_edited.png)
Internal Use of Essential Oils
Internal use of essential oils has become more and more popular and often used by the untrained, adding to the mound of injury reports that are reported. If we avoid discussing the topic, sending our readers off with "do not ingest", or "consult a trained Clinical Aromatherapist, one trained in Aromatic medicine" or other directions or reason to avoid the discussion, then the curious mind will go elsewhere to find answers. Unfortunately, many times it’s the wrong answers on how to take on this application safely and effectively. This is usually what happens when seeking out answers from those untrained, whether it be through mlm companies or their reps, their friends or what can be found on the internet. Because of the controversy surrounding ingestion, people either ingest privately or they are very public about it, encouraging others to follow suite, with no knowledge of the chemistry of the good and bad components within essential oils. Most of what we hear and read about ingesting essential oils from the untrained is 90% of the time wrong, unsafe, and dangerous.
Wanting to learn internal use can be beneficial and adding oil to honey, syrup, jam or other safe substances can be quite effective. However, knowing which oils are safe to use internally, knowing the safest methods, knowing the clients health and possible interactions with medications, and having the knowledge to determine whether the ailment is an internal issue or external issue all play an important part in your decision to use oils internally. There are a few things you can do to minimize risk if you decide to take this on. And this is for everyone following because, let's face it, some will use internally, no matter what we say. So, let's roll.
When there are chemicals involved, whether produced by man or referring to "chemistry", there is always a risk IF the appropriate steps are not taken to protect yourself or others. As we now know, essential oils are by nature, made of chemical components. Although all components make up an oil, it's the major components that play the healing role and, dependent on the component, can actuate risk. And as we know, hazard comes with risk.
Dose-response analysis is gathered through research, analyzing how much is enough and how long is enough to be effective for a symptom or ailment. The complexity of steps to do this goes beyond my knowledge. However, even in research, it is known that to determine per an individual, it is based on ones’ genetics. Research gives us a “guide” to go by, but we must also analyze the oil/oils we decide to use as well as the individual it would be used on. Unless you have this training, you should never use essential oils on anyone other than yourself.
There are both harmful and protective therapeutic chemicals within oils. How harmful depends on the individual oil and the person. The “one shoe fits all” scenario does not apply. To avoid risk of a toxic reaction, you need the susceptibility of an individual. To understand the susceptibility, you need to know the age, body weight, health including those with chronic illnesses or any other health issues including pregnancy, blood pressure and medications related to the individual. Even hereditary traits can be taken into consideration.
The next step is to take each oil(s) chemical components and learn about them, in completion. You can obtain a Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry report upon purchase of your oils or learn about the various oils chemical makeup through educational books and/or classes. Some resources include
books and databases that list components, the therapeutic actions, safety concerns and in some cases, the molecular structure of the oil. Resources include Tisserand Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Ed., Sylla Sheppard-Hanger’s ‘The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual’ from Atlanta Institute of Aromatherapy and the Aromahead component database, https://components.aromahead.com. You can also learn about the individual components at https://PubChem.com.
Many components are mucous membrane irritants and whether delivered in the proper dosing vehicle or not, in the wrong vehicle (ex.: water) or in large doses, the essential oil can become “ow, what’s wrong with my mouth" or "tummy” instead of that good healing. Large doses bring risk of irritation to your gastric intestinal tract and mucous membrane irritation. Some oils/components can affect blood coagulation, some exert hypoglycemic effects, etc. Some have been known to exasperate asthma. Now that I am done with the “scare tactics”, a good many of essential oils are quite safe taken internally; done properly.
As advised, if you do not understand pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, I do not recommend internal use. Does that mean everyone who read that stopped and thought, “oh, well, let’s stop right now then”? Certainly not, which is why I wrote this document. I do not recommend internal use, not even to my clients. I am a Certified Aromatherapist. I took pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in college, trained in Anatomy and Physiology, and taught it. However, I am not trained in Aromatic Medicine. I am not a physician and if you choose to follow anything I put in this document, you do it at your own risk. I am not responsible for your actions.
