Yes of course essential oils are wonderful, remarkable natural resources with great therapeutic value, free from unwanted secondary effects and pro-biotic in their support for life's processes. Yet if used inappropriately will still give some nasty surprises and accidents. The greatest hazards presented by essential oils are due to the following:
Substitutions and adulterations - organic or inorganic chemicals added to an essential oil either inadvertently during extraction procedures, or intentionally to alter, falsify, extend or enhance the essential oil for financial gain.
Ignorance of the biochemical properties and characteristics of an essential oil.
Miscalculation of quantities, proportions and frequencies of essential oil dosage.
Inappropriate administration of essential oils regarding routes of application and suitable methods for the individual's 'terrain', constitution and condition.
Regardless of the nature of essential oil chosen or the route of application, each response will differ based on the 'terrain' of the individual recipient. Briefly, this is a concept which defines the constitution or general predisposition of an individual - the unique variables that are present in specific proportions - genetically, physiologically, psychologically, environmentally, behaviorally, socially, racially etc., etc. The specific strengths and weaknesses which manifest through this unique mix of variables are directly responsible for the levels of mindbody health the individual will experience. An illness will either develop or not, depending upon the terrain, much as seeds or weeds will grow or not, depending upon the condition of the soil. So the individual's interaction with ordinarily user-friendly essential oils may very well prove hazardous. Great care should be taken in the selection of suitable essential oils together with their channels of application, and to reduce the normal dosage by at least half for the very young, the elderly, infirm, debilitated, pregnant women or anyone with lowered thresholds and increased sensitivity.
Because of their chemical compositions and highly concentrated form, the majority of essential oils should not be used undiluted onto the skin or mucus membranes, especially those containing phenols. Phenolic essential oils are also highly likely to irritate if used in a diffuser. However, pure essential oils of true lavender (Lavandula officinalis or Lavandula vera), Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), ravensara (Ravensara aromatica) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) are generally considered suitable for 'neat' and undiluted application to the skin.
Fragrant candles have become very popular recently and I smiled to see them being presented on TV with the same advertising hype as perfumes. If the aromatics used are indeed pure essential oils and not synthetics, then scented candles can provide healthful, ambient fragrancing. Please be aware however, that your candle labeled gardenia, carnation, violet, lilac, vanilla, musk, tuberose etc., etc., is probably made with synthetic fragrances, since even if these exotic extracts were available in essential oil form on the world market, they'd be incredibly expensive and unlikely to be sold at Bed Bath and Beyond. In addition, there'd be absolutely no point in wasting such precious aromatics in a candle, because by burning them you destroy the precise molecular structures and delicate aroma. Ceramic light bulb rings are also pretty much a no-no- for therapeutic use, since there's no way to control the level of heat - and light bulbs get very hot - so the aromatic molecules will be completely zapped and destroyed very quickly
No comments:
Post a Comment