Essential oils are the living energetic essences of plant material – herbs, spices, seeds, rind,
bark, leaves, twigs, and flowers. True essential oils – those derived from natural sources –
have been scientifically proven to be anti-infectious, antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic,
anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and truly life-enhancing in every way.
Essential oils are also historically proven, having been used for thousands of years as beauty
treatments, in meditation and worship, for treating all manners of illness, to cleanse and
disinfect, and in general to improve the lives of people around the globe. Just as importantly,
when used properly, they do not have the toxic side-effects and dangers found with overthe-counter medications and prescription pharmaceuticals.
Essential oils are the oldest, and some of the most powerful, therapeutic agents ever known
to man. They have a millennium-long history of use in healing and wellness throughout
ancient times, right through to today’s modern world, and for many of the same reasons.
So whether you use essential oils to relax, for stress reduction, perhaps to calm an upset
stomach, relieve back pain, or even disinfect a cut, they are an indispensable part of your
medicine cabinet.
The truth is, essential oils are a safer and more effective alternative for natural wellness,
beauty, and in many cases to the use of toxic home cleaners and disinfectants, eliminating
the need for antibacterial products.
When you hold a bottle of Alexandria Brighton formulated Heart & Body Naturals essential
oil, you are holding the essence of Mother Nature in your hand. The infinite wisdom and
power of the plant kingdom is in that little bottle – and it brings with it an endless array of
health benefits, natural goodness, and amazing aromas.
Living an aromatic lifestyle is good for you, your children, your pets, and the earth.
GENERAL CAUTIONS
•Only purchase essential oils from a reputable company with documentation on purity.
Only use high-quality essential oils identified by the botanical name and giving the
chemical variety (ct. chemo-type) of the oil where appropriate.
For example, Thymus vulgaris is the botanical name for Thyme. There are two different
chemotypes of Thyme commonly sold. Thyme ct. thymol contains phenols and is an
irritant to the skin and large amounts are liver toxic, which makes it inappropriate for
children, the elderly, or those who have liver diseases. The other is Thyme ct. linalool
which is non-toxic, non-irritating, and is very useful for children.
The majority of Thyme ct. linalool in the marketplace today is a ‘nature-like’ product not
a pure, from-the-plant essential oil. For this reason, Alexandria is recommending the use
of Palmarosa essential oil in place of Thyme ct. linalool.
•Keep your essential oils away from children, with the caps securely tightened.
•Do not expose to heat, light, or the air. Replacing the cap as soon as you finish using
the bottle will help to extend the life of your oils. Unnecessary exposure to the air will
cause the oils to oxidize and spoil.
•When using essential oils with children and the very elderly, use caution when applying
oils to the hands as they may rub them in their eyes. Should any essential oil get into the
eyes, wash it out with whole milk or vegetable oil to dilute.
•Make sure that every mixture you make up has a label that tells you exactly what is in it,
what you are using it for, and the date the mixture was made. This prevents confusion
when treating different family members and ailments.
•Do not use a diffuser that has a naked flame in the form of a candle around children
and pets as they may accidentally knock it over starting a fire.
DERMAL IRRITATION
•Patch testing is advisable, especially when a person is subject to allergies. If an irritation
should happen, apply a carrier oil to the area to dilute the essential oil and stop the
irritation. Do not wash the area as water will enhance the irritation.
•Avoid essential oils known to cause skin irritation or photo-toxicity on children under six
years of age. Dilute appropriately for skin application.
•At all times any essential oil should be diluted when used on a child with the exception
of Lavender, Tea Tree, and Ravintsara when used on the soles of the feet.
EPILEPSY
•Usually no risk unless large quantities are taken such as when essential oils are taken
internally (orally, rectally, or large doses inhaled using a nebulizing diffuser).
INTERNAL USE
•Never take essential oils by mouth unless under the guidance of a suitably qualified
practitioner, working in cooperation with your own doctor.
