Choosing the right essential oil seems to be easy. Just identify your health concern, then find the right essential oil that has a therapeutic property that can help treat your symptoms. But selecting essential oil is more than that. Each of us has our own family medical history. Hence, it’s crucial to be familiar with them to properly identify which food, products, and oils are best for us to consume and which ones are best to avoid.
A lot of research and narratives written by different people testify about the effectiveness of essential oils. This in turn boosts our confidence in using aromatherapy to address mild to moderate health concerns. Despite that essential oils are considered natural, it is still important to remember that though they are derived from natural sources doesn’t mean they are all toxin-free. Moreover, it is useful to remember that any substance that we consume excessively may harm us instead of helping us. Knowing the compounds that our oil contains, using it moderately, and consuming the right amount are all important too.
Some realizations dawned on me after I bought a set of essential oils, and read some articles about the therapeutic effects and risks of using a particular essential oil, I realized that I can’t overlook the risk just because it has been proven to be effective in treating some illnesses. I prefer to weigh the pros and cons when using essential oils. Of course, if there is a better alternative that is both safe and effective, then I would opt to use that. Hence, although there are essential oils that I like because they are known to have potent therapeutic properties, doesn’t mean I would prefer to keep them as staples in my aromatherapy oil collection.
Each one of us has reasons why we choose or do not select certain essential oils. I have listed mine below which you might find to be relatable and might probably want to include in your list of considerations as well. Scroll down to see my top five considerations when choosing an essential oil:
1. Carcinogenic
Although some essential oils have anti-cancer properties some are carcinogenic. If you or your family have a cancer history, any carcinogenic substance is a no-no to you. Familiarizing yourself with the essential oils that are best for cancer patients, can trigger cancer, or have drug interactions is helpful. Knowing what your preferred essential oil contains will help you to keep yourself and the people you know who are suffering from cancer safe. It’s better to be cautious than careless, after all, the reason why we use essential oil is for wellness and not to put anyone at risk.
2. Immune booster and autoimmune disease
When we hear the term “immune booster” we usually think it’s a positive thing. We know taking any products that can strengthen our immune system. is good because it can help us fight or prevent diseases. However, this may not be the case for those people who have autoimmune diseases. This may trigger the attack of their cells on normal cells. To understand the immune disease better, I used the description I found on Hopkin’s Medicine website. It says there that autoimmune disease is a condition that happens when your “body’s natural defense system can’t tell the difference between your cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly attack normal cells.”
3. Phototoxic
Some essential oils are phototoxic, particularly citrusy ones. Therefore it is advisable to avoid using essential oils that are known to be sun sensitive a few hours before going out. This does not mean you cannot use them at all. If they are not allergens to you then you can still use them by following the standard essential oil safety guidelines. Know when is the right time and place to use them. If you are staying indoors, then feel free to use them.
How to identify if your essential oil is phototoxic? Simple. If you’ve seen redness on your skin, you have blisters, or experience itchiness or burning sensation when you stay under the sun after using an essential oil, then most probably it is sun sensitive.
4. Allergic reaction
To ensure safety, well-experienced aromatherapists and essential oil experts recommend doing a patch test before applying essential oils to your skin. Most of the time we are not aware of the substances that can trigger our allergies. Oftentimes we’ll just find it out when the allergies have already occurred. In some instances, we can’t figure it out at all. Since it is difficult to identify, it is best to always do a patch test if you are using essential oil for the first time.
5. Kid-friendly
Even though I don’t have kids yet, I always think about whether a particular product is safe for kids or not. Grown-ups have stronger immune systems than kids hence we are better at recovering and fighting against certain diseases. Kids need milder essential oils hence it is important to be careful about the essential oils we would use, as well as the amount we would give to them. I like kid-friendly essential oils because I have this notion that if it is safe for kids to use them, then chances are it is also safe for adults to use them.
The list I’ve written above is not exhaustive. Your consideration for choosing the right essential oil depends on you and your family’s medical history, as well as the life season you are in. If you are pregnant then it’s best to learn more about the appropriate essential oils to use for pregnant women, You can also find the right diffused blends for childbirth and baby care. On the other hand, if you have a special condition such as epilepsy attacks or nerve problems then it’s best to know how different essential oils can trigger or worsen your condition and which essential oils are safe for you to use.
Stay safe and well
References:
- What Are Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease? https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/what-are-common-symptoms-of-autoimmune-disease%3famp=true
- What You Need to Know About Allergic Reaction to Essential Oils. https://www.healthline.com/health/essential-oil-allergic-reaction#symptoms
Ciele 