Essential oils are strong concentrations of distilled plant compounds.
safety is essential
Some oils are photo-toxic in the sun and some can be skin irritants. Very few oils can be applied to the skin undiluted.
It is also important to be aware of issues regarding using oils with pets or children. For example, all essential oils are toxic to cats and some oils are not recommended for use with children. Those with nut allergies should use caution when using some base/carrier oils.
When using essential oils, remember that “less is more.” You do not need a lot of essential oil to get a therapeutic result, and using too much may have an opposite or undesired effect.
For a very comprehensive review of the composition of all essential oils and essential oil safety, please check out Robert Tisserand’s book Essential Oil Safety.
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