•Stick to the recommended doses and suggested usage only. Do not attempt to
go above the recommended amounts unless under the guidance of a qualified
Aromatherapist.
•Do not use essential oils orally when pregnant. We know that oils pass through the
placenta and the high concentration of essential oil molecules will be difficult for the
developing child to detoxify as their detox system is not mature or fully functional.
About ten times more essential oil molecules will enter the bloodstream when ingested
than with application to the skin.
NASAL APPLICATION
•The mucous membranes of the nasal passages are known to absorb readily whatever
is placed inside, such as the nasal sprays used to administer doses of drugs for various
conditions.
•Care must be taken when using this method of application. As reported by Penny
Price, serious though non-fatal toxicity in children has been reported when applying or
injecting Peppermint and/or Eucalyptus Globulus inside the nose.
•Due to the seriousness of these cases many professional Aromatherapists recommend
that essential oils should not be instilled into the noses of children under age six.
POISONING
•Even a 5ml bottle can contain enough essential oil for a lethal dose of poisoning if a
child were to accidentally drink the bottle. Always keep them out of reach of children,
with the orifice reducer in place and the lid tightly closed. Remember, when plants are
distilled the resulting oil is 100 times more concentrated than the plant material.
•Do not use Peppermint essential oil on
children under 30 months of age. The
menthol can, in rare cases, cause a
breathing spasm.
•If you are taking homeopathic
remedies, essential oil treatments
must be given at least an hour apart
to prevent them interfering with the
homeopathic treatment, especially
when using Peppermint.
•Peppermint stays on your fingers long
after you have washed your hands and
you could rub it into your eyes. Always
apply essential oil with the little finger as
it is least likely to get into your eye.
BIRCH & WINTERGREEN
•Topically applied Birch and
Wintergreen, which are both high
in methyl salicylate, can potentiate
the anticoagulant effect of Warfarin,
causing side effects such as internal
hemorrhage. Similar effect may be
possible with other anticoagulant drugs.
•Birch and Wintergreen are
contraindicated for those facing major
surgery, those suffering hemophilia
or other bleeding disorders, during
pregnancy, while breastfeeding, for
young children, and for people with
salicylate sensitivity (often applies in
ADD/ADHD).
•Do not take Birch or Wintergreen
internally or use them topically
undiluted. Numerous cases of poisoning
have been reported from ingesting
Wintergreen Oil; 4 to 8 milliliters is
considered a lethal dose for a child.
•The use of Birch or Wintergreen should
be limited to only blends that have
been formulated by a qualified
Aromatherapist.
Please Note: Most known Birch essential oil
currently in the marketplace is a ‘naturelike’ product, not a pure essential oil.
OREGANO & THYME CT. THYMOL
•Oregano and Thyme ct. thymol are
both high in phenols (Carvacrol and
Thymol); large doses or continued
use are toxic to the liver. Not
recommended for use with children
under 12 years of age, the very elderly,
or those who have had hepatitis or
other liver damaging diseases.
•Topical application should be diluted to
1% to avoid irritation and patch tested
before use on skin. Phenols are skin and
mucous membrane irritants.
Do not take Oregano or Thyme ct. Thymol
internally unless under the care of a
professionally trained Aromatherapist.
They may inhibit platelet aggregation
and may potentiate anticoagulant
medications. Oregano was also found
to potentiate medication for diabetes.
It is contraindicated for pregnancy,
breastfeeding, and small children.
A WORD OF CAUTION
•Use common sense, aromatherapy is in
its infancy and we only have a tiny bit
of information on what Esssential Oils
can do, both positively and negatively
in the body.
•For example, taking Oregano internally
every day may not present immediate
issues leading many to believe that this
practice is safe. However, years down
the road damage to the liver could
present itself. Accumulation of damage
is not something that shows up instantly,
so you can abuse the use of an
essential oil such as Oregano for a long
time before the damage will show up in
the body.
More information HERE
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