If you insist on using oils internally and based on the information provided above regarding components, stick with oils that you have researched. It's imperative to know whether oils are non-toxic, non-irritating oils as well as a clear understanding of any safety information. That means staying away from irritant oils including but not limited to ones I see often which include Clove, Cinnamon, and Thyme . These come with a high risk and are often used incorrectly when used internally for digestive issues. Yet, there are so many essential oils without the irritants that are great for digestive issues.
Using digestive problems as a topic for internal use, let's look at the various possibilities that can be causative. This can vary from nauseous migraines or vertigo, gastritis, ulcer, stomach bug, IBS, and any of these can cause flatulence, nausea, pain, bloating and other symptoms. Oils considered safe can vary including Sweet Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Lavender Lavendula angustifolia, Frankincense Boswellia sacra and Frankincense Boswellia carterii.
You can use gelatin and enteric capsules, depending on the ailment, with the carrier of choice (as indicated above). You use these with carrier oils, honey and/or herbs. If you are treating an ailment such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) that occurs in the lower bowels, enteric capsules are needed to avoid the capsule dissolving before reaching the lower bowel. It’s in the lower bowels where the environment is pH 6.8 or above. The dose and duration depend on the ailment, who you are treating and the above concerns as discussed earlier, i.e., age, health, weight.
Do NOT use essential oils internally to treat children’s ailments. The safe and very effective choice for children is herbs and hydrosols. You can also choose to use infusions of herbs, tinctures, or syrups. Chamomile flowers are perfect for an infusion for the littles ones’ tummy. For otherwise healthy adults, it is suggested to use 2 to 4 drops of suggested essential oil/oils, in honey or other carrier 2 or 3 times a day. This suggestion can be found in Jean Valnet’s ‘The Practice of Aromatherapy. Pg. 102. Another method is as a vermifuge; 1 tablespoon of chopped plant per cup; boil and infuse for 10 minutes and drink first thing in the morning and a cupful half an hour before meals. As you see, it is unnecessary to use essential oils for each ailment or concern when the parent plant works quite well, especially with children. And this method can be used with other safe oils/herbs/flowers, such as Lavender.
Please keep in mind that ingestion is meant for chronic or acute internal symptoms/illnesses and not all internal symptoms require or need internal treatment.
For aches and pains, scrapes, scars, headaches, allergies, sleep assistance, depression, and other issues, treat topically or through diffusion.
As to specific dosage, a 00-gel cap holds about 0.75 ml. 2-4 drops of essential oil are sufficiently dispersed in a carrier. Some choose to mix in honey. Internal use should only be used short term. What defines short term? It depends on the ailment. I would suggest 1-2 days every 2 hours or 1 week every 4 hours, depending on the ailment. Remember, less is best. Choosing to use more than directed will not cure your ailment any faster and most likely will only bring you misery and waste your valuable essential oils. It’s been clearly stated that there is a time for internal use, and it is not every day, casual use. Internal application needs to be approached by someone that has experience and training. I know, I said it again, but I keep going.
Although I am giving “general adult use” suggestions, training is always a necessity with internal use. Why? Let’s say you are fighting the “infection” and symptoms but not treating the weak host.
Infection does not automatically follow the penetration of an organism by a microbe; the germ must locate a suitable breeding ground. A microbe (bacterium, virus, bug, germ) isn’t always the reason for being ill. A microbe finds an organism that is deficient and attacks. Although the microbe needs to be addressed, if we only treat the microbe and not find the root of the problem and bring homeostasis back, it defeats the purpose. The fact that a microbe has invaded an organism is not in itself sufficient for the infection to develop. The germ attacks when and where the right breeding ground is located.
Internal use should never be taken lightly and should always be approached with knowledge and caution. If this leaves you with more questions, please feel free to contact us.
References:
1. Clinical Aromatherapy, Jane Buckles
3. Tisserand and Young, EO Safety, 2nd Ed.
5. The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual, Sylla Sheppard-Hanger
8. The Practice of Aromatherapy, Dr. Jean Valnet
Comments