
Juniper
Lemon
Rosemary
Tea Tree
Sinuses/Respiration
Eucalyptus
Lavender
Lemon
Pine
Tea Tree
Skin Tonic
Chamomile, Roman
Geranium
Neroli
Rose
© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Baths
Water has a wonderful way of cleansing the body and the spirit.
Relaxing in a warm bath with just the right essential oil blend is
healing and rejuvenating on all levels.
Dosage & Method: Fill the bath with warm water. Create your
essential oil synergy. Dilute it in a dispersant and swirl in the
bath to mix.
For a regular relaxing or energizing bath add 3 – 8 drops of your
essential oil synergy.
For those times where you need a more therapeutic result
Cathy Skipper recommends adding 30 drops to a tepid bath.
Spend no more than 20 minutes in the bath.
Use for: relaxing, rejuvenating, energizing; or as a therapeutic bath for skin complaints, respiratory
complaints.
Cautions: Before adding the essential oils to the bath first add your drops to some sort of a dispersant,
whether it is an emulsifier, milk or vegetable oil, you want to ensure that your essential oils will mix
through the water and not just sit in a layer on top of the bath. Usually 1 – 2 teaspoons is all that you
need. Choose your essential oils wisely keeping in mind any that have a caution around sensitive
mucous membranes.
Sitz Baths
Dosage & Method: Fill a hip bath, or basin large enough to sit in with the lower portion of the body
covered to hip level with warm water. Add 5 – 7 drops of your essential oil blend (diluted in a
dispersant) and soak for 10 – 15 minutes.
Use for: relieving congestion, pain and spasms that occur in the pelvic area. They can help with
ailments of the lower abdominal area, the intestinal tract, the reproductive organs and the urinary
tract.
need. Choose your essential oils wisely keeping in mind any that have a caution around sensitive
mucous membranes.
Foot Baths
Dosage & Method: Fill a basin with warm water and add 1 - 6 drops of your essential oil or essential
oil synergy, diluted in a dispersant. For children only use 1 – 2 drops. Use hot, warm or cold water
depending on the condition you are addressing. Soak the feet for 10 – 15 minutes.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Use for: Tired, aching, feet, to improve circulation, and diminish the
discomfort of a variety of non-foot-related ailments such as colds
and flu, cramps, insomnia, low blood pressure, poor circulation,
respiratory problems, scant or late periods and sinusitis. A cold foot
bath can be very reviving on a hot day.
Cautions: Before adding the essential oils to the bath first add your
drops to some sort of a dispersant, whether it is an emulsifier, milk
or vegetable oil, you want to ensure that your essential oils will mix
through the water and not just sit in a layer on top of the bath.
Usually 1 – 2 teaspoons is all that you need.
Hand Baths
Dosage & Method: Fill a basin with warm water and add 1 - 3 drops of your essential oil or essential
oil synergy, diluted in a dispersant. For children only use 1 drop. Use hot, warm or cold water
depending on the condition you are addressing. Soak the feet for 10 – 15 minutes.
Use for: specific problems affecting the hands, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, dermatitis, dry or
chapped skin, fingernail fungus, rheumatism, tension or tired hands. Cool hand baths can help
alleviate hot flashes, reduce fever, calm hyperactivity and revive the body and mind from fatigue.
Warm hand baths can warm a chill, relax a racing mind and reduce symptoms of PMS.
need.
Showers
Dosage & Method: Add 1 – 2 drops of your essential oil or essential oil synergy onto the shower floor
and inhale as you shower.
Use for: emotional reasons, rejuvenating, reinvigorating or relaxing.
Cautions: Generally safe to use.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
The Digestive Interface
The internal application of essential oils is the method of application that carries the most risk. In this
method of application, nothing is lost in evaporation, nothing is stopped from entering into the body
through the barrier of the skin. Therefore it is the method in which 100% of the essential oil and its
active ingredients actually make their way into the body. It should be noted that almost all recorded
cases of serious poisoning by essential oils have occurred through oral self-dosing of, sometimes even
small quantities, of undiluted essential oil. This pathway includes all possible routes from the mouth
to the anus.
Internal Applications
Reminder:
 This is the method of application that carries the most risks.
 It is a method that should be used seldom and only with a very specific focus in mind.
 Not all essential oils are suitable for this method of application and great care should be taken
in deciding on the essential oils to be used, the protocol of use and the duration.
 This method of application should only be used when really needed, it is not an application
that one uses on a regular daily basis, after all we don’t take anti-biotics every day, only when
we need them.
