There are over 100 types of essential oils. When selecting an essential oils for relaxation, de-stress, or as part of integrative or complementary medicine, ensure you consult a certified aromatherapist as there are some oils which may not benefit your underlying issues.

 

Some essential oils such as bitter almond, birch, boldo, buchu, cade, calamus, brown camphor, costus, elecampane, mugwort, mustard, pennyroyal, rue, sassafras, savory, tansy, thuja, wintergreen, wormseed, and wormwood are not to be used at any time as these are herbs that occasionally distilled into essential oils. As essential oils, they are considered toxic.

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Essential oils such as ajowan, allspice, anise, basil (holy- Tulsi), bay (Pimenta racemosa), birch, cassia, cinnamon, clove, garlic, fennel, onion, oregano, patchouli, ravensara bark, savory, tarragon, thyme, wintergreen and yarrow; are not to be used with anti-coagulant medications as these may inhibit blood clotting. Peppermint and eucalyptus increase skin absorption when used with 5-fluorouracil- an anti-cancer drugs

 

Anise, aniseed, basil (lemon), cassia, cinnamon bark, dill, fennel, fenugreek, geranium, lemongrass, lemon verbena, may chang, melissa, myrtle, tea tree (lemon scented- Leptospermum petersonii), turmeric, and star anise are not for use when taking diabetic medication (any oral use) 

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Birch, camphor, cedar- Western red ( or White cedar (Thuja occidentalis), eucalyptus, fennel, ho leaf, hyssop, spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia), pennyroyal, rosemary (camphor CT & verbenone CT), sage, tansy, thuja, wintergreen, and yarrow should not be used if you have epilepsy

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Camphor, hyssop, and sage and not recommend for those with high blood pressure, and essential oils such as black pepper, camphor, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, and spearmint are not recommended when using homeopathic remedies. 

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Juniper, parsley seed, cade, and wormseed should not be used for those suffering with a kidney disease

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Some essential oils such as black pepper, fennel, juniper, marjoram (lowers libido), and tarragon (Nutmeg-can be toxic if used in large amounts and can cause toxic symptoms such as nausea and tachycardia.) are not for long term use (not more than 10 days in a row) as some may find it too challenging for kidneys or moderately toxic

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Interested to find out which essential oil works best for you?  Book an appointment with Dr Christina today.

 

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* There is little published research on interactions between pharmaceutical drugs and essential oils. As with dietary supplements and herbs, it is important to discuss regular essential oil use with your healthcare provider, certified aromatherapist, and together provide a holistic based remedy. 

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