Aromatherapy toxicity

Aromatherapy uses a variety of fragrant plant oils to treat mood or physical problems either topically (as an adjunct to massage) or through inhalation. Some of these oils are quite potent, and if not used in proper dilution, they may cause skin irritation or contact allergy. Toxic ingestions are also possible. 

Guba R (2000) Toxicity myths essential oils and their carcinogenic potential. In Essential Oils and Cancer. Proceedings of the 4th Wholistic Aromatherapy Conference, San Francisco... 

There is a vogue for many scientifically nonqualified aromatherapists to practice clinical aromatherapy, in which they prescribe the internal usage of essential oils. Internal prescribing involves oral, rectal, and vaginal intake however, the use of tampons soaked in various potentially toxic essential oils, such as the various tea tree oils, with variable biological potential could have a possible harmful effect on the delicate internal mucosal membranes. The possibility of misdiagnosis of a urogenital condition by medically unqualified aromatherapists or by the patients themselves could also result in serious consequences. 

The safety of essential oils is always an important issue. They are potent chemicals and should be handled correctly. Their properties, toxicity and contraindications are addressed in a number of sources and textbooks that highlight safety issues in a systematic and responsible way. Safety is always under review and findings are published and disseminated. There have been scare stories in the media and there are individuals whose raison d etre is to highlight the dangers of essential oils. They emphasize hazardous properties and concerns about certain components. There are essential oils that are best avoided but the vast majority of those used for aromatherapy have a good safety record. 

A GC analysis is shown in Chapter 5 (Fig. 5.2). The oil is non-toxic, nonirritant and generally non-sensitizing, but there is a chance of contact dermatitis with sensitive individuals. It has many uses in cosmetics, fragrances and flavourings. In aromatherapy it has been attributed beneficial effects in a variety of conditions including menstrual disorders, and as an anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antiseptic, antidepressant, calmative and balancing for the endocrine system. 

Rosa damascena is considered to be one of the safest choices of aromatherapy oil as it is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing. 

Do not confuse sweet almond with bitter almond (Prunus amygdalus var umu. a). The essential oil is extracted by steam distillation after maceration of pressed nuts. A major component is benzaldehyde (95%), which is moderately toxic. Hydrocyanic acid is also formed, which is poisonous. It is not suitable for aromatherapy but is used in the food industry. 

Aromatherapy is a highly popular form of complementary medicine usually entailing the application of essential plant oils to the skin by gentle massage. It has been shown to have relaxing effects but other claims have not been substantiated by reliable trial evidence (121). Allergic airborne contact dermatitis occurred in a patient who had previously used several essential oils for aromatherapy (122). The toxicity of essential oils has been reviewed (123). 

Pure peppermint essential oil In research, peppermint oil has been shown to provide a quick boost of energy when inhaled. Put a few drops of the oil on a handkerchief and inhale, or add a few drops to an aromatherapy diffuser and breathe deeply. Make sure you re using pure peppermint essential oil and not "fragrance" oil, which is synthetic and usually contains toxic ingredients. 

There are three main therapies which rely on plant-based medicines, namely Aromatherapy, Homoeopathy and Herbalism. All three, because they are plant based, exemplify the green, natural image of alternative/ complementary medicine which has helped in making these techniques so popular and so acceptable. Equally the holistic approach of practitioners of these therapies, which embraces the whole person rather than seeing them as a set of symptoms or receptor-sites, has struck a sympathetic chord with patients disenchanted with the impersonal nature of high-tech modern medicine. Allied to this is a sometimes naive view that natural medicines are somehow free from the toxicities and side-effects of synthetic drugs. Chapter VIII shows just how erroneous such a view can be. 

Many essential oils are inherently toxic at very low concentrations due to very toxic components these are not normally used in aromatherapy. Many essential oils that are considered to be nontoxic can have a toxic effect on some people this can be influenced by previous sensitization to a given essential oil, a group of essential oils containing similar components, or some adulterant in the essential oil. It can also be influenced by the age of the person babies and young children are especially vulnerable and so are very old people. The influence of other medicaments, both conventional and herbal, is still in the preliminary stages of being studied. It is possible that these medicaments, and also probably household products, including perfumes and cosmetics, can influence the adverse reactions to essential oils. 

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