Safety First when Handling Aromatherapy Oils & Diffusers
Monday, August 22nd, 2011 Subscribe To Our Feed
Aromatherapy can be very beneficial for many people, but there are certain safety instructions people should follow when handling aromatherapy paraphernalia, such as essential oils. First when handling essential oils it is important to avoid contact with the skin, because it may cause irritation. It is important to wear latex gloves and protective glasses when handling essential oils. Essential oils should also never be applied directly to the skin. The oils must be diluted with carrier oil before being applied to the skin. They must be diluted with a good quality carrier oil such as jojoba, almond or olive oil, and should contain 3 percent of the essential oil and 97 percent carrier oils.
There are also some safety rules to remember when using diffusers and oil lamps. Diffusers and oil lamps need only 2-3 drops of essential oil to scent a room for several hours. The cup should be filled more than half way with clean water, than the drops of essential oil should be added. The candle should be lit in the burner after the oil is added. The oils may be highly flammable, so it is important to be careful when using an essential oil lamp. Essential oils should also be kept away from babies and children. Essential oils that are undiluted should not be used on babies up to three years old. The oils that are used on children should be used at a fraction of the usual concentration when being used on children. Oils should also be stored in high places that are unreachable by children.
Pouring essential oil directly into bath water without diluting them with a carrier oil is also not recommended. The use of undiluted oils in bath water can cause severe skin irritation. It is also important to never ingest essential oils that are intended for external use. Essential oils should not be taken internally, unless under the guidance of a professional, who has received the training for that specific mode of administration. Most professional aromatherapists are not trained in the internal ingestion of oils, so consumers should make sure they are fully qualified before getting that sort of treatment. Certain aromatherapy materials should also not be swallowed or added to recipes and beverages, unless the product is labeled as food grade material.
Aromatherapy paraphernalia should also be avoided during pregnancy. If a woman wants to receive aromatherapy during pregnancy, it is best that she seeks the advice of a physician. A doctor may approve the use of aromatherapy for certain pregnant women, but the therapy should only be used in the first trimester of pregnancy. The essential oils should only be used at 1 percent concentration, which is half of their normal strength. There are certain essential oils that should be avoided completely during pregnancy, which include Camphor (cinnamon camphora), rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis), Sage (Salvia officinalis), and Savin oil (Juniperus sabina).
It is also important to avoid phototoxic essential oils if you have a history of cancer. Aromatherapy paraphernalia should be stored away from heat and light sources. Many of the products used in aromathherapy are flammable, so they should never be put near a flame, fire, or a source of ignition. Ultraviolet light may also be harmful to essential oils as it may degrade them. Aromatherapy can be very helpful, but there are certain guidelines that consumers must follow to ensure the best experience. Following safety instructions can help consumers get the most from the aromatherapy. It is common for many people to skip the safety instructions, but when handling aromatherapy paraphernalia it is important to incorporate all of the safety guidelines into the treatment.
Technorati Tags: aromatherapy, aromatherapy oils, essential oil, Essential Oils
Related Tags: No Tags
Possible Related Posts
