| The essential oils listed below, when used in moderation according to the dosage chart will not pose any problems or cause harm. If skin irritations occur simply discontinue use.
The benefits cited below are for information only. Please consult a qualified doctor, aromatherapist or holistic health practitioner before using essential oils.
Caring for Essential Oils
- keep essential oils in a dark place out of direct sunlight or any direct source of heat
- extend the shelf life by keeping them in the fridge
- avoid touching the essential oils dropper to the skin, as this can cause a build-up of bacteria, causing the oil to become less potent as well as causing its scent to change
- some essential oils will get better with time, like most of the resinous oils (Benzoin, Myrrh, and Frankincense) and Patchouli and Sandalwood
- essential oils and essences do not go rancid like vegetable oils; they just lose their potency and can smell "off"
- citrus oils or essences are the first to lose their potency – if opened regularly they can lose their potency in 5-12 months
Pathways Into the Body
All pure essential oils must be diluted before use.
Essential oils are extremely beneficial because they are capable of penetrating into our bodies and help to “heal” or help specific conditions.
Olfaction or Inhalation (through the nose): Quickest method; warm air carries the molecules through our nostrils and sends a message to our central nervous systems via the limbic system (our primitive brains), the seat of out moods and emotions.
Skin: Essential oil molecules are extremely tiny and therefore able to penetrate the skin through the hair follicles, pores and sweat glands. They can reach the tiny blood capillaries and lymph, from where they are transported around the body by the circulatory system. The fastest absorption rate is though the feet.
How to Apply
Consult the table below for essential oil application guidelines.
| Baths |
Topical Application |
Diffusion |
Beauty Care |
- bath, hand & foot bath, salts
- see Escents Bath and Shower products
|
- creams, gels, skin care, massage, compress
- see Escents Hand and Body products
|
- Sonic Diffusers, Ultra Sonic Diffusers, Aroma Lamps, Plug-In Scent Balls, Car Diffusers, Ceramic or Glass Diffusers, handkerchief, tissue
- see Escents Home Fragrance products
|
- shampoo, conditioner, lotion, mask
- see Escents Skin Care and Wellness Collection
|
Potential Contraindications for 100% Pure Essential Oils
The potential contraindications below pertain only to Escents 100% pure essential oils. All scented (pre-blended) Escents products are all safe and non-toxic to both children and adults.
All essential oils are safe if diluted properly. Certain 100% pure oils are not recommended or should be used with caution. Read each oil's safety data sheet before use.
Epilepsy
| Avoid With Epilepsy |
Generally Safe |
avoid stimulating oils:
- sage
- sweet fennel
- hyssop
- eucalyptus
- rosemary
|
|
Blood Pressure
| Avoid With High Blood Pressure |
Avoid With Low Blood Pressure |
avoid oils that will increase circulation and adrenaline:
- rosemary
- peppermint
- hyssop
- thyme
- eucalyptus
- sage
|
avoid oils that are overly sedating:
- clary sage
- ylang ylang
- lavender in very high doses
|
Pregnancy
Essential oils can have enormous benefit for pregnant women, and as long as they are used according to each product's dosage chart can help women have a more pleasant pregnancy and delivery. Keep dosages down to 1% essential oils per dilution as per the dosage chart.
| Avoid During Pregnancy |
Generally Safe During Entire Pregnancy |
Generally Safe After First Trimester |
Generally Safe in Third Trimester / During Delivery |
- aniseed
- basil
- cinnamon
- fennel
- hyssop
- juniper
- marjoram
- myrrh
- nutmeg
- oregano
- parsley
- pennyroyal
- rosemary
- sage
- tagetes
|
- bergamot
- grapefruit
- lemon
- lime
- mandarin
- neroli
- palmarosa
- petitgrain
- rosewood
- sandalwood
- spearmint
- orange
- tea tree
- vetiver
- ylang ylang
|
- chamomile roman
- eucalyptus radiata
- ginger
- lavende
- jasmine
- rose (should not be used until ready to go into labour)
|
- cedarwood
- clary sage
- cypress
- peppermint
- pine
- rosemary
- spruce
|
Babies & Children Under 5 Years
Keep dosages to 1% essential oils per dilution or less. A 1% level of essential oil means that of the total volume of a product, only 1% of it is essential oil. In a 250 ml bottle of lotion, there is 2.5 ml of fragrance. Consult the Escents dosage chart.
| Avoid Giving to Babies & Children Under 5 Years |
- aniseed
- basil
- camphor
- cinnamon bark
- clove bud
- clove leaf
- eucalyptus radiate
- fennel
- hyssop
- juniper
- lemongrass
|
- marjoram
- nutmeg
- oregano
- parsley seed
- peppermint
- pennyroyal
- sage
- savory
- tagetes
- thyme
|
Disclaimer: Do not take any oils internally. Do not apply undiluted essential oils, or any other concentrated oils onto the skin. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and give children only the gentlest oils at extremely low doses. It is safest to consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children. |