 The internal use of essential oils can be beneficial for dealing with infections; digestive
problems; urinary system infections (when a rapid action is required) and for stimulating the
body’s own natural defences to stop infection in its tracks.
 As this is an aggressive course of action the protocol duration should be short, usually no more
than 1 week.
 While it very much depends on what is being addressed in these methods of application, often
just a few applications is all that is needed.
According to Cathy Skipper’s recommendations a standard internal dose of essential oils for an adult is
based on 1 drop per 10 kilograms (or 22 lbs) of weight. As an example someone who weighs 60 kgs
(132 lbs) should not exceed 6 drops per day Total (2 drops taken 3 times a day).
Cathy Skipper’s Checklist
 Do not exceed 12 drops per day
 Only use essential oils internally for adults and children over the age of six.
 Avoid using essential oils internally with people suffering from stomach ulcers and
gastroesophageal reflux.
 Essential oils high in phenols are best delivered in a capsule that has been filled with a good
vegetable oil carrier and 1 – 2 drops added to the capsule (depending on the dosage required
for that individual)
 Avoid blending too many essential oils in your synergy 3 – 5 is enough.
 A pleasant smelling oils does not necessarily taste good.
 In the majority of cases, due to synergy and complementary action, a blend of essential oils
allows one to reduce the quantity.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
 The choice of dosage depends on the person’s weight, general health, state of eliminatory
functions (pre-existing renal or hepatic pathologies) and age (children and elderly people’s
organisms are more fragile in reaction to different substances).
 Do not forget that children are not half portions so it is not enough to divide the dose in two.
It is estimated that the skin and eliminatory functions reach maturity by the age of 12.
 For the young and elderly, gentle essential oils in progressive doses, preferably applied
externally are recommended, diffusions are ideal.
Dosages
These should be decided in relation to specific protocols. If herbal teas are being taken at the same
time it is possible to reduce the dose of the essential oils too.
Three measuring units are used with essential oils: the drop, millimeter (ml) and grams (g) / milligrams
(mg). Because of the difference in density of different oils, the most precise measurement is the gram
however this is not always the most practical way to go. Using the number of drops is easier but even
then not all drops are equal.
Cathy Skipper uses the formula of 30 drops being equal to 1 ml.
When using essential oils internally, there is always a risk of irritating the mucous membranes, so
always dilute them.
Oral Ingestion
While the oral route may be one of the easiest and most convenient methods of administration, it is
also the most complex and the interface that has the greatest number of physical and metabolic
barriers to the essential oil before it can reach the systemic circulation. When any substance, including
essential oils, is given orally, there is a highly variable degree of absorption as the substance is
subjected to a number of ‘first pass’ metabolisms including:




The action of gastric juices and intestinal enzymes.
Bacterial activity in the intestinal lumen.
Phase one and Phase two enzymes in the intestinal wall.
The actions of the liver, as all absorbed substances are transported there directly from the gut.
Once a substance is absorbed across the gastrointestinal tract, and before it can reach the systemic
circulation, it first has to enter the liver, which it does via the portal vein. This is why the risk of
hepatic overload and toxicity is the highest with this method of application.
It is believed that most of the essential oil components will be absorbed in the small intestine, while a
smaller amount of the components will be absorbed via the stomach. If it is required that the
components be absorbed lower in the bowl, then it becomes necessary for them to be encapsulated
and enteric coated, or the dose could be given rectally.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Oral preparations can be given in several forms and the bioavailability of the essential oil successively
decreases with each of the following:
HIGH
Solutions
e.g. Solubol
LOW
Suspensions
e.g. honey or gels
Capsules
mixed with inert powder
or vegetable oil
Tablets if swallowed
charcoal tablets
“In most cases the absorption from an oral solution is rapid and complete when compared with
absorption from other forms of oral administration. Essential oils are given in solution form by mixing
them with a purposely manufactured excipient such as Solubol or Dispersant BIO soy lecithin.
Suspensions can be achieved by mixing essential oils into honey or specially formulated oral gels.
Gastric tolerance is an important factor to consider when taking essential oils internally. Most oral
applications are taken with or after food as this slows the rate of absorption and provides added
gastric protection.” Rhiannon Lewis, Navigating the Highways of Essential Oil Application and
Absorption Workshop Notes.
You would use essential oils orally in order to treat acute conditions such as infections. It can also be
used to treat local conditions of the digestive tract (mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach). Oils
taken in this way will also influence the digestive process. As the essential oils are easily absorbed into
the blood stream through this method of application, one can achieve rapid blood levels. This is also a
method of application that can address liver and urinary disorders.
The advantages of this method of application is that it is portable and can be easy to take, with no
storage difficulties. It is a good rout for acute and/or deep pathologies. It is a good route of
administration for digestive disorder and for those who cannot tolerate respiratory or dermal routes.
This method of application is more specific for physiological complaints rather than psychological ones.
The disadvantages are that it does carry some danger of acute or chronic toxicity. Essential oils are
potent and not all of them taste good, so it can be somewhat unpalatable. It may also cause burping,
hiccups or gastric intolerance. It is largely subjected to the first pass effect by the liver. The dose can
lead to ‘highs and lows’ in blood levels and the delivery of the dose will depend on the intestinal
transit.
When creating your blend for oral use, it is important to ensure that the formula is safe for mucus
membranes and unless you are going to encapsulate the blend, taste is also important. Dosage is very
important and you should use for as short a period of time as possible. Acute conditions can often be
dealt with within 1 week and while chronic conditions may take longer it is advisable to ensure that
there are breaks. Two weeks on and one week off is often the standard protocol.
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WCIA
There are a number of different way in which you can take an oral dose including:






Added to a solution that is a dispersant eg Solubol.
Added to a suspension like 1 tablespoon of honey, or syrup, or a gel.
Mixed with an inert powder like silica or with vegetable oil and added to a capsule.
Dropped onto a tablet.
Nelly Grosjean suggests that the simplest method would be to place 1 drop of essential oil on
the back of your hand a lick it off. She also says you might need to follow it up with a spoonful
of honey or yoghurt to ‘get rid of the taste’.
Added to Gummy Candy or Chocolate.
Remember:
For Children: using hydrosols is a much better choice.
For Infants: NEVER use any essential oils internally.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Gummy Recipe
Ingredients:
½ cup freshly squeezed lemon, lime or orange juice
3 Tablespoons gelatin
Optional: sweeten to taste (honey around 1 Tablespoon, stevia etc.)
Method:
1. Whisk all the ingredients in a small sauce pan.
2. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly until the gelatin is completely dissolved. (I have a small
crockpot and I used that instead)
3. Put the mold on a cookie sheet as it makes it easier to move without spilling once it is filled.
4. If you know how many molds your mixture will fill you can add the appropriate number of
drops to your recipe now. My mixture, which I made with orange juice and no sweetener,
filled 73 gummy molds. I could add my 73 drops of essential oil synergy at this stage or I could
add 1 drop of the synergy into each mold once they have been filled.
5. Pour the mixture into the molds.
6. If you are adding the 1 drop of essential oil or essential oil synergy to each little mold now I
find using a pipette is easier to use and more accurate than the bottle’s dropper insert.
7. Allow the gummies to set by placing the molds on a flat surface in the freezer, fridge or on the
counter. The freezer is the quickest option and will take between 10 – 20 minutes.
8. Remove the gummies from the molds and store in the fridge in an airtight container. They will
last about two weeks, although the texture becomes firmer over time.
As each gummy has one drop of essential oil or essential oil synergy, taking the correct dose is simple
based on taking 1 gummy per 10 kilograms (or 22 lbs) of weight in three doses over the day. Your 60
kg person would take 2 gummies 3 times a day.
Keep in mind that the taste of your essential oil blend will affect the taste of your gummies.
Chocolates
Another method that occurs to me for taking the essential oils orally is in chocolate, perhaps because I
love chocolate so much.
Simply melt your chocolate (this can be done in a double boiler, but once again my preference is to use
my small crockpot. If you know how many chocolates your chocolate will make you can add your
essential oils now and mix into the mixture well, then pour it into the silicone molds as you would for
the gummies. Or you could pour your chocolates into your mold and then add your 1 drop of essential
oil to each chocolate and allow to harden in the fridge. I found that 270gm of my chocolate chips filled
my chocolate mold that made 15 chocolates.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Rectal Administration
Rectal administration provides rapid absorption of many substances but it can be incomplete, irregular
and variable in its uptake. In aromatic medicine, this route is quite commonly used as an adjunct to
other application methods.
The rectum has a rich vascular supply that serves to distribute substances systemically. Absorption
takes place via two routes. Via the superior rectal veins, high up in the rectum, that drain directly to
the liver, via the inferior mesenteric vein and portal vein, and are subject to the hepatic filter. The
middle and inferior rectal veins, in the lower part of the rectum, that drain into the inferior vena cavae
via the internal and common iliac veins and are not subject to the ‘first pass’ effect in the liver. The
two main methods of rectal administration are suppositories and enemas. With suppositories being
the easier to administer.
Use essential oils via the rectal interface in order to achieve rapid systemic absorption. It can also be
effective in treating local problems such as hemorrhoids and other disorders of the pelvic region. It is
often used as an adjunct to treatment of respiratory disorders.
The advantages of this method of application is that it is possible to give a larger dose than one can
orally. It is a way to get good systemic distribution. It partly bypasses the hepatic filter and it avoids
gastric rejection. Suppositories are easy to prepare and provide prolonged absorption. It may be a
possibility for those who are unable, or unwilling to take essential oils orally.
The disadvantages of this method is that you are restricted in some of the oils you can use (like those
high in phenols) because of possible irritation. It is another method that one needs to be respectful of
the dose as there is the possibility of overdosing if you are not careful. Suppositories are not
acceptable by all cultures and there is also the possibility of the body rejecting and eliminating them
before absorption of the essential oil molecules. They can also leak and stain clothing.
When formulating for this method of application, remember to respect the dosage and ensure that the
essential oils are always diluted. Also avoid any oils that could irritate the mucous membranes. It is
often helpful to include anti-inflammatory infused oils in the suppository.
When the rectal area has trauma, unless the synergy is being used for a local area, this method of
application should not be used. Use oils that are high in phenols very cautiously and ensure that if you
do need to use them they should be accompanied by other oils in the synergy and should never
exceed more than 15% of the total essential oil formula. It is also best to avoid this method of
application of if the immune system is severely suppressed.
Method of Application
Fully insert the suppository into the rectum, preferably after defecation, then hold for as long as
possible. As leakage is possible, the use of a protective pad is recommended. The dose for
suppositories is 2 drops of essential oil per day for no more than 4 – 5 days. Once again the fewer the
applications you can achieve your results with the better. Just before going to bed at night is a good
time to insert the suppository.
Remember: Don’t use with children.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Recipe for Suppositories
(Yield approximately 10 suppositories)
Ingredients:
20 grams cocoa butter
10 ml vegetable carrier oil
Method:
1. Add the cocoa butter and vegetable oil to a double boiler.
2. Heat gently until the cocoa butter has melted and the combination is liquid.
3. Add your essential oil drops to the liquid stirring well to mix them through the mixture well.
Approximately 20 drops for 10 suppositories.
4. Pour into the molds.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Vaginal Administration
It is possible to treat genitourinary disorders using the vagina as an interface of absorption. When this
route is used it is always for a local effect rather than a systemic one.
The vaginal veins form a rich plexus that drains into the internal iliac veins and then the inferior vena
cavae. Therefore the hepatic filter is bypassed. The vaginal mucosa is more sensitive than that of the
rectum, therefore great care needs to be taken in the selection of appropriate essential oils. Methods
of application could include pessaries, douches and tampons.
While this is not a method of application that is used that frequently it can be used to treat local
complaints of the vagina and genital tract. It can also be a supplement treatment for disorders in the
pelvic region such as cystitis.
The advantages of this method of application is that it is a direct local application and impact local
tissues. It can also be soothing and bring relief to itching and dryness.
The disadvantages are that it can be message, it may not be easy to apply and there is the possibility of
leaking. In addition the vaginal mucosa and perineum are highly sensitive.
When formulating for the vaginal interface it is important to avoid any mucus membrane irritating oils,
respect the dosage, and always to use the blend well diluted. Remember that it is only used for local
effect.
Should one require an oil that contains phenols it is important that this should not exceed more than
10 % of the total essential oil formula. Once again including an anti-inflammatory infused oil like
Calendula officinalis in your base may be helpful in avoiding irritation.
Methods of Use
There are a number of possible methods of application once can consider for this interface.



Suppositories, often called pessaries. They can be made the same way as rectal suppositories
however there is a greater chance of problems with leakage here.
Vaginal douches. These can incorporate an aqueous medium (hydrosols, water or herbal
infusions with essential oils and other agents such as cider vinegar or yoghurt. It is essential to
ensure that if essential oils are used that they are well dispersed in a suitable excipient to
avoid irritation. The preparation is inserted into the vagina and held for up to 15 minutes
while lying supine. Do not use more than a 5% dilution of essential oils. Remember use a
lower dilution first, often a 1% dilution is all that is needed.
Tampons can be imbibed with essential oils that have been diluted in a base vegetable oil at
not more than a 10% dilution. Once again use as low a dilution as possible and 1% may be
enough. The tampon should not be inserted for longer than 6 hours.
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
An Exercise in Blending by Chemistry
Here are some ideas to consider when blending based on the chemistry. I am not going to give you
any exact formulations as I do believe that there never is just one right blend for anything, or anyone.
Also keep in mind that there are a number of other factors to take into consideration when creating
your blend including: who the blend will be used by; what the state of their general health is like; what
is their age; what are their aroma preference; how will the blend be used etc. etc.
For my example I am going to use something that a lot of us have to face when the seasons change
and colds and flus start popping up all over.
As the old saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure’, so you would start by getting your diffuser
going with a great air antiseptic blend to clean the air and give germs less of a chance to incubate, and
you might also consider adding something to boost everyone’s immune system.
63
© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
If you check the chart, Actions of Aromatic Molecules:
Under Air Antiseptic Properties you will find Monoterpenes and Aliphatic Aldehydes.
Under Immunostimulating Properties you will find Sesquiterpenes, Phenols, Alcohols and
Sesquiterpenols.
Let us say you choose Lemon (Monoterpenes 87%),
Ginger (Sesquiterpenes 55%, Monoterpenes 20%) and
Lavender (Alcohols 36% & Esters 45%) for your diffuser
blend, blended in proportions to suit your aromatic
preferences. Blended in equal proportions here is a
Caddy Colour Profile of the blend.
But now, let us say that despite your best efforts, someone in
the family is sick. Now you need to change your blend. Let
us say you need something with decongestant and mucolytic
properties like oxides. You could simply change out the
regular lavender in your blend for Spike Lavender (about
34% oxides, and 32% alcohols).
But perhaps you feel that you need something stronger to fight
the infection so you might consider removing the lemon and
adding some phenols to the synergy. If you do Sweet Basil
might be a good choice as it contains both Phenols 25% and
Alcohols 50%. But of course there are lots of other choices
too.
If there are children in the home you might need a gentler
blend and consider using an oil like German Chamomile which
has 35% Sesquiterpenes, 20% Alcohols and 35% Oxides.
As you can see there are lots of choice and it can be fun to
figure it out. Keeping an eye on the chemistry is a good way to
make sure your physiological blend will do what you need it to
do and be safe for all who will use it.
64
© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Suppliers
You may be able to source fillable capsules and suppository molds from your local Health Food Store.
You may also be able to source a good dispersant from your essential oil supplier.
I have found that Aliksir, an essential oil company based in Quebec is my one stop shopping for these
products. While the do have an English version of their site, if something you need is only on a French
page, you can always use the translate page option in your browser to find what you are looking for.
http://www.aliksir.com/
Gelatin Capsules
Suppository Molds
Dispersant
65
© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Certificate of Completion
If you would like to receive a Certificate of Completion simply follow the link to take the test on line.
https://www.westcoastaromatherapy.com/workshops/aromatic-medicine-test/
This page is password protected and the password is: Oxides
On successful completion of the test you will receive a link to print off your Certificate.
66
© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA
Bibliography
Books:
E. Joy Bowles, The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils
Rosemary Caddy, Aromatherapy Essential Oils in Colour
Sue Clarke, Essential Chemistry for Safe Aromatherapy
Valerie Gennari Cooksley, Aromatherapy, A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils
Franchomme & Pénoël, l’aromathérapie exactement
Nelly Grosjean, Aromatherapy from Provence
Marcel Lavabre, Aromatherapy Workbook
Julia Lawless, Complete Illustrated Guide to Aromatherapy
Maria Lis-Balchin, Aromatherapy Science, A Guide for Healthcare Professionals
Daniel Pénoël, Natural Home Health Care using Essential Oils
Jennifer Peace Rhind, Essential Oils a Handbook for Aromatherapy Practice
Kurt Schnaubelt, The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils
Kurt Schnaubelt, Medical Aromatherapy
Kurt Schnaubelt, Advanced Aromatherapy
Tisserand and Young, Essential Oil Safety 2nd Edition
Roberta Wilson, Aromatherapy
Valerie Ann Worwood, The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy
Workshops:
Essential Oil Resource Consultants – Bob and Rhiannon (Harris) Lewis, Navigating the
Highways of Essential Oil Application and Absorption – Maximizing Therapeutic Effectiveness.
Essential Oil Resource Consultants – Bob and Rhiannon (Harris) Lewis, Supporting the Terrain
Cathy Skipper, Aromatic Medicine
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© Beverley Hawkins
WCIA

Aromatic Medicine - West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy

Transcription